Have We Allowed Numbers to Overrule Values?

On the first and the fifteenth of each month I pay our household bills. I carefully check the numbers on the bills and then make sure that the numbers in our bank account exceed the numbers on the bills. In sports, the team that scores the most points or has the highest number, wins (except for golf where the lowest number wins). In politics, the person with the largest number of votes wins the election.

There is no doubt that numbers can be important in many circumstances and situations. But can numbers become so important in our minds that they tend to overrule the values held by an individual, a community, or an entire society and culture? Can the elevation of numbers become so strong that values are discarded and forgotten?

Booker T. Washington, a leading educator particularly in the African American community in the late 1800s and early 1900s is recorded as saying:

"A lie doesn't become truth,

wrong doesn't become right,

and evil doesn't become good,

just because it's accepted by the majority."

The majority is a summary-type word that represents a support of 50% plus at least one more of those persons casting their opinion or vote on a particular subject or issue. I would interpret Washington's quote as being the numbers (majority) overruled the values of truth, right, and good in the issue he was referencing (not stated here).

A familiar story in the Bible of numbers almost overruling values is found in the Book of Judges. Gideon was told by God that he was to lead the Israelites against the Midianites and that God would be with Gideon. Gideon gathered 32,000 men to go against the Midianites. God told Gideon this was too many men because when the battle was won, they would think it was because of their superior numbers. The value was for the people of Israel to see that God would deliver them against the Midianites. The number was reduced from 32,000 to 300. God led them to a great victory. Numbers had threatened the value, but changes were made and value (God's power to deliver the nation) was victorious. After the battle, the people saw Gideon as the one who had defeated the Midianites. But Gideon refused their honor and turned the honor to God in Judges 8:22-23.

"The Israelites said to Gideon, 'Rule over us, you as well as

your sons and your grandsons, for you delivered us from the

power of Midian.' But Gideon said to them, 'I will not rule over you,

and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you.'"

There are many ways in our own lives that we can use our numbers to overrule the ultimate value of life which is to proclaim the work and glory of God and to realize His work in and through our lives.

• When we value the size of our bank account or investment portfolio rather than allowing God to use the funds to bless those in need and the ministry of His people.

• When we determine how well a church is doing by the number of attenders rather than the value of lives being brought to Christ and discipled to follow Christ daily.

• When we allow the popularity (numbers) of a celebrity or politician to overrule the lack of evidence of their commitment in following Christ (value).

• When we admire and even worship the rich (numbers), but neglect the poor (value).

• When we heed the words of men (numbers), but ignore the Word of God (value).

You may have many other examples to add to the list above. The key is that we must never allow numbers of any type to cause us to worship the numbers rather than the one great value of life - the Lord Jesus Christ.

May we stay focused on Christ and not be led astray by numbers.