Whenever we speak about covenants, we must always look back to the covenant between God and Abram. One of the first things God said to Abram was: “I will bless you.” These words have been at the very heart of God’s desire for all men and women from the foundation of the earth. He is a giver and is committed to bringing His blessings to His people.
In establishing His covenant with Abram, God clearly stated what He would do for Abram through this agreement. Notice what it says:
“Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed'” (Genesis 12:1-3 NKJV).
The Amplified Bible says it this way: “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you with abundant increase of favors….” God wants to not only bless us but also give us favor.
Think about that: abundant increase of the favor of God. God considered it a priority for His blessing, favor, and increase to be available to mankind. He declared that it would be the first thing He would do for Abram—if Abram would only obey God.
As Abram began to walk with God and to obey Him, he witnessed the power of God’s covenant in action. Abram immediately became an eyewitness to the increase that the covenant with God provided.
Genesis 13:6 records the amazing abundance that Abram and his nephew, Lot, received from the Lord:
“Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together” (NKJV).
Their possessions had increased so abundantly that it was more than they could contain as long as they lived together. In order for Abram to continue increasing, he would have to separate from Lot and go forward with God.
The covenant brought an increase of possessions but there was more; God said He would give Abram land as far as his eyes could see. The Lord promised to give Abram descendants, land, increase of wealth, as well as influence—all because he would continue to live by faith in the covenant between him and God Almighty.
The same promise that God made to Abraham belongs to every Christian today. Galatians 3:29 says, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Increase of wealth and influence belong to us if we will continue to live by faith in God’s covenant promises.
