We have a saying in English, “A drop in the bucket.” This term is often used to describe something that is small and inconsequential in the greater scheme of events when compared to something else. A drop in the bucket is a very small and insignificant proportion of the whole. It is so small, that it will have little effect on the outcome. A bucket could hold tens of thousands of drops of liquid so a drop (one drop) would be a very small or insignificant (unimportant) amount of the entire bucket of liquid.
For example: A man decides to steal 100 dollars from his employer, who makes 2 million dollars per year. He figured his employer would not miss, or be negatively affected by this loss. Its just a drop in the bucket for his employer.
Or, there has been a drought in a land for five years and then there comes a storm that lasts 30 minutes. The amount of rain that fell is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the amount of rain that is actually needed to revive the failing crops.
And maybe, a man who purchased something for $5000 was mistakenly overcharged by $5. He may not care as it is a mere drop in the bucket as far as his finances are concerned. It has an insignificant impact on his financial status.
And finally: For years businesses have dumped toxic waste into the vast ocean thinking it was just a drop in the bucket. Now we know that many ecosystems have been destroyed because of this.
This term actually originates from the Bible:
“Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, He taketh up the isles as a very little thing.” Isaiah 40:15
Here, a drop of a bucket means the same as a drop in a bucket. Whether the drop comes from the bucket or is added to the bucket, nothing seems to have changed. This accurately describes how insignificant the nations are to God. We may think of the nations as large, but to God they are a drop in the bucket.
There were times when Ancient Israel had to face many large armies. Gideon was called to go fight a mighty army with a mere 300 men. To human sight this is what the army looked like. “And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.” Judges 7:12. But to God, they were a drop in the bucket and He brought about a signal victory through the faith of Gideon and his men. Gideon and his small army were not a mere drop in the bucket. They were a powerhouse that took the enemy by storm.
The city of Jerusalem was surrounded by the mighty army of Assyria and King Hezekiah prayed, “Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.” 2 Kings 19:17–18. But, to the Lord they were a drop in the bucket. “And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.” 2 Kings 19:35
If a nation is a drop in the bucket to God, then what are you? A nation is made up of thousands and millions of people, and what is the value of one person? In a war, a battle can still be won, even with the loss of some soldiers. With an army of 20,000, the loss of 100 soldiers is a mere drop in the bucket. The war can still be won with the 19,900 soldiers that remain.
When Joshua and the Israelite army were defeated in their initial attempt to take the town of Ai, the loss was 36 soldiers. This may seem like a drop in the bucket in a nation of over 1 million persons, but Joshua took this loss seriously. He was very grieved and sought the Lord earnestly for answers. This was a huge defeat for him and the Israelite army. “And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.” Joshua 7:5–6. Why would he grieve the loss of so few? The entire army could have lost their lives, but it was only 36 men. God mercifully spared the remaining soldiers, but clearly He showed His displeasure for the sin that was in the camp. His blessing was removed from the entire nation due to one man’s sin.
Who are you? You are a drop in the scheme of the large universe. In fact, if you think about it, this one world itself is merely a drop in the bucket in the universe. If it was blotted out of existence would it significantly alter the workings of the rest of the universe?
If you died, would anything change in your country? In your province? In your village? Would there be a negative impact? Or would life go on as before, with little change? Humanly speaking—little would change.
However, the reality is that Jesus sees great value in each soul. “Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Saviour died. The distress of every one touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear. . . .He cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earth.” –The Desires of Ages, p. 480. Each person (drop) is of great value to our Saviour.
This is opposite to the worldly way of thinking. They place great value on nations and military arsenal and a small value on each individual person. But the Lord sees it the opposite way. Individuals are valuable, but nations a drop in the bucket.
THE VALUE OF THE BUCKET
When we think of a bucket, we think of a pail that is made of some material that is not very valuable, such as plastic, metal or clay. None of these have much value on their own. What adds to their value is the contents of the bucket.
A bucket filled with gold would be of much more value than a bucket of water. Water is little valued, especially in countries where there is an abundance. Much water is wasted, whether down the drains in homes, or whether into the ground. But how valuable is water?
A man is in a desert. He has lost his way and wandered for many days. He has run out of water and the dry arid heat is taking its toll on his mental state and physical health. He comes across two buckets—one filled with water and one filled with gold. Which one do you think has more value for him at that moment?
While It may not be appreciated by some, can we live without water? Can we live without gold or silver? No, we cannot live without water, but we can live without material wealth. Water, pure clean water, should be valued. If it is not clean, it can be boiled to remove bacteria and other impurities. God sees value in each person. Not as the world sees. The world sees value in fame and fortune. God sees value in the heart, regardless of the outward circumstances. Unconverted people’s values differ widely from what God values.
Can God live without you—one drop? Perhaps, yes, but He will miss you as He loves you and created you.
If you then compare each individual person to a bucket, ask yourself—what are you filling your bucket with? Material wealth—earthly treasure—or pure clean water? You are doing the filling. The contents you are putting in determines your value. If you have added drops of poison in the past, ask the Lord to cleanse the poison, and He will gladly do so. When He sees toxins and impurities in you, He will want to purify you, even if this requires boiling in the furnace of affliction. It may be hot, it may hurt, but the end result will be pure, clean and refreshing water. He wants to remove the impurities and fill your bucket with the pure water of life.
COLLECTIVE VALUE
Although there is value in each individual bucket (person), in the bucket of the church its value is increased with the contribution each drop (person) makes. “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.” 1 Corinthians 12:18. One drop is good but joined to 10,000 more drops of similar goals and values, increases the good. One drop can fall on the ground and evaporate in minutes and be gone. It is not missed. It has not contributed positively to anything. But in a bucket of water, it can sit for days without evaporating and be much more useful.
An individual drop is a part of a family. If each individual were good, moral citizens who love the Lord and keep His commandments, there would be harmony in the family. And thus, the family can impact the community in a positive manner. Good communities will impact the country. And thus, good countries can impact the world. So, each drop is important due to the contribution it makes to its immediate community.
Although individuals make up the church, “God is leading out a people, not an individual here and there. He has a church on the earth, that abide in the truth.” –Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 79. A drop has value as it positively contributes to the whole. Those 10 000 drops are required to make a bucket of water. Although the loss of one, may not be missed, they do all play an important role. If there were no drops, the bucket would be empty.
POISON IN THE BUCKET
What if you take a bucket of water and add a couple of drops of arsenic or mercury, how would they impact the bucket of water? Would you still drink the water? There are 9 995 drops of water and only five drops of mercury. They are mere drops—insignificant drops at that, in the large bucket of water. The good outweighs the bad heavily.
If you do not want to drink it, can you then decide that you will go ahead and remove the five drops of poison? Can this be done? No, this is impossible. The entire bucket of water must be thrown out. The complete contents are polluted. The bucket must be cleaned, and then new, fresh, clean water added.
There are some who claim to serve God, that have poison in their bucket. Some Christians state that the Sabbath is not necessary. However, the Bible clearly states “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10. If the entire law is not accepted, there is poison in the bucket. Nine good drops will not purify the one poison drop.
Some do not feel the necessity of adhering to what they consider minor points of truth such as dress and health reform as laid out in the Spirit of Prophecy. No need to be that strict. They are considered “grey” areas by some who feel that each individual can follow their own conscience in these matters. However, they may be poisonous drops. One small drop of poison can kill. “One wrong trait of character, one sinful desire cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel.” –Maranatha, p. 82
”When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.” Ezekiel 33:18–19. Regardless of how good or how evil was the early part of your life, it is the condition of the contents at the end of your life that is of value. Is your bucket now full of pure water? Or poisoned water? If you need to make a change, make it quickly. The Lord is coming.
What if one church member (drop) strays away? Are we to ignore them as an insignificant drop? No, we are called to entreat them to return. “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:14. Each member is not merely a drop in the bucket. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1. Perhaps they have stopped coming to church and are no longer living according to their baptismal vows.
The church leader is to go and seek them out to bring them back. If they refuse to come back, the church leaders must cleanse the bucket by following the counsels in Matthew 18:15–17, “If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.”
It is a serious offense in the eyes of God to do nothing when there is poison in the bucket. The leaders would be held accountable and considered at fault if they have not been faithful in reproving and removing sin from the camp. The entire church will be held guilty as was the nation of Israel for Achan’s sin. The 36 died, but it was one man (Achan) who sinned. “The history of Achan teaches the solemn lesson that for one man’s sin the displeasure of God will rest upon a people or a nation till the transgression is searched out and punished. Sin is corrupting in its nature. One man infected with its deadly leprosy may communicate the taint to thousands. Those who occupy responsible positions as guardians of the people are false to their trust if they do not faithfully search out and reprove sin. Many dare not condemn iniquity, lest they shall thereby sacrifice position or popularity. And by some it is considered uncharitable to rebuke sin. The servant of God should never allow his own spirit to be mingled with the reproof which he is required to give; but he is under the most solemn obligation to present the Word of God, without fear or favor. He must call sin by its right name. Those who by their carelessness or indifference permit God’s name to be dishonored by His professed people, are numbered with the transgressor,– registered in the record of heaven as partakers in their evil deeds.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 2, p. 996
Sadly, when members leave and refuse to return, their names must be removed them from church records—while still making entreaties for them to return. Otherwise the entire church will be considered as partakers of their evil deeds. “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26
If you have 9,999 healthy cells (drops) in your bucket, and only 1 cancer cell, how will it impact your health? It will grow—and eventually consume the healthy drops. In the same manner, one sin that is not let go of, will eventually destroy all the good. One unfaithful member left unreproved and uncorrected will destroy much good in the church.
If one drop of poison is somehow introduced into our bucket (our individual life or the church), we must take measures to remove it before the entire bucket is poisoned and must be thrown out. If we do not make the effort to purify the dross, the entire bucket may be thrown out by the Lord.
PURE DROPS
When Jesus was in the temple with His disciples, He observed people coming to give their offerings. “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And He called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Mark 12:41–44
This woman was adding pure crops to her bucket. She was also a pure drop in the bucket of the church. To others, her donation appeared as a mere drop in the bucket. But not to Jesus. To Jesus it was a huge donation. Not only did she give her last, but her sacrifice has encouraged thousands down through the ages to make similar sacrifices. You may think your donations and efforts are but a drop in the bucket; however, the Lord views things differently. You may think that the $20 you place into the offering plate on Sabbath seems like a drop in the bucket, but think of how much would be gathered if every member put in the same drop?
DROPS OF TIME
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:8. What is the value of one day in the life of a person who has lived over 90 years of age? The value of a moment? Are days and moments mere drops in the bucket of a person who has lived to a ripe old age? One wasted here, one lost there. Makes little difference, some may say. Yet in the eyes of God, you will be judged by each moment and how you use it. These moments (drops) and how you use them, are highly significant.
ARE ALL DROPS THE SAME?
Each water drop has a chemical name of H2O. They contain one hydrogen atom and two oxygen atoms. Yes, they all look the same and have the same chemical makeup. Although each person is genetically different here on this earth, here we are similar. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10. We are all sinners and need a Saviour.
As only two elements can combine to make up the water molecule, thus there also is only one standard of righteousness. There are no “grey areas” in true Christianity, where each individual can make up their own standard. Sin always results in death. Obedience always results in life. All must reflect the character of Jesus fully if they wish to find a place in heaven.
So, the world has it all reversed. What we see as large—nations, armies etc. to God, they are a drop in the bucket.
What we see as insignificant—a mere drop—such as one person who may not be missed by many if they should die—God sees as very significant He paid a great price for this one drop.
What is the difference? We look at externals and God looks at the internal.
External things may frighten us as it did Elisha’s servant. “When the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?” 2 Kings 6:15. But God looks at their might as a drop in the bucket. Elisha answered, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” 2 Kings 6:16. People today look with fear at the massive arsenal of weapons that the nations are collecting. Yet, to God they are insignificant because His power is much greater. In one word, He could destroy them all. To the Lord, the internal workings of the human heart are what He sees as of great value.
God values what we call spiritual giants. The apostle Paul was one, although weak in the flesh. Jacob was one, though he spent the rest of his life limping with a wounded hip. God sees beauty and value in the heart that seeks to serve Him in purity. This is not a mere drop in the bucket. They are as a tender plant that the heavenly gardener carefully nurtures. Or the helpless lamb that needs a tender shepherd’s care.
There will be true unity in diversity in the church of God. The water drops will adhere to one another and as the dross is removed from the water it becomes more pure. One day Jesus will view His church and see it as spotless.
“Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones who will be found faithful.” –Maranatha, p. 82. May we be a pure drop of water in the Lord’s bucket as we purify our own personal buckets is my prayer. Amen.
Wendy Eaton