Profit and Loss - Part 2
By Ron Noble
"For what shall a man be profited if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul?" Matthew 16:26
The Bible is full of men who lost their souls in the process of achieving what they wanted to gain. So is life. I have seen men who once had a sensitive conscience, lose their souls, and driven to succeed or gain money, or hold onto what they had gained, steal, cheat, lie, lose compassion and take widows to court, fight against the local church, discredit t its leaders and pastors. I have seen the same thing as Isaiah, who described men who fasted in vain to get back in touch with God and seek His blessing, but on the same day, drive hard their workers, to the harm of families. Isaiah 58:3. I have seen men who once followed God, lose their self control and use girls, women and even their own daughters in sexual gratification and go to jail.
Am I a sensitive person to the hurts and needs of others? Am I compassionate? How would I feel about making a gain that would negatively impact a friend? Do I trust God's sovereignty enough to leave my advancement, provision and gain with Him? Am I distanced from God and His people? Jesus said, "Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell!"
Matthew 16:24 tells us how to prevent Satan from using our selfish, soulish ambition, making us a stumbling block, and losing our souls. "Let Him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me" Jesus said.
Will I ask God today to crucify my hellish selfish ambition, greed and self interest? Will self denial be a bi-product of my trip to the cross? Can I say with Paul, "I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but rubbish, that I might gain Christ?" What a gain to die to self at the cross, and keep my soul and spirit right with God! I am the Lord, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17.
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