For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36-37
I recall an incident a few years ago, shortly after we had married, of a clerical error causing us to receive a bill that had previously been paid. When I presented the canceled check and explained the error to the receptionist, whose employer had sent us the bill, it was obvious she expected some type of anger from me. I thought to myself, “it’s not worth being so angry, it’s a small amount, really, and besides it’s easily taken care of”. Obviously, this lady had dealt with angry people before when dealing with such matters.
Simply put, it was not worth acting in an ungodly manner. It never is “worth it” to act in an ungodly manner! We must consider the cost (Mark 8:34-38). When we usually consider cost, we think of finances and yes, we should be good stewards, but we must always consider the cost of words and deeds.
What is our reputation worth? Proverbs 22:1 states, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold”. So many regrettable words or deeds would be avoided if we realized we are squandering away the worth of our name. This could be in private or in a group setting with our earthly or spiritual family. While it is clear we will only be judged for our deeds in the end (Eccl 12:13-14), our conduct can affect how those closest to us may be viewed.
Is it worth it to engage ourselves with something that may cause us to lose our Christian focus? Matthew 6:24 says, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon”. I would conclude that having “too many irons in the fire” leads us to mistakes. The devil would love for us not to count the cost and become double minded (James 1:8).
Let’s always consider the cost and never jeopardize our souls. Labor for what is worth the most, our eternal well being (John 6:27).
By Jason Barger