Recently in the news, I heard about the “Gamestop stock” incident, and although most of the selling/buying information went above my head, I did grasp the bottom line.   Basically, regular investors were “evening the ledger with the financial elite”(1). The everyday/common investor worked together to fight the Wall Street giants. This made me think about the movie, A Bug’s Life, where the ants (and a few other “warrior bugs”) used their numbers to stand-up and fight against the power of big, nasty grasshoppers.  The grasshoppers had manipulated and suppressed the ants for a long time; yet, through one brave soul named, Flik, the ants unite together and finally free themselves from being under the grasshoppers’ feet. Hopper -the grasshoppers’ leader knew the ants outnumbered them 100 to 1 (2).  Alone they were weak; but together they were strong.

In a similar manner to both the fictional Pixar story and the real-life stock market drama, there is no denying there is power in numbers.  Thus, as Christians, we have the ability to be powerful for Christ when we join with other believers to accomplish a single goal.  To illustrate, as mentioned in my previous post, tithing is Old Testament law with A New Testament backing.  The concept of tithing is both for an individual’s spiritual growth and for the collective good of the whole.  Specifically, when you obediently tithe from the heart, it is given to the kingdom of God to help those in need.  My monetary gift has more power/value because it is a part of a bigger offering from others too. 

This application does not just belong to financial support.  Let us look at time, talent, and resources.  I can spend two hours helping someone pack-up boxes for moving day, and even though things will eventually get done, imagine 10 people helping for 2 hours.  The task would be completed faster, and the participants would be less tired because the “labor” was shared. Even providing a meal is not as overwhelming if someone makes the dinner while someone else provides the dessert and drinks. We are so much more efficient when we work together.

Moreover, maintaining one’s own emotional, spiritual, and physical health is always better with others.  For example, exercise is more bearable with someone by your side and meeting a friend for lunch is more enjoyable than eating alone. Forming a Bible Study group allows us to learn from each other while progressing in our walk with God. Plus, singing alone in the shower or car may be entertaining (if you are me-it can be quite comical 😊), yet, find a room full of praise and worshippers and you will be amazed by their spiritual harmony. 

Ultimately, we all have a spirit strand of rope, and when we seek other strands to wrap around, we are stronger -we are powerful - and we are more efficient.  Our ropes hold each other together creating a bond that will not easily unravel– Remember, even the Trinity’s authority unites three in ONE.  

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken”. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)

1.      EXPLAINER: Why GameStop's stock surge is shaking Wall Street (apnews.com)

2.      Pixar Animation Studios