August 13

An Unanswered Question

What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? — Matt 16:26 BSB

That is looking at things in the most favorable light. The whole world is the largest possible gain. But even if a person gains the whole world, it cannot protect them from trouble, it cannot give them peace of conscience, it cannot comfort them in sorrow, it cannot provide a soft pillow in death, and it cannot purchase heaven when they are gone. All they can do with the world, after obtaining it, is to hold onto it until they die; they cannot take any part of it with them into the next life. When someone asked how much a recently deceased millionaire left behind, the answer was, "Every cent." He left it all. So, it's easy to see that there is no profit, but rather a fearful and eternal loss, in gaining even the whole world at the price of one's soul.

And think about how much smaller a price than "the whole world" many people sell their souls for. Some sell it for a few hours of guilty pleasure, some for a political office, some for money, and some for honor that fades in a day. There was once an advertisement in a newspaper that read: "Wanted — A nice cottage and grounds in exchange for a lot of choice liquors." No doubt many responded. People are continually trading home, property, peace, and love for alcohol. And they are selling their souls in many other ways for pitiful trifles, bartering their heavenly birthright for a mess of pottage.

What can a person give in exchange for their soul? That’s the problem. When the soul is lost, there is no way to recover it. Once we have made our choices and lived our lives—whether right or wrong—there is no changing the results. Life is given to us only once, and if we live it wrongly, we don’t get a second chance to do it over. A lost soul cannot be redeemed, and no amount of money can buy it back.