I used to believe that when someone died, the person’s soul would remain for a time before rising into heaven. The body would simply lie there like a machine with no oil, all of the components motionless, never to be used again.
Since then, my understanding of the human soul has developed, and I know now that there is no biblical foundation for thinking that a soul hangs around to see his loved ones mourn over his lifeless body. Yet the Bible certainly speaks of the difference between the body (our physical components) and the soul (our spiritual components). One will inevitably pass away, while the other lives on.
The soul is the part of us that affects who we are and what happens after we die. It’s more important than we realize, and, like the body, it needs to be taken care of. Feed it with Scripture, comfort it with prayer, and help it grow with devotion to Christ.
What good would it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul? None at all. But in gaining Jesus, he would have everything!