But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead (Phil. 3:7-11).
The Noun
The Greek noun kerdos, referring to “gain” (Thomas, 2771), occurs 3x in the NT (Phil. 1:21; 3:7; Titus 1:11) . Bauer defines it as “that which is gained or earned, a gain, profit” (BDAG 541). Louw and Nida also define it as “that which is gained or earned” (57.192 ).
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil. 1:21).
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ (Phil. 3:7).
who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain (Titus 1:11).
The Verb
The Greek verb kerdainō means “to gain” (Thomas, 2770). Bauer says it means “(1) to acquire by effort or investment, to gain; (a) literally; (b) figuratively; (2) since the avoidance of loss is a gain, it can also mean spare oneself something, avoid something” (BDAG, 541).
This word occurs 17 results in 16 verses (Matt. 16:26; 18:15; 25:16, 17, 20, 22; Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25; Acts 27:21; 1 Cor. 9:19, 20, 21, 22; Phil 3:8; Jas. 4:13; 1 Pet. 3:1).
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matt. 16:26).
If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother (Matt. 18:15).
Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents (Matt. 25:16).
In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more (Matt. 25:17).
The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ (Matt. 25:20).
Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ (Matt. 25:22).
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36).
For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? (Luke 9:25).
When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss (Acts 27:21).
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more (1 Cor. 9:19).
To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; (1 Cor. 9:20).
to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law (1 Cor. 9:21).
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some (1 Cor. 9:22).
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, (Phil. 3:8).
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit” (Jas. 4:13).
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, (1 Pet. 3:1).
The Noun
The Greek word zēmia, which refers to “damage” (Thomas, 2209), occurs four times in four verses (Acts 27:10, 21; Phil 3:7, 8).
Bauer says, “In our literature, it is used literally only having to do with suffering the loss of something, with implication of sustaining hardship or suffering, damage, disadvantage, loss, forfeit” (BDAG, 427-428).
Louw and Nida say it “may be interpreted either as the process of losing or as that which is lost.” (Louw, 565).
and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives” (Acts 27:10).
When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss (Acts 27:21).
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ (Phil. 3:7).
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, (Phil. 3:8).
The Verb
The Greek verb zēmioō, meaning “to damage” or “suffer loss” (Thomas, 2210), occurs seven times in six verses (Matt. 16:26; Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25; 1 Cor. 3:15; 2 Cor. 7:9; Phil. 3:8).
Bauer says the verb, which generally means “to cause injury or inflict punishment,” in our literature, is used only in the passive sent, meaning “(1) to experience the loss of something, with implication of undergoing hardship or suffering, suffer damage/loss, forfeit, sustain injury; (2) be punished” (BDAG, 428).
Louw and Nida say it means “to suffer the loss of something which one has previously possessed, with the implication that the loss involves considerable hardship or suffering” and should be rendered “to suffer loss, to forfeit” (57.69)
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matt. 16:26).
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36).
For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? (Luke 9:25).
If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Cor. 3:15).
I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us (2 Cor. 7:9).
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ (Phil. 3:8).
Choosing Reckless Haste over Divinely Inspired Caution
Choosing Self-Indulgence over Self-Sacrifice
Choosing Self-Serving Falsehood Over Sanctifying Truth
The captain of the ship in which Paul was transported to Rome foolishly chose to ignore the apostle’s inspired warning of impending danger and loss (Acts 27:9-12, 21-26).
When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them, and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul. Because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there (Acts 27:9-12).
When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred (lit, gained) this damage and loss. Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’ Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on a certain island” (Acts 27:21-26).
Those who foolishly follow a path of self-indulgence rather than self-denial and self-sacrifice will ultimately forfeit their souls (Matt. 16:24-26; cf. Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25)
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:24-26).
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36).
For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? (Luke 9:25).
We should not invest in self-serving falsehoods over sacrificial truths (Titus 1:10-11; cf. 1 Tim. 6:3-5; 2 Pet. 2:9-19)
For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain (Titus 1:10-11).
If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain (1 Tim. 6:3-5).
then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved (2 Pet. 2:9-19).
We Should Invest Our Talents
We Should Invest in People
We Should Invest in Christ
As good stewards, we should invest our time and talents in serving our Master (Matt. 25:14-30, esp. vv. 16, 17, 20, 22).
For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, “Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, “Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, “Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. “And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.” But his master answered and said to him, “You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. “Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. “Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.” For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 25:14-30).
Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents (Matt. 25:16).
In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more (Matt. 25:17).
The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ (Matt. 25:20).
Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ (Matt. 25:22).
We should invest in people: our brothers and sisters in Christ, and lost souls that surround us in the world, including family members (Matt. 18:15; 1 Cor. 3:15; 2 Cor. 7:9; 1 Cor. 9:19, 20, 21, 22; 1 Pet. 3:1).
If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother (Matt. 18:15).
If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Cor. 3:15).
I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us (2 Cor. 7:9).
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more (1 Cor. 9:19).
To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; (1 Cor. 9:20).
to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law (1 Cor. 9:21).
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some (1 Cor. 9:22).
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, (1 Pet. 3:1).
Recognizing that everything in life involves a trade-off, we should invest in Jesus Christ, because this is the only path to eternal gain (Phil. 1:21; Phil. 3:7, 8).
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil. 1:21).
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ (Phil. 3:7).
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ (Phil. 3:8).
We should recognize the brevity of life, and use the time that God has given us to His glory (Jas. 4:13-17).
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin (Jas. 4:13-17).