3:168 – Life Isn’t A Zero Sum Game

#faithbites #faithjourney zero

I love pie. It is delicious. And if you don’t like pie, think of pizza. We have a wonderful apple pie and we cut it into eight slices. I have 8 friends and we all get a piece. Our ninth friend comes and wants pie. We have a choice. We could recut the pie and we all get a little less so they get some, or we don’t let them get any. If they don’t get any, they are mad. We they get some, we get less and that can suck. There is a limit to how much pie there is.

The world of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness isn’t pie. It’s not a zero sum game. I originally wrote about this in March of 2019, but the concept is as real then as it is now.

If I can get married to who I want to and you get married to who you want too, be both can get married. There isn’t a limit. If we both want to go to school and be who we want to, we should be able to. There shouldn’t be laws to prevent this. Freedom should be open to all people. No one is running out of pie.

Most of the issues we are having today about rights and freedoms are based that some believe if someone else gets something, they are going to lose something. It’s just not true.

In our faith, there is plenty of God, plenty of forgiveness through Jesus, and plenty of faith to grow through the Holy Spirit. Faith isn’t a zero sum game.

Scripture

• Acts 10:34-35 – So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
• Romans 8:39 – No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• John 14:2-3 – My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Reflection

God doesn’t define who can and can’t love him. Jesus doesn’t put up walls on who can be forgiven or not. There isn’t a limit to the power and love of God. He loves us all equally. It is infinite.

When we look at life, we need to look at those things that have no limits: equality, friendship, love, faith, and more. We can all have it and share in it.

There are things that so have limits: money, resources, and time. When we look at who gets them, we should look at need rather than artificial judgements.

Remember, the things in life that matter most aren’t things. Those things are free and it isn’t a zero sum game. Love as Jesus loved us.

While my pie may run out, I can always get another one. I can’t always rekindle a friendship.

Challenge

Have you made judgements based on life being a zero sum game? That if someone gets something, you lose? Think beyond that and see how we can all gain.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us to know that your love is everflowing. That your grace is enough for everyone. Remind us that for the things in life that are important it’s not a zero sum game. Help us and guide is to looking beyond me as center and looking out to help others. You have given us such power, let us use that you help all rise up. In your name, Amen.