One of my least favorite things I had to do in my former line of work was inventory. I worked for several restaurants that had to do monthly inventories which would fall on days like December 24th the day before the entire company was closed and that was not fun. I worked for one company where inventory was done once a year but it took until 4:30 in the morning. I worked for another company where we did inventory every Monday where I had to get up to count at 5:00 in the morning. Needless to say, I got tired of counting and I certainly do not miss counting, weighing, tagging, and all the things that went along with it. Yet, counting is still part of my life and it is part of the lives of every New Testament Christian.
Counting not his life dear unto himself
“But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
Could we count our lifes’ so dear that we could not live the life of faith we are called to? Paul did not focus on his physical life, but the spiritual mission of Christ. How can we testify of the Gospel of God, or preach the kingdom (cf Acts 20:25) if we will do not have the zeal or courage to do so. We must be ready in the good times and the times of persecution. In season and out. We have to stop making excuses about why our physical lives will not allow us to do so.
Counting all things loss to gain Christ.
“Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,” Philippians 3:8
Could we count all things loss for the purpose of gaining Christ? If we lived as Paul we would. For the Apostle gave up his old way of thinking to become a servant of the Lord. He gave up his freedom to be the Lord’s minister unto kings and emperors. He lived a life that was focused on Christ and did not care what he had to give up because his focus was to live for Christ even if it killed him because death was a gain (cf. Phil.1:21).
Count it All Joy in Temptations
“Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.” Jas 1:2-4
Could we count it all joy when we were sold into slavery, tempted by our master's wife, falsely accused, and thrown into prison? Joseph must have counted it all joy as he remained faithful through it all, and God stuck with him.
I did not like counting before but I truly appreciate and value what the inspired Word of God has to say about counting. The mission of the church is to carry the Gospel to all creatures (Mark 16:15-16). Can the Lord count on you to fulfill His will?
Grace and Peace,
R.D. Beavers
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