LSEM > Devotions > Greater Than the Sum*

Greater Than the Sum*

  • July 1, 2026
  • Posted by: Carolyn Mahal
  • Category: Devotions
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Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. – Matthew 10:29-31

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

You have undoubtedly heard this sentiment before. The idea behind this phrase is attributed to Aristotle. In his work entitled Metaphysics, Aristotle introduces the idea that there is something greater, something more meaningful within an organized whole that goes beyond simply possessing all the individual parts. There are countless examples of this.

  • A home is more than the wood, bricks, pipes, and wires of which it is made.
  • A book is more than pieces of paper bound together with ink pressed upon them.
  • A team is more than a group of people participating in the same activity.
  • A song is more than sounds produced in a particular order.

In fairness, those descriptions aren’t wrong, they just miss the point. Listing the raw materials needed to build a home strips the value of it by removing its significance. Homes mean family, safety, comfort, and security. When someone breaks into a home, there may be property lost and damaged. This is frustrating, but repairs can be made and replacements can be found. What often takes longer to overcome is the feeling of violation caused by the intruder. This happens because in life, the things we come to value most cannot be measured with a price tag.

I did a little research on this topic as it relates to us as human beings. I asked several online sources to tell me what the monetary value would be of an average person based on their chemical composition. In other words, if you “melted” someone down to their base parts, what would they be worth. The answer – somewhere approximately between one and two hundred dollars, or less. Most sites doing the calculations recognized that the number could be much higher if the costs were based on lab-grade forms of the chemicals. This is misleading though, because in our bodies, they exist as compounds and are far less pure. So, the brutal reality of it is this – the monetary value of your individual parts is the equivalent of a 10-minute oil change and a tank of gas (prices subject to change).

I’m guessing this idea doesn’t sit well with you. Nor should it. After all, the people you love most are worth far more to you than an air fryer. Imagine getting a call from your teenage son or daughter saying they were in a car accident. At that moment, is the concern over your $50,000 automobile or your $100 kid? This isn’t even a question. Your immediate thoughts aren’t about the car. You want to make sure your child is safe. This is because nobody views a child as being worth little more than a $100 bill. When we look at another person, we don’t see the value of their chemical make-up. We see the value of the life they possess. As Christians, we value life because it was breathed into us by God the Father during the week He created all things. Material goods have monetary value, but they pale in comparison when compared to the irreplaceable nature of life.

So, what price does God put on the lives of His children and His church?

$100? Absolutely not.

$60 million? Not even close.

30 pieces of silver and the blood of His Son? Now you’re talking…

God is called our Heavenly Father, and we are His children for a reason. He created us. He has given us everything we need to live abundant lives here on earth. When sin derailed this plan, He provided us a new plan, one that came with a tremendous price, not in dollars, but in the innocent blood of Jesus. By His death, Jesus has built his church and called us to bring His love into the lives of those who need it. As we do, we must once again remember that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The Holy Spirit uses the church in this faith building work. Our role in this is to seek God’s will and do our part as individuals, as families, congregations, and the global body of believers. This sounds good but remember this: Bringing people to faith is not simple, easy, or instant. It takes time to grow and develop. This will come at a cost of time, talents, and treasure. The world says the path forward for the church is confusing and costly, providing little to no return on the investment. But fear not, because even when we don’t see it, God’s will is perfect, and His plans are unfailing. God provides the direction and the resources for us to help lead our brothers and sisters to Him and to heaven.

May we always see the true value of God’s love and His plan in everything.

*Used with permission

 

Devotion by Richard Schumacher

Senior Director of Operations