Thought for the day
You may have read this unusual story that was reported through the AFP news organization :
A 24-year-old man in Shanghai tried to sell his soul on China's most popular auction website and managed to get 58 bids before operators pulled his ad. The man posted his announcement on Taobao (a site similar to eBay) last week asking a starting price of 10 yuan ( 1.23 US dollars).
But the company decided that selling one's soul was inappropriate and deleted the ad on Friday. By then there were 58 bids from people with the highest at 681 yuan (84 dollars). "We pulled down the posting because we think only God can control souls," said Taobao's public relations manager Tao Ran.
Why would a man agree to sell his soul for as little as a dollar and a quarter? The truth is, I'm not all that surprised because I know of others who were willing to sell their souls for a measly amount. Judas was willing to do it for thirty pieces of silver. For Achan (Joshua 7), it was a robe, five pounds of silver and a bar of gold. For Elisha's servant (I Kings 5), it was 150 pounds of silver and two sets of clothing. For Esau, it was a bowl of soup.
If you're willing to be even more honest, you know that there are people all around you who have sold their souls for something of little value. Maybe you've even done it yourself. Maybe you've spent so much time making money to gather "the finer things of life" that you have no time or energy left for God. Maybe you've cheated others (like the IRS or health insurance companies) thinking they'll never miss it and no one will ever be the wiser. Maybe your desire for riches has clouded your judgment and caused you to do something that has damaged your integrity.
Jesus once said, "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26)
The question was intended to be rhetorical. There's nothing in this world (nor everything in the world combined) that begins to equal the value of your soul. Bill Gates and all of his fellow billionaires don't have enough money to even make an opening offer. So, don't ever put a price tag on your soul. Not on eBay. Not in your workplace. Not in your daily life.
Verses
Luke 17:6
"If you have a faith like a mustard seed," the Lord said, "you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the lake,' and it would obey you.
Exodus 15:26
He said, "You must obey the Lord, your God. You must do what the Lord said is right. You must obey all his laws and keep his rules. If you do these things, I will not give you any of the sicknesses I gave the Egyptians. I am the Lord. I am the Lord who heals you."
Psalm 103:11
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
Revelation 5:8
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
3 John 2
My loved one, it is my prayer that you may do well in all things, and be healthy in body, even as your soul does well.
Prayer
Jesus, would You be at the center of my thoughts, my attitudes, and in my conversations today. Would You keep me spiritually sensitive to opportunities for Christian witness. As You reign in my life You are my Master and I choose to be obedient to You, my Lord. Grant me the strength to trust You in the dark trials I may face this day as I release my worries and fears to You. Help me to remember that I walk by faith and not by sight. I desire to follow You, my King of kings and Lord of lords. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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