Correct Counting

Much loss has been sustained because of mistakes in counting. Some men have failed in business because of being careless in their counting. A man adding several columns of figures had reached the sum of one hundred thousand. At this juncture someone spoke to him, and he turned to have a few words of conversation. When he resumed his work, he wrote ten thousand. His few words of conversation cost him ninety thousand dollars.

With relation to spiritual things be careful in your counting. Count according to the rule. In mathematics we have rules to guide us in our counting. If those rules are followed, we never make a mistake, but get the answer. Thus, it is said that 2 plus 3 plus 5 are 10. If we count according to this rule of science, we shall always get 10 for an answer. If we should count thus: 2 plus 3 plus 5 are 8, we should not get the correct answer, for we should not have done what the sicence of mathematics says. Now, suppose that same day you have two trials, the next day three trials, and the next day five trials—what will they amount to? If you count according to the rule, they will amount to “all joy.”* (James 1:2) You can set down in a column all your trials and temptations; and when you add them up, they amount to “all joy.” If in counting them up you get any other result than “all joy,” you have not counted in accordance with the rule.

A sister went with her eggs to the market. The grocer was engaged in counting the eggs brought in by another woman. The sister asked him the price of the eggs. He gave no heed to her, but kept on counting the eggs. She again asked, “Mr. ——, what are you paying for eggs this morning?” He gave her no heed, but kept on at his work. Now, had he stopped to talk with the woman, he would have forgotten his count and would have become confused.

Many times amid the cares and trials of life Satan will come to you and suggest that the way is too hard and your trials are too severe. Give no heed to him, but go on counting it all joy. But he will persist and say, “You can never stand.” Count God as being able to make you stand. But Satan will say, “This is indeed working bad.” Give no heed to what he says, but count everything as working for your good. He may say that God does not love you, or you would not have such trials. Count the love of God as everlasting. Satan may whisper, “You are not saved.” Give no heed to him, but count the blood of Jesus as cleansing you from all sin.

Count everything according to the Bible rule, and you will have no failures or losses. Count God faithful; count everything a blessing; count all joy.

If you value your peace of soul, hold no conversation with Satan. If you stop to talk with him you will forget to count all things joy and will become confused. The devil is your enemy: he seeks to do you harm; he strives to get you to miss your count. Do not for a moment listen to the words of one who seeks to harm you. Count according to God’s rule, and the answer will be—victory.