In elementary school Mathematics, one of the topics that is taught
is values. It is taught with the use of
two mathematical symbols: ">" and "<". ">" is the symbol which means,
"greater than".
"<" is the symbol which means "less than".
For example: 16 >
8 is stated: 16 is greater than 8. 7
< 12 is stated: 7 is less than 12.
Values are a part of our everyday existence. They are what drive the different aspects of
our day. Each and every activity of our
life carries with it a specific value.
It is what decides how man prioritizes his life.
It is sadly humorous that if you poll average people about
what is important to them, they will almost always offer you a list of things
which are supposedly significant to their lives. They will offer a list that ranges from
health and weight loss or control, to financial security, to strong family and
spiritual relationships. Yet for the
average person's ability to offer these things as the most important - they
generally prove to be the least important aspects of their life.
It has become very easy complain about one's weight or
physical condition only to, moments later, order the greasiest, most fattening
thing available to put into one's mouth.
It is very common to determine that one needs more time with his family,
only to go home and spend three or four hours mindlessly watching
television. Many talk about the concern
they have for their financial future, only to pull out the credit card or
refinance papers on their home to purchase the next thing they "have to
have" for their lives.
God's people need to rediscover the "greater than -
less than” principle. We are, by God's
design, incredibly inventive creatures.
I can remember having a discussion - almost an argument with my teacher
over "greater than - less than" in math. In one assignment, I determined that 7 >
12. She marked the problem incorrect. By
her way of thinking (and the math book's), seven is not greater than 12. 7 is
less than 12. However, my argument was
that 7 was my favorite number. It was
the number that God made as completion (Sunday School at work) and therefore
was the GREATEST of all numbers. I
suppose it is all in how you define it.
That is precisely how we look at life. We have one set of values (like the math)
which operates on facts and data. We
have another set of values which are purely subjective based on our immediate
desires and whims. Is 7 really the
greatest number? Is it of greater value
than 5, which is the number of grace?
Or, perhaps 3, which is the number of the Trinity? Where would we be without good old number 8,
the number of new beginning.
Many quote true realistic values as if they were priorities. However, they live by the things which are of
real importance to their desires; things which promote immediate pleasure, even
at the cost of sacrificing the true priorities.
You need to develop a true grasp of what is really
greater.
Immediate gratification always
costs more - and always increases the desire for more immediate gratification.
If you can learn what is truly greater - if
you can master the Master's value system, then you will have accomplished a
great thing. You will have positioned yourself to truly succeed.
A life whose values are based on the emotions and desires of
the moment ultimately becomes an empty life.
King Solomon proved that. A life
which is measured by the things that truly matter is a life of great worth. God created a value system. He defined it in His word. He created you with the inventive ability to
capitalize on that value system. If you
do, you will prosper from the soul out.
Start communicating a desire for good health and a firm, fit
body. Then, quit stuffing that body full
of things which render it nearly impossible to obtain that good health. Make the statement over your life that being
debt free is "greater than". Then, quit pulling out the credit card
because you need that new gadget or item.
Stop spending money which could be used to eliminate debt to buy the
next thing in the attempt to alleviate the pain of lack. These always prove to be the most costly of
medicines.
Learn the difference between what is "greater than"
and what is "less than". Let
the litmus test for it be the fruit which is produced over time, not by the
moment. If you do, you will find
yourself living a "Greater Than" Life.
