It is possible to be a phenomenal success in the eyes of the people of this world, and be an utter failure in God’s sight. I said that much in What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.

Reflect on this question:

“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul?”
~ Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:26

You see, it’s possible to gain the whole world and lose your own soul. Isn’t this what we are seeing in the marketplaces of the world today? A man starts a business in a little corner of the world. With solid determination, unwavering focus, and absolute commitment, he builds this business into a global juggernaut. At this point, media sycophants begin to hail the size of his market share: 75%, 81%, 92%, and all those worldly nonsense.

In most of these instances, however, for those with keen spiritual insight, you will observe that this fellow has taken worldly success in exchange for his soul. In other to gain the whole world, he has forfeited his soul. He is successful according to the people of this world; but, at what expense?  By the time you weigh his so-called gains in the light of eternal values and true riches, you discover that he is a pathetic failure.

How can anyone claim to be successful when they don’t even know the One that created them, not to talk of having a personal relationship with Him? Any gain, apart from a personal knowledge of God, and relationship with Him, is at best only illusory.

In any case, I’d like you to reflect today on the fact that it’s possible to gain the whole world, yet lose your own soul. Then, as Jesus asked, what good is that?