In the pursuit of earthly riches and power, one can lose sight of what truly matters. As Jesus teaches in Matthew and Mark, to gain the whole world at the cost of one's soul is a foolish bargain, for what profit is there in having everything if it means forfeiting eternal life? The Gospels, particularly in Luke, emphasize the importance of denying oneself and following Jesus, demonstrating that true gain comes from sacrificing worldly desires for a deeper relationship with God. Ultimately, as Hebrews reminds us, every person will face judgment, making it essential to prioritize spiritual wealth over fleeting worldly success.
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What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames.
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground— because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer. Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten.