“He that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
At times it seems like the work of soul winning is not a profitable venture. After much labor, little fruit is seen. We face pressures and influences in our own lives as we press into the kingdom of darkness with God’s message of truth. Sometimes it would seem like the best thing for us to do is to crawl into a little cave somewhere and hide from the world.
But God’s Word declares otherwise. “He that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30b To be wise is to live according to the true nature of things, and to reap the hidden blessings that God gives to them that obey Him.
One who fishes for men is engaged in a work of eternal value. He is working in partnership with the Creator of the universe to bring a message to the hearts of men. His task will affect the eternal destiny of the souls of men. The value of an eternal soul makes it a wise endeavor.
The soul winner carries the greatest message that tongue can express or ear can hear. It cost the death of God’s spotless Son at the hands of ungodly men. It is God’s revelation of truth that cannot be found merely by natural reasoning. The message must be carried by a messenger and be received in faith. God Himself witnesses to the authenticity of the message by His spirit. This word fully meets the inner needs of man, and the soul that does not know this message is like a desert barren and fruitless. It has the power to bring a man into a vital relationship with his Creator and change a wretched sinner into a saint of God. It would be utmost foolishness to neglect or to tamper with this message. “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1 Cor. 9:16b
The evangelist is forced to focus on the issues that really matter in Christ’s kingdom. He cannot add to or take away from God’s message. Many who have neglected this work are today wandering in a maze of religious confusion or have lost their own faith in God. Many have no joyous reality in their own lives because they draw back in fear and hide from the world. After generations of this, about all that is left is a family church or a cultural clique that is far from what God intended His people to be or experience. Even the genetic features begin to be distorted in such a closed society and they bear a negative witness to the wisdom of soul-winning. The Mennonites in Russia are an illustration of this truth. When they promised not to evangelize the peasants, darkness and decay began in their faith. A faith that is not precious enough to us to share with others becomes a dead faith and gives us a false sense of security, but “they that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
When we are engaged in this work, we are forced to rely more fully upon God. The pressures and attacks we experience bring a depth to our Christian experience that would otherwise be lacking. We come to know our God and prove His sufficiency as we labor for Him. God strengthens our own commitment and purifies our own lives as we share our testimony with others. Our children catch our heartbeat and respond to the gospel message because they see a reality in our faith.
Another benefit of doing the work of God is the unity that it produces among God’s people as they labor together for a common cause. In Matthew 24:45-51, neglecting God’s work is directly connected with beginning to smite fellow-servants. This truth has been demonstrated many times in history. When Christians open their hearts to God’s burden for souls and labor and pray together, a tremendous unity is experienced. When the work is neglected, strife begins.
The work of soul winning is wise because of the eternal rewards that this laborer will experience. The pain and toil looks small when it is compared with the honors that will be given to the Lord’s servants someday. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3 Though we are not worthy of these honors and we will cast our crowns at His feet because we have only done by God’s grace that which was our duty to do, yet, Christ will recognize the marks of a true faith and give a crown of righteousness to all that love His appearing.
