Biblical Multiplication Modelsনমুনা

‘Cast your bread upon the waters’ (Eccl. 11:1) does not at first strike us as a real multiplication model. It is more like spoiling valuable food, but it turns out to be an investment of cost and risk first before it leads to profit. ‘For’, says the preacher, ‘you will find it after many days.’ It is comparable to the sowing of grain, the harvest of which comes after many days with a multiplication of possibly thirty to a hundred times (Luke 8:8). This is why the preacher encourages us to sow, ‘in the morning [..] and at evening [..], for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good’ (11:6). Paul, too, confirms this principle of ‘multiplying by dividing’ and says, ‘The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully’ (2 Cor. 9:6).

God has given man such an abundance; think of our talents, money, intellect, creativity, capacities, and means. We have received the mission to fruitfully use all God-given potential and to multiply it to honour Him and to help the people around us (2 Cor. 9:11 and 12).

‘Multiplying by dividing’ is the mathematical principle of 1 :3=3 or more’. It takes the mickey out of human logic, but it does work. Take for instance immaterial values. These grow by sharing. For instance, if we share love, love grows. Love is multiplied in the person that shares love and in the person that receives love. The same is true for knowledge. If we share knowledge, knowledge grows and others are enabled to build on that knowledge. The original giver in his turn may continue to build on new input from others. This way we stack knowledge on knowledge and knowledge grows. Also in finance, this growing principle of dividing stands. If we do nothing with our money, it does not multiply. Only if we invest money, or divide it, it can grow, as we read in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The man who does not do anything with his money or talents has no gain and nothing has been multiplied. Those in the parable who went out and were involved in business transactions, running risks with their investments, have actually multiplied their original sum. It is this latter group that is praised and receives even more.

Question for the day
What parts of your possessions or your life are you not (yet) sharing with others, and what would be the gain if you were to do just that?