A group of nationally known business men acting for a big oil corporation were seeking a new manager for their operation in China. The man for the post must pass stringent tests: he must be young, well trained, a born leader, and possess a thorough knowledge of the Chinese language. Their quest had been fruitless until one of their number exclaimed, "I know the very man! His name has just occurred to me.”
The prospective employee was, so he said, only twenty-eight years old; he was well educated, an expert in Chinese, and a born leader, for he already possessed great influence over the natives in his district. Moreover, he was now living in the very location where the company wished to begin operations. This announcement interested everybody and questions came thick and fast.
Presently someone asked how much salary he was getting already. The reply was: "Well, I believe he is getting six hundred dollars a year.”
The business men were astounded at such a low recompense, and the chairman declared: "There must be some mistake!”
“That may be," said the friend who had mentioned his name, "but the error is not with him. He works in connection with a gospel mission.”
After much discussion, the group decided to send to China the man who had named the Christian worker, and authorized him to offer him the place. He was empowered to offer, first, ten thousand dollars a year. If that did not secure him he was to raise it to fifteen thousand dollars.
The agent went to China and soon found his, man. He explained the 'proposition and offered the post at ten thousand dollars a year. To his surprise the missionary declined it. Twelve thousand, fifteen thousand, were successively offered and just as definitely refused. Finally he asked in amazement what figure he would take.
The answer was plain: "It is not a question of salary. The salary is magnificent, but the trouble is with the job. The job is too little. You offer me a big salary but a small job. I get a small remuneration, but I have a big job. I would rather have my big job with little recompense than your small job with a big salary I thank you for your offer; but what a fool I would be to quit winning souls to sell oil!”
Friend, do you disagree with the young Christian? Do you say that he was a fool for not quitting his soul-winning to begin oil-selling?
Who is right in this? How can the point be decided? Only in one way—by correctly estimating THE VALUE OF THE SOUL.
We are fairly well acquainted with oil, its uses and its value. Are we as well acquainted with the value of the soul? What about your soul? What' are you worth?
The Lord who knows has asked the question: "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:36, 3736For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36‑37).
Christ Jesus, who asked it, has left the question unanswered. The "profit" can only be loss, tragic and irremediable. There is absolutely nothing for which a man may safely exchange his soul. The value of one's soul is beyond all human reckoning.
Do you believe this? Then why will you hesitate as to what you should do in regard to your own soul? Should you trifle with it? Will you exchange it for money or for pleasure? No. If you value your precious soul, you will commit it into the hands of the mighty Son of God.
Christ Jesus, God's blessed Son, died and rose again for your salvation. He lives today, and He presents Himself to you in the gospel message as your only Savior. If you receive Him in simple faith, His salvation will become effective in your case. Then it can be said of you as of many others, that you are "receiving the end.[the result] of your faith, even the salvation of your soul." 1 Peter 1:99Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:9).