Q2. God's Increase

[Irmela]

Q2. (Genesis 30:25-43)

At what point do you think Jacob realizes that his breeding techniques are not the cause of his growing wealth?

According to Deuteronomy 8:17-18, what danger are we in when our income and assets begin to increase?

I guess he realized it before he suggested his wages to Laban.  Before he reached Laban , God had promised him that other's would be blessed by him.  Jacob saw that his uncle was blessed by him having taken care of the flock. There was a great increase in the herd/flock.   Breeding techniques alone are not what are needed for a strong herd or flock.   A shepherd/farmer knows his animals and "selective breeding"  has been done as in "forever".  Jacob too, kept the stronger animals to breed a better flock/herd.  Jacob was not the only one tending to the big herd.  He was obviously the overseer.   He put his experience / knowledge into practice eg.,  for bigger/stronger kids he would not let the roes breed more than once a year; he would try to not have them breed before they were a yr old;  he would possibly keep the stronger buck to mate with several of the does etc.  Ultimately it was God that helped increase the herd, he just put the talents and experience God had given him to good use.

The danger is that we begin looking to ourselves as being the source of the increase.