"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?' (Mark 8:26)
Classic "rhetorical." The answer is quite obvious if one is familiar with the teachings of Jesus, Absolutely nothing.
Yet, how many are attempting to, "save his life," and, "gain[] the whole world"? Few people turn down job promotions, increase salary offers, inheritance money. In fact, the whole of humanity is bent on getting more. And do not think for a moment that this does not included the "99 percenters." What do you think motivates their hatred of the 1%?!? The reason the Left, the socialists, the communists, the Democrats in the US want to "redistribute the wealth," is that everybody wants wealth. Marx was no different from the capitalists whom he railed against. The only difference in humanity is those who have, and those who do not have what the others have worked for, or inherited, or stole----- but desperately want it. It makes no difference; greed is a universal malady. Everything a politician promises is an appeal to get you more. It is cloaked many times in "the need" of people, but it is mostly the want and desire of people.
Our Lord Jesus taught us that the losing of wealth/possessions was nothing compared to gaining one's soul, and one gains one's soul by, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Coming after Jesus Christ is "saving" one's life. Coming after Jesus is, "profit a man." The only truth in "more is better" is "more" of Jesus is better. Notice the verbs, "come after Me,.. deny,.. take up...and follow Me." This means that you and I are not in charge of our lives after we surrender our lives to Jesus. Somewhere I read, "Jesus Christ is Lord," not I. Perhaps this is the reason so little is spoken of, "The Kingdom," and so much spoken of what I can get from God. There is no vote in, "The Kingdom of God/Heaven." There is no press conference, no question and answer, no "think tanks" in, "the Kingdom of Heaven," just, "come after Me...and follow Me." One, "....gains the whole world," when one, "....loses his life for [Jesus'] sake and the Gospel's...." The world scratches its head at this. You and I rejoice in This, in Him, in the Living Triune God.
Father, in Jesus Name, I only want to "gain" You. Amen.
Classic "rhetorical." The answer is quite obvious if one is familiar with the teachings of Jesus, Absolutely nothing.
Yet, how many are attempting to, "save his life," and, "gain[] the whole world"? Few people turn down job promotions, increase salary offers, inheritance money. In fact, the whole of humanity is bent on getting more. And do not think for a moment that this does not included the "99 percenters." What do you think motivates their hatred of the 1%?!? The reason the Left, the socialists, the communists, the Democrats in the US want to "redistribute the wealth," is that everybody wants wealth. Marx was no different from the capitalists whom he railed against. The only difference in humanity is those who have, and those who do not have what the others have worked for, or inherited, or stole----- but desperately want it. It makes no difference; greed is a universal malady. Everything a politician promises is an appeal to get you more. It is cloaked many times in "the need" of people, but it is mostly the want and desire of people.
Our Lord Jesus taught us that the losing of wealth/possessions was nothing compared to gaining one's soul, and one gains one's soul by, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Coming after Jesus Christ is "saving" one's life. Coming after Jesus is, "profit a man." The only truth in "more is better" is "more" of Jesus is better. Notice the verbs, "come after Me,.. deny,.. take up...and follow Me." This means that you and I are not in charge of our lives after we surrender our lives to Jesus. Somewhere I read, "Jesus Christ is Lord," not I. Perhaps this is the reason so little is spoken of, "The Kingdom," and so much spoken of what I can get from God. There is no vote in, "The Kingdom of God/Heaven." There is no press conference, no question and answer, no "think tanks" in, "the Kingdom of Heaven," just, "come after Me...and follow Me." One, "....gains the whole world," when one, "....loses his life for [Jesus'] sake and the Gospel's...." The world scratches its head at this. You and I rejoice in This, in Him, in the Living Triune God.
Father, in Jesus Name, I only want to "gain" You. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
