....worth

 

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36

A man walked into a convenience store, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked the clerk for change. When the cash drawer was opened, he pulled a gun and demanded all the money. The clerk handed over the cash, and the man bolted — forgetting his $20 on the counter.

How much did he get away with? Fifteen bucks. That’s right, he lost five dollars!

It’s easy to laugh at how ridiculous that is, but if we’re honest, we’ve all made trades like that in our own lives. We’ve let go of something truly valuable chasing after something we thought would be better, only to realize later that it wasn’t worth it.

Jesus understood this tendency. In Mark 8, he asked this question: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” It’s a reminder that not every opportunity is worth taking. What’s the point of chasing success, approval, money, or pleasure if it costs you the most important part of who you are?

Our culture constantly tells us what we should want: more stuff, more followers, more comfort, more control. And sometimes we go after those things, thinking they’ll satisfy — but they never do. In the process, we risk neglecting our character, our faith, our relationships, and our purpose. We trade the eternal for the temporary.

But Jesus invites us to a better way — to a life that may look upside-down to the world, but is right-side-up in the kingdom of God. A life where surrender leads to freedom, where service brings joy, and where losing our life for his sake is actually how we find it.

So, before you trade away your time, your values, or your walk with God for something that seems appealing, stop and ask: Is this really worth it? Will this leave me better off — or like that thief, will I end up with less than I started with?

- alan smith

Father, help me to value the things you’ve given me more than what the world offers. Give me the wisdom to know when a trade isn’t worth it, and the courage to walk away from anything that would cost me more than it’s worth. In Jesus’ name, amen.