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, | 27 Jun 2022 | by GEM

A Soul’s Value

by Doug Mitts

Key Verse:  “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

– Matthew 16:26, NAS95 

As I weighed what I wanted to do with my life, I remember having a well-paying job right after college. I wanted to go to seminary, but my father wanted me to work. The work had more stress than I wanted, and it caused me to ask the question — why am I doing this? What’s it worth?

I easily concluded money did not motivate me. I could remain on my career path, but I would never be happy. Rich, maybe? Happy or satisfied, no. I prayerfully contemplated medicine or ministry. The longing for ministry far outweighed my desire for medicine. So, I applied to seminary and went.

The second or third day of the seminary’s orientation, I realized God had provided all my tuition up front through my previous job. I had been so stressed, so challenged and fatigued by it, I didn’t notice that. Yet God had heard my prayers to finish four years of seminary debt free. I just paid my tuition bills and when I finished I had only a little bit left.

Many times, I have contemplated God’s faithfulness. I stand amazed at having traversed through life, ministry and missions for almost 32 years with all our needs met (spiritual, emotional, physical, intellectual). At one point I recalled a statement Jesus said about following Him, “he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age,” and had to admit, that’s what God has done for me. I can take that verse to the bank, literally!

All I wanted when I chose ministry over medicine was to get to know God in my experience and to invite others to know Him. The only costs I considered concerned spending my life in a job only making money. I’ve never considered any cost of the insanity of living by faith, trusting God for my needs. All I gained is God present with me, who has met us in times of trouble, times of despair, times of fruitfulness, times of confusion, times of wondering, and in times of fun. God has always been there in conversation, circumstance, ministry, life and love.

I gave up gaining the world in exchange for an amazing interactive knowledge of God. I learned the true worth of a soul — God himself.  And He far exceeds whatever value I’d place on my soul. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Reflection Verse

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him?” 

–Psalm 8:3–4, NAS95 

Reflection Questions

  • When you consider your worth what value do you place on yourself? What value does God?

  • What does it mean for you to fully accept God’s love for you?  How hard is it for you to fully accept His love?