How do we take the risk which leads to rewards from God? How do we get this "blessing," this joy, this great reward from our Father? Jesus will tell us, with two metaphors.

First, "You are the salt of the earth." Not "you will be" or "you could be" but "you are," right now. "You" is inclusive, all of them. He says the same to us today. But what does he mean? What does salt do? It changes things. Nothing contacts salt and remains the same. How does it change things?

It purifies, as anyone who has gotten salt in a wound and felt its sting knows. Do you purify your world? Are you the holy presence of God? Are people more holy because of you?

It preserves food. In the ancient world, without refrigeration and preservatives, it was the only means of keeping food for the winter. Are you preserving the souls you meet? Is anyone more ready for eternity because of you?

It seasons food. It was the only seasoning most people could afford. Do you bring the joy of Jesus to your world? Are people happier because of you?

It makes people thirsty. Do you? Do people want the Jesus they see in you? Who was the last person who sought the Lord because of you?

It disappears. When it does its work, it is gone. No food or substance is too good for its transforming power. Are you selfless, willing to do anything to serve God and people, not caring who gets the credit?

If salt doesn't do these things, it is "no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." They got their salt from the shores and marshes of the Dead Sea. It was impure, and decomposed. All that was left was white powder, good for nothing. What can you do with salt that doesn't taste like salt? What good is it?

Jesus' second metaphor: "You are the light of the world." Again, Jesus doesn't say that we might be or could be, but that we are. All of us, right now. "The" light, the only light in this dark world. What does light do?

It guides. It's been said that a shin is an object for finding furniture in the dark. A flashlight in a dark room is a precious thing. Are you guiding people in the dark to the Lord?

It comforts. Just a little light in a dark room makes all the difference. I read recently about a bank manager who accidentally locked himself in his vault for the weekend. He found the emergency air hole, and knew he would not suffocate. Then he found a tiny door which opened to the light. He said that light got him through those long days and nights. We all need light in the dark. Who is comforted in their dark vault by you?

It attracts. Insects go to light, but so do people. We are drawn instinctively to it. Who is drawn to God because of you?

People don't "light a lamp and put it under a bowl" but "on its stand, and it gives light to everyone on the house" (v. 15). Oil lamps were hard to light in Jesus' day. Once you got yours lit, you might put it under a wicker basket at night to shield it so you could sleep. But no one lit a lamp for that purpose. They put it on the "stand," a shelf built into the wall, so it could give light to the house.

What good is a light you can't see?