Profit and loss

Mark 8:34-38 NKJV

When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. [35] For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. [36] For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? [37] Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? [38] For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the Glory of His Father with the holy angels."

Along side an ordinary profit and loss account now comes carbon accounts.

What is this all about?

It's about how much damage a business is doing to the climate! So, up ahead, we will see businesses making a profit, but being penalised for the assessed negative effect it is having on the environment!

Therefore the profit, it has strived so hard to achieve, could fritter down to zero as the government will fine it for its negative carbon footprint.

In the passage above, Jesus talks about profit in a different context.

Exchanging your soul, the essential "you", for worldly gain and fame.

So many so called successful people will tell of the emptiness and loneliness of worldly gain and achievement.

Wealthy people often have only fair weather friends, leeching off their largesse, taking advantage of their fame and prestige, for their chance in the limelight.

Then, it's a desolate place, in old age, to find that kudos, health and wealth has disappointed and faded.

Nothing is left. The soul is lost and bankrupt of hope.

In Jesus' upside down Kingdom, life begins by giving it away, laying it down for Jesus' sake - deliberately denying oneself on a daily, moment by moment basis.

By giving myself away to Jesus, I actually gain everything! My earthly bank account may be relatively empty, but my treasure (my soul) will be safely kept in the Bank of Heaven forever and always.

Today, be proud of Jesus, He's coming back soon.