What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?

Answer 1

Mark 8:34,36 "And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them... follow me. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

As believers, worldly pursuits are extraneous to our genuine source of fulfillment. We are charged with the great responsibility of following Jesus Christ and thus evidencing spiritual fruitfulness.

Galatians 5:22,23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Because God has created His spirit within us, a renewed image of our spiritual identity inspires us. The miracle of all miracles has taken place, and we are called as ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ. Having Christ within us, we continually grow in the realization of who we are in him.

II Corinthians 5:17-20 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation... and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."

Answer 2

While this is a Bible verse, it certainly doesn't benefit anyone if they have everything and yet loses themselves and their beliefs in the process. We've all heard of rich and successful people committing suicide, so their wealth and success didn't help them. There are plenty of examples of successful people losing or compromising who they are and suffering here on Earth without needing to discuss the afterlife.

Answer 3

The question is from the Apostle Mark, and clearly the point he is trying to make is that it profits the man nothing. Mark, being a deeply religious man, was concerned primarily with the after-life, where the immortal soul is all that matters.

However, there are other ways to look at this. The first was proposed by another user...

'Perhaps he will finally know the value of what he had? ...GP'

I don't know about that, but personally, I take the question at its most basic. When you get right down to it, it profits the man *the whole world*. That's a pretty big profit, if you ask me (or most people, I would imagine).

Now, Mark would argue that the man is only gaining the whole world for a fleeting speck of time compared with the eternity of a lost soul, but that's only really true if you're banking on that after-life.

In any case, I think most people would be pretty happy with gaining the whole world, if only for... say, half a lifetime? Judging by the number of people playing the lottery, it's a safe bet.

The Question is not from marks mouth.. it is from LORD JESUS. What will the main gain If He becomes rich and have all possession but he has no place in the Kingdom of GOD(Heaven).

Answer 4

This phrase is from The Bible (Mark 8:36) and highlights the idea that material wealth and success are not as important as spiritual well-being. It suggests that true fulfillment comes from a meaningful and virtuous life, rather than just accumulating worldly possessions or status.

Answer 5

26For 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?