Salt of the Earth

The phrase appears in Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7). Matthew 5:13 states, “You are the salt of the earth.” Jesus was telling His disciplines that they were to serve as both a seasoning and a preservative in the world. If they were not doing this, they were useless.

Salt was a valuable commodity in the ancient world. Some people, including Roman soldiers, were paid their wages in salt instead of money. Our word salary comes from the Latin world salarium, meaning “salt money.”
When Jesus referred to His followers as “salt,” He wasn’t referring to a cheap everyday item, but to something valuable and important.

See 393 (Sermon on the Mount).

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Rope of Prayer

David Jeremiah

Daniel was a man who communicated with heaven. He prayed fervently, consistently, and for the will of God. He knew nothing of praying only before meals, at bedtime, and when he really needed God’s help.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Initiative Against Depression

Oswald Chambers

A human being is capable of depression, otherwise there would be no capacity for exaltation. There are things that are calculated to depress, things that are of the nature of death; and in taking an estimate of yourself, always take into account the capacity for depression.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Inspiration of Spiritual Initiative

Oswald Chambers

When the inspiration of God does come, it comes with such miraculous power that we are able to arise from the dead and do the impossible thing. God does not give us overcoming life; He gives us life as we overcome.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Determination To Serve

Oswald Chambers

The mainspring of Paul 's service is not love for men, but love for Jesus Christ. Paul's realization of how Jesus Christ had dealt with him is the secret of his determination to serve others.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

What God’s Love Can’t Do

Billy Graham

God cannot forgive the unrepentant sinner. The human race is called on throughout the Bible to repent of sin and return to God. This love of God can be entirely rejected. God will not force Himself upon any man against his will.