[ecko_quote source=" Mathew 16:26"]For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? [/ecko_quote]
Jesus in His Ministry spoke to the people using parables, examples and illustrations. In the above verse, He used the words such as profit, gain, loss and exchange which are related to the business and commerce field. Being a Chartered Accountant by profession; I know what He was saying, and I can fully appreciate His business acumen. Jesus was discussing a serious business issue. It was not related to the valuable commodities such as Platinum, Gold and Diamonds but more precious than these. In fact, incomparable! It's our “soul”. It costed God everything in order to gain our souls ....only because He loved us so dearly. To be precise, it costed God His only dear son Jesus. He could not redeem our souls with any of the created things, but He Himself had to shed blood to satisfy His Justice.
In the above verse, Jesus is asking us to do some simple calculations and do the real business. These are some very serious questions that need our full attention. We can’t mess with it. Otherwise, it would cost us our eternity. There is no second chance to alter our choices and once we made our choice there would be no turning back.We consciously or unconsciously trade our souls not knowing the eternal value of it. To gain the world and its possessions, we tend to put our souls as a capital. What a terrible trade and foolish exchange we are ready to do in our everyday life. Our soul which costed Jesus’s life can’t be exchanged for such perishables. So many of us are loving the world and its passions despite repeated warning from the Lord.
One of the disciples of Jesus named Judas Iscariot who was a treasurer made a deal with the temple priests to sell our Lord for thirty silver pieces. In the fullest manner, Judas acknowledged to the chief priests that he had sinned, and betrayed an innocent person. This was the full testimony to the character of Christ, but the rulers were hardened. Casting down the money, Judas departed, and went and hanged himself, not being able to bear the terror of divine wrath, and the anguish of despair. It costed him so dearly of his eternity. Wicked men see little of the consequences of their crimes when they commit them, but they must answer for them all.
Thousands lose their souls for a small gain, or the most worthless indulgence, nay, often from mere sloth and negligence. Whatever is the object for which men forsake Christ, that is the price at which Satan buys their souls. One soul is worth more than all the world. This is Christ's judgment upon the matter; He knew the price of souls, for He redeemed them; nor would He underrate the world, for He made it. The dying transgressor cannot even purchase one-hour respite to seek mercy for his perishing soul. Let us then learn rightly to value our souls, and Christ as the only Saviour of them.
My dear friends, I can promise you that there is only one thing that will leave with you from this world when you die, and that’s your soul; nothing else. Everything else will remain. Therefore, I believe we need to get our priorities right this very day. We should put God first then our families and followed our Ministry for the Lord.
There is nothing wrong in making money, being prosperous and successful. As 3 John 2 says “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers”. God wants us to have these blessings, but we need to understand the importance of having our priorities in order so that the Lord can bless us.
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