Would you believe that if the Bible didn't tell you? The New Testament Greek word for soul is psyche. The Greek language existed before the New Testament was written. Therefore the idea of the soul is known as a natural law. Man knows he is a hybrid between material and immaterial, but he doesn't understand it. The Bible reveals this truth with much more accuracy.
When we say, "I have a soul" that is a true statement. It would be more accurate to say, "I am soul." Genesis 2:7 tells us that "Man became a living soul." So when we ask, How are you? That question is multifaceted. You can reply, "Fine." "Tired." "Weary." These are outward responses that may or may not reflect what is going on on the inside. All of us have done this before. Someone asks us how we are doing, and our response doesn't always tell the truth. We smile, but really, on the inside, we're broken.
Your soul is the unveiled you; the REAL you. It is who you are in your innermost being. Many people do not think that deeply about themselves. They only operate within externals. How do I appear to others? It's all about appearance. How do I fit in?
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
Your soul was designed by God to operate between the outside world via your body...that is, your 5 senses. And your spirit, which is intended to communicate between you and God. Man is a living soul, whether he agrees with it or not.
The man in our text placed his soul's emphasis on his relationship solely with the outside world. He neglected the internal reality of the spiritual world. He was only concerned with how big his bank account was. He was only worried about how well his crops did.
How's your soul?
The Bible frequently interchanges the word soul and spirit because they are so close in nature. Just as the soul requires a body, a soul needs a spirit. But the Bible does differentiate between the two.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
How's Your Soul?
Have you thought about how your interaction with the external world and your transactions with the inner world play out? Consider what Jesus said, "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (See Mark 8:36-37) Are you trying to fill your life with external joys?
Our souls need to be fed. The body cannot provide for the soul what it needs to survive. The body can only supply for its physical needs. Your soul needs something much more than that.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
This poor rich man thought to himself, "I finally have it made! I can live the good life! All is good!" Then the storm of his life came. God came to reckon with the man.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
God says it is foolish for us to focus only on the externals. It is detrimental to our eternity. We are soul. God created the soul to enjoy His creation and to interact with others, but that interaction is in the finite realm. That is the upper part of the soul. There is a deeper part of the soul. That deeper part must find God and make Him the source of infinite joy.
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
He was rich, alright. Just not where it counted. His soul's source of joy was limited. Jesus offers an unlimited source of joy. Himself. He proposes that to you today.
The Soul's Source of Joy
How's your soul?
Do you believe you have a soul?
Would you believe that if the Bible didn't tell you? The New Testament Greek word for soul is psyche. The Greek language existed before the New Testament was written. Therefore the idea of the soul is known as a natural law. Man knows he is a hybrid between material and immaterial, but he doesn't understand it. The Bible reveals this truth with much more accuracy.
When we say, "I have a soul" that is a true statement. It would be more accurate to say, "I am soul." Genesis 2:7 tells us that "Man became a living soul." So when we ask, How are you? That question is multifaceted. You can reply, "Fine." "Tired." "Weary." These are outward responses that may or may not reflect what is going on on the inside. All of us have done this before. Someone asks us how we are doing, and our response doesn't always tell the truth. We smile, but really, on the inside, we're broken.
Your soul is the unveiled you; the REAL you. It is who you are in your innermost being. Many people do not think that deeply about themselves. They only operate within externals. How do I appear to others? It's all about appearance. How do I fit in?
1 Samuel 16:7
7 ...man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Your soul was created by God and placed in your body. It has to have a body.
2 Corinthians 5:4
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
Your soul was designed by God to operate between the outside world via your body...that is, your 5 senses. And your spirit, which is intended to communicate between you and God. Man is a living soul, whether he agrees with it or not.
The man in our text placed his soul's emphasis on his relationship solely with the outside world. He neglected the internal reality of the spiritual world. He was only concerned with how big his bank account was. He was only worried about how well his crops did.
How's your soul?
The Bible frequently interchanges the word soul and spirit because they are so close in nature. Just as the soul requires a body, a soul needs a spirit. But the Bible does differentiate between the two.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
How's Your Soul?
Have you thought about how your interaction with the external world and your transactions with the inner world play out? Consider what Jesus said, "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (See Mark 8:36-37) Are you trying to fill your life with external joys?
Our souls need to be fed. The body cannot provide for the soul what it needs to survive. The body can only supply for its physical needs. Your soul needs something much more than that.
Matthew 4:4
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
How's your soul? Where does your soul find rest?
Matthew 11:28–30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
This poor rich man thought to himself, "I finally have it made! I can live the good life! All is good!" Then the storm of his life came. God came to reckon with the man.
Luke 12:20
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
God says it is foolish for us to focus only on the externals. It is detrimental to our eternity. We are soul. God created the soul to enjoy His creation and to interact with others, but that interaction is in the finite realm. That is the upper part of the soul. There is a deeper part of the soul. That deeper part must find God and make Him the source of infinite joy.
This man's life was defined by Jesus,
Luke 12:21
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
He was rich, alright. Just not where it counted. His soul's source of joy was limited. Jesus offers an unlimited source of joy. Himself. He proposes that to you today.
Psalm 36:8
8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; And thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.