Proverbs 11:30

“He who wins souls is wise!”

Genuine piety is operative and influential on the whole life. It manifests itself very principally in labors of love to those around us. “The fruit of the righteous” is very fitly compared to “a tree of life,” which administers to the welfare of all who come under its kindly shade. True, indeed, such people are often regarded only as weak enthusiasts; and are despised in proportion as they exert themselves for the benefit of their fellow-creatures. But they have a good report from God himself, who says concerning them, “He who wins souls is wise!”

This sentence it shall be my endeavor to confirm; and confirmed it will be beyond all doubt, if we consider what may be justly said in vindication of every one who engages in this good work.

I. The object that a winner of souls proposes is most excellent.

What in the universe is there worthy to be compared with an immortal soul? And what work can be compared with that which is done for the soul, in its conversion to God?

Think of its being plucked as a brand out of the fire of Hell itself!

Think of its being restored to the favor of its offended God!

Think of its being transformed into the divine image!

Think of its being exalted to a participation of all the glory and felicity of Heaven!

Is there any object that can stand in competition with this? What is the acquisition of crowns and kingdoms in comparison with this?

II. The labor that a winner of souls bestows, is most beneficial:

1. To the soul he wins.

Let the foregoing hints be duly contemplated; and then say what a benefactor he is. “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins! James 5:19-20.”

2. To the world around him.

Man, in his unconverted state, is a snare to all around him. By his example at least, if not by any avowed declarations, he teaches men to think that the concerns of this world are most worthy of their attention, and that the concerns of the soul are only of secondary importance. But, when once he is truly turned to God, the honor of God is dear unto him, and the welfare of immortal souls lies near his heart. For the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom he prays in secret, and labors according to his ability in the sphere wherein he moves. “May your kingdom come,” is the language, not of his lips only, but of his heart also. He now lives, not for himself, as hitherto, but for God, for his Savior, for his fellow-men; and whatever he possesses he considers as a talent to be improved for them. Now, therefore, he becomes “a light in the world;” and, from being an agent of Satan to advance the kingdom of darkness, he is a favored instrument of Jehovah, to promote in every way the happiness and salvation of the human race. Who can calculate the benefits accruing from such a change?

3. To himself also.

Who ever labored for God without receiving in his own soul a rich reward? Psalm 19:11.” “Who ever watered others, and was not himself watered by the Lord? verse 25.” The very graces which a man exercises in winning souls to God, diffuse a sweet serenity, a holy joy, over the whole man, and assimilate him to his Lord and Savior, and render him fit for the inheritance that is reserved for him. I may add also, his very labor augments for him the weight of glory that is reserved for him in Heaven; for God has said, in reference to this very thing, that “every man shall receive according to his own labor, 1 Corinthians 3:8;” and that “those who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars, forever and ever! Daniel 12:3.”

Is not he “wise,” then, who engages in such a work as this?

In addition to all this I must say,

III. The end of a winner of souls is most glorious.

This is the end which God the Father had in view, when he delegated to his Son the office of redeeming man. This was the end for which our adorable Savior “left the bosom of the Father,” and assumed into union with himself our fallen nature, and led a life of sorrow upon earth, and at last died for us upon the cross. To this he looked forward, as “the joy that was set before him, for which he endured the cross and despised the shame! Hebrews 12:2.” And when he beholds this as the fruit of his sufferings, he is altogether “satisfied with the travail of his soul, Isaiah 53:11.”

The Holy Spirit also regards this as the end for which he performs his part in the economy of redemption. For what does he “strive with rebellious man? Genesis 6:3.” For what end does he enlighten, quicken, sanctify the souls of men, or refresh and invigorate them with his heavenly consolations? All of this is to “glorify Christ, John 16:14,” in the salvation of man. In truth, the salvation of sinful men is the work that every person of the Godhead will be glorified to all eternity. What is it that illustrates in harmonious union all the attributes of God? What is it that is the one subject of praise and adoration among all the heavenly hosts? Is not this the song of all that have been redeemed? “To him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto our God, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever! Revelation 1:5-6.” Even the angels that never sinned, add their “Amen to this; and sing their praises unto God who sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever! Revelation 5:11-13.”

Compare with this work, “all the labor that is done under the sun,” and it is no better than laborious folly. Not he who accumulates to himself wealth or honor, but “he who wins souls, is wise.”

What, in conclusion, shall I say?

1. Let every one seek the salvation of his own soul.

Is it wisdom to win the souls of others? What folly, then, must it be to lose our own? In this labor we have more abundant encouragement. We may seek to save others, and fail in our attempt; but who ever failed, who sought salvation for his own soul? Find, in the annals of the whole world, one who ever looked to Christ in vain? Who ever washed in the fountain of his blood in vain? or for whom did the grace of Christ ever prove inadequate and insufficient?

Let the world deride this labor as folly, if they please; they will soon see who it is that is really wise; and will soon condemn themselves, more bitterly than now the most envenomed among them condemn the righteous, “We fools accounted their life madness, and their end to be without honor; but now we see how greatly we have erred from the way of truth.” Who then is wise among you, let him “give himself wholly” to the concerns of his soul; for “the wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of fools! Proverbs 3:35.”

2. Let every one also seek the salvation of others.

There are many ways in which this may be done, such as:
The ministry of the gospel.
The visiting of the sick.
The instructing of children.
The sending forth of the holy Scriptures.
The support of missions, etc. etc.

In particular, let every one attend to his own household. For these, in a more especial manner, is every one responsible. But in whatever way our exertions are called forth, let us remember that they must be used in a wise, discreet, affectionate manner. We must surely declare the whole counsel of God; but, if we would succeed in our labors, we must endeavor to “win souls” by love, and not drive them away by severity and terror.

Charles Simeon