I firmly believe in God Math.
Say what?
Think along the lines of Jesus changing water into wine or multiplying fish and loaves. Miracle Math. God Math.
God operates outside of human constraints. Yet, somehow in my small brain, I frequently seem to forget this (repeatedly). When I pray, I need to focus on God’s character and shed my self-imposed limitation of believing His abilities resemble my own. In short, I shouldn’t put God in a box.
If I’m not careful, I tend to view Him with human restrictions. Instead, I try to meditate on how His nature remains incomprehensible to me as a whole, completely capable of miracles (“Lord, surprise me!”). If God is who He says He is, then God can do what He says He can do.
Let’s check out what God’s Word says:
- And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV).
- Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it (Malachi 3:10).
- Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine (Proverbs 3:9-10).
- Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).
- Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).
What I like about these verses is that they highlight the mysterious ingredient of giving which acts a catalyst for blessings. Did you notice that? Blessings come when generosity springs from the heart. Miracle Math and God Math occur when we have an open hand instead of a closed fist.
Has a small miracle happened in your life? A blessing of abundance so timely it seemed impossible without intervention from the hand of God?
Giving is the beginning of getting. When we plan and connive and cut corners, we do so in our own strength. When we give, sometimes not only out of our excess, we turn the reigns over to God and trust Him to provide. Think about the boy in the feeding of the 5,000 story. He had to give the fish and loaves over first for God to multiply them. God didn’t multiply the fish in the boy’s knapsack.
I’m not saying that having God in your life brings financial security; it’s not an equation. But, I realized God provides sufficiently for my needs when I’m able to trust Him and get out of my own way. It’s an easy concept in theory but more difficult (definitely more difficult) in practice.
Here’s the best part: God Math doesn’t only apply to money. I’ve come to realize that He has the uncanny ability to multiply anything and everything I surrender to him: time, talents, work, and even love. Carry all things through life with an open hand allowing yourself to be a blessing to those around you. Surrender struggles at His feet; He will provide in His time.
God Math.
Featured Image by Roman Mager on Unsplash
