Articles
My Soul is Not Worth Three Chickens
The world seems to have changed substantially in the last year or so. For example, my family of seven used to spend a couple of hours a week trekking through the local grocery store in the never-ending endeavor to keep the pantry well stocked. Nowadays we order groceries online and pick them up in the parking lot. The whole thing takes less than fifteen minutes. Times have certainly changed.
Not long ago, after picking-up the groceries, my bill seemed off. I had ordered and received four whole chickens but was only charged for one. And as much as I like free food, for conscience’s sake, this was not going to work for me. I needed to check with the store and make it right. After enquiring with two store representatives, I received the same answer “There’s no need to pay, this was our error, enjoy your chickens.” So, I happily went home and did just that. I enjoyed them not only with a favorite recipe of butter and spices, but more importantly, with the inner satisfaction of a clean conscience. You see, I could have easily cheated the store out of the purchase price of three chickens, but would it have been worth it?
Jesus once asked “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NLT)
I realize that dishonestly gaining three chickens is not exactly the same thing as gaining the whole world, but the idea is the same.
- Are three chickens worth my good conscience?
- Are three chickens worth sullying my reputation?
- Are three chickens worth the negative example set for my children?
- Are three chickens worth the peace I enjoy with my Lord?
- Are three chickens worth losing my hope of eternity with God in heaven?
My soul is NOT worth three chickens. Indeed, there is nothing in this world that I could gain that would be worth more than my soul. My soul, and yours, hold eternal value to God. So much so that God purchased our eternal life with the blood of his Son. As such, let us commit to living faithfully to him, making everyday decisions in the light of eternity.
