Gains Counted as Loss
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Philippians 3:7 NLT
What do we human beings commonly look at as “gain” in this world? I have observed that we often overvalue material and fleeting things, such as fame, power, money, the number of followers on social media, or the brand of car we drive. However, we do not always give the same value to spiritual matters, simply because these do not tend to be as popular among our circle of friends or current society.
- A radical change of perspective The apostle Paul had been a highly successful man according to the standards of his time, but at one point in his life, he decided that all those gains were meaningless compared to the love of Christ. Sometimes we need to stop and sincerely evaluate what it is that we are truly valuing and pursuing with the greatest eagerness in our daily lives.
- Trading the temporary for a greater purpose Paul made the firm decision to lose certain comforts or recognitions in order to focus on knowing God more and fulfilling the purpose that the Lord had for his life. Earthly things took a back seat to the immense excellence of knowing Jesus.
- Letting go of the earth to gain a new citizenship Our true citizenship is in heaven, and from there we await our Savior. When we let go of the excessive drive for fleeting achievements and consider all that as a loss, we open our hands to gain Christ and hold on to an eternity that will never lose its value.
- The right balance in our stewardship It is not about abandoning our earthly responsibilities, but asking for the grace to work with the right balance for the comprehensive well-being of our family. We must be faithful stewards of all the spiritual and material riches God has entrusted to us, but without ever losing our eternal values.
It is very easy to be absorbed by the current of a world that exalts temporary achievements above spiritual and lasting success. Let us ask God to give us the necessary clarity to identify what we are putting too much emphasis and effort into, so that we can refocus our energy on His original plan. At the end of the day, no material possession can equal the immense reward of walking aligned with the will of our Lord and living with a perspective of eternity.
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Philippians 3:7 NLT
Think About It:
- What are those temporary things that you are currently valuing as “gains” and that are silently distracting you from God?
- What adjustments do you need to make in your schedules and finances to show that you are prioritizing your spiritual growth over the material?
- Pause today and ask the Lord to help you be a better steward of your resources without losing your eternal convictions and values.