He That Winneth Souls is Wise
W. A. Martin

When the last amen is uttered and the members file from the building and drive away from the parking lot, the work of the church begins. A sign over the exit of our auditorium should read, "You are now entering the mission field." God's work is not performed by full-time people on Sundays, but practiced by full-time Christians seven days a week. Sometimes the idea is left in our minds that the only way to serve God is to be a foreign missionary on some desolate field. How wrong we are! Every member of the body is to serve, every branch in the vine is to reproduce. "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (John 15:8)

Jesus spoke of his people as salt and seed. Salt and seed are useless unless they are spread. They do no one any good while collected in a bottle or a barn. Their usefulness comes with their dispersion. Every member of the church is to make disciples as they go, wherever they go and whenever they go. Jesus said, "You shall be my witness to the end of the earth." Wherever God has planted us, we must grow and bear fruit. If God's work is to be done in any community it must be done by the individual Christian. Christians must penetrate society like salt in food and seed in soil. God calls every Christian to full-time service. The work of the ministry belongs to all church members.

When an individual works for Christ because he enjoys working for the Master, failures will never dampen his enthusiasm, but he will analyze his failures, and study their causes; then enthusiastically look out for another opportunity to succeed where formerly he failed. When a Christian has a genuine love for the lost, and has the necessary knowledge of God's Word, enthusiasm is the first fruit. The early Christians were exhorted that "with purpose of heart they should cleave unto the Lord" (Acts 11:23). Many church members have a knowledge of God without zeal. Zeal is a natural reaction to enthusiasm. Remember, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." (Pro. 11:30)

Humility It is my joy through life to find At every turning of the road The strong arms of a comrade kind To help me onward with my load. And since I have no gold to give, And love alone must make amends, My only prayer is: While I live— God make me worthy of my friends.