How to Get Rich/Smart/Successful/“Cracked” the Christian Way

For those short on time, here’s the TLDR (Genesis 1:28):

1. Be Fruitful
2. Multiply
3. Replenish
4. Subdue

There’s a significant misconception when people read this verse: “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Many interpret “Be fruitful and multiply” as simply having children. However, if this were the case, why would Abraham, who only had one child, be considered wealthy and successful? Clearly, there’s more to this divine instruction than just procreation.

Some believe that being fruitful requires specific “seeds” or resources, but let me tell you, that’s not the case. In fact, the seeds you’re looking for—your talent—are already inside you.

Talent

The dictionary describes talent as natural aptitude or skill. Let’s pause here and consider what this really means. Talent isn’t defined solely by tangible skills or measurable abilities. It’s not just about how well you write code, solve complex mathematical problems (#shaperotator), or excel in linguistics (#wordcel).

Talent (in itself is a complex subject) but the TLDR is it encompasses a broad spectrum of natural aptitudes for anything—from experiencing music, emotions, or time more intensely to having a refined sense of taste or smell, and or the more celebrated skills like mental math.

However, from God’s perspective, the initial talent you possess isn’t what matters most. It’s what you create and develop with that talent that truly counts. In fact, both biblical teachings and scientific research show that you can “gain” talents over time.

So, how does this translate to becoming rich, smart, or achieving whatever goal you have in life?

Fruitful

In the biblical sense, being fruitful always means being productive. It’s about having work or physical creations that demonstrate how you’ve used your time.

The “fruit” will always refer to the actions one takes towards their goal; remember, God didn’t build houses or make clothing for Adam and Eve; he hid those good things in resources on earth for them to find.

So what should be your goal from this? Your goal is to be productive, or more accurately, to produce and create a fruit, but not just any fruit—a GOOD FRUIT.

(This is the hardest part, as it requires both FOCUS and CREATIVITY in a singular branch of any topic of your choosing (hopefully something that aligns with your talent)).

For example: Suppose you like mathematics, but you don’t know where to start. You take the first topic you can find—Algebra—and you focus and work on algebra to get the skill of understanding. By definition, you have now been fruitful.

Multiply

This step is just reproducing what you have already produced. Taking the mathematics example, you can take your understanding of algebra and move to the next topic—Calculus— and so on and so forth.

Suppose you want to make fruits (be productive) by creating math notes for others to learn from. Then, by order from God, you must keep creating notes and innovating on those notes, till you can write books or teach or make youtube series. The point is the path of growth is infinite and never ending.

Replenish

But what use is solving a problem or making math notes if only you know the answer/can use the notes? By definition there can be no (outward) value in the solution you made, if others don’t find value in it, which is the point of Replenish:

Always distribute your findings, your fruits. Let them be shown; showcase your growth. If your fruit is actually valuable, people will make use of it or at least let you know (There’s a reason why significant amounts of budget cuts go to advertising). For example, if you never undertake substantial programming projects, how can anyone truly recognize your coding abilities?

Subdue

Take control of the space; or rather in simpler terms this is where you specialize, and become an expert in that specific field. There is no point/use/gain in competition not in the bible not in the real world; thus you want to find an area in any field (and trust me, there are many) where you can be the absolute best, or at least in the top tier or top percentage.

Going back to the math example, in this case you find a problem that no one else has solved. With a little creativity and a lot of research, you (hopefully) solve that problem. This achievement not only advances the field but also often results in the highest recognition within the educational system (demonstrating expert knowledge in that specific area).

That’s it?

So that’s it? Study hard (with focus), repeat, showcase, take control? Ye if you want to be mediocre. One crucial part people often overlook is management (dominion).

Dominion

Through studying the Bible and observing successful individuals, I’ve come to realize that what ties everything together is their aversion to waste, or rather, their exceptional management skills. It’s the ability to steward wisely what they’ve been given.

This concept of stewardship is fundamental because as you improve your management skills—encompassing resources, time, and talent—the quality and abundance of your fruit increases. It’s a universal principle: the more faithfully you manage what you have, the more God entrusts with.

This idea is reflected in the Bible, specifically in John 6:12 (KJV), where Jesus, after feeding the five thousand, says: “When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” This verse emphasizes the importance of good stewardship, even in times of abundance, you must never waste anything.

It’s why we often see the successful becoming more successful, while those struggling may face increasing hardship. The key difference often lies in their ability to manage the resources they’ve been given.

Good management takes you from the realm of just being good to complete dominion of a topic/subject, a realm where you become irreplacable for good; a point of no return; that is how you get “Cracked”.

Of course there are biblically-based methods to effectively study and develop your talents, that’s a story for another time.

Thanks for reading.