What do men value most? Some would say money, a car or a piece of property, while others might say family or some other thing. What all need to realize is that most prized possession should be their souls.
Jesus told of a shepherd that had a lost sheep and how he went to retrieve the lamb. Jesus said, “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish” (Mat 18:14).
To God, every soul is important. All men need to realize the importance of the soul. It is worth more than anything else one possesses.
When thinking about the soul, every person needs to comprehend the uncertainty of life. The Bible explains this, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). Everyone will die (Heb. 9:27).
When one looks at nature, this is easily seen. It matters not the great plans one may have for the future – death can come when it is least expected.
This has been seen recently in the news. A Hollywood actor suddenly died. All men need to have God in their life, so they are always ready to face judgement.
Jesus spoke of one who forgot to have God in his life. “And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
“And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:16-21).
Notice he said “and is not rich toward God.” Many spend so much time trying to get rich, they never think of eternity and the value of their soul, much less than the soul of someone else.
Man’s most valued possession was given by God. He places a soul in man and then gives man the opportunity to make choices to take care of this possession.
This care must include making preparation to live in eternity. It will take time. Time spent in studying God’s word and putting it into practice. As one studies, comes knowledge on how to live for God. This will make one a better person, a better citizen, a better parent. Living a Christian life, taking care of one’s soul leads to a better life.
Some continually ignore their soul. Paul had brethren who failed to care for their souls. In his labors he many times was attacked by those seeking to stop his mission. He was a true solider of Christ and cared so much for others. He wanted all to come to God.
Once he wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2).
Paul knew the value of his soul and the soul of others.
Every person needs to turn to God, study his word and obey his word. Believe in Jesus as God’s Son, repent of your sins, confess Jesus as God’s Son, be baptized for the remission of your sins, then remain faithful to God.
Take care of the most valuable possession.