The Bible contains valuable lessons that turn us away from merely counting numbers of people to determine God's blessing and power. Gideon learned that a few faithful soldiers were better able to battle an enemy than thousands not so reliable (see Judg. 7:2–25). And at another time the children of Israel were told: "The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people." Deut. 7:7. And Christ Jesus, though he healed multitudes, said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt. 18:20.
A decrease in numbers does not necessarily mean a loss of right and effective action. In fact, numbers are inadequate measurements of spiritual growth and progress; but they are so widely used as a measure of worldly success that we may find ourselves counting heads or counting dollars to determine our individual progress, as well as that of our branch Churches of Christ, Scientist.
Mortal mind may whisper, "Not enough workers, not enough energy, not enough love, not enough consecration, not enough income." "Not enough" is a materialistic belief—the sad refrain of mortality attesting to its own inadequacy to fulfill human hopes. We may try to get the better of this belief by human ways and means—the old ways of multiplying people and things to attain progress—but is there really a number that will bring us lasting satisfaction? For example, how many church members are required in order that we may "worship the Father in spirit and in truth"? John 4:23.
