The Book of Proverbs was written to tell believers how to live their lives wisely, and the Book identifies one activity specifically which shows that one is wise – Prov. 11:30b, “And he who is wise will win souls.” The converse of this would be “He who does not win souls is not wise.” This being true, the overwhelming number of professed believers are not wise, for reports show that only one to five percent ever win another person to Christ. God’s promise that one is wise who wins souls should spur every believer to be a soul winner. So believers should need no further motivation to obey His commands. But there are other practical proofs that the believer is wise who will evangelize:
- The Believer Who Wins Souls Enriches His Own Spiritual Life. Paul prays in Phil. 1:6 that every believer will be active in sharing his faith so he will know all the blessings we have in Christ Jesus. When we win souls, it makes our own salvation more precious. The Word of God, Prayer, Worship, the church, etc. all become more important and powerful in our lives. I pastored a church when believers were bringing souls they had won to church, would go down with them to make their public profession, and the entire church, once dead and dormant, suddenly came alive.
A song is not a song until you sing it, love is not love until you give it, the gospel is not exciting until you share it.
- The Believer Who Wins Souls Edifies The Local Church. When souls are being won, being baptized and becoming active members in a church such a church is growing and becoming a mighty force in the kingdom of God. I pastored a church which could not find enough teachers and deacons to serve where they were needed; but when our people became soul winners, we had an over supply of leaders. A soul winning church also has the monetary resources to promote a dynamic local and would-wide mission ministry. Our church gave $3333.00 to a special fund for missions at Christmas which began to give $10,000 annually and finally $100,000.
- The Believer Who Wins Souls Helps Enlarge The Population of Heaven. I was thrilled recently to read in Rev. 7:9 that there would be a multitude which no man could number of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues in heaven,” and in that moment I was assured that some of those would be a few that I had won through my ministry in India, South America, Cuba, Thailand, Singapore, Kenya, Australia, etc. Deo Soli Gloria.
- The Believer Who Uses His Means to Evangelize The Lost Will Receive A Very Special Welcome Into Heaven. Jesus Himself promised this special reward in Luke 16:9, “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon (money) of unrighteousness, that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.” It will be enough for Jesus to welcome us into heaven, but it will also be a joy unspeakable for people to welcome you, no doubt, saying “I am here because of your giving.” So amazing is this promise that when I first read it as a young pastor that I could not believe those words of Jesus meant what it sounded like they meant. Then I read an entire message by the great Dr. George Truett when he held this promise out as the wonderful promise to soul winners. At this point I pay tribute to the late Ms. Ann Curtis who stood at my side for 19 ½ years and won more souls than any person I ever knew. Five years ago she transferred her abode from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant where she will shine as the “Stars for ever and ever,” for she “turned many to righteousness.” Dan. 12:3.
- Finally, The Believer Who Uses His Mean To Win Souls may change the course of human history, for the most significant and far-reaching things one can do is to win one soul for Jesus. Permit me to illustrate from history: Illus: Tell story of how layman Edwin Kimball, humble Sunday School teacher, changed history by winning one soul to Jesus – D. L. Moody.
As I look back on my ministry, I have done multiple things – many good things. But none of them compare to my winning of souls and none bring the joy to my heart like winning others. Please be wise – win souls and you can leave all the consequences with Jesus.