The Value of Your Soul

By Doug Pierce

“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?” Matthew 16:26

Jesus asked a very thought-provoking question in this verse for today. Listen again as He asked, “What is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” Think about that question for a moment. It is a rhetorical question. It is a question with an obvious answer. He was saying that one, single, solitary soul is of greater value than all the world’s wealth and riches combined.

Most today would disagree completely with Jesus’ estimation of the worth of a soul. But when you consider the value of soul like you would anything else, common sense says Jesus was speaking the truth. Here are five questions, when answered, help us see the value of anything:

#1. WHO MADE IT?

Who’s the manufacturer? It’ll make a difference in the price tag. I could ask…which cost more, a Porsche or a Chevrolet? Or, which is of greater value…a painting by Michael Angelo or Doug Pierce? In both cases, it’s because of who made it, you’d immediately know the answer. The greatest Manufacturer of all made your soul and that’s why it’s so valuable. In Genesis 2:7 it says, “And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.”

#2. WHAT IS IT’S POTENTIAL?

Or, what is it capable of becoming? Any financial adviser would suggest you make an investment in a stock or mutual fund because it’s on the rise and will bring a good future return on your money. In the same way, your soul is of great worth because of its potential. The Bible says God made man in His image, but Adam marred that image through sin. Then God sent His Son to die upon the cross so we could be born again and remade into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). When Christ comes into the heart of a person, God’s Spirit begins to conform them into the image of the Lord Jesus. Think about that! In I John 3:2 it says, “…but we know that, when he shall appear, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; for we shall see him as he is.” When we get to heaven, we will be just like Jesus! There’s no greater potential than that! One day …to be just like Jesus! WOW! Another question to determine a thing’s worth is,

#3. HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

Or, is it durable? If not, it’s probably not valuable. When God made man he became a living soul that would live forever. In II Peter 3:10, the Bible says that everything we can see, touch and hear will one day burn up when God judges this world. Even the sun, moon and stars will fall from the sky and be destroyed by fire. But, after all of this world has burned up and cooled off, your soul and mine will still exist in heaven or hell… depending upon whether we received or rejected Christ. 

#4. HOW RARE IS IT?

Or, are there any others like it? That can determine a thing’s worth. I read where the rarest baseball card is a 1910 picture of Honus Wagner, worth over $500.000.00! The rarest autograph is that of Christopher Columbus, worth millions. Your soul is of great value because when God made you, He made you uniquely different from everyone else. No one even has the same fingerprints as you do. Psalms 139:14 says, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that my soul knoweth quite well.” You are very special and God loves you and me beyond comprehension! One last question,

#5. HOW MUCH WOULD SOMEONE PAY FOR IT?

That would determine a thing’s worth. Do you know the greatest price that has ever been paid by anyone for anything that’s ever been bought? It was when the Heavenly Father gave His Son on the cross to pay for your sins and mine! The Bible says in I Peter 1:18-19 that you and I have been “redeemed” (purchased), “…not with silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Jesus…” The Bible says, “The wages (payment) for our sins is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Jesus paid for your sins with the silver of His tears and the gold of His precious blood!

THE TRAGEDY OF A LOST SOUL

God is holy and every person’s sin debt will be paid. It will be paid either by a person believing that Jesus died in their place on the cross or they’ll pay for their own sins by spending an eternity in hell. God has never, nor will He ever, send anyone to hell. People choose to go there by rejecting the good news of the cross!

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have you considered the loss, if your soul would be lost? If you’re unsure about whether you’re going to heaven when you die, why not pray this prayer from your heart right now? Dear Jesus, I believe you died for my sins on the cross. I believe you rose again the third day. I’m turning away from my sins right now and I’m asking you to come into my heart and be my Savior!

Thank you Lord, for saving me! Amen! If you prayed that prayer, this is just the beginning of your relationship with the Lord! You are I are commissioned to go and tell others we know who haven’t trusted Jesus. Encourage them to pray a prayer of faith like you’ve prayed! 

Think it over . . .

Doug Pierce is a Church planter and a pastor. In 2003 he started, and continues to pastor First Independent Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi. His #1 priority is to glorify God in all aspects of ministry. He does this through teaching his congregation to Love God, Love One Another, and Love Others to God. Prayer, outreach, and church growth through evangelism are vital parts of his ministry. He and his wife Suzanne live in Madison, Mississippi where they also enjoy their children and grandchildren. To find out more about Doug‘s ministry visit the FIMC Website

Feature Photo by John on Flicker