it says
For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?
2007-08-17 01:11:32 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
We can't buy our way into Heaven
2007-08-17 01:21:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Seems to be saying, "For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?"
2007-08-17 01:15:40 · answer #2 · answered by Jack P 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is a comment on the loss of humanity and decency in an individual for the sheer sake of making money, here is an example.A family goes to a wealthy surgeon with their sick child, child needs an operation.Parents have no insurance, buit they do have a house,now mind you the old doc is rich, So the couple sell the house , the child gets better but they are homeless.It is more a statement or a rhetorical question, a comment if you will, on mans loss of decency and humanity,look at the Nazis.
2007-08-17 01:19:29 · answer #3 · answered by anonomous 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignoring your relationship with God due to pursuit of worldly goods would be my interpretation.
For me, I have found that there is nothing material that gives me peace. If I buy a bigger car, I find myself envying the owner of the mammoth SUV towering over me. A bigger house just gives me the excuse to buy more things to fill the empty spaces.
That's just the thing, without God I had this craving for material things that just wouldn't quit or be satisfied.
I used to wonder about rich people when I was supporting 2 children on less than a poverty scale income. I saw these people just consumed with desire for bigger and better everything. The more they had, the more driven they seemed.
Nothing satisfies the soul but God. Being grateful for everything He has given me, especially my family, gives me contentment and peace.
2007-08-17 02:10:50 · answer #4 · answered by fmckin1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christ has much better than what the world can offer. verse before and after has the answer.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some of them that stand here, which shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Christ has the promise of eternal life...
2007-08-17 02:00:42 · answer #5 · answered by Jay R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not believe in a one size fits all single interpretation of the Bible as some fundamentalists Christians do.
I believe the Word of God is living and active, and therefore can mean different things at different times to different peoples, depending on their particular circumstances at the moment they are praying and meditating upon it.
For me right now as I look at the verse, I think God is warning me about keeping my priorities right, and in line with His will.
A better question might be, what does this scripture mean to YOU?
2007-08-17 01:17:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is saying that there is no gain in this life that can equal the loss of salvation, which lasts an eternity. Men may build up for themselves a collection of worldly treasures that they love and enjoy in this life, but in the next it is all for loss.
2007-08-17 01:17:27 · answer #7 · answered by L.C. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no point in owning everything in the world if in the process you lose who you are and if you lose your life. You can't anything with you when you die so it is better to live a good life.
Basically, your soul with worth a lot!
2007-08-17 01:28:52 · answer #8 · answered by Emperor Insania Says Bye! 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means that Christians must 'die' to the world to follow Christ. It means that Jesus and God are more important than the people of the world.
Although genuine Christians may fall short on their commitment at times (26:69-75), those who wish to follow Christ should understand from the start that they are surrendering their lives to Christ. Those who do not acknowledge Jesus as Lord-as having the right to demand of them anything, including their lives-have yet to be truly converted. Today Christians continue to debate the character of the gospel: to be saved, does one need to accept Christ as Lord or only as Savior? Throughout the New Testament, however, the question is more or less a moot one. Jesus came to save us from our sin, and accepting him must include recognizing his right to rule our lives. This does not imply that Christians are perfect; it does indicate that they recognize who their Lord is.
(The Cost of the Kingdom, Commentary, Bible Gateway)
2007-08-17 01:33:47 · answer #9 · answered by D.A. S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus is simply saying that a person should seek the kingdom of heaven first. If a person neglects salvation in preference to the riches of this world, what will they profit? If they die without salvation they will be in hell and what happens to the wealth they have amassed while they were on earth?
2007-08-17 01:19:50 · answer #10 · answered by mandbturner3699 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is saying that you should never take any action solely for personal gain.
Give your actions to others, and you will benefit in turn.
Give your actions to yourself, and others suffer.
I am not even Christian, but I follow this. Maybe the ignorant few might want to check in on that before they judge me as a sinner. Not you personally, I'm just giving you some scope as to how it is on here.
May peace go with you throughout your life
2007-08-17 01:15:11 · answer #11 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋