Have you heard the
cliché, “Bigger is better?” Is it really true? At times one may think so while supersizing
a fast food meal or ordering an extra-large dessert. Upon consuming the bigger
portion, they feel uncomfortable or realize the amount of physical exercise
needed to minimize the impact of their uncontrolled impulse. The initial
anticipation of satisfaction is often quickly replaced with annoying
indigestion.
Many
times after the “bigger” has been achieved or acquired one finds out the
“bigger” has a price tag attached to it for which one has not bargained or even
imagined. Consider some of the “bigger” things we desired that carry a big
price tag. Persons may want a bigger home and lot. However, now more time is spent
maintaining property and more income consumed on real estate taxes and other
expenses.
Consider
all of the discussion in the political arena about “bigger government.” Some have
requested the government take a bigger role in providing services for people.
They later realize that such desires carry huge price tags, more regulations,
and governmental intrusion. The desire to escape certain burdens only adds
stress and responsibilities upon those seeking to avoid obligations.
Even
children’s play is impacted by the “bigger is better” syndrome. Small backyard
sports have morphed into bigger organizations requiring leagues and associated complexity.
Once the concern of children was simply having enough players for a pick-up
game. Now the concern is paying participation fees, obtaining approved
equipment, and abiding by established league requirements. The burden has
become so large that some children cannot even play a game that used to be open
to anyone – boy or girl. The former games may not have displayed much finesse,
but they produced lots of fun and character building opportunities.
This intoxication with “bigger is
better” has even seeped into church endeavors. Pastors from churches of varying
sizes reveal how they constantly encounter this mindset. People assume a
person’s spiritual experience will be enhanced if they gather with a bigger
group of people for worship and fellowship. The pastors of numerically smaller
churches talk about the migration of people from their churches to bigger churches
because an assumption is made that the bigger church will provide better
programs. Leaders in larger churches often speak of the burden that comes with
bigger groups of people. They struggle to see people engage in the life of the
church rather than simply consume benefits that attracts them. Regardless of
the size of the church, they have similar challenges often directly
proportional to the numbers who attend. One pastor from a larger church said
rather tongue in cheek, “Remember there is another saying about being big. It
is, ‘The bigger they are the harder they fall.’” He added, “Bigger churches are
always on the brink of a big fall if they are not careful.” God uses a variety
of churches in His kingdom. There is room for both bigger and smaller churches
for both are needed.
The notion that “bigger is better”
comes into focus in numerous Bible passages. One is about a farmer, Gideon, who
God was calling to deliver his nation from bondage. He had a big force gathered
as he set about to deliver his people. God then directed him to reduce his warriors
from 22,000 to 300. The Lord explains His reason for the reduction by saying,
“The people with you are too many… lest Israel [overlook] me, saying, ‘My own
hand has saved me’ (Judges 7:2). Bigger isn’t better when we rely upon the
power associated with big numbers rather than the power of our God.
Another time in Israel’s history
revealed that “bigger is better” may not be true. A young boy, David, faces a
giant enemy on behalf of his nation. The lad was smaller in stature, strength,
and special military training. Goliath saw his opponent and ridiculed him embracing
the notion that “bigger is better.” David dismissed that perspective by saying,
“You come to me with a sword and spear and javelin, but I come to you in the
name of the Lord of hosts… This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand…
that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear.
For the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:41-47). The battle was the Lord’s
and Goliath was defeated. Bigger isn’t better when one relies upon the size of
their strength or abilities rather than God.
During the time of Jesus’ earthly
ministry the disciples assumed that “bigger is better.” They had been involved
in a mass meeting with Jesus where thousands of people attended. It was near
evening and masses of people needed to be fed. Jesus commands his disciples to
feed the multitudes. They quickly conclude they do not have the resources to do
so. In fact, their inventory indicated that they only had a boy’s small lunch
of five rolls and two fish. Andrew, one of the disciples, looked at what was
available and said, “But what are they for so many?” (John 6:5-13). The
disciple’s perspective assumed they needed big resources, but they didn’t. Jesus
took the resources available and abundantly provided. Bigger isn’t better when people
assume that large amounts of human resources alone are required to meet people’
needs rather than rely upon God’s miraculous supply.
Bigger isn’t always better. Chris
Tiegreen observes, “”Expect great things from God…especially when your
opportunities seem small and insignificant because this is His modus operandi.”
We need to realize that God is the “bigger” that makes things better!
