WHAT IS ONE WORTH TO YOU?
The above question, “what is one worth to you” was posed by a cruel Gestapo leader, who killed Jews at will for sport during the Second World War, to Oskar Schindler. Schindler (a member of the Nazi party) was trying to save the Jews from being sent to the gas chamber in Auschwitz. Schindler was by no means a man of high moral character, known to be a womanizer and extremely fond of alcohol. Yet God birthed in his heart an undying love for the Jews, and Schindler literally gave his all to save those he could.
By the end of the Nazi regime and the fall of Hitler, Schindler, who once was a millionaire, was broke, as he had used all his money, assets and business to buy 1,100 Jews their freedom from certain death.
When the allied liberators rolled into Germany, Mr. Schindler had to flee, as he was a member of the Nazi party. In the movie Schindler’s List, the end is heart rending as Mr. Schindler now broke, collapses in the arms of a faithful Jewish worker sobbing, “I could have done more. I did not do enough.” Looking at his car he said, “why didn’t I get rid of it, ten more (Jews) could have been saved.” Pulling out his gold pen he said, “what use is this to me, I could have sold it and two more would have been saved.”
We know from the awful sacrifice 2,000 years ago what one was worth to the Father and Jesus. We know that He will leave the 99 to search for the one that is lost ( Luke 15:1-7). We know that He stands at the gate eagerly awaiting the return of the prodigal (Luke 15:11-32). John 20:21 clearly reveals what the Lord has commissioned us to do and expects us to do. It reads, “So Jesus said ‘…As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” The Father sent Jesus with the sole purpose of saving the lost.
I believe that Christ has blessed every believer with enough to help save the lost. It ultimately comes down to the haunting question “what is one worth to you”. Is one worth going out of your comfort zone and giving extra? Are you willing to pray and fast for the lost? I know if Christians start doing this on a regular basis rather than sporadically, we will succeed in reaching even more of the unreached ethnic groups.
If we are willing, obedient and selfless in giving the little we have, even if it means lacking something for a short time, then Jesus can and will multiply that to feed the multitudes and take care of our needs as well (ref. Mark 6:30-44, 8:1-9). In some of our outreaches overseas, for every $1 invested a soul came to Christ; churches were planted and many were healed.
Schindler, who had done everything conceivable, going above and beyond the call of compassion in saving 1,100 Jews, was still consumed with remorse over not having done enough. Sometimes we can complacently pat ourselves on our back for tithing, attending church, reading the word etc., which are vital for us; but lose sight of what is really important to Jesus…. THE GREAT COMMISSION! I believe that the Great Commission is going beyond the call of average, complacent Christianity. It is going the extra mile in prayer and giving so those multitudes traveling the broad road can be diverted to the narrow road.
The grim statistic that only 0.07% of all money raised in Christian circles goes to reach unreached areas is a formidable reminder that we Christians are not doing enough.
Hindsight is considered the best sight, though often accompanied by remorse. Please do not let hindsight in fulfilling the Great Commission be your vision. Do not let the guilt of “I did not do enough” resound in your mind and gnaw at your conscience. Make the Great Commission a priority. Make a difference for the sake of the unreached and untold through your prayers and giving. Now is the time to sow, now is the time to fall on your knees; not just once, but everyday. The Great Commission should stir us everyday.
We know that at Calvary we were reconciled to God by Jesus. However in unreached regions people do not know this. They have no knowledge of the Great Physician who heals by a word, touch, and prayer. They cannot fathom the balm of the Holy Spirit who brings incomprehensible peace, joy, and comfort. There is no healing for these people, unless we, you and I, take the Gospel (Good News) to them. Will you send us? Will you pray for us? What is one worth to you?
William Booth had a dream in which he saw two men accusing him for not caring for their souls, and they were cast into hell. Dreams like this drove him to start the Salvation Army.
I am grateful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for going all the way to Calvary, irrespective of the immense physical, mental and spiritual torture. If He chose to throw in the towel when it got too rough, where would we be today? Today many are depending on us, the followers of Christ to go all the way! Can you? Will you? For the sake of Jesus! Let the Great Commission compel us; Let the love and grace of Jesus Christ consume us; Let the Holy Spirit ignite us to share Christ.
