Much is said in the world today about profit and loss. One constantly hears questions asked on that subject.
"Will it pay?"
"What is there in it?"
"What is it worth?"
"What will it yield?"
Nor do we find fault, for business has to be done.
A common school book will show you how to work a simple problem in "profit and loss," and business people know well enough how it works out in everyday life. But it is left for God's Word to point out how we can gain or lose for eternity, and there is a great eternity ahead of every one of us. Scripture states plainly that "we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." 1 Tim. 6: 7. "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Matt. 16:2626For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26).
A wealthy English woman, several years ago, was an extensive land owner and lived in a mansion on one of her estates. Yet she was so fond of money that she would scarcely pay her just debts.
For weeks before her death this lady kept a water glass full of gold coins constantly night and day on a table close to her bedside. Until her sight was gone she seemed to delight to gaze at these coins. But the summons came at last: her soul was required of her, and she had to go.
What did her glittering gold profit her then? Simply nothing! Rather let us ask, What did she lose by having her heart set on money as her idol and object in life? Perhaps she lost the Savior of sinners, and if she did, she lost her own soul also!
While it is very certain there is only one way that God saves souls, it is equally obvious that Satan uses numerous ways besides money to keep souls from being saved.
For many years well-meaning Saul of Tarsus was kept from the Savior by religion. But it was religion without Christ—a mere empty profession, a sort of shell without a kernel; kept up, undoubtedly, religiously and with a good motive; but Saul's heart was in darkness all the time. Afterward, when divine light from heaven had reached him and the Savior had drawn him to Himself, he said, "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."
Satan's great aim is to hinder, in every possible way, the light of God's good news concerning the crucified, ascended, and glorified Lord reaching fallen man. But how encouraging to know that this wonderful gospel light is always shining—just as the sun in the heavens is always shining, though its direct rays may sometimes be obstructed by clouds and mountains and other obstacles.
Generally it is true that one's heart and his treasure are very close together. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:3434For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:34).
Beloved, whether it is a right thing, in itself, or a wrong thing that is hindering you, if you have not the Lord Jesus Christ as your soul's satisfying object, you are being shut out from the enjoyment of the heavenly sunshine. It may be that riches or poverty, business or pleasure, ambition or pride, learning or luxury—anything but Christ—has overshadowed your soul.
All these things must be judged and Christ alone be magnified in you. He is "the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Through Him you may secure everlasting gain, escape everlasting loss. It is written, "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." 2 Cor. 8:99For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9).