God’s Mathematics

In grade school we learned the fundamentals of mathematics of add, subtract, multiply, and divide.  We can manipulate numbers for increase or decrease.  Usually, we think of getting more when we add or multiply, or less when we subtract or divide.  Let’s look at God’s math in the gospels.

ADDITION Matt 6:28-34

In the world, we work hard and seek the things we need such as food, shelter, clothing.  Jesus tells us not to seek those things, even though we need them.  If we “seek first the Kingdom of God,” then all these things will be added to us.”  We are not to strive, collect, or store up.  When we seek Him, He provides what we need.  Seeking first the kingdom means to live your life in a way acceptable to God seeking him and not stuff.

SUBTRACTION Matt 25:14-30 

Once we are given things from the Lord we cannot assume it will be ours permanently.  In the parable of the talents, we learn that just storing what we have is not a guarantee it will always be there.  Instead, forfeiture is the result of storing what was meant to be invested.  When we invest what we have been given, we not only get a return on our investment but more will be given to us to invest.  We can turn subtraction into multiplication.

MULTIPLICATION Luke 6:38 

Addition is good but multiplication is better.  How do we live in multiplication?  Give what you already have.  That seems counter-productive in the natural.  God tells us that when we give, it will be given back to us “in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.”    When we give of ourselves, be it talent, time, money, knowledge, or skill, it will be multiplied to us. That is greater than addition.

DIVISION Matt 25:31 

God also divides.  He will divide the flock into two groups:  Sheep are those who “do for others” and goats are those who “do not do for others”.  The goats will not reap the same benefits as the sheep.  God’s division is not based on chance but on our choice to serve.  We can choose the group we want to be in by our actions.

Check your biblical math lifestyle today. 

If you need something you don’t already have, SEEK THE KINGDOM. 

If you want more of what you do have, GIVE. 

If you HIDE what you have, you will have less

If you will be separated according to how you SERVE others.  Servers are rewarded.

Spiritual First Aid

Before going on a hike in the woods, or spending an evening on the beach, it is wise to use mosquito repellent or insect repellent.  There are many varieties available—sprays, lotions, roll-ons, and even pendants.  We use this to prevent being attacked by unwanted insects that can make our outing very unpleasant. 

If you had a cut on your arm or skinned your knee, chances are insect repellent would not help you any.  Perhaps some band-aids or bandages would do a better job to bind up your wound and to stop the bleeding.

If you, unfortunately, broke your leg while on the hike, neither the insect repellent nor the bandages would do you any good.  You would need the help of strong arms to get you out of the woods, and a doctor to help reset your leg, put a cast on it, so it can heal correctly.  Even after it is healed, you may need the help of a physical therapist to make sure your leg functions properly.

There is a parallel with physical first aid and spiritual first aid.  Praise and thanksgiving are like insect repellent.  If you are going into situations where you may be harassed by negative spirits, by all means load up with praise and thanksgiving all the while you are engaged there.

If you get hurt with cuts and bruises on your journey, bind up your scrapes and cuts with generous amounts of forgiveness and repentance so infection does not set in.  Praise and thanksgiving, though good, will not soothe your hurts, bring healing, nor prevent infection. 

Should you be traumatized at any time in your life, you will need more than first aid.  You will need strong pray-ers to help get you to a doctor who knows how to reset your body, mind, and soul.  You may need a cast made up of new life habits to keep you in alignment so you can heal correctly.  Even after you are healed you will need a spiritual mentor to make sure you function properly in the Kingdom of God.

It’s time to assess your spiritual condition so you can get the right kind of treatment. If an infection has set in so that you are always angry, hateful, downtrodden, or lonely, you will need to know how to apply repentance and forgiveness.  If you have issues with fear, depression, bitterness, no joy, or reoccurring traumas, you need a prayer minister who can address trauma and deliverance. 

Marcia, at Bethany Projects can help you.  Marcia.prayer@gmail.com