For what is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or, what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26—NIV)

Did you ever hear someone say, “If you have your health you have everything”? There are certain concepts that boil complex problems down to simple principles of life. I am in debt to those who can make anything cloudy as clear as crystal.

Two questions draw our attention from the distractions of life’s superstitions and opinions to the focused pinpoint of what is eternally significant. It has been said that everything has a price and money buys options. We grow accustomed to the power of the dollar. But there is one thing money cannot buy.

God states the value of you and every other human being. Not one thing in the whole world or for that matter all that is contained in the world is equal to the value of your own single, solitary, little old soul!

Essentially, Jesus asks what is the balance in your checkbook of life if you earn the whole world but you lose your own soul? The soul has no market price, no exchange to God. Nothing else matters to God, and really nothing else is as important to you as the security of your own soul. All other valuables in life hinge on the value of your soul. There is no price to pay to get a wasted life back, nor can you give anything back to God, except your life.

Is the state of your soul secure? What is the balance in your life’s checkbook? Do you value human life? Have you forfieted the inestimable value of your soul for anything of lesser value? Jesus placed this thought before you to explain the reason for His sacrifice on the cross. Man is so indebted to God that Jesus had to step in and pay the price. How do you know? Can you prove your security based on a promise of God?