Losing with People, Winning with God: Navigating God’s Zero-Sum Game
By Rev. Dr. Jason Curry, Columnist
When we shop at grocery stores, clothing stores, or other establishments to purchase goods or services, we are looking to encounter and embrace a win-win scenario. Businesses make a profit and we are satisfied with our purchases.
To say the least, win-win relationships are often viewed as the ideal relationships between people and institutions. However, the Christ that we preach, follow, and embrace in our hearts often encourages us through scripture to refrain from embracing the values of the world which are antithetical to God. In other words, biblical teaching sometimes discourages worldly, win-win scenarios. For example, the world may encourage us to alienate, dismiss, harm, or hate our enemies, e.g., certain nations, or neighbors, e.g., immigrants, so that we may gain something.
The teachings of Christ don’t always promote win-win scenarios. They sometimes promote a zero-sum game, e.g., to win as a Christian is to lose standing, power, respect, or influence in the world. The question that sometimes confronts earnest Christians seeking to follow Christ is: “How should success-oriented individuals navigate the Christian, zero-sum game?”
As one who has sought to embrace and promote win-win scenarios within my church, family, colleagues, and friends, I would like to share a passage of scriptures that have assisted me in navigating and embracing the zero-sum game which is sometimes advocated by Jesus the Christ.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus states: “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This speaks volumes about the faith that is necessary to please God and encourage yourself as you strive to reach both secular and spiritual goals. Jesus presents his audience with an implicit “if-then” statement. If you follow God, then you will have success. If you follow God, then you will have purpose and influence. If you make the teaching of Christ a priority in your life, God will do God’s part and grant the success or “increase” that you truly desire.
The word of Christ can assist in navigating the zero-sum game that is sometimes presented within the Christian message. God loves us; and ultimately, God wants us to be successful people. Lastly, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 25:23 that if we are faithful over a few things, God will make us master over many.
