Justice- Why Study Math Reason 3
Without common and honest measures individuals can easily defraud one another. Leviticus 19:35-36 outlines God’s intention for trade relationships.
You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume. You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin.
No one wants to buy from a dishonest dealer, but how can you detect a swindler unless you understand the numbers? I think that is why Scripture admonishes repeatedly “not [to] pervert justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow’s garment as a pledge.” The vulnerable in society need protection. It is criminal to cheat anyone, and seems especially heinous to steal from the weak.
More years ago than I want to mention, I sold ice cream. After making a milkshake for a mother and her young son, I asked the owner the price. He told me an amount I later realized was higher than listed. The lady spoke little English and the man purposely cheated her out of a few dollars. No amount of money is worth debauching your soul. Being a part of that transaction still grieves me. The lady was not valued for her individuality, her humanity; only for her money. This scenario is too common.
My children will face similar situations. Will they know if they are being cheated? Will they safeguard the defenseless through their honesty? Justice cries out for individuals who can be trusted. Every relationship depends on it. Math illuminates corruption, and my hope is to heed its warnings. In order to love wisely, my children must understand arithmetic.
Why Study Math: Reason 1, Reason 2, Reason 4
Hi, you have a beautiful site here. Enjoyed your entry., too. Thank you for welcoming me to the BPA list. (Your name is my sister’s middle name.)
God Bless,
Allison C.
Allison,
Thank you for visiting and for sharing such kind words. I look forward to learning more about your homeschool.
And people say the Bible is not relevant to academics…because they ain’t never read it!
I think some of these applications would make great Sunday School lessons.
Sunniemom,
Since God made the world, it makes sense that we can learn about it from his Word. I wish I knew these principles when I was in school. The subjects would have meant so much more. I remember sitting in history wondering if God was still involved in the affairs of men and nations. Guess what? He is!
There is meaning and purpose in academic subjects and knowing it makes all the difference. When my son struggles with math, I ask him why we study math. We discuss the reasons I’ve written about here. Sometimes he thinks we are getting off topic, because he just wants to finish his assignment. Then I remind him that the whole reason for studying is to know God.
And you are probably right about the Sunday school thing. The church could fill in part of the gap, but first we have to learn it. Can you image? Sunday School lesson: Math 101. Can you hear the groans? May God help us to find and understand the foundations of the subjects for his glory!
Renae,
What an unexpected message! I wonder why more people haven’t made this connection before now?
I look forward to reading your other thought on math, and other topics too :)
Cheers,
Ruby