How do you see and determine God’s presence and favor with people and organizations? The Christianese response is to look for the fruit of the spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” The fruit of the Spirit is the by-product of Christ’s control. Do YOU look for those characteristics and qualities or do you look for something else?
Too many times we look to determine God’s favor and direction by trying to quantify the success of a person or a ministry. When we look to quantify we run into numbers. So, how and what do we quantify? Attendees…Hands raised…heads bowed…tears shed? Can you measure lives changed? How about a balance sheet showing cash? How do we know where He is working without using numbers?
We live in a world that loves numbers. Businesses love numbers. Six straight quarters of falling profits for the companies in the S&P 500, QE4, a 53.3% chance of an interest rate cut by December. Sports love numbers as seen in batting averages, quarterback rankings and contract terms and figures. The educational system focuses on numerical grades to represent material learned and retained. Churches count attendees at an event or people baptized to represent effectiveness of a ministry.
Christ used numbers all the time. In 2016, we swim in a sea of numbers to help us see more clearly, understand, judge and discern. But, when numbers become dollar signs the context can quickly change.
The book of Luke recalls a story Jesus told about the one lost sheep. There was rejoicing over the ONE sheep found in comparison to the 99 who were not lost. That wouldn’t look so good on a spreadsheet would it? The time and energy to save one sheep was encouraged and justified. Was that really a good use of the shepherd’s time? What about the risk of the 99 as opposed to the 1?
Numbers in heavenly terms aren’t the same as worldly terms. In the current day of budget cuts and data driven “evidence based” results, we need to be careful how much emphasis is placed on what kind of numbers. When numbers represent a drive for donations in dollars, things can get even more twisted.
In John 12 Judas chastised Mary for taking a pint of pure nard and pouring it on Jesus’ feet. Judas made the point that the perfume was equal to one year’s wages and a waste to use in that fashion. But, Jesus commended her act, not condemned it. Obviously he didn’t have the same attitude with numbers as Judas. Is that because the numbers were equated to money and not the heart?
What about the time with the fish and loaves and feeding the 10-20 thousand on the hillside? The disciples quantified the need at 8 month’s of wages and quickly recommended sending them away because the numbers didn’t justify the expense. Jesus quickly pointed out that what needed to be done didn’t need a data analysis or a dollar figure. Jesus taught the disciples they were dealing with a spiritual issue that could be solved in another way.
When we try to quantify everything in terms of money it can reveal a heart issue as much or more than a numbers issue. Contributors can get caught up in the effectiveness of their donations as opposed to simply following the lead of the Holy Spirit. So, how do we discern where to allocate our fiscal assets? Prayer is the answer, not the return on your investment by conventional facts and figures.
In the story of a wealthy young guy, Jesus made the point in spades. “‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus replied, ‘no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields-and with them persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Mark 10:29-31.
Christ didn’t say figure out the best rate of return on your assets and give accordingly. In this parable he said to evaluate your heart and not the data. Christ recommended that only following the data could reveal your heart. Jesus taught that if you truly give it up for Him and His gospel, your return will be a hundred fold. You don’t need to see past performance to indicate future returns. Just follow his Spirit and leave the consequences to Him.
In fact with the rich young ruler, Christ taught that money can be an issue even when we don’t think it is. When quantifying becomes money it’s a slippery slope and reveals the heart. Many who are first will be last, and the last first. He reminded us that pride, ego and position can lurk behind our analysis. Can it be behind yours and you don’t even know it? Don’t risk losing the one opportunity He is leading you towards because the 99 is a bigger number.
There are many ministries and people that need your dollars and cents. Wisdom and discernment are necessary. Some of these ministries can show you data more compelling than others. Some people may look and act like Mary and her pint of nard. Be led by the Spirit, not the data. Don’t make the data a litmus test. Pray and follow the Holy Spirit any time money is involved.
Every financial decision is a spiritual decision. Consult the Spirit not just the data.