The Value of the Soul

Written By Pastor Leo T Mukumba

Scripture: Mark 8:36–37"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Introduction

Brethren, Jesus has asked a question that strikes at the very heart of every human being:"What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? "This question is not just an inquiry; it is a divine challenge that calls us to evaluate everything we’re living for. Jesus is pressing us to ask ourselves: What is your soul worth to you?

We live in a world where we chase after money, fame, success, and comfort, but how often do we neglect the one thing that will last forever: our soul? Our bodies, our homes, our careers; they will all fade. But our soul is eternal. It is the part of us that will live on forever, either in the presence of God or separated from Him. It’s time for us to ask ourselves, “What am I willing to give for the one thing that has eternal value?”

In the parable of the lost coin, Jesus tells the story of a woman who searched high and low for a single coin she had lost, even though she still had nine others. When she found it, she rejoiced and celebrated. If she could search so diligently for a small coin, how much more should we search for the condition of our souls? Today, it’s time for us to search for what matters most, our soul.

The Unmatched Value of the Soul

Imagine gaining everything the world has to offer; wealth, fame, success, but losing your soul. The world may give you all the comfort you desire, but when you stand before God, none of that will matter. The body will perish. Your career, your wealth, your status, everything you’ve worked for, will fade. But your soul will live forever.

Jesus is asking us, “What would it profit you to gain everything but lose the one thing that matters?” The soul is priceless. It is eternal, it cannot be replaced, it cannot be bought back. If you lose your phone, you can get a new one. But if you lose your soul, there is no replacement. You lose eternity. You can insure your car, your house, your business, but who is insuring your soul? How much are you investing in your soul, which is the most precious thing you have?

Let me ask you, what are you living for? Are you working so hard to gain the world that you’re neglecting the one thing that will outlive it? The true measure of wealth is not in what you own, but in the condition of your soul. Are you nourishing it? Protecting it? Giving it what it needs to thrive for eternity?

The Tripartite Nature of Man

For us to understand this, you need to know that Man is made out of 3 components. You are more than just your body. You are a tripartite being: body, soul, and spirit.

• Body (Soma): Your physical body, which is temporary and will return to dust. The house (flesh) you live in, your physical house. It is indeed temporary, perishable and fading. It gets tired, old and also weary.

• Soul (Psyche): The essence of who you are, your mind, emotions, and will. It is eternal. It carries your personality, your identity. It will live forever, either in the presence of God or apart from Him.

• Spirit (Pneuma): The part of you that connects with God. Your spirit is awakened when you are born again, and it is through your spirit that you commune with God.

The body connects you to the earth, the soul connects you to your identity, and the spirit connects you to God. But the body will perish, while the soul and spirit will live on forever. What happens to your soul is the most important thing in your life. Your soul will never die. That is why Jesus asked, “What will you give in exchange for your soul?”

How People Lose Their Souls

People don’t lose their souls in an instant. It's a slow drift, a gradual neglect. Many of us get caught up in the rush of life, work, pleasure, money and forget about the things that matter most.

• Neglect: Ignoring spiritual practices like prayer, church, and the Word of God. Making them optional rather than essential.

• Distraction: Allowing the pursuit of work, money, and pleasure to take precedence over God.

• Exchange: Trading the eternal for the temporary, choosing comfort and pleasure over peace and eternal life.

• Rebellion: Choosing to live in sin and ignoring God’s call.

Losing your soul doesn’t always happen in one dramatic moment. It's a slow, subtle shift, where we place our priorities in the wrong place. Like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal, many are trading eternity for a moment of comfort. We can be busy gaining the world and still be spiritually bankrupt. “You can gain the world and still lose your soul.”

Nourish What Truly Matters

Your soul is starving for what truly matters. The body needs food, but your soul needs spiritual nourishment. You can feed your body three times a day, but how often are you feeding your soul? The Word of God is food for your soul. Prayer is oxygen for your spirit. Worship is what brings life to your inner being.

Church is not just a weekly routine; it’s food for your soul. Serving God, reading His Word, praying, these are the things that strengthen your soul. Don't feed your body three times a day and starve your soul all week.

You wouldn’t drive your car without maintenance, but many are living their lives without maintaining their soul. You take your car for servicing, why not take your soul to church for a check-up?

The Eternal Destiny of the Soul

The body is temporary, but your soul is eternal. The decisions you make today will determine your soul’s eternal destiny. Heaven and hell are real places. When you die, your soul will either be with God in heaven or separated from Him in hell. Your eternity is shaped by your choices now.

In Luke 16:19–31, Jesus tells the powerful story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man lived in luxury every day, enjoying all the comforts the world had to offer, while Lazarus, a beggar, sat at his gate, covered with sores, longing for the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Both men died, Lazarus was carried by angels to Abraham's side, but the rich man found himself in torment in Hades.

In his suffering, the rich man cried out for mercy, asking for Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue. But Abraham replied, "Remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony." The rich man begged for a messenger to be sent to warn his family, but Abraham told him that if they didn’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they would not be convinced even if someone rose from the dead.

This parable serves as a sobering reminder of the eternal consequences of our choices. The rich man’s soul was in torment, and he could not change his destiny. His earthly wealth could not buy him peace in eternity. The rich man’s story is a stark warning: we can be so consumed by the temporary pleasures of this world that we neglect our soul’s eternal future.

Jesus’ question to you today is: What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul? What will you give in exchange for your soul?”  This is the most important question you will ever answer. The time to make that decision is now. You cannot wait until tomorrow. Every choice you make today matters for eternity.

Your soul is priceless, and once it enters eternity, there is no turning back. The choices you make today will shape you forever. Today is the day to recommit your life to God. I believe, if you’ve been neglecting your soul, it’s time to get back on track. Don’t allow work, pleasure, or money to become more important than your soul. Reorder your priorities and make God number one in your life.

• Put God first.

• Value the church as a place of spiritual nourishment.

• Feed your soul more than your body.

• Invest in eternal things that will never perish.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Just as the woman rejoiced when she found her lost coin, heaven rejoices when one soul returns to God. If you’ve been distant from God, today is the day to come back.

Conclusion

What Will You Give in Exchange for Your Soul? Brethren, your soul is priceless. Don’t neglect it. Don’t trade it for temporary things that will fade. Your soul is worth more than the whole world. Your soul is the most valuable thing you have. Do not let the distractions of life rob you of your eternal reward.

If you haven’t surrendered your life to Jesus, today is the day of salvation. If you’ve been distant from God, come back. If your priorities have shifted, restore your first love.

The story of the rich man and Lazarus serves as an eternal wake-up call for all of us: we must never allow the temporary comforts of this world to overshadow the eternal destiny of our souls. Choose wisely today, for your soul will live forever.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:33 "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

Live with eternity in mind. Let your soul be nourished, guarded, and cherished. For when everything else fades, your soul will live forever.

Final Appeal:

• If your priorities have shifted, restore your first love and put God first in your priorities.

• If you’ve been distant from God, come back home.

• If you haven’t surrendered your life to Jesus, today is your day of salvation.

Lord, help us value what You value. Help us to never neglect what truly and really matters (our souls). Whilst we work for the body we should continue to serve You, feed spiritually, and live for eternity! May our soul find purpose in you Lord.