THE COST AND REWARD OF SOUL-WINNING 1
JULY 11, 2026
TEXT: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30)
Soul-winning is the responsibility of every one of us, having been won into God’s Kingdom ourselves. Salvation automatically bestows upon us an ambassadorial office in which we act as agents and representatives of Jesus Christ in spreading the gospel to the world.
Before His ascension into heaven, Jesus gave a final command that we should go forth and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20). God’s desire for mankind is that none should perish, but that all should come to full repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Thus, we are all called to participate in God’s ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18–20).
SOME COSTS OF EVANGELISM TO A BELIEVER
- Self-denial: Although soul-winning brings great delight to the soul-winner and to heaven, it comes with certain degrees of sacrifice, perseverance, and spiritual warfare. Jesus made us understand that any form of commitment to Kingdom principles comes with self-denial (Luke 9:23). Some of these sacrifices include setting aside time to pray and visit people, comforting and reaching out to the needy, supporting the gospel with our personal money and resources, etc.
- Opposition: Another aspect to understand is that evangelism brings opposition and antagonism. Not everyone welcomes the gospel. Jesus informed us that if the world persecuted Him, then we should not expect anything less (John 15:20). Therefore, one of the things evangelism may cost us is our personal prestige. Imagine someone who is, by all standards, below your level spiritually, financially, or otherwise, talking down to you and hurling insults at you in the course of evangelism. However, for the sake of the gospel, these are some of the challenges we will certainly experience.
- Prayer: It is not by our persuasiveness that souls are saved. The Holy Spirit is the One who convicts people. Therefore, we must pray before evangelistic assignments and not depend on our own oratory or eloquence. Prayer prepares people’s hearts, opens doors, and gives boldness (Colossians 4:3–4).
- Love: Soul-winning flows from a place of genuine love and compassion, not merely from a place of obligation or duty (Matthew 9:36).
SEARCHLIGHT:
The work of soul-winning is costly, as it requires sacrifice, courage, prayer, and perseverance. However, its rewards are incomparable to anything this world can offer.
PRAYER:
O LORD, give me a heart that is hungry and thirsty for souls, in Jesus’ mighty name.
Let the unction to function for Christ in the field of soul-winning fall upon me now, in Jesus’ mighty name.
BIBLE READING:
Psalm 30–32, Revelation 6
PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE
