THE VALUE OF OUR SOUL
9th
Sunday of Luke
A certain ungodly tavern-keeper who liked music decided to attend
one of
Βilly
Graham’s meetings to hear the singing. He had resolved however, not
to listen to the sermon. He sat with his head down and fingers in
his ears. But when God wants to speak to a man’s soul, He has His
ways.
A
fly flew on the man’s nose and when he attempted to drive it away,
he heard nine words that changed his life. He heard Mr. Graham
saying: “He that have ears to hear, let him hear.” From that moment
he had no rest in his soul. He returned the next night, listened
intently and was converted.
Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew, “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?” The human soul is a priceless
treasure; it is the real us. In fact, the Bible teaches that our
soul is more valuable than the whole world! And yet, many people
“sell their souls” for what surely are petty bargains.
We
are more than just material beings, and science and psychology has
proposed; the Bible teaches that we are body, soul and spirit. We
also see that a great price was paid for the soul, but not in an
earthly sense. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, “you were not redeemed with
corruptible things, like silver or gold,… but with the precious
blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
Jesus Christ allowed himself to die on a cross for our soul. His
death pays the penalty for the sins of those who believe on Him by
faith.
But just as the man in this parable neglected and lost his soul. It
is possible for us to lose your our soul forever.
Two reasons truly exist why many people loose their souls:
I. WRONG PREPARATION
This man’s life in today’s gospel was busy in pursuing the comforts
of this life and not on pursuing God.
The farmer cares was about to BUILD BIGGER BARNS, but God brought in
a new perspective. The farmer won’t live to see them. In fact, he
won’t live to BUILD BIGGER BARNS. He made plans only for this life
but not what comes after. God was not in his life. He did not
consider God at all.
Jesus wants us to see things in the right perspective. He told the
young man who came to Him: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all
kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of
his possessions." "Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap,
they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them." "Consider how
the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin…" and look how God
clothes them.
We can lose our soul if you plan for yourself alone.
We
were created to pursue a relationship with God; riches or sin can
never satisfy our soul. (Mt. 6:33)
In
today’s parable, God called this man a fool. He had amassed great
wealth, but was poor toward God.
Jesus reminded us the need to remember God - the Source of all our
blessings. God wants us to invest in things that has eternal value.
We must invest our life - time, talent, knowledge - in the work of
His Kingdom. Lay up "treasures in heaven.." (cf.12:33). Live life in
the light of eternity and we shall be greatly blessed.
II. WRONG INTENTION
The chairman of the community charity called on a notorious miser.
“Sir,” said the fund-raiser, “our records show that despite your
wealth, you’ve never once given to our drive.” “Do your records show
that I have an elderly mother who was left penniless when my father
died?” fumed the tightwad. “Do your records show that I have a
disabled brother who is unable to work? Do your records show I have
a widowed sister with small children who can barely make ends meet?”
“No, sir,” replied the embarrassed volunteer. “Our records don’t
show those things.” “Well,” said the miser. “I don’t give to any of
them, so why should I give anything to you?”
This man’s heart was filled with pride and self-reliance – He was a
self-made man.
I Timothy 6:17-18 "Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not
to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride
and trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all
we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good.
They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those
in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has
given them"
The real issue here is not your possession (rich or poor), the issue
here is your focus.
The command is general "Do not neglect to do good and to share what
you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:16
What if you heard those words: “Today, you will die.” Are you ready
for that? Are you ready to give an account for the way you’ve raised
or are raising your family? Are you ready to give an account for
what you’re doing with your talent and abilities? Are you ready to
give an account for the way you’re spending your time and energy?
Are you ready to give an account for what you’ve done with the money
and wealth that God has blessed you with? Are you ready to give an
account for the way you’re using your body and managing your
appetites?
Some day, there’s going to be a knock at your life’s door. Death
will be waiting outside. The music will suddenly stop. The frantic
whirling of the dancers will cease. And you and I must answer the
door. Soon thereafter, what we did with the gift of life will be
required of us.
When God enters, this farmer realized that there was ONE THING he
did not prepare. He made good plan to store his crop, made good plan
to save up for the future, he made plan to enjoy himself. In fact,
he has done many things good but he did not prepare for his own
soul. Death was not in his planning book. Amen