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DEVOTION
Greater Than the Sum*
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. – Matthew 10:29-31
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
You have undoubtedly heard this sentiment before. The idea behind this phrase is attributed to Aristotle. In his work entitled Metaphysics, Aristotle introduces the idea that there is something greater, something more meaningful within an organized whole that goes beyond simply possessing all the individual parts. There are countless examples of this.
- A home is more than the wood, bricks, pipes, and wires of which it is made.
- A book is more than pieces of paper bound together with ink pressed upon them.
- A team is more than a group of people participating in the same activity.
- A song is more than sounds produced in a particular order.
In fairness, those descriptions aren’t wrong, they just miss the point. Listing the raw materials needed to build a home strips the value of it by removing its significance. Homes mean family, safety, comfort, and security.
*Used with permission
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