“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37 (NKJV)

The world wide economic collapse can be traced in part, to the accounting processes and procedures of numerous corporations and financial institutions across a broad spectrum of national and international interests. The demise of many of these organizations was ultimately determined by the outcome of the status of their profit and loss statement. A profit and loss statement is a quarterly or annual financial document that shows earnings, expenses, and net income. Profits should always out weigh losses. Should this be reversed, a business or organization can quickly find itself insolvent. Perhaps it is an appropriate analogy of the accounting that every believer must give as it relates to our spiritual investments and the priority that we have placed on our relationship with God. As sure as we live, the day will come that we must give an accounting of our life, stewardship, and discipleship to God. “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12 (NKJV)

Within the historical backdrop of His discourse with the disciples concerning the denying of self and taking up the cross to follow Him, Jesus uses thought provoking questions and economic terms to show the supreme value of eternal life. After more than 2000 years, these same questions are highly relevant given the environment of materialism and man’s insatiable desire to gain more through lust and greed. What does it really profit us to gain these things if in the end we become spiritually bankrupt? What good does it do to gain the world and all it has to offer and not gain eternal life with God? The world of pleasure centered on possessions, positions, or power is ultimately worthless and of no eternal benefit. “Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased. For when he dies he shall carry nothing away. His glory shall not descend after him.” Psalm 49:16-17 (NKJV) The word “glory” as stated in this text is symbolic for wealth and high social status. To live without the profitability of godly priorities and principles will only ensure that we will die with ungodly losses and liabilities.

We have witnessed the demise of many individuals who would seem to have, based on the world’s standard; the most profitable life that you could ever imagine only to discover that their ultimate loss clearly outweighed any and everything that they could have gained in this life. Is it really worth exchanging ones soul to obtain worldly profit? Because anyone who gains this world, has in the end irrevocably lost eternal life with God, with nothing to compensate for it. To gain the whole world and lose your soul is inexcusable and demonstrates a lack of being able to properly prioritize the assets and liabilities regarding the value of life and the ultimate purpose that God has called each of us to fulfill.

Whatever you do, don’t be caught bankrupt, insolvent, or with a spiritual accounting statement that is clearly out of balance where the priority of this world is more important than the benefit of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. If you want to profit eternally then you must lose your life and become free of worldly entanglements. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel will save it.” Mark 8:35 (NKJV)