Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise. Most men are aiming and endeavouring to win something to which they attach great value. It may be secular wealth, or earthly honour, or sensual pleasure. But there can be no wisdom in spending one's life in the endeavour to win any one of these things. The aim of Paul was to win Christ, and that should be our first aim too. Having won Christ for ourselves, our aim should be to win souls for Christ. I. HE WHO WOULD SUCCEED IN WINNING SOULS NEEDS TO BE WISE. It needs wisdom to succeed in the business of life. It needs a far higher and nobler wisdom to win Souls. It is an exceedingly difficult thing to win men over from the ranks of sin and Satan to the ranks of God and His Christ. 1. The would-be soul-winner needs to be theoretically wise. He needs to be well informed. He cannot know too much and must be well informed on some very important matters, e.g., the sacred Scriptures, human nature, etc. 2. He needs to be practically wise — wise in action as well as in thought. He should deal largely in the most attractive and pathetic truths. He should carefully choose the most appropriate seasons. He should cultivate the most loving spirit and the most kindly manner. He should be much in communion with God. II. HE WHO DOES SUCCEED IN WINNING SOULS PROVES HIMSELF TO BE WISE. This is true looked at from several points of view. 1. Think of this work in relation to God. It is co-operation with God. 2. In its relation to those who are won. 3. In its relation to society. 4. In its relation to those who are engaged in it.In this world it brings them honour, pleasure, and culture. The blessings follow them into the future world. (John Morgan.) Parallel Verses KJV: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.WEB: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls. |
    |