The Sodium Chloride Of The Earth
THE SODIUM CHLORIDE OF THE EARTH
Read Matthew 5:13-16.
Steven waited patiently as his father offered a prayer of thanks for the food. Then he spoke up. “Please pass the sodium chloride.”
Dad laughed. “I know what you’re talking about, but where did you hear that?”
“In school today,” Steven said. “We had a lesson on salt.”
“Well, if you were trying to impress us,” Mom said, “you did.”
“Salt’s important,” Steven informed his family. “Our teacher said that it’s used in science and medicine.”
Dad agreed. “She’s right. Chemical compounds of sodium are used in photography and industry, too.”
“Not to mention the way we use salt right here in our home,” Mom added. “Salt is used to flavor food and also to keep it from spoiling.”
“Did you know that sodium chloride is mentioned in the Bible?” asked Dad.
“In the Bible?” repeated Steven.
“Well, not by that name,” said Dad with a smile. “But it does tell us that Christians are the salt of the earth. We can help preserve and flavor the earth. Unless—”
“Unless what?” Steven asked.
“Unless the salt has lost its flavor. The Bible says that if the salt doesn’t have the power to flavor anything, then it’s actually good for nothing except to step on.”
“So Christians have to be careful to live in such a way that they have the power of Christ in their lives,” Mom added. “Christians are to be like salt—helping, preserving, and being useful.”
Steven said, “Well, I hope people can tell I’m part of the sodium chloride of the earth.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you being “salty” to your schoolmates? To your family? Jesus didn’t say you could be like salt if you wanted to be. No, He said you are the salt of the earth. It’s your job to help, preserve, and be useful. Live that way!
TO MEMORIZE:
You are the salt of the earth.
Matthew 5:13
BE A USEFUL CHRISTIAN.
From the book
