So, how old are you? How much money do you have? How much do you earn? How old is your car?

Please do not answer any of those questions. Just note, that modern western cultures place the highest value on numbers, and those numbers make you important and successful, or they make you a loser, in the opinion of many people around us.

Imagine, someday, when a future anthropologist looks back at our culture, and sees that we value people or we disrespect them, based on numbers. 

Here is some news that we might have missed. Reporters and journalists often reflect the common values of our culture but some experts believe that we are number obsessed in the modern world.

Of course, we have numbers people, like accountants and engineers, and I sincerely hope that the engineers got the numbers correct, when they designed a bridge, that I need to cross. Numbers are important, but they should not identify our personal value. 

I believe that sincerely. You are more than your bank account, and you are not defined by your age.

Culture is what most people believe and think. When we are surrounded by a culture, we really need to learn and believe for ourselves.

Here is an amazing example of numbers in a personal life. The background information is from years ago. I worked in a college, and on our special staff conference day, we had an invited speaker. You might know the name Robert Kiyosaki. He wrote some famous books with the title “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.” We were all very impressed by his wise advice, and he is someone that I still respect now.

I was very surprised to learn recently, that he is apparently in debt for 1.2 billion dollars, and he is quite open about this. That number is ‘billion’ with a ‘B.’ I still think he is a great presenter, who deserves respect, but I don’t recommend that level of debt for you or me. 

Some numbers are important, and I hope Mr. Kiyosaki finds success, in his financial situation. Also, I remember good advice from him that was much more than accounting.

So, is your or my value measured in numbers? I am writing as a Christian, and we are told by Jesus himself; 

Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. (Luke 12: 15)

The numbers have an important place, but our personal value is not found in them.

In our numbers obsessed modern thinking, we have a different way. If we will accept them, we have directions about the most valuable things. And these things, in our lives, have no number value.

For example:

The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4: 24 and 25)

Those are words and directions from Jesus Himself, and they also don’t fit with our modern thinking.

There is an expression in the Bible “The god of this World.” That god might change form with a new generation, but it is always a distraction for people who are looking for real truth. The god of our world seems to be measured in numbers.

The real God, that Jesus spoke about, is a Spirit. 

The great truth, in our lives, is spiritual.

An example of the shift away from modern culture and to spiritual values is found today in many places. For example, one of the most secular western societies is France. It is interesting that spiritual values among Evangelical Christians are growing very rapidly there. I don’t know the social causes, but this is well documented: 

Another example is from the U.S. Some parts of New England are not known for church attendance or strong spiritual beliefs. 

This is surprising:

So, are you ready for the next great awakening? We may be at the beginning of a large shift in common cultural values.

I believe it is important to take a careful look at the foundation of their lives. We need to see the values that direct our lives, and we should make changes, at the level of the foundation, if we see a wrong direction.