Less is More- A Look at Value and Time
When I observe that NFL TV schedules are continually looking to expand the number of games played, extending the season, and lengthening each individual game (to more than 3 hours)...
When I observe the average length of a blockbuster movie has gone up (considerably) from previous generations...
When I observe that books on various "popular" sales lists are "lengthy", and are described as "page turners" for hundreds of pages...
I am compelled to draw the following conclusion: "Less" is not "more" when it comes to worldly perspectives on time. More is more. Things valued are given "more" time and things of less value are given "less" time. Things valued are given "more" resources, and things of less value are given "less" resources. We have higher expectations, higher involvement, and higher attachment to that which we value "more" than that which we value "less".
In the contemporary perspective of the unbelieving mind, "less" is only "more" when the thing decreasing is the Word, and the thing increasing is devotion to all things other than Christ and His people. One thing the world clearly recognizes "more" of one of these in the life of the individual, will lead to "less" of everything else. To attempt to grow more into the world really is an attempt to diminish and make less of Christ.
It is such a shame that the church listens to the world when the world says "Make more out of less":
Make more out of less time together on the Lord's day.
Make more out of less time learning the deep truths of the Word.
Make more out of less time in fellowship and deeds of mercy together.
Make more out of less sweat and tears in prayer.
Make more out of less thought and conversation about growing in holiness.
Make more out of less telling others about who Jesus is and why he matters.
Communities of Christians that continually cave, retreat, and observe these strains of worldly wisdom are left within a single generation wondering "Where did all the people go?" and "Why doesn't anyone want to come join our community?". The community that shows loyalty to the "less is more" model will reap the reward of "less" all in the sacrifice of worldly devotion to "more".
The solution to this problem of worldly "less is more" thinking and living has been provided by God. The solution is found in the completed work of the living, reigning, ruling, redeemer Jesus Christ. In Him, "more is more".
"More about Jesus in His Word, Holding Communion with my Lord....more, more about Jesus!"
For those who are in Christ, we have become heirs with Christ of all things (Hebrews 1:1-2, Galatians 4:7). For us, who by God's grace have been saved by faith, more of Christ is more of all things. The Christian has been granted an inheritance that can never spoil, perish, or fade (1 Peter 1:4).
Because of the reality that in Christ "more is more", the world becomes "less and less" for the believer. The things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of Christ's glory and grace. This fall, I challenge you and encourage you. Find more and more in Christ, and find yourself giving less and less to the things of the world.
Elders and brother pastors preach 5 minutes longer. Your people need it (Acts 20:7). Then seek earnestly for more opportunities to preach again (Colossians 4:3). Pray for those few extra things that come to mind (Colossians 4:2). Congregations, sing another verse (Ephesians 5:19). Gather to study the scriptures like the Bereans (Acts 17:11). Pray in private, and pray together as a community (Acts 1:14). Gather as a group publicly to preach and share with others about who Jesus is and why he matters (Acts 19:8-10).
See what the Lord does out of less time apart, and more time together.
See what the Lord does out of less time in waste, and more time in worship.
See what the Lord does out of less devotion to present things, and more to eternal things.
See what the Lord does out of less entertainment and more evangelism.
