2:63 – Life Isn’t A Zero-Sum Game

#faithbites #faithjourney zero-sum

While scrolling through the Facebook, I saw a picture of a sign that said “Why Does an Addict get Free Narcan, but my insulin medicine costs $750”. Then the next picture had the addict line cut out and so it says “Why Does my insulin cost $750”. The point of the second image was why is medicine so expensive in our country.

A few months ago, I saw something similar that said Why do we spend x billions on homeless but not on our veterans”. Or another one comparing what we spend on Veterans to what we spend on immigrant children.

These memes, like so many discussions in our life, try to make us chose between one or the other. Basically that someone has to lose for someone to win. The fact is, life isn’t a zero-sum game. There are enough resources and opportunities for everyone to succeed. This isn’t the 1980’s everyone gets a trophy, but if someone else succeeds it doesn’t mean you fail. We should work at supporting each other and building them up, rather than tearing them down. As they say, a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link.

Scripture

• Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
• Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. – Ephesians 4:29
• Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:25

Reflection

Imagine for a minute if our politics focused only on the policies of that each person supported and not on personal attacks. Consider if it wasn’t “the other guy is evil” mentality but rather we are all working towards a common goal. Think what we could accomplish if we didn’t bad mouth people, but debated ideas and came to either win-win situations or compromises. Finally, what would happen if we all gave unselfishly building others up, instead of thinking that their success would bring us down?

Our verses show that we should encourage, affirm, and support other. We should build them up, and come together for success. This doesn’t mean we can’t agree, but rather we can disagree as brothers and sisters looking for ways to support each other.

I know this isn’t easy. I look at what some people say and think “What are they smoking” or “How idiotic that was”. This is something I am trying to work on it and look at where that idea came from.

But through our faith, we can see that we are commanded to work together, help each other, and support each other. Life isn’t a zero-sum game, we can all have salvation and good lives if we support each other and listen to the Lord.

Charge

When you disagree with someone, how do you react? Do you try to debate their idea apart of tear them apart? Do you feel that if you help them, your position is diminished? Try to look at life as we can all succeed by helping each other achieve more, rather than tearing each other down.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, guide us in seeing that your son’s inheritance is for all of us. Help us remember that life isn’t a zero-sum game. We can all win, we can all bathe in your greatness. Help us to always use kindness and debate ideas not people. In your name, Amen.