Considering the ‘Math’ of Christianity

Have you ever gone into a grocery store and looked at two different size packages or containers for a product you wanted to buy? Which is cheaper? The answer is simple: Do the math. If 32 ounces of something costs $5.49, but 64 ounces of the same thing costs $8.99, a simple calculation will tell you the larger one costs less per ounce.

 

When making a major purchase, such as buying a new house, new car or even a new TV, “do the math” can be sound advice. What impact will that have on the budget? Can we afford it? There are few things worse than monthly outgo exceeding monthly income. Been there and done that!

 

Interestingly enough, there were times when Jesus Christ asked His disciples to do the math, although not in so many words. We have instances recorded in the gospels when He confounded them by doing what seemed mathematically impossible, except for the fact that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). 

 

Mark 6:30-44 recounts a time when more than 5,000 men, women and children gathered to hear Jesus speak. When the disciples pointed out it was getting late in the day and the people were getting hungry, Jesus responded, “You give them something to eat.” To which they responded, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages!” 

 

Rather than telling the disciples to send His eager listeners away to fend for themselves, Jesus asked how much food was on hand. The disciples looked around and found five loaves of bread and two fish, hardly enough to cater a suitable meal for a small group, let alone the assembled throng. But for Jesus that was sufficient. He blessed the food, looking up to heaven and offering thanks for it, then instructed the disciples to start distributing it.

 

Miraculously, everyone had more than enough to eat – with 12 basketsful of broken pieces of bread and fish left over.

 

Another time, recorded in Mark 8:1-10, Jesus did the same with another large crowd that exceeded 4,000. This time He had seven loaves of bread and a few small fish to work with. He again gave thanks before the food was passed through the gathering of men, women and children. Afterward the disciples collected seven basketfuls of broken pieces. When the disciples tried to ‘do the math,’ the task seemed insurmountable. But when God does His multiplication, the impossible becomes possible.

 

In both accounts, the Lord demonstrated His preferred arithmetic operation is multiplication. This idea is consistent throughout both the Old and New Testaments. In the Bible’s opening chapter, after God created Adam and Eve as the first humans, His first command to them was, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it…” (Genesis 1:28).

 

We could cite other examples in the Scriptures of how the Lord multiplied things in a material sense, but most important is that God doesn’t limit His ‘mathematical’ strategies to things like food and wine and oil. His primary focus is to multiply the number of those who become His devoted followers.

 

Within the context of the Creation account, before the command to “be fruitful and multiply” we read, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). He wanted them to reproduce both physically and spiritually, making more people who would become His image-bearers.

 

Ultimately, what this looks like in Christianity is disciple-making. In His Great Commission, given just before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20). This directive was intentional. Mere converts – what the Bible calls “newborn babes” in Christ – aren’t mature enough to reproduce. That’s the responsibility of true disciples – followers, learners and mentors who will become spiritual reproducers.

 

Too often the modern Church focuses on converts, getting folks to pray a salvation prayer or walk an aisle. However, when people begin to grow in their relationship with Christ there’s a ripple effect, an exponential impact that multiplies from one person to another, from one generation to the next.

 

This is why the apostle Paul, writing to his protégé Timothy, admonished him, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). In that single verse we see four generations of believers – Paul, Timothy, reliable (or faithful) people, and others.

 

Years ago, a friend showed me an Old Testament parallel to this imagery. Speaking to the Israelites, His chosen people, God declared, “Since you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life” (Isaiah 43:4).

 

This promise continues to hold true today. I’ve known many people who have taken it to heart, investing countless hours and pouring their lives into younger believers, helping them to understand and apply the foundational truths of the Scriptures so they can grow in their faith and reciprocate with others the Lord brings into their lives.

 

God can multiply our material resources whenever necessary, fulfilling the assurance of Philippians 4:19, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” Of far greater importance, He desires to do spiritual multiplication, multiplying those who follow Him and will faithfully serve and represent Him to a broken world desperately needing to hear the life-changing Good News of Christ.

From a ragtag group of followers after His resurrection, the Lord has multiplied believers all around the world, millions upon millions. All because of obedience to His command to “go and make disciples.” You can do the math. 

What does It Mean to ‘Make Disciples’?

In my most recent post I observed that many congregations and followers of Jesus are failing to pursue Jesus’ Great Commission, to “go and make disciples…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded them” (Matthew 28:19-20). Some may wonder, “What’s disciple-making, and is it the same as discipleship?”

 

There’s a very significant difference between the two, in my view. Discipleship focuses on the everyday, unending process of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ in thought and deed. Campus ministry Cru defines discipleship as “a journey of intentional decisions leading to maturity in one’s relationship with Jesus so that you become more like Him in your attitudes, focus, and ultimately, behavior.”

 

This could – and should – include such things as consistent time reading and studying the Scriptures; praying; joining other believers for worship and fellowship; sharing one’s faith with others; and striving to live out biblical principles on a daily basis.

 

Disciple-making includes this but adds the dimension of leading, teaching and helping others to grow in their own faith, then to pass on what they have learned so others may become mature Christ followers.

 

My own experience with both discipleship and disciple-making started years ago in a small group Bible study that used materials developed by The Navigators. Founded by Dawson Trotman, the “Navs” joined evangelism – seeking to introduce people to Christ – with a discipling dimension that many other ministries lacked. This dual focus remains their mission today.

 

Jesus’ command to “make disciples” was not simply to make converts – people who once were heading one way spiritually and had turned toward Him. It also meant to invest in people “life on life,” developing disciples by helping them understand and apply truths of the Bible in relevant, practical ways.

 

We have the Lord’s own example. During the three years of His formal earthly ministry many people followed Him, but Jesus focused His attention of 12 individuals. He even had an inner circle of three men He spent more time with – Peter, James and John – discipling them through example and purposeful instruction. That was why, moments before His ascension to heaven, Jesus confidently instructed them, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations….”

 

My understanding of disciple-making expanded when I joined the staff of CBMC (Christian Business Men’s Connection) in 1981. Influenced by The Navigators, CBMC had developed its own discipling resources called “Operation Timothy,” named after the apostle Paul's admonition to his protégé, Timothy: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

 

This passage offers a word picture of multi-generational discipling. Paul had invested many hours in teaching Timothy (2^nd generation). He was telling him to entrust what he had learned to “reliable men” (3^rd generation) who then would teach others (4^th generation). This underscored the reality that discipleship and spiritual growth aren’t automatic – they require intentionality and support.

 

Perhaps the best biblical metaphor for disciple-making is parenting. Spiritual ‘converts’ essentially are spiritual infants, unable to do much on their own. Human babies spend much of their waking hours eating, crying and making messes. Often, a new believer isn’t much different. He or she needs to be ‘parented,’ having someone to care for and comfort them, serve as a confidant, offer counsel, and help to clean up messes they’ve made in living contrary to Christ’s teachings.

 

In 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 the apostle Paul recognized this, writing, “but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” Just a few verses later he added, “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

 

How often have you heard about becoming personally involved in making disciples? For most of us, not much if at all. We hear about talking with non-believers about Jesus, but rarely receive exhortation to come alongside others and assist them in their spiritual journey.

 

We might feel unqualified, like we need to grow ourselves before we can help others. Making disciples also takes time, energy, and even personal resources. As Paul wrote, sharing “not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” This is a considerable personal investment but the dividends are wonderful – and eternal. And it’s the Lord’s desire for us.

 

Nearly 40 years ago I attended a conference where the speaker talked about making disciples. Inspired, I earnestly prayed for God to guide me to one man I could meet with on a regular basis to help with his spiritual growth. Within two months, the Lord had brought TWO men into my life. I had the privilege and blessing of meeting with each man almost weekly over many months, and I maintain a close relationship with one of them to this day. Since then I’ve had the privilege of meeting with a number of other men.

One day, pointing to a vineyard as an object lesson, Jesus told His disciples, “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Then He declared, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last” (John 15:16). If we’re willing to obey Him in making disciples, Jesus will enable us to bear more fruit than we could imagine. 

Investing in People

Investing in people can take many forms, but the important
thing is that we do make the effort to invest in others.

Two company executives were discussing the considerable cost of training and developing people within their organization. The chief financial officer asked, “What happens if we invest in people, and they leave?”

The CEO looked the CFO in the eyes, paused and then replied, “What happens if we don’t invest in people – and they stay?”

This principle holds true not only for the business world, but also for every facet of life and society. On a football or basketball team, for example, the head coach invests considerable time, energy and experience in developing his assistant coaches. One by one they leave, accepting head coaching jobs of their own. Some might even become coaches for competing teams. Was it worth the coach’s investment in them?

A pastor invests hours every week meeting with several individuals, helping them to learn what a relationship with Jesus Christ really means and then to grow in their faith. Some move into lay leadership positions at the church, but others move to other churches. Did the pastor squander time investing in those taking their learning and spiritual gifts to other congregations?

Parents spend much of their adult lives investing in their children – caring for them from diapers through driver’s licenses and college. Not to mention the financial investment. What if the children move to other parts of the country, become consumed by careers and family pressures, and rarely communicate? Was the parenting investment worthwhile?

Investing in others doesn't have to be
complicated. It can just be "hanging out."

Similar scenarios could be described for mentors, teachers, executive coaches and many other people involved in the growth and development of others.

On TV, we often see commercials about financial investments – how to increase your savings for the future, especially if retirement is approaching. I’ve concluded there is no greater investment than to share one’s time, energy and experience with other people, regardless of whether results feel like “success.” It’s far better to invest in people and lose some of them, than not to invest and be stuck with people operating far below their potential and capabilities.

The Bible can be described in many ways, including the narrative about people investing in others over a span of thousands of years, all in the name of the God they worshipped and served. Abraham invested in Isaac; Jacob invested in his sons; and Moses invested in Joshua. There were Naomi and Ruth, Elijah and Elisha, Samuel and David.

Jesus invested in a handful of ragtag disciples, none of whom would have been voted “most likely to succeed” in their high school yearbook. Yet when He departed from the earth, they were entrusted with carrying on His mission. One of them, Judas Iscariot, failed the course terribly. Barnabas invested in Paul and John Mark, and Paul invested in Timothy, Silas and others. The apostle had failures along the way, too, including a guy named Demas.

Just before He ascended to heaven, Jesus charged His followers, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19). And Paul instructed young Timothy, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

In Leaders Legacy, the non-profit I work for, we believe the true mark of a leader is not what occurs while he’s in charge, but what happens after he’s gone. Does the work continue and grow, or does it stagnate or die?

A dedicated leader that invests in and develops people in his or her company or organization will leave an enduring legacy, whether those individuals stay with the enterprise and assume greater responsibilities or leave for key leadership roles at other places.

By contrast, poor leaders are those whose enterprises crumble to pieces when they are removed from the picture, much like a house of cards. Their legacy, because of selfishness, pride, and an unwillingness to invest in others, perhaps for fear they might surpass them, is one of failure and futility.

We might not be CEOs or presidents of huge corporations, owners of our own businesses, or even pastors of prominent churches. But we each have a significant sphere of influence – our children, close friends, peers at work, people in organizations where we volunteer. Maybe you’ve benefited from someone investing in you.

The question is: Who are you investing in? And if you’re not investing in them, who is?