What good is it if we do all sorts of good works but lose our souls? Or as Jesus put it: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) The problem is that the evangelical church today has been so loosed from its moorings, that salvation is slowly slipping away as THE most important priority in Christian evangelism. Mainline denominations have been on this track for some time now. Al Mohler reports on the Anglican Church’s slow but steady drift away from the uniqueness of Christ in salvation. Some in the evangelical world list ecological responsibility and caring for the poor as at least equal in importance as salvation. Mark Stanton and Dennis Guernsey state: “Christianity is not only “other-worldly,” for scripture indicates the entire creation awaits redemption (Rom. 8:19-23).” They argue the point that God cares about the environment (which I believe He does), but does not lead us to otherworldliness essentially ignoring the many texts that remind us about eternity (John 3:16, all of the book of Revelation, etc.) and our citizenship in heaven (Phil 3:20).

When I was in Africa, I was confronted by many who were starving and dying of AIDS, malaria, TB, and hunger. Feeding and caring for people is a wondrous expression of the love of God through the grace of the Gospel. But Jesus’ words are haunting. What good is it to be fed, clothed, and sheltered and die only to see an eternity of torment? Director Sydney Pollack just died yesterday. It sounds like he led an exciting, wealthy, influential life, one that most of the world would love to have. But what good is it if he lived such a life for 73 years and now will spend an eternity in hell because he refused to heed the Gospel? The trade-off, from a purely utilitarian perspective, simply is not worth it.

The question remains, “Do we believe in heaven AND hell?” Is hell as terrible as Jesus described it to be? (Matt 5:22, 28; Mark 9:43; Luke 12:15; Rev 20) If so, then even though feeding the poor and caring for the earth are importance, the greatest importance is leading people to trust in Christ and avoid an eternity of hell.