Unprofitable Profit

Profit is good, if it produces the right results, but profit is bad if the results are unwise. The world, the flesh and the devil offer an exchange that is enticing to the eye, but it starves the soul. The world offers power in exchange for a compromise in character. The flesh offers self-indulgence in exchange for discipline and service to others. And the devil through his deception offers fortune in exchange for neglect of family responsibilities.

Even Christians can get sucked into society’s strong solicitations—like standing too close behind a giant box fan—they feel the pull of unfaithfulness. Less their soul be shredded, there must be intentionality toward a heart pure with motives that honor the Lord and a mind that’s wise in it’s application of truth. Wise people pursue the Lord first and do not chase profits that compete with Christ. God’s gains give real life to the soul not death.

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Mark 10:29-31).

Every human has a soul that deeply desires spiritual nourishment from Christ. The soul is what distinguishes men and women from animals, plants and the rest of God’s creation. In the soul resides our will, emotions and eternal essence. It’s from this spiritual seat that Christ desires to rule over our surrendered life. A submitted soul sees God by faith, but a rebellious soul is lost and blind to His ways. Peace is the profit of a soul secure in Jesus.

Is your soul alive or dead to the Lord’s call on your life? Do you seek Him or are you attracted to and preoccupied with the ways of the world? Perhaps you take an audit of your actions and honestly evaluate your pursuits. Do your activities promote soul care? Has your soul been converted to Christ or is it still controlled by the culture? It’s eternally profitable when your soul takes the time to drink often by the deep waters of God’s grace.

Life’s wise exchange is abundant living and eternal life in heaven, not earthly endeavors with a hopeless future separated from the Lord. Even in your service for the Lord, do not use it as a substitute for your devotion to the Lord. Gain what you cannot lose—God’s grace—and lose what can be lost. Seek profitable profits in pursuit of knowing Christ.

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience” (Colossians 1:9-11).

What pursuits does the Lord have for me in this season of life?

Related Readings: 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:16

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Releasing Labor Day weekend the 90-day devotional, Seeking God in the Psalms.

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