"Salt" Your World

January 28, 2001

Standing for righteousness, one deed at a time, does make a difference.  God's people are classified as "salt" in the Bible. Salt preserves against corruption. Salt is cohesive. It holds together. I like to think that salt's cohesiveness is like loyalty. Loyalty holds together our relationships.

We had an unusual family celebration this past Christmas. I had a little sack of salt for each family member. We talked about loyalty and love. Each one of us then went around the family circle, putting some grains of salt from our pouches into the pouches of each one present. The only way our loyalty to each other could be broken was to retrieve the identical grains of salt from each pouch. We called it a "salt" covenant of family loyalty. It made our celebration memorable. We learned several concepts from this celebration.

In ancient times, salt was used as currency. If a person did not do his fair share of work, he was "not worth his salt." Men carried salt pouches on their belts to prevent cramps and to maintain health. Matthew 5:13 compares believers to salt: "Ye are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost his savor, where with shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men."

I like to think of us as loyal people, the "salt" of the earth," being "worthy of our salt." We influence for good in our communities and nation. When Israel offered an offering to God, they mixed it with salt, indicating loyalty: "Every offering must be seasoned with salt, because the salt is a reminder of God's covenant" (Leviticus 2:13 TLB).

If I do not make an effort to influence my world for good, then I am of little value for God. Just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food, I want to have a positive influence on others, and I can only do it through "Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).

Using salt with a sacrifice recalled God's covenant with His people. As salt changes meat's flavor, we can make a difference in the "flavor" of the world we live in. Just as salt preserves food from decay, we can counteract moral decay.

Salt can lose its flavor. When it gets wet and then dries, it is worthless. Comparing the analogy to our lives, the same thing can be said of us.

Like salt, we can preserve the good in this world and keep it from spoiling. In so doing, we bring new "flavor" to life. Seasoning with salt makes things "tasty." You and I can make the world "tastier." Sprinkle "salt" on those you meet today. Your "flavor" makes their day brighter and your "salt" might just preserve those who are going through a hard time. Your "salt" of encouragement has a powerful effect.

Take your salt shaker everywhere you go. It makes everything better!