Personal growth brings multiplication. As such, I can multiply personally and professionally, according to Proverbs 11.24-25. And, the more I invest in myself, the more I grow.
Growth Thru Multiplication
Personal and professional growth is like a savings account.
As such, small deposits multiply over time to produce larger balances through compounding.
Moreover, one way to grow a bank balance is to accept more risk to the principle.
Similarly, this principle of risks applies to personal growth.
First, which sources should I trust for low risk, time-tested direction about personal and professional growth?
Second, how can I best balance risk and reward to multiply my personal and professional growth?
Third, how do I decide which areas of my personal and professional life should be the focus of those growth efforts?
But, regardless of my risk tolerance, personal growth brings multiplication!
The Foundation for Multiplication
So, where should I look? For many, the entry point to focused growth is a deep and personal, spiritual relationship.
In fact, reverence for God starts the wisdom-gathering process. Moreover, that theme is repeated in Proverbs several times.
For example, those who actively engage in wisdom seeking, Proverbs 2.1-4, recognize the role of reverence. As a result, they grow in their knowledge of God, Proverbs 2.5.
“Reverence for the Lord is the beginning of knowledge …” Proverbs 1.7
The Source of Wisdom
First, God is the source of wisdom.
As such, He shares wisdom, Proverbs 2.6, with those who seek it wholeheartedly, Proverbs 2.2-4.
“The Lord gives wisdom …” Proverbs 2.6
Second, spiritual insight allows me to balance sowing with the outcome of reaping.
As presented in Proverbs 11.24-25, when I sow I take a risk. Also, I’m acting with intention.
Then, when I reap I find reward. And, I see how accountability works.
Thus, sow-reap is fundamental to growth.
So then, the person that I am, spiritually and emotionally, can keep me out of lots of trouble. For instance, when I avoid taking excessive risks.
The Role of Reverence
Reverence helps me avoid over-confidence, Proverbs 8.13, “Reverence steers me away from pride and arrogance …”
Also, reverence facilitates wisdom building and produces humility, Proverbs 15.33: “… humility precedes honor.”
My personal, spiritual life is the foundation for effective character development.
So, reverence initiates the wisdom-building process. As a result, my knowledge of God increases.
Then, I develop experiential insight. Finally, that insight leads to a long and productive life, as described in Proverbs 9.11.
Actually, to “multiply days” from Proverbs 9.11 means to grow my capacity. In turn the basis for that growth is a personal relationship with God.
Therefore, to build more capacity, thus do more that really counts, I must grow more in my knowledge of God!
“By (wisdom) your days will be multiplied and the years of your life increased” Proverbs 9.11 paraphrase
The Multiplication Principle
Now, the Hebrew word in Proverbs 9.11 for “multiplied” is rabah. Actually, the word means to be many or more. Thus, to be abundant.
So, in Proverbs 9.11 I enjoy multiplied days. As such, greater productivity during each day. In addition, I see increased years of life. Thus, a longer life or more days.
Interestingly, this same pattern of combining productivity and longevity appears in Proverbs 3.2.
Specifically, the pattern shows a return to those who absorb the precepts: “… length of days and long life …”
Absorbing the precepts reaps character change that directly impacts my capacity to produce.
In addition, some other things that can be multiplied are:
1). God’s wonders, Exodus 11.9.
2). Material wealth, Deuteronomy 8.13; First Chronicles 5.9.
3). The length of life, Deuteronomy 11.21.
4). A family, Job 27.14.
5). Population, Exodus 1.7, 10, 12, 20.
6). Sorrow for Godlessness, Psalm 16.4.
7). My life when God blesses me, Psalm 107.38.
8). The wicked, Proverbs 29.16.
Therefore, the multiplication principle works in many different settings. Also, it works in both directions, for either good or bad.
Above all, personal growth brings multiplication.
“… I am with you and will bless you and multiply you …” Genesis 26.24
Multiplication – My Part
God’s expectation for us is geometric growth. In short, multiplication. Conversely, it’s not simply linear or additive growth.
Why? Because God blesses His creation, Genesis 1.22 and 1.28: “God blessed them, saying Be fruitful and multiply …”
Moreover, that expectation of multiplication occurred both before and after the flood. For instance, see Genesis 8.17 and 9.1: “… be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.”
Therefore, God Himself expects me to grow. And, to multiply. Also, to exhibit greater capacity.
In fact, I can multiply!
Ok, what’s the outcome of that growth? Well, multiplication produces abundance, Genesis 9.7: “… be fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth …”
Individual Multiplication
Practically, my life should be marked by multiplication because it’s an outcome of absorbing the precepts.
Additionally, I should be moving forward to accomplish my life purpose. Furthermore, that purpose extends across the personal, professional, and spiritual aspects of my life.
To get there, I’m intentional about absorbing wisdom. In turn, wisdom drives growth. Then, I see a return in the form of multiplication.
Guess what? That’s the sow-reap precept at work in my life!
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying ‘Oh that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my coast and that your hand might be with me’ … God granted his request” 1 Chronicles 4.10
Like Jabez did over 3,000 years ago, I can ask God to multiply my efforts!
In fact, in First Chronicles 4.10 Jabez asked God to “enlarge my coast.” Similarly, “enlarge” is the same Hebrew word rabah used in both Proverbs 9.11 and Genesis 26.24 as “multiply.”
Moreover, the word he used for “coast” means a border.
Thus, Jabez asked God to expand his capacity by pushing out his existing boundaries. Above all, boundaries of who he was and what he could accomplish.
In response, God answered that request. In part, because Jabez was “more honorable than others” according to First Chronicles 4.9. Thus, integrity is fundamental.
So, which areas of my life need a growth focus? Well, any place that I’m willing to extend the boundary!
I must carefully watch who I am, because who I am positions me for how much I’m able to grow!
Multiplication in Practice
In like manner, Moses used the multiplication principle in Deuteronomy 8.1.
There, he encouraged the people to be obedient to the fundamental precepts, the “commandments” – the mitzvah. Why? So they could live, and multiply, and possess the land.
Next, Moses repeats the principle in Deuteronomy 8.13. There, he discussed the multiplication of material wealth due to God’s blessing on their lives.
Like Jabez, Moses recognized that God’s multiplication of his capacity was evidence of God’s blessing on his life!
Sow – Multiply – Reap
To live is to sow, to invest. Thus, to be intentional about building my spiritual and emotional character.
If fact, that intentionality positions me to enjoy divine multiplication. Consequently, I will see growth in my life to the extent that I sow.
Multiplication is the result of my intentionality regarding growth.
Following sowing and multiplication is reaping.
For example, in Deuteronomy 8.1 “possess the land” is the reaping. That is, it’s the outcome of intentionality as it earns compound interest.
In this example, possession is the life purpose or the goal.
But, where should I sow in order to recognize the greatest multiplication while minimizing risks?
Well, the simple answer is that I should sow the ground that I have already prepared for planting.
Remember, zero risk – by staying in my comfort zone – likely means zero growth.
Conversely, I develop greater spiritual sensitivity and emotionally intelligence through the process of growth.
As a result, I will more easily recognize opportunities for self-improvement and professional growth.
“… keep the precepts so you can live and multiply: and the Lord will bless you …” Deuteronomy 30.16 paraphrase
Start Small
Actually, multiplication or compounding works from any starting point.
For instance, I can grow incrementally as I’m faithful in the practice of absorbing the precepts.
The issue isn’t where I am right now but where I could be if I’m determined to grow.
In addition, it’s who I could become if I’m persistently intentional about sowing the precepts into my life.
The parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13.31-32 is a great example of starting small. But, that small start multiplies dramatically into something that provides for others as growth occurs.
“the mustard seed … is the least … is the greatest …” Matthew 13.31-32
Similarly, multiplication impacts all facets of my life. That is, the spiritual, the material, and the interpersonal.
For instance, I’ve experienced significant personal and profession growth by applying the precepts found in Proverbs.
In addition, Proverbs for Professionals is an outcome of persistently sowing time into absorbing the precepts.
Apply This Today!
For starters, my ability to flourish professionally is linked to my rate of growth.
As such, I should experience growth in both my emotional self and my spiritual character.
Next, multiplication is a powerful tool for good in my life.
But I must develop my character. And, combine that growth with wise choices built off of sound judgment.
Unfortunately, multiplication is deadly when I allow my character to erode, producing poor choices.
Actually, professional growth that leads to multiplication of capacity requires deliberate practice. As such, I practice just beyond the border of my existing capabilities.
In other words, I must work beyond my present comfort zone. In so doing, I push past my current skill set.
Then, I learn that personal growth brings multiplication.
Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me: larrydaleyoung@gmail.com
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