Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:7-13
We live in an age in which profit margins and statistical analyses are the methods by which almost everything is judged. Bigger is better. It is a world of Apple and Microsoft and Amazon … a world in which larger companies swallow smaller companies … a world in which something is deemed wrong if this year's numbers are not higher than last year's numbers. Almost everything in life is quantified and evaluated accordingly.
The upshot of this statistical environment is that churches have become preoccupied with numbers. But bigger budgets do not necessarily mean spiritual growth. Bigger membership rolls do not necessarily mean more Christians. Bigger buildings do not necessarily mean more sincere worship.
Certainly this is one lesson from the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13. They were a church of 'little power' (Rev 3:8). They did not have the reputation of Sardis, nor the splendor of Pergamum, nor the influence of Ephesus. They were probably the smallest of the seven churches, but, according to this letter, they were the most effective of all the churches. They were obedient to God's Word (Rev 3:8,10) and saw even some of their enemies repent and worship Jesus Christ (Rev 3:9).
God's evaluation of a church (or an individual) is based on things like faithfulness, purity, humility, perseverance, obedience … not on statistical analyses. Bigger is better? Not in the kingdom of God.
