The God of Increase

  This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 4th January 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

The God of Increase

When you open the Bible, most of us instinctively gravitate toward familiar and comforting portions—Psalms, the Gospels, Paul’s letters, or books like Isaiah and John. Very few of us would admit that genealogies are our favorite reading. Long lists of names can feel dry, repetitive, and easy to skip.

Yet, hidden within one such genealogy in 1 Chronicles 4, we discover a powerful and life-changing story—the story of Jabez.

A Name That Spoke Pain, A Life That Spoke Faith

The genealogy flows uninterrupted until verses 9 and 10, where everything pauses for one man:

“Jabez was more honourable than his brothers…”

His name, Jabez, literally means “pain.” His mother named him this because his birth was marked by suffering. Imagine carrying that label for your entire life—being constantly reminded of pain, limitation, and difficulty.

But Jabez refused to let his name define his destiny.

Instead of accepting the narrative handed to him, he cried out to the God of Israel.

The Bold Prayer That Changed Everything

Jabez prayed five simple but courageous requests:

1. “Oh, that You would bless me”
2. “Enlarge my territory”
3. “Let Your hand be with me”
4. “Keep me from harm”
5. “So that I may not experience pain”

And then comes one of the most powerful statements in Scripture:

“And God granted his request.”

In the middle of an otherwise unremarkable list of names, Jabez stands out—not because of his background, but because of his bold faith.

So significant was his life that a city was later named after him (1 Chronicles 2:55). From pain to purpose—what a transformation.

Is It Wrong to Ask God for Blessing?

Many Christians hesitate when it comes to asking God for big things. Some fear being labeled “materialistic,” while others swing away from blessing altogether because of excesses seen in prosperity teaching.

But Scripture paints a clear picture: God is not stingy. He is generous.

Blessing itself is not the problem. The problem arises when we seek blessings instead of God, or when blessings are hoarded rather than used to advance His kingdom.

God delights in blessing His children—so that they, in turn, can be a blessing to others.

Why We Struggle to Ask Boldly

Here are four common reasons we hold back:

1. “My problems are too small to bother God”

The truth is, God cares about every detail of your life. Scripture tells us He even knows the number of hairs on our heads.

We are invited to approach His throne with boldness and confidence, not fear and hesitation.

2. “I haven’t been good enough”

God’s favor is not earned—it is given by grace. We don’t come to Him in our own righteousness, but clothed in the righteousness of Jesus.

Just as Jacob received the blessing while wearing Esau’s garments, we receive God’s blessing because we are “in Christ.”

3. “If God wants it to happen, He’ll do it anyway”

While God is sovereign, Scripture clearly says:

“You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2)

There are things God chooses to release in partnership with our prayers.

4. “Material things are unspiritual”

Jesus Himself taught us to pray for daily bread. Every good and perfect gift—spiritual or material—comes from God.

Four Ways God Blesses Us

Scripture shows that God blesses in multiple ways:

1. Through the hand of people

Joseph’s rise—from slave to second-in-command—came through God working in and through others. People can be instruments of God’s favor in our lives.

2. Through supernatural provision

From manna in the wilderness to water from a rock, God can intervene in ways no human effort can explain.

3. Through the work of our own hands

In the Promised Land, manna stopped—but God blessed the Israelites’ labor. Faith does not replace effort; God blesses diligence and obedience.

4. Even through the hands of enemies

Amazingly, God can cause opposition to become provision. Israel left Egypt with gold and silver from the very people who oppressed them.

Living Like Jabez Today

Jabez teaches us that our past, our name, or our limitations do not determine our future. Faith does.

God is inviting us to:

• Ask boldly
• Trust deeply
• Live generously
• Expect abundantly

As we begin each new season, the challenge is simple yet profound:

What is one big thing you are believing God for?

Write it down. Pray for it consistently. Trust God boldly.

Because the same God who answered Jabez still delights in answering His children today.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.