Forfeit

Mark 8:6: "For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"

We live in a materialistic society where a man or woman would gladly forfeit themselves and true happiness for material possessions and worldly success. People are bombarded daily with targets, goals, and success metrics in a do-or-die, cutthroat world. But at the end of it all, what has one really gained or achieved? You may have built a successful company but have lost your family and loved ones. Some people in this world have permanently separated from their own flesh and blood to protect their business empire. What have such people achieved? They created jobs and wealth for countless, but at what cost? They have lost loved ones, made enemies of their own children, and, in the process, have lost themselves or their souls.

Contrary to what popular preachers say, God does not make everyone wealthy, nor does He intend to. But if the Lord does make someone wealthy, He intends for them not merely to pass the wealth onto their children and family, but also to the poor, needy, and marginalized in society. The state of a man or woman's soul depends not on gaining everything in this world buton gaining everything in the world to come.