“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” (Luke 9:25)

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” (Luke 9:25)

What does “gaining the world” mean? To gain the world means the pursuance of earthly success and materialistic possessions; to receive all the world has to offer; money, glory, fame, pleasure, power, prestige, etc. 

The scriptures warn against prioritizing such worldly things over one’s spiritual life and well-being. True fulfillment in Christ is NOT found in “things” of this world, but in those of the next. For Christians, treasure is not found here on earth, for sooner or later such things fade away and are lost. Thus, the most important possession is our soul, and to trade it away for temporal gain at the loss of your soul is the epitome of foolishness. 

Fr. John