The Value of a Soul
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
—Matthew 16:26
In our culture today, we place the greatest value on that which, for the most part, has no value. Then we completely ignore that which has the greatest value: our souls. We put all the emphasis on the outward things that we will leave behind. Everything will be left when we go into eternity.
Not only has our culture lost sight of the human soul, but I think we have lost sight of the value of human life in general. Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, said that he was chilled to the bone by encounters with teenage prisoners a few years ago, describing some as cold and distant, and others as “seething with rage and anger.”
In fact, teenagers are checking out today at an increasing rate through suicide. The word experts have used again and again to describe the mood of suicidal youth is hopelessness. There is a sense of hopelessness among these children. Surrounded by violence, drug use, and other high-risk behavior, these kids are depressed and suicidal.
We have lost sight of the value of human life. We have lost sight of the value of the soul. Jesus asked this probing question: “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
God values the human soul, and He has called us to be soul winners. In fact, the Bible says, “He who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).
Are you a soul winner? God is not looking for the most brilliant theologians as much as He is looking for a man, woman, boy, or girl who would just say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.” God wants to use you to win souls.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org.
Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000.