By: Ted Camp, Silent Word Ministries

At a special auction the bidding for lot No. 21 began at $20 million. Bids were made of $1 million which quickly drove the price beyond $50 million. In ten minutes a buyer purchased “Portrait of Dr. Gachet” by Vincent Van Gogh for $82.5 million. A record price for a piece of art.

Auction bids are made for many different items. A rare baseball card of Honus Wagner (baseball) sells for $100,000. Everyone seems to seek valuable things to collect, but the most valuable thing you will ever possess is your soul. What is your soul worth?

The Bible says, “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37). Your soul is so valuable that God and the devil both bid for you.

The devil offers you the world and all its pleasures. He offers you power, fame, and fun. But the end is always destruction.

God offers you peace, rest, and eternal life. The end will always be peace, and contentment. The bids for your soul are made, but you must decide who will win the final bid.

Many years ago there was a roadside auction with many people. It so happened, that the Queen had her chariot to stop to watch the different bids at the auction. At that time a preacher saw an opportunity. He jumped upon the platform and yelled, “Next item, what am I bid for your soul?” He then said, “3,000, 4,000, from the Devil, then 5,000 from God, then 6,000 from the Devil.”

The preacher then pointed directly at the Queen and said, “And what am I bid for your soul?” The Queen quickly bowed her head and wept under deep conviction. She suddenly realized who possessed her eternal soul. She then prayed for God to save her soul. She decided who won the auction and final bid for her soul.

The greatest gamblers are not in Reno, or Las Vegas, but the greatest gambler is the person who gambles that he will live another day. “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14).

“Well, what am I bid for your soul?” Dear friend, do not gamble another day without Christ as this could be your last day on earth. Don’t gamble with your eternal soul. These are Words of Wisdom.

Ted Camp is director of Silent Word Ministries, a worldwide ministry to the deaf based in Trenton. E-mail him at TC@silentword.org to be added to the email list for weekly articles or phone (706) 657-8000.