Strength for Today

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ, for whose sake I have lost all things" (Philippians 3:7, 8 NIV).

Every business operates on a "profit and loss" margin. The apostle Paul also operated on a "profit and loss" margin but more on the loss side than the profit side! "Whatever was to my profit." He had just listed 7 things on the profit side, including his pedigree as a Pharisee and his impressive resume as a "Hebrew of Hebrews" (vs. 5, 6). But he consider everthing that was "profit" to him (from a human and religious standpoint) to be "loss for the sake of Christ." Hmmm. I wonder if we would make that same consideration with our alma maters, our degrees, our standing with the brethren? Hmmm. But Paul is not finished. "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ, for whose sake I have lost all things." Is this any way to run a business or a life? Not according to worldly standards. But Paul was the winner in the end for he goes on to say, "I consider them rubbish, that I may GAIN Christ." So there is "gain" after all! Paul was not a loser. And neither are you -- if you emulate this great Christian in his astute assesment of the Christian life. As the old hymn says:
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ! (Esther Kerr Rusthoi)