“What Would You Give?”

By Bill Brandstatter       Suppose someone were to tell you that if you cut off your little finger, you could have everything you could possibly want or need? If you need a new car, you could have it. If you need a new house, pick one, there is no price limit. Whatever you want in this world could be yours, if you just cut off your right finger. Would you do it? Suppose the offer was extended to include your right arm, your eyes and your ears, would you still do it? Many would say “no” at some point, yet there are many people that are giving up something more valuable for a whole lot less. Jesus poses this question: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26 NKJV)     Our soul is the most valuable item we possess. There is no price tag attached to it. It is valuable because it goes on beyond the grave. We cannot take our material possessions with us. (1 Tim. 6:7) We will take our souls with us. So, the value of it is far greater than anything this world has to offer. To lose our soul would be worse than losing our material possessions in a fire, earthquake, or storm.     Our soul is valuable because of its source. Man has given us many things; God has given us our soul. Ezekiel, acting as a spokesman for God stated, “Behold all souls are mine.” (Eze. 18:4) Our material possessions belong to us. Our souls belong to God. Paul adds to this by stating, “Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Cor. 6:20) God breathed life into man, and man became a living soul. (Gen. 1:27) Since that time every soul belongs to God.     Our soul is valuable because each of us are of the same value. Material possessions differ with the individual, but each of us has a soul. The value of each soul is the same. The value is not determined by gender, education, or ethnicity. Where we live makes no difference. In Christ, the soul of each person has the same value. (Gal. 3:26-29)    Let us consider how valuable we are to God, not man. Man’s value is based on looks, money, prestige, and class status. God’s value is placed on our soul’s relationship with Him. Let us make sure we have the right relationship with God, and the soul’s value will be clearly seen when Heaven is our home.

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/