How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!

(Romans 10:15 NIV)

The minister stopped by a convenience store. He picked out a fifty-cent item and walked up to the counter.  As he reached into his pocket, he suddenly realized he had left his wallet at home.  Embarrassed, he said to the store owner, “This is awkward. I seem to have come shopping without any money.” 

The owner chuckled. “Happens to the best of us. What do you propose we do about it?”

The minister said jokingly, “I could invite you to come hear me preach this Sunday as payment, but I’m afraid I don’t have any fifty-cent sermons.”

The owner smiled and said, “Perhaps I could attend twice.”

That raises an interesting question — how much are sermons worth?  Anyone who preaches knows that some sermons feel more valuable than others.  Some seem to flow easily and connect deeply; others feel like they struggle to get off the ground.  But the true worth of a sermon has very little to do with the preacher’s eloquence or delivery.  Rather, its worth comes from whether it faithfully communicates the Word of God in a way that clarifies truth and encourages real change.

When Scripture is proclaimed, something far greater than public speaking is taking place. God is at work through His Word. A sermon that draws someone closer to Christ, helps them understand grace more deeply, or convicts them of a needed change is priceless.

Paul expressed this when he wrote:  “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (Rom. 10:14–15 NIV)

“Beautiful feet” doesn’t refer to perfect sermons, but to faithful messengers — ordinary people who speak God’s extraordinary truth. Whether the sermon feels polished or plain, when it points people to Jesus, its value is beyond measure.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the privilege of hearing and sharing your Word. Help us listen with open hearts, receive your truth with humility, and live it out with faithfulness. Bless all who teach and preach the gospel, and may your Word bear good fruit in our lives.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day