Please, Allow Me.

Salary: from the Latin salarium. Stipend; originally "soldier's allowance for the purchase of salt". (from Etymonline)

You are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13a)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Martha shared with us that the word salary originally referred to salt as a form of pay for Roman soldiers. In essence, the soldiers were rewarded for their labor with a means by which to preserve their families and land.

We who are co-laborers with Christ have been rewarded with a special position of favor and responsibility: we are the salt of the earth. We are the ones called to preserve families and lands. We do this not through our own efforts, but by means of the spiritual gifts that the Spirit of Christ has given to us.

But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. (Matthew 5:13b)

Our designation as the salt of the earth can be lost if we neglect our calling to be a preserving element. Some years ago another of our pastors made the point (paraphrased here) that if we decide to stay clumped with other "salt grains" and never pour ourselves into the lives of people who need our encouragement, prayers, or assistance, then we have failed to be useful in the kingdom of God.

Every morning God is gracious; He gives. Today, He has given us grace and authority to function as salt in the earth. With His help we will be the healing and preserving agents in our homes, workplaces, schools, businesses, and wherever else He chooses to place us.

You are the salt of the earth. Go spend that allowance!