MISCALCULATION

I Was Just Thinking About – MISCALCULATIONS.

Miscalculation occurs when a judgment is made or reached that is incorrect. It is a miscalculation because it is based more on an impression or assumptions that have not been proven. This happens in many areas of life. It happens frequently in  politics and with politicians. Promises that are creative and imaginative are made but usually cannot be fulfilled. Businesses make investments that become money pits. Eventually, owners, despite their hopes and dreams, have to cut their losses and close.  The medical profession can offer diagnoses that are based on insufficient data. For a patient, it can lead to complications that could’ve been and should’ve been avoided. It may even become a life-threatening miscalculation because of a Doctor’s diagnosis.

In one of His parables, Jesus Christ spoke about the problem of miscalculation. He addresses two practical areas in Luke 14:28-32 (NKJV) as he reviews the costs of discipleship and servanthood. How much is a person willing to surrender and commit if he is to follow Jesus Christ wholeheartedly.

The first illustration and potential problem presented by Jesus pertains to one who decides to build a tower. Before beginning the building project, the wise person would do the arithmetic and determine whether or not there is sufficient money and materials to complete the project. The reason given to avoid miscalculation is the potential and prospect of a community critique and its estimation that the project being completed is impossible. Jesus said (Verses 29-30): “Lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,  saying: This man began to build and was not able to finish.” It will impact one’s reputation in the community and among other business associates. He will be criticized and mocked because of his financial miscalculation.

The second illustration and  potential problem presented by Jesus focuses on a king and the possibility of war with neighboring enemies. The decision is whether or not the king has sufficient manpower and armaments to defeat the enemy. If not, the wise king would send out a peace delegation to avoid confrontation, multiple deaths, destruction and captivity. The decision must be reached numerically. Will the king, if he has only 10,000 troops available be able to adequately defend against an army with 20,000 troops. Verses 31-32, Jesus is appealing to the need of  avoiding miscalculation in both temporal and spiritual decisions.

Despite the cultural understanding of the role of a servant there is a scene that unfolds in Matthew 20:20-22 when: “The mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him. What do you want? He asked. She answered: Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine will sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left. Jesus replied: You do not know what you are asking.” Earlier, Matthew 18:1, the disciples had asked Jesus: “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” His response is one must become as a little child.

What will it take for the people of God to learn submission to Jesus Christ? When will the servants of God treat one another with mutual esteem and love? When will they implement the example of Jesus Christ stated in Philippians 2:3-5? Paul wrote and asserted: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus,” Is this how we interact with colleagues and associates in ministry? How are the congregants being viewed and treated?

Some followers of Christ have the sense that they have been used by others and are under-appreciated. They believe they have become, unfairly and undeservedly, mere stepping stones for another’s drive for personal success. Those with that drive gain “success” in the eyes of some, but how does God view the ways and means they used to gain that recognition? Will God find it commendable and say of them and to them, “Well done, faithful servant”?

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.