Imagine standing in a marketplace, gazing at everything that people might treasure—money, power, influence, luxury. Then imagine a voice asking, “What if you owned it all but lost yourself in the process?” That’s precisely the question Jesus posed: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). This isn’t just a question to consider; it’s a challenge. It urges us to reflect on what we truly value. The world may dangle treasures before us, but there’s no price high enough for even a single soul.
When discussing the soul, we speak of something precious beyond measure. Yet today, some forces outright deny or subtly devalue it. Some argue that a soul’s worth depends on whether it is inside or outside the womb. For others, their lifestyle may say they value their neighbor’s soul, yet their actions speak otherwise. Our task today is to break through this confusion and recognize the soul’s eternal value—everywhere, in everyone.
The Soul in the Womb: Wonderfully Made
Think of a craftsman delicately carving a masterpiece. Now, consider that God is described as just such an artist, carefully forming each of us even before we see the light of day. The psalmist marvels at this, saying, “You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). Here, we find the image of God, forming, knitting together each detail of who we are—our physical frame, our potential, even the unique paths we may walk.
Scripture paints a beautiful scene where two pregnant women meet: Mary, bearing Jesus, and Elizabeth, carrying John the Baptist. When Elizabeth hears Mary’s voice, the child within her leaps. Inspired, Elizabeth calls Mary’s child blessed, indicating the value and purpose imbued in even the unborn (Luke 1:41-42). This moment isn’t a fleeting sentiment; it’s a Spirit-inspired proclamation of the dignity of life, even before birth.
Some may argue differently, citing laws or science to justify devaluing life in its earliest stages. But we must ask ourselves: can we truly consider any life valueless when God Himself has invested His creative touch in its formation?
The Soul Outside the Womb: Treasures Lost and Found
Once we grasp the value of the soul within, we must not forget the immense worth of every soul outside the womb as well. The apostle Paul warns against hypocrisy, calling out those who might judge others yet fall short in their own lives (Romans 2:1). It’s one thing to affirm the worth of a soul with our words, but another to demonstrate it with our actions.
Imagine a man who claims to value his neighbor’s soul yet has never once shared his faith with him. Or consider the affluent Christian who fills their home with every comfort yet struggles to give to missions. Can we claim to value souls when we prioritize earthly pleasures over eternal pursuits? Norman Grubb, a man from the early 20th century, put it plainly: if he believed that his faith affected eternity, he would speak of nothing else. “One soul gained for heaven,” he said, “would be worth a life of suffering.” And so it is. If we truly believe in the eternal significance of every soul, we would treat every moment as an opportunity to live, speak, and act accordingly.
Stories of Missed Opportunities and Eternal Regret
Let me share a story that brings this point home. A preacher once told of an evening when he returned home, tired from days of preaching. Just as he was about to enjoy a quiet night with his family, his phone rang. It was a man he had been studying with, asking if they could talk because he was ready to be baptized. The preacher, exhausted, thought he would simply call him the next day. But early the following morning, the preacher received another call—this time from the man’s wife, informing him that her husband had unexpectedly passed away during the night. The man’s soul was now in eternity. The preacher listened to that voicemail in regret, feeling the weight of a missed moment.
We all have moments like this, don’t we? Times we felt like speaking up but stayed silent, out of fear or distraction. Like the Israelites in Amos 6:1, who grew “at ease in Zion,” we often rest comfortably while souls around us are slipping into eternity without hope. We must learn to prioritize the soul above all worldly comforts and securities.
The Consequence of Disregard: Lessons from Scripture
Throughout Scripture, God emphasizes that obedience brings blessings while neglect leads to consequences. In 1 Kings 17, we see this in the story of Elijah, who pronounced a drought on Israel due to their unfaithfulness. The people suffered without rain for three and a half years until they repented. Or consider 2 Samuel 21:1, where Israel faced famine because of a broken covenant. In each case, there was a direct link between faithfulness and provision, obedience, and the withholding of blessings.
Today, our lives may not depend on rainfall, but the principle remains. Just as the people of old depended on God for life-sustaining blessings, we too must recognize that all we have and are is ultimately from Him. And just as turning from Him led to droughts and famines, neglecting our purpose can lead to an emptiness within us—a spiritual drought. When we fail to honor the value of souls around us, we risk losing our sense of purpose and divine mission.
The Ultimate Price for the Soul
In the end, the value of a soul is seen most profoundly in the price God paid to redeem it. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). If God deemed every soul worth the sacrifice of His Son, who are we to treat it lightly?
The world around us measures value in dollars and possessions, but God’s measure is different. A soul’s value is eternal, transcending time, wealth, and worldly gain. Every conversation, every act of kindness, and every moment we take to share God’s love reflects this value. So, may we live in such a way that we echo Jesus’ words in our own lives, asking not what we can gain from the world but what we can give for the sake of a soul.
Let us walk away with this challenge: to live each day as though every soul, whether in the womb or out in the world, is priceless. For indeed, it is. The value of a soul is beyond measure, and may we never grow weary of proclaiming, protecting, and honoring it.
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