What Does it Profit?

The Sapphire Review Vol. 2 | No. 12 • March 21, 2025

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Mark 8:36, KJV

BUSINESS

In the business arena, the metric of profit is one of utmost importance. Without health in this metric, no business can survive. When all the revenues (incomes) are measured across a certain period of time, and the expenses (spending) across the same period are subtracted out, what is left is known as “profit.”

With more or increasing profits, a business can grow, invest, and expand. When profits are negative or decreasing, a business must downsize or liquidate assets if they are going to continue operating.

This is a timeless principle, and thus a fitting example for Jesus to have used to speak to people across every generation.

SPIRITUAL

Jesus speaks of a man that gains the whole world and loses his soul as having no profit (nothing left over) in the end. After his life and achievements are weighed in the balance, he is found wanting.¹ The end result of this man is that he will cease to exist after being burned up as stubble in the fires of judgement.

The matter at hand is one of the heart 0and not one of some specific measure of worldly gain that men must strive to stay beneath. Jesus gave the most extreme example in order to show the folly in seeking to justify lesser examples.

The cost of a soul is of infinite value, as it required the life and blood of the Son of God to atone for its sins. Thus, when weighed against an “expense” of infinite value, no measure of worldly gain (even the greatest possible amount) can ever offset this on a balance scale and have any “profit” remaining.

HEART

It is the watchful and discerning eye of Jehovah, and not that of man, which looks at the heart and not outward appearances, positions of honor, nor stores of wealth.²

Jesus spoke that where a person’s treasure is, there would their heart be also.³ John writes that if anyone loves the world or the things in the world, then the love of the Father is not in him.⁴ Immediately after these verses, he adds that it is he that doeth the will of God that will abide forever.⁵ Only those who reach the blessing of being a part of God’s eternal kingdom can be considered to have a “profit” left after their life on earth has expired.

CONTENTMENT

Paul encouraged believers, through a letter to Timothy, that one should be content with food and clothing.⁶ This does not mean that one should never acquire anything more than this, but simply that one’s heart should be content with these things of necessity.

We have a promise in Matthew 6:33, that if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, that our food and clothing⁷ will be provided to us. Certainly, any other needs that we have will also be provided to us by our Father in heaven,⁸ as Jehovah does not withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly.

“For the LORD [Jehovah] God is a sun and shield: The LORD [Jehovah] will give grace and glory: No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11)

LITMUS TEST

So how can one know if their heart is content with only the things that are necessary, or if perhaps there is a love for the world or the things in the world that needs to be relinquished in some way?

A simple test is to take all the money in one’s bank accounts, all of one’s possessions, or any single possession in particular and to judge themselves, asking: if I were to lose this thing, or if it were to be damaged or messed up in some way, would I grumble, complain, or get upset? Or would I still be able to give thanks in all circumstances, trusting that my Father will indeed provide for all that I need?⁹

Next, we can question and judge ourselves regarding how we would respond if some unexpected increase were to happen with our finances, or if we were to receive some inheritance or possession that we previously had not had. Would we lift up our hearts, only to God, in praise and thanksgiving, seeking and asking that His will would be done with such things? Or would we be excited in a carnal sense, being puffed up with self-seeking, and giving preference in our thoughts as to how these things can be used for our own benefit?

LOVE AND CHRIST

Charity, or love, in which we are to abound,¹⁰ envieth not and seeketh not her own.¹¹

We have a perfect example in Christ of all these things. One need not be discouraged when considering these matters and realizing how short they may fall from the Biblical standard. The process of sanctification happens over a lifetime, and into eternity, not overnight. As we stay yoked to Jesus, in a humble and daily surrender, we will learn of Him.¹²

By His grace, He will teach us and mold us¹³ to be more like Him, that we may grow to walk as He walked¹⁴ in these things and much more.

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PRAYER

May God help us to keep our hearts, and all our possessions, fully surrendered to Him, that we may be fully content in Christ with whatever position and means He allots to us. Above all else, may our desires be for Him, His glory, and the saving of those that are lost.

God Bless,

Charles

SCRIPTURE INDEX / REFERENCES

1. Dan 5:27

2. 1 Sam 16:7

3. Mt 6:21

4. 1 Jn 2:15-16

5. 1 Jn 2:17

6. 1 Tim 6:8

7. Mt 6:25-32

8. Phil 4:19

9. 1 Thes 5:18

10. 1 Thes 4:1; 2 Thes 1:3

11. 1 Cor 13:4-7

12. Mt 11:28-30

13. Titus 2:11-12

14. 1 Jn 2:6