What shall it profit you if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? Every action, thought or word of yours determines the line you are towing. And your time on earth is too short to make wrong choices. This post encourages you to focus on gaining your soul.

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? - Matthew 16:26 (NKJV).

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." - John 11:25 (NKJV).

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment - Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV).

Your soul is more important than the gains of this world and so needs adequate attention. This is because it lives on even after death (John 11:25). It spends eternity either with God (which is God's will) or with the devil. And you ultimately decide where it goes by the things you do here on earth.

The Dilemma

Many people live in this world as if their lives end here. So, they chase after money by all means and fight with all they have for power. They do this even to the point of stealing, killing or destroying others just like the devil whose mission is to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). Unfortunately, these acts are outright consent to spend eternity with the devil.

God's Will

It is not the will of God that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9) but that all should have eternal life. This He showed by giving His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). And Christ has paid the entire price that you may spend eternity with God.

The Inevitable

Surely, you need money to feed, clothe and house you and your family. So, you need to work to get the money to accomplish these responsibilities. However, it should not cause harm or loss to your soul.

The Truth

The truth is that God wishes above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers (3 John 2). So, it's not that He wants you poor but that the prosperity of your soul should top the list of priority. Truly, the prosperity of your soul leads to the prosperity of your hands. This is because you become more like God, thinking, talking and acting like Him. Also, you gain the wisdom that commands financial prosperity and authority.

The Wisdom To Apply

So, the appropriate thing to do is to first seek the kingdom of God and the Lord will add every other thing to you (Matthew 6:33). As such, as you focus more on building your soul and pleasing the Lord, He will command every other desire of yours to come to you. This, He can do by making you find favour with people who will help you achieve your heart desires. Furthermore, He can open doors of opportunities that will release great blessings to you. And you know that there is nothing impossible or hard with God.

Therefore, don't be like Esau who, for the hunger of the moment, sold his lifetime birthright for a morsel of bread. And when he sought for it with tears, nobody could retrieve it for him (Hebrews 12:16-17). So also, if you pursue to gain the whole world, you will lose your soul and on the day of the Lord, your soul certainly will not spend eternity with God.

Conclusion

While you occupy till Christ returns doing your daily businesses (Luke 19:13), ensure that you have enough oil in your lamp like the wise virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). This makes certain that you quickly join Him when He returns. Therefore, live for Christ in all you do (Romans 14:8), and ensure that you don't lose your soul. For it's more profitable to gain your soul and lose the world.

Ngozi Nwoke is a teacher, speaker, counselor and author of "Peace Money Can't Buy" and "The Man Jesus: What You Need to Know About Christ". She has a passion to teach people how to enjoy peace, God's love, and Christian living for a more fulfilling life. Want a more fulfilling life?