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THE VALUE OF ONE SOUL

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Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 6, 1881

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 7, No. 38.

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THE VALUE OF ONE SOUL.

By M. Wood

Do NOT talk of expense when the souls of men, women, and children, are in peril. Can the value of one soul be estimated in dollars and cents? One soul is of more value than the whole world, our blessed Master being judge; for said he: "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" If the whole world were expended in the missionary cause, and should be instrumental in the salvation of but one soul, still it would be a world profitably and well spent.
Let those who would complain about the useless expenditure of money in the T. and M. Societies, read John 12:3-6, and see if they can find an application. Judas cried out about expense when the Redeemer's feet were anointed, and pretended to have great regard for the poor, when, in fact, a selfish, covetous disposition prompted his outcry. And if Christ approved of the expense bestowed upon his own feet, how much more would he approve of the means adopted to bring souls to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ.
No man will ever impoverish himself by giving to the Lord, for the Lord loveth a cheerful giver, and he certainly will bless those whom he loveth, as far as shall be for their good and his glory. It appears as though many people think whatever they withhold from the Lord, or from religious purposes, is so much gained as to their worldly possessions, and, also, that whatever they may give, is so much lost; but surely such persons have forgotten that the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Solomon says: "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." Prov. 11:24, 25. "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35.
The gospel breathes a spirit of liberality; and giving in the cause of God is taught from Genesis to Revelation. The liberal and free-hearted missionary prospers even in his worldly concerns. I would not wish any one to give in the cause of God from a hope of gain; God forbid; but we need not be afraid of reducing ourselves to beggary, as appears to be the case with some. M. WOOD.