Matthew 5:13 

“‘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.’”

Did you know that one of the most intense battles of the Civil War was fought over control of a salt mine in Virginia? Did you know that after Napoleon’s attack on Moscow, thousands of his soldiers died during the retreat because their wounds wouldn’t heal? They didn’t have enough salt in their diet. Did you know that more wars have been fought over salt than over any other mineral – including gold? In a country where news stories about salt usually center on high-blood pressure, many people do not realize the incredible value of salt.

When Jesus told His followers, “You are the salt of the earth,” He was sharing a profound truth that people in His culture probably understood. Salt was used as a preservative. It kept things from decaying. It added flavor, making food enjoyable. It was used as a fertilizer, adding ions to the soil so that crops could grow. Those things, among tons of other uses, describe the value of salt in that culture (and in ours). Each one also describes the function of Christians in our decaying society.

One more important point – salt causes thirst. Hopefully, we live our lives in such a way that we create a thirst in others to know Jesus Christ.

How do we act as preservatives in our world?

How do we add flavor?

What are some other ways that we are salt?