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“What good is it for one to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can one give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37).
Once upon a time there was a king who had four aides. He favored the fourth the most and provided him with luxuriant attire and the finest delicacies. He was given nothing but the best.
He also was very partial to the third aide and paraded him before neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day this aide would leave him for another monarch.
He also admired his second aide. He was his confidant and was always kind, sensitive, and patient with him. Whenever the king faced a problem, he could confide in this aide, who helped him get through the difficult times.
The king’s first aide was very loyal and had made great contributions in maintaining the king’s wealth and kingdom. However, he did not appreciate the first aide and hardly ever took notice of him.
One day, the king fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, “I now have four aides with me, but when I die, I’ll be all alone.” Thus, he asked his fourth aide, “I have held you in highest esteem, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered you with special favors. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?”
“No way!” replied the fourth aide, as he walked away without another word. His response cut like a sharp knife right into the king’s heart.
The sad monarch then asked the third aide, “I have treasured you all of my life. Now that I am dying, will you follow me and keep me company?”
“No!” replied the third aide. “Life is too good! When you die, I will go to another.”
The king’s heart sank and turned cold. He then asked the second aide, “I have always looked to you for your help and you’ve always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?”
“I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the second aide. “At the very most, I can only send you to your grave.”
His answer came like a bolt of lightning, and the king was devastated.
Then a voice called out, “I’ll leave with you and follow you no matter where you go.” The king looked up, and there was his first aide. He was emaciated and gaunt, having suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the ruler confessed, “I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance.”
We all have four cohorts in our lives.
Our fourth is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.
Our third is our possessions and wealth. When we die it all goes to others.
Our second is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is to the grave.
Our first is our soul. It is often neglected in pursuit of wealth and pleasures of the world. However, our soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. So we must give our attention to strengthening and cherishing it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God.
Prayer: O God, You have endowed us with such wonderful gifts to sustain us in this world—our bodies, our resources, our family and friends, but may none of these nor any other thing detract us from the care and nurture of our souls. Help us, we pray. Search and know our hearts; try our thoughts and deepest motives; and lead us in the way of righteousness. Amen.
Jerry Springston
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church
Grand Junction, CO
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