When I was ten years old and my oldest sister, Peggy, was nineteen, I trapped her in her bedroom. She had just gussied up her hair when I appeared with an ice-cold glass of water and threatened to throw it on her. While we both laughed at the prank, she begged me not to throw it on her. I made her get down on her hands and knees, give me compliments, and beg for mercy. After several minutes, I turned as if to leave and show her mercy, then I whirled back around and let her have it. She took it good-naturedly. Through laughter, she said: “You think you’re smart, don’t you, you little rat?”

In an article entitled: Average Americans Think They’re Smarter Than the Average American, author Marina Koren says, “Fifty-five percent of Americans think that they are smarter than the average American, according to a new survey by YouGov, a research organization that uses online polling.” How about you? Do you think you are smart? God’s standard for a smart Christian is found in Proverbs 11:30: “…he that winneth souls is wise.” There is more than one proper motive for intentionally seeking to lead others to eternal salvation. It could be because we realize doing so is “your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1-2). After all, the Savior endured much to redeem us from sin. It is only reasonable to serve Him in this way. We should also realize this is God’s primary mission in life for every believer. Second Corinthians 5:18-20 informs us all believers are to serve as “ambassadors for Christ” because He gave all of us “the ministry of reconciliation.” This means we are all to see ourselves as “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Seeking to lead others to Christ is NOT just for a select few who have some sort of special gift. Compassion for the fate of an eternally lost soul should also motivate us. Jude 23 puts it this way: “…others save with fear, pulling them [with Scripture] out of the fire.…” It is also proper to be motivated by eternal reward. Daniel 12:3 says, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.”

If we are truly smart, we’ll arm ourselves today with gospel tracts and look for an opportunity to share the plan of salvation with a lost soul.