Read Matthew 5:13. When Jesus declared to the gathered crowds, “You are the salt of the earth,” it was a shocking statement. He was telling His followers—common people like fishermen and day laborers—that they were of supreme value. You see, Jesus had just finished delivering the beatitudes—eight steps to spiritual blessing (see Matthew 5:3-12). And so, when he started talking about salt, He was talking about people who embodied the beatitudes.

Though the world could not see it, these people were incredibly valuable. Their greatest asset was their spiritual bankruptcy. Their greatest passion was mourning over their sin. Their greatest accomplishment was their meekness. Their best response to evil was to be merciful and make peace. Their appetite was for righteousness. Their greatest weapon was to come clean with God on a regular basis and remain pure in heart. Their greatest privilege was to be insulted for Jesus’ sake. Those who were living out the beatitudes had discovered how to appropriate happiness, no matter the situation, so Jesus called them precious—the salt of the earth. In Jesus’ day, salt was traded in much the same way that gold was—it was that valuable!

One of the reasons salt was so highly valued in the ancient world is because it could be used as a powerful preservative. Without it, rot and decay would quickly grow and spread, much like what is happening in our culture. Not enough has been done to preserve goodness and Truth. And that is why today we have a culture that’s rotting from the inside. We desperately need men and women who will go out and be salt in every sphere of society.

Another powerful property of salt is that it causes thirst. As the salt of the earth, God has placed you where you are to make those around you thirsty for more of Him. When they see your joy, the way you walk in faith when times get tough, and how you celebrate the blessings the Lord has given you, you’ll make them thirst for that same kind of joy, peace, and contentment. So they’ll reach out to the one thing that will quench their thirst: the Living Water, the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are following Jesus Christ, then He has an incredible calling on your life. I urge you to take seriously your responsibility to be the salt of the earth. May you therefore add divine flavor wherever you go!

Prayer: Lord, help me to be salt for You. May I draw others to You as I seek to preserve goodness and Truth in the world around me for Your glory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“You are the salt of the earth. 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 underfoot” (Matthew 5:13).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series Appropriating the Happiness That Is in You: WATCH NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.



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