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(J.R. Miller, "The Shining Light" 1911)
"What is a man profited, if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" Matthew 16:26
That is putting the case in its most favorable light. The whole world is the largest possible gain. But suppose a man does get the whole world . . .
it cannot keep him from pain or trouble;
it cannot give him peace of conscience;
it cannot comfort him in sorrow;
it cannot make a soft pillow for him when he is dying;
it cannot purchase Heaven for him when he is gone.
All he can do with the world, after he has it, is to keep it for a short time until he dies--he cannot carry any part of it with him to eternity.
"How much did he leave?" asked one, referring to a millionaire who had just died. "Every cent!" was the reply. He left all. So it is easy to see that there is no profit--but rather a fearful and eternal loss, in gaining even all the world at the price of one's soul.
"Then the rich man said: 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.'
And I'll say to myself: 'You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry!'
But God said to him: 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:18-21
(J.R. Miller, "The Shining Light" 1911)
"What is a man profited, if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" Matthew 16:26
That is putting the case in its most favorable light. The whole world is the largest possible gain. But suppose a man does get the whole world . . .
it cannot keep him from pain or trouble;
it cannot give him peace of conscience;
it cannot comfort him in sorrow;
it cannot make a soft pillow for him when he is dying;
it cannot purchase Heaven for him when he is gone.
All he can do with the world, after he has it, is to keep it for a short time until he dies--he cannot carry any part of it with him to eternity.
"How much did he leave?" asked one, referring to a millionaire who had just died. "Every cent!" was the reply. He left all. So it is easy to see that there is no profit--but rather a fearful and eternal loss, in gaining even all the world at the price of one's soul.
"Then the rich man said: 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.'
And I'll say to myself: 'You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry!'
But God said to him: 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:18-21
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