Christian Mathematics

There is a strange phenomenon that takes place in the life of each believer as he or she strives to be more Christ-like. This phenomenon is not rational, scientific or mathematical; it does not compute. When Christians give their lives away, they gain it. One plus one no longer equals two, rather one minus one equals two. When we give our lives to God then God gives us back our lives with the added bonus of the Holy Spirit. In a world where ‘more’ equals power and prestige, Christians know that less equals more. Less of me means more of Christ (John 3:30). The more of myself I give away the more I receive.

Now, for those who read this and think that Christianity might be the ticket to success, power and money, think again. The gain we receive is not what the world is seeking. Yet, in the same sense, what we gain is what the world is seeking. What? In other words, the world is actually seeking the same things that Christ offers: love, joy, peace, acceptance, and self-worth. The problem with most people is they equated material goods with these non-material realities. A worldly person wants a new car. Why? Because he or she believes this car will bring happiness, acceptance or self-worth. This person is doing simple math. He or she comes to the simple conclusion that in order to obtain something one must grab it and hold onto it. Yet all he or she obtains is a possession that, in the end, cost more than it gives. Thus one plus one did not equal two but rather equaled a negative two.

The strange reality of Christian mathematics is that in giving what we already have to those who have less we begin to gain what we truly need. Thus we begin to learn that three minus four equals ten: the greater the giving the greater the value. Not in earthy terms, but in spiritual terms. I am not simply taking about future heavenly rewards, but also present spiritual rewards. This is the joy and peace one finds when he or she learns to let go of the things of this world and to value human life over possessions. You see it doesn’t compute; it doesn’t make sense. Yet, the wisdom of the world is foolishness before God (1 Cor 3:19).

Our challenge is this: We must stop doing worldly math (unless you’re still in school or use math for your work) and start living out Christian mathematics. Let's give our lives away for His Kingdom!