The Worth Of The What

Mark 8:36-37

“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?”

I’ve read and heard those verses hundreds of times.  But just recently one simple word jumped out at me as if I’d never seen it before.  It’s the simple word, “What…” 

What will it profit a man…what will a man give…?  I began to think about the worth of the what.  Whatever it is that causes a person to turn away from God, deny God, or reject God…Jesus questions the “profit” of that.  What is the worth of the what… 

In preacher talk I might say, just because it makes you happy doesn’t mean it will make you holy.  I might add, just because it brings satisfaction doesn’t mean it will lead to sanctification. 

When I am a sixty, seventy, or eighty-year-old man and I look back over my life I will see a series of choices I made.  Some good.  Some bad. God help me in the choices I am making today to not gamble with God’s blessings. 

What if I gain the world and miss God?  What if I experience a few fleeting moments of worldly pleasure, and in those foolish moments I sacrifice the life God planned for me.

There’s a real possibility if I sacrifice what I have for what I want, in the end I may not want what I have.  Be careful with God’s blessings and favor.  We only have one life – a life that is blessed only if we live it for Him. 

What will it profit a man…What will a man give…  What is the worth of your what?  M