Let me warn you. . .the principles taught in this teaching are hazardous to the enemy and potentially devastating to his plans for your finances and your life.

These seven keys to immediate increase will set the captives of mediocrity free.  It will raise those seemingly condemned to a financial abyss to a higher understanding of what it takes to experience continuous increase.

Remove any and all hindrances . . . prepare yourself to real and lasting increase in your life.

Here are the seven keys for you to study and activate.

First, expect previously unknown opportunities even in adversity.

The best way to experience previously unknown opportunities is to expect them.

I’ve discovered in my life that when I expect to find unknown opportunities or doors to open. . .they do. . .regardless of my circumstances.

There will be times in life when our reaction to adversity will determine the opportunities we receive.

Jacob worked for his father-in-law Laban who was crooked and conniving.  It’s interesting the first three letters of conniving is “con.”

Even in the midst of a conniving work environment. . .Jacob never wavered. . .he expected God to take care of Him and He did.

Jacob continued to do the right and honorable thing even if his boss and relative didn’t.  Jacob stayed strong in his faith and obedient to God.

If you want unknown opportunities to come your way. . .you must stay faithful even in  seemingly unbearable circumstances. . .Jacob persevered and God honored him with His favor and wealth.

Genesis 31:6-9 says:

“And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.   And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.  If he said thus, the speckled shall be thy wages, then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstaked shall by thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstaked.  Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.”

Because of his faithfulness. . .God took the wealth of Laban and presented Jacob with the opportunity for great wealth.

Genesis 33:10 in the Message Bible reveals Jacob’s godly attitude and his subsequent reward when he is confronted by his brother, Esau:

“Jacob said, "Please. If you can find it in your heart to welcome me, accept these gifts. When I saw your face, it was as the face of God smiling on me. Accept the gifts I have brought for you. God has been good to me and I have more than enough." Jacob urged the gifts on him and Esau accepted.” 

Regardless of your circumstances at the moment. . .when you remain faithful even in the midst of adversity. . .God will bring an opportunity your way.

However, we need to expect opportunity to come our way.

Second, tap into previously untapped potential.

Truthfully, I wasn’t the best student in high school or college.

If you went to college. . .you may have had a similar experience to mine.  I had a history professor with whom I had a great relationship explain to me the honors associated with a college graduate.

I will always remember what he said:

“Some people graduate sum cum laude, some graduate magna cum laude or cum laude . . .but Harold, you’re going to graduate “thanks da Lawd.”

We both laughed but he spoke the truth.  For me, my college career was a necessary stop on the way to my political destiny.  However, all of that was “BJ” (Before Jesus.)

For years, I saw myself as an average person. . .but when I got into the Word of God. . .He begin to bring out abilities and attitudes in me. . .which began to maximize my potential.

Gideon never saw His potential until an angel told him that he was a “mighty man of valor.”

Judges 6:12 says:

“And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.”

God saw a potential in Gideon he didn’t even know existed in himself. . .as he had a poor self-image.

Judges 6:15 in the Message Bible says:

“Gideon said to him, “Me, my master? How and with what could I ever save Israel? Look at me. My clan’s the weakest in Manasseh and I’m the runt of the litter.”

As Gideon became faithful to God’s direction. . .he was able to tap into a potential he never knew was within him until God showed up.

After 40 years on the backside of the desert. . .when God told Moses he would be the deliverer of his people. . .he questioned his own potential for leadership because. . .he had become disheartened over the opportunities of his past. . .which seemed lost to him forever.

Exodus 4:10 in the New Living Translation says:

“But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”

When it comes to your potential for success or leadership. . .don’t look at your abilities but rather what God can do through you. . .as a yielded vessel.

Exodus 4:11 in the New Living Translation says:

“Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?”

When you follow God’s direction. . .you’re able to tap into a potential you never knew you had like Gideon. . .or claim a potential for success you may have thought died in the desert of your dreams. . .like Moses.

God sees a greater potential in you than you’ve ever seen in yourself.

Third, develop a reputation as a problem solver.

Your ability to solve problems. . .will open greater doors of opportunity for you.

Daniel is a great example of a problem-solver whose reputation not only preceded him but put him in the position for promotion and wealth.

Daniel 2:46-47 in the Message Bible says:

“When Daniel finished, King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face in awe before Daniel. He ordered the offering of sacrifices and burning of incense in Daniel’s honor. He said to Daniel, “Your God is beyond question the God of all gods, the Master of all kings. And he solves all mysteries, I know, because you’ve solved this mystery.” 

Daniel’s ability to solve problems prompted the King to offer him three rewards. . .

1.      Daniel could visit the King’s tailor and be fitted for his own Armani suits.

2.      Daniel was offered serious “bling”. . .not gold plated jewelry like you find at a jewelry store in the mall. . .but the kind worn by the King himself.

3.      Daniel was offered a position of honor. . .far above others.

Also consider the words found in 1Timothy 5:17-18 in the Message Bible which says:

“Give a bonus to leaders who do a good job, especially the ones who work hard at preaching and teaching. Scripture tells us, "Don't muzzle a working ox" and "A worker deserves his pay."

I believe we call that: Going the extra mile. God rewards those who do it.

“Initiative is doing the right thing without being told to do it.”

Way too many workers. . .do just enough to get by. . .just enough to draw a check and that’s why promotion never seems to manifest.

Be pro-active. . .if you see a problem in your workplace. . .offer solutions. . .don’t wait for your boss to ask your opinion or assistance.

I know that I value the employees who bring me ideas. . .those who want to solve problems or improve performance.

Romans 12:6-8 in the Message Bible says:

“If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.” 

Find the problem closest to you. . .and solve it.

One more thing. . .when you become a problem solver. . .you’re able to bless your friends.

Daniel 2:48-49 in the Message Bible says:

“Then the king promoted Daniel to a high position in the kingdom, lavished him with gifts, and made him governor over the entire province of Babylon and the chief in charge of all the Babylonian wise men. At Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to administrative posts throughout Babylon, while Daniel governed from the royal headquarters.”

Daniel was not only able to increase his income. . .he was able to do the same for his friends. . . Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Fourth, attitude adjustment.

If you want to increase your income. . .if you want things to be different in your life. . .the number one thing you need to change is not your job, circumstances, environment, relationships or income. . .it’s your attitude.

Now your attitude can be either good or bad.  That’s why I want to be very specific.

Your attitude is determined by the collection of the dominant thoughts in your mind.  So in determining the proper kind of attitude for change. . .we must look at Philippians 2:5 in the New Living Translation which says:

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

Before you ever do anything. . .you want to think. . .like He would think!

The great news is that you can know with absolutely certainty what Jesus thinks.  All that is required is for you to:  Read Your Bible…Do What It Says.

Napoleon Hill, the author of Think And Grow Rich once said:

“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."

However, if you have a negative and/or bad attitude. . .you will not conceive or believe it and you most certainly. . .will not achieve your goals.

Neither success nor increased income will come to you. . .unless you’re willing to change your attitude. . .which will only change by what you start feeding your mind.

Ephesians 4:23 in the Amplified Bible says:

“And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude].”

The scripture gets very specific when discussing the kind of attitude you should have.

Philippians 2:5 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“And think the same way that Christ Jesus thought.”

You may be thinking… “that sounds good but how do I receive or develop that kind of attitude.”

Seven words.

Read your Bible. . .do what it says.

If you’re having trouble in your marriage. . .you must get rid of your old attitudes about your spouse. . .before you can embrace a new mindset.

If you’re having trouble with your children. . .you must get rid of your old attitudes about them. . .before you can embrace a new mindset.

If you’re having trouble with your boss and/or job. . .you must get rid of your old attitudes about him/her. . .before you can embrace a new mindset.

You must change. . .renovate your thinking before you can replace the old with the new.

Romans 12:2 in the King James Version says:

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

According to Strong’s Concordance the Greek word for renewing is anakainōsis (G342) which means:

“renewing, renovation.”

When you renovate a house. . .you may take out the old unsafe electrical wiring and put in the new.  You pull out the old flooring and add in the new flooring.  You are replacing what isn’t wanted with what is.

Your changing attitude will also change your performance on the job or in the marketplace which leads me to the next key to increasing your income.

Fifth, elevate your performance.

When our youngest son Jamie was about 9 or 10 years old. . .we gave him a rather extensive chore list.  As he looked over the list. . .he looked up and said:

“What am I. . .a slave in Egypt?”

After laughing. . .I reminded him that we didn’t live in Egypt. . .but he would feel the consequences if he didn’t do the chores well. . .and adjust his attitude.

I will confess I said while still laughing as I said those words to our son.  And for the record, he’s always been a hard worker.

Have you ever felt like you were a slave in the workplace. . .overworked and underpaid?

Has your attitude affected your performance?

Do you dislike your boss?

Do you dread going to work each morning? Are you watching the clock tick close to quitting time?

Do you speak to your friends or co-workers with disdain about your employer or supervisor?

If you said “yes” to any of the questions above. . .I recommend you read and re-read and re-read Colossians 3:22-24 in The Living  Bible until it becomes rhema to you.  The passage says:

“You slaves must always obey your earthly masters, not only trying to please them when they are watching you but all the time; obey them willingly because of your love for the Lord and because you want to please him. Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for your masters, 24 remembering that it is the Lord Christ who is going to pay you, giving you your full portion of all he owns. He is the one you are really working for.”

1.  “You slaves must always obey your earthly masters.” 

The King James Bibles says servants instead of slaves.  However, in Strong’s Concordance the Hebrew word of servant is doulos (H1401) and it means:

“a slave, bondman, man of servile condition”

These were real slaves… and the Bible still tells them to be obedient to authority.  How much more are we to obey our employer who is paying us . . .because they’re in a position of authority over us.

2.  “not only trying to please them when they are watching you but all the time.”

We’re to do what we were hired to do. . .whether the boss is looking or not.

3.  “obey them willingly because of your love for the Lord if nothing else and because you want to please God in what you do.”

Enough said.

4.  “Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for your master.”

Be HAPPY on the job and work hard.

5.  “remembering that it is the Lord Christ who is going to pay you.”

You’re going to get more than a paycheck from your employer. . .you’re going to get paid by the Lord. . .based on your performance.

6.  “giving you your full portion of all he owns.”

Wow. . .that’s better than any Christmas bonus. . .I’ve ever had.

7.  “He is the One you are really working for.”

Here’s the key to increasing your income on your current job or being promoted to another position.   If you always remember who you’re really working for . . .you’ll never have to worry about the quality of your job performance again.

Six, do something you’ve never done.

If you want to increase your income. . .then you need to do something you’ve never done.

Is there something you need to learn to be more effective in not just your job. . .but every area of your life?

If what you’ve been doing is not working then it’s time to do something else.

Albert Einstein once said insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result.

Einstein also said:

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”

When we’re doing something we’ve never done. . .moving into uncharted waters or tackling adversity. .  there are three things we must do.

1.  Start praising the Lord.

Psalm 22:3 says:

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”

Praise Him for Who He Is. . .what He’s done for you. . .what He’s doing now and what He’s going to do for you and those you love.

Not convinced that God is ready to sit down with you?  Then let’s look at the Hebrew meanings of three key words in the passage.

First, the word inhabitest is the Hebrew word yashab (H3427) and according to Strong’s Concordance it means: “to dwell, remain, sit, abide.”

Second, the word praises is the Hebrew word tĕhillah (H8416) and according to Strong’s concordance it means:

“praise, song or hymn of praise; adoration, thanksgiving (paid to God); act of general or public praise.”

Finally, the word Israel is the Hebrew word Yisra'el (H3478) and in Strong’s Concordance it means:  “God prevails” or “the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob.”

2.  Think beyond our imagination.

There are only two ways you can see something.

First, with your natural eyes.

Second, with your imagination.

The word imagination is defined in the Merriam Webster Intercollegiate Dictionary as:

“the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality.”

Your imagination is the thing that allows you to see the future before it happens.

Allow the Holy Spirit to prime your motivation to see beyond your natural eyes.

Helen Keller, the blind and deaf American educator and author, once said:

“Doubts and mistrust are the mere panic of timid imagination, which the steadfast heart will conquer, and the large mind transcend.”

2 Corinthians 4:16 in the Message Bible offers some pretty good advice when it says:

“So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.”

The way you gain more understanding and insight is through using your imagination.

Ephesians 1:18 in The Living Bible says:

“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you to share. I want you to realize that God has been made rich because we who are Christ’s have been given to him!”

The NEB says, "inward eyes." Jerusalem Bible says, "eyes of your mind."

How do you see “something of the future?”  It’s through your imagination. . .and that imagination can be used for good or evil. . .depending on whose voice you’re listening to.

3.  Organize For Increase. 

Luke 14:28-30 in the Message Bible says:

“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’”

One of the successful characteristics of millionaires is that they write down their goals.  Keeping it in your head just isn’t good enough.  What would you think of a business that didn’t have written records?

If you do excellent work for someone else … you should do no less than that for yourself. You are a business manager for God. He has made you a steward of everything you are involved in on the earth.

If you want to experience increase in your life. . .then you need a plan and organization.

As stewards we own nothing but we have the awesome responsibility of managing everything and our Boss says we must write the vision and make it plain (Habakkuk 2:2).

Your system can be electronic, i.e., smart phone (iPhone, Android); tablet (iPad, Galaxy, etc); daily planner (Day Timer); or legal pad.  If you choose the latter, I recommend you use legal pads with holes pre-punched so you can place these sheets into a three-ring binder for proper storage so they are easily accessible.

The organizer should include:  your appointments, errands and daily tasks.

You need to find what works for you and work it.

I suggest you check your goals at least twice a day . . . once in the morning before you begin your day and just before bed each night, so you can review your progress.

If you think beyond your imagination without the ability to retrieve that information . . . then you’ll just be spinning your wheels and the last thing you’ll experience is increase.

One final thought. . .go to www.haroldherring.com and search for “7 Keys To Making Godly Decisions” and, if nothing else, please read Key # 6 “Getting Started.”

Seventh, sow seeds for a perpetual harvest.

Even though many parts of the nation had been battered by bitter cold and hazardous weather for nearly a month. . .the good news is spring will come.

Soon backyard gardeners will be planning what they intend to plant this year. 

Just as a gardener, the harvest you get. . .depends on the seeds you sow.

Here are four steps for the backyard gardener which parallel steps for the person desiring to plant seeds for increase in their lives.

1.  Remove the debris.

In a garden. . .you dig up the dead plants and till the soil. . .by turning the old dirt over you’re making way for the new seed.

As a believer. . .we must get rid of the old way of thinking. . .of believing that our harvest will never increase. . .that we’re destined to stay where we are for the rest of our lives.

Remove the negative, doubtful way of thinking with the pure, the powerful and the positive from the Word of God.

2.  Plant your seeds.

It would be foolishness for a home gardener to leave his/her seeds in the package and expect to receive a harvest of vegetables in the summer.

If the gardener doesn’t plan the seeds. . .he will not have a harvest.

We should always allow the Spirit of God to direct where we plant our seeds. . .it must be at the right place and the right time.  When we move in direct obedience to His divine direction then we will always experience supernatural increase.

3.  Fertilize the soil.

In the natural fertilizer will make the vegetable plants grow.

In the spiritual realm.  .  .enrichment like books, CDs, DVDs will yield the spiritual growth you need to realize the increase you desire in every area of your daily life.

4.  Pull the weeds as they show up.

Weeds will choke the very life out of a growing, thriving plant. 

Let’s talk about some of the weeds every believer who’s believing for increase should avoid.

Here are eight weeds dangerous to your spiritual growth and financial increase.

Ignorance, stupidity, negative speaking, worry, deceitfulness of riches, cares of this world, impatience, unforgiveness and lack of agreement are weeds dangerous, if not, deadly to your harvest.

5.  “Soak in the Word.”

In scripture, water is a type & shadow of two things:  the Word and the Spirit.

Interestingly, water is two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen.  Oxygen can be compared to the Spirit or the breath of God, while the two parts hydrogen can be compared to the two forms of God’s Word, the logos (written word) and the rhema (spoken word).

Just as natural water nourishes and strengthens the root system, the water of God’s Word strengthens and nourishes your spiritual roots. . .prepping you for increase in your life.

When we spend time just saturating ourselves in God’s Word, we find ourselves encouraged, strengthened, counseled, cleansed, reproved, corrected, established, confident, and convinced of the love, mercy and grace of God.  This strengthens the roots of the fresh seedlings of God’s Word that He has just planed in our heart to guide us through a specific time of testing.

I freely admit I’m not a gardener, that’s what my wife enjoys.  However, I have tried to cover the basics of planting a garden for increase. . .which parallels preparing your spirit, sound and mind for increase.

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