The Soul’s Profit
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37)
Profit margins, profitability, profits, profits, profits. In our current tariff turmoil, we are inundated with the word “profit.” Every discussion of profit centers around risk and reward. “Will taking this risk maximize my reward?” “Will it be worth the payoff?” We ask this question in every situation, from reallocating our investments to resetting our alarm clock. But the question is: do we ask it in the most important area of life? Do you ask this question about our soul?
For His part, Jesus esteems the soul as infinitely valuable. The whole world with all its wealth and wonder could not equal the value of one soul. Years ago, the stock market valued 22.5 trillion dollars, and each year marks new discoveries of rare resources and rising rates on property values. And yet, the soul of a newborn child is worth more. The soul of your aged neighbor is worth more. The souls of men residing in the Raymond Detention Center are worth more. Your soul is worth more. Do you believe that? Ask yourself two questions. One, do I treat those individuals as if they have value? When I see them at the County Fair, when I speak of them in private, do I speak of them as if they were of more value than the whole world? (Oh, how easy it is for us to forget! We so staunchly value life in the womb and quickly forget their value when they grow old.) And two, do I sell my soul for less than going rate? Judas sold his soul for a few pieces of silver. Eli sold his soul for his sons. Esau sold his soul for a hot meal. We sell our own souls for the thrill of revenge, for a secret pleasure, for a small, but fleeting indulgence. And for what profit?
How much does Jesus value the soul? Enough to lay down His own life. For we find at Calvary that He endured hellish torments in the depths of His soul that far outweighed His physical sufferings. The sun hit its face and the earth shook as wrath enveloped that most sensitive part of His inner being. And for what reason? Why would He cry out forsaken and forlorn from Calvary’s hill? To purchase a people of His own possession (Titus 2:14). As the God-man, His life is more valuable than a thousand worlds combined, and He laid it down for us. His life and His death can redeem a soul from death and purchase its freedom from sin. When we look to the cross, there we find the value of the soul. Nothing less will suffice.
Therefore, Isaac Watts is correct when he says: “Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” Don’t sell your soul for any less, nor treat others any different. Christ and His people are to be treated with the most tender affection, for they are of the most value to Him.
