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What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world but lose his own soul? |
 My
auntie was praying for her son as all caring mothers do. She had just
heard a sermon on the danger of loving money. While thinking about this
danger, her son called for a little chat. He told her of the
things which were bringing him joy. His business was doing very well. He
had a new expensive one ton diesel truck and many good plans for job
contracts which would bring a good income over the next year. It was such
a bright prospect of bringing in a very good income. He knew his mom would
be happy for him. It was great to have a good home and all the comforts of
life plus good vacations and lots of fun. |
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 The Bible verse came to her mind but she did not
verbalize this to her son. "What shall it profit a man if he gain the
whole world but lose his own soul." After their phone conversation,
she knelt down and began praying for her son. "Lord," she said,
"Please remind my son of the verse: What shall it profit a man if he
gain the world and lose his soul." |
  The
next morning another phone call came from her son. He was puzzling over an
unusual experience of the day before. He said, "I had the strangest
thing happen yesterday. I was driving down the road thinking about all the
money I was making, and how good everything was going for me when these
words crashed into my mind with great intensity. 'What shall it profit a
man though he gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what shall a
man give in exchange for his soul?'" Then auntie told him what she
had prayed.
He said, "Wow, isn't that something! Just to think that God would talk to me like that! He must really love me!" This was the beginning of his return to God. |
 Mark
8:34 And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
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