Will It Pay?

“Will It Pay?”
“What’s it worth?”
“What’s in it for me?”
Common, everyday questions of common, everyday matters. With pencil and paper — or calculator or computer — we work out the answers. But when we are confronted with profit or loss for eternity, the answer can only be found in the Word of God — the Bible. It says plainly that “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:77For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (1 Timothy 6:7)).
“What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matthew 16:2626For 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? (Matthew 16:26)). How truly does God say, “The love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:1010For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10)). Satan uses many ways besides the love of money to keep souls from being saved. He tries to hinder in every possible way the light of God’s good news about the crucified and risen Lord from reaching hearts, but this wonderful light is always shining, though its direct rays may sometimes be hidden by clouds.
“The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ . . . should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:44In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4)).
Whether it is a good thing, in itself, or a wrong thing that is hindering you, if you have not the Lord Jesus Christ as your soul’s satisfying object, you are being shut out from the enjoyment of the heavenly sunshine. One of Satan’s clouds is overshadowing your soul.
Only through Christ can you secure everlasting gain and escape everlasting loss. It is written, “Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:99For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)).