If you enjoyed the insights I shared on parts of speech here and here  then get ready cause your gonna love this!

MATHEMAT''ICS, n. [L. mathematica, from Gr. to learn.] The science of quantity; the science which treats of magnitude and number, or of whatever can be measured or numbered.

So in other words mathematics is counting anything that can be counted and we know that counting is done by going either forwards (addition, multiplication) or backwards (subtracting, division)

So going back to the things we learned about what the different parts of speech represent - we see that quantity is the noun that represents the total amount of whatever you are measuring or numbering. Measuring or numbering (counting) are the actions being done. In remembering back to the purpose of verbs we know that they are the words that represent our actions.

In the governing of ourselves we need to examine every action we do and measure it against the Word of God.  We often need to weigh our options. Now this may just seem like a play on words but in fact it is mathematics being used. Remember that numbers, like words, are simply representative of the things being counted or measured. For example, when we weigh our options we have at least 2 options available: Option 1 and Option 2, but the options thems3elves are not numbers, the numbers represent the options. Wow! Mathematics is more (oh look - another mathematical term of measurement) than a bunch of numbers on a piece of paper that need to be added or subtracted. So now let's look at Scripture to see the different ways we are to use mathematics in the governing of ourselves (these are just a few - once you get started you won't be able to stop looking at all the mathematical terms used in Scripture!):

1. "But that is not the way you learned Christ!—  assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,  to put off (Subtract) your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on (Add) the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."  Eph. 4:20-24

2. "He must increase, but I must decrease.”  John 3:30

3. "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count (Group) others more significant than yourselves."

4.  "But all things should be done decently and in order " 1 Cor. 14:40 (So order is a characteristic of good government!)

5.  “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delighteth in his way.”  Psalm 37:23

And don't forget all of the verses that contain comparatives and superlatives like better and best - this is putting things in order (1st, 2nd, 3rd, ...), which is a very important aspect of governing oneself - read here for more insight on this.

I don't know about you but I find this all most incredible! I am realizing how very narrow my understanding of mathematics has been up to now. And it does not end here - I have more to share but that's for a future post - for now let's just wallow in God's goodness as we contemplate how important mathematics is in our everyday decision making - it goes way beyond numbers!