Thank God that he calls us by name, that our names have been written in the Book of Life. He knows us intimately. We are not just numbers to him, as the scripture above reminds.
That said, have you ever looked at the face of a calculator and marveled at how completely God is involved in all of those functions? He adds, he subtracts, he multiplies, he divides. Positives, negatives, rationals, irrationals, imaginaries, radicals… all indicate some aspect of God and what he does, how he interacts with his creation.
Let’s take a look at some examples of the most basic of these functions, and how they suggest a perfect sum of completeness and trust. He’s worked it all out. The numbers add up. The whole world – its time and history and future – is well calculated, and safe in his hands.
ADDITION
Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. –Acts 2:46-47, NAS
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. –1 Corinthians 3:7, KJV
“Nothing in Scripture and in the life of Christ could be clearer: Wealth is not an objective of the spiritual life. When we encounter money on the path of life, we are encouraged to do one of three things with it: Turn and walk in the other direction; pick it up and give it away; or use it for the necessities of life. It’s this last part that I think has become skewed over time. Our list of ‘needs’ is much greater today than it was in 1900 and their list of needs were certainly greater than during the time when Christ walked the Earth. Now I know that here in the year [2010], it is countercultural to give money away. It is countercultural to seek your security in things that aren’t man-made. But, remember what Jesus promised, ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you’ (Matthew 6:33, NKJV).” –Steve Scalici, “Should Christians Strive for the American Dream?”
SUBTRACTION
The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! –John 1:29, NAS
If you subtract from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will subtract your part from the Tree of Life and the Holy City that are written in this book. –Revelation 22:19, MSG
“Our spiritual engrafting provides an eternity of new life. While the struggles of our present earthly existence cause momentary, light affliction, the life to come for those who are in Christ Jesus will last forever. There will be no more heartaches, no more pain. He has taken our heart of stone and replaced it with a heart of flesh. He died so that we might live.” –Peter Beck, “Engrafted for Life”
MULTIPLICATION
For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. –Hebrews 6:13-14, KJV
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. –2 Corinthians 9:10, NAS
“I would be afraid to bring children into this world if I did not know God. But because I know God, I am free to encourage you to have children… God’s people are the ones who ought to be bringing a godly seed into this world. What does the world need? Jesus. How are they going to hear if the light goes out?” –Adrian Rogers, “Bringing Children into the World”
DIVISION
So you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. –Ezekiel 47:21, NAS
And the people of all the nations will be gathered before him. Then he will divide them into two groups, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. –Matthew 25:32, GNT
“God is in the business of division. As in creation, He divided whatever was necessary in order to bring order. He divides light and darkness today also. That is why His people are in this world but not of it. God’s children are separated from the world as they are sanctified, or set apart, for the things of God. As Christians, we think of the Lord as One who wants to make “everything ok” or to bring peace to a given situation. However, the Lord Jesus clearly said that He came to divide. ‘Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword’ (Matt. 10:34).” –Tonilee Adamson & Bobbye Brooks, “Division”
The Sum of the Equation
I know that whatever God does will last forever; there is nothing to add or subtract from it; and God has done it so that people will fear him. –Ecclesiastes 3:14, CJB
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” — Job 1:21, NAS
You can’t take any of this stuff with you. Enjoy it and praise God for all of it. Instead of counting widgets, count blessings, count it all joy. Let him do the math of your life: be your accountant, buyer, salesman, financial planner, marketer and profiteer.
About The Author
Shawn McEvoy is the Managing Editor of Crosswalk.com. Shawn came to Salem in 2005 after completing his Master's degree in writing from Virginia Commonwealth University and spending several years as a fantasy sports columnist and college admissions counselor. Shawn is a native Arizonan who studied Youth Ministry and English at Oklahoma Baptist University before making his way to the East Coast. He is married with two children, enjoys discussing pop culture through the lens of the Christian worldview, and aims to be all things to all men. Not an especially politically-minded believer, Shawn's favorite Bible verse is 2 Timothy 1:7, and his favorite authors include Max Lucado, Donald Miller, and John Eldredge.
The author invites you to visit:
http://www.biblestudytools.com
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly
long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
I know this site provides quality depending articles and additional data, is there any other web page which
offers these kinds of stuff in quality?
Wonderful post however I was wondering if
you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
Appreciate it!
Hey there this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors
or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience.
Any help would be enormously appreciated!
Hi i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anyplace, when i read this paragraph i thought i could also create comment due to this sensible post.
This is a very good tip especially to those new
to the blogosphere. Simple but very precise info… Thank you for sharing this one.
A must read post!
This is a topic which is close to my heart… Cheers!
Where are your contact details though?
Thanks very interesting blog!
I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such
detailed about my problem. You are incredible! Thanks! natalielise plenty
of fish
Thanks for finally writing about >A Mathful God? <Loved it!
Admiring the dedication you put into your blog and in depth information you provide.
It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed information. Excellent read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Cheers! Where are your contact details though?
Whats up very nice web site!! Man .. Excellent ..
Superb .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally?
I’m happy to find numerous useful information here in the post, we’d like
work out more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing.
. . . . .
This is the perfect blog for everyone who would like to understand this topic.
You understand a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really would want
to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic that’s been discussed
for ages. Wonderful stuff, just excellent!
It’s awesome to pay a quick visit this website and reading the views of
all colleagues on the topic of this paragraph, while I am also zealous of getting familiarity.
What’s up to every one, it’s actually a good for me to visit this web page, it consists of helpful
Information.
Helpful information. Fortunate me I discovered your site by accident, and
I’m shocked why this coincidence did not came about earlier!
I bookmarked it.
I was excited to find this site. I need to to thank you for your time for this
particularly wonderful read!! I definitely savored every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to look at new information in your blog.
Hi there to every single one, it’s actually a good for me to go to see
this site, it includes precious Information.
chloroquine 2020 https://chloroquine1st.com/
bright feed [url=http://viacheapusa.com/#]viagra erection[/url] viagra vs cialis viagra erection sometimes permission http://viacheapusa.com/
hydroxychloroquine price https://hydroxychloroquine1st.com/
buy careprost https://www.jueriy.com/
buy cialis online https://www.wisig.org/
I think the admin of this web site is actually working hard in favor of his site, because
here every data is quality based material.
My partner and I stumbled over here from a different web address and thought
I may as well check things out. I like what I
see so i am just following you. Look forward to going over your web page for a second time.
Hi there I am so delighted I found your website, I really found you by mistake, while I was researching on Askjeeve for something else,
Anyways I am here now and would just like to say many
thanks for a tremendous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the
theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at
the moment but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds,
so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the great jo.
does viagra have generic judpharmacy https://viatribuy.com/
buy keflex https://keflex.webbfenix.com/
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it
but, I’d like to send an e-mail. I’ve got a bit of ideas to your blog you
may well be thinking about hearing. In any case, great website and i also enjoy
seeing it develop over time.
Also visit my web blog: Fauxdori Travelers Notebook