What Are You Trading?
"For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life?" – Matthew 16:26
Jesus never asked empty questions. Every word He spoke was purposeful, meant to cut through the noise and reach the heart. In Matthew 16, He asks one of the most piercing questions of all. What does it really profit a person if they gain the world, but lose their soul in the process? What can anyone possibly offer in return for their life?
The last two days, we looked at the story of Castlereagh’s castle, a lavish estate that was destroyed stone by stone to build a wall that ended up protecting nothing. A powerful image. But what Jesus is getting at here is even deeper. He is asking us to examine not just what we are building, but what we are exchanging.
Every day, you and I make trades. We trade time for progress. We trade rest for more hustle. We trade quiet moments with God for the loud pace of culture. And without realizing it, we may be giving away what matters most: Our peace, our integrity, our purpose. For things that will not last. That is why Jesus says that if you want to follow Him, it will require denial. Not denial of your value, but denial of self-centered living. It means choosing to lose your life in Him so you can actually find it.
Today, take some inventory. What are you trading your energy, your thoughts, and your heart for? Are you gaining the world but growing distant from Jesus? Are you building something impressive but losing something eternal?
The encouragement here is simple. You get to choose what you trade. And when you exchange your way for His, you will never regret what you gave up. Because in Christ, nothing surrendered is ever wasted. Always examine what you exchange.
Jesus never asked empty questions. Every word He spoke was purposeful, meant to cut through the noise and reach the heart. In Matthew 16, He asks one of the most piercing questions of all. What does it really profit a person if they gain the world, but lose their soul in the process? What can anyone possibly offer in return for their life?
The last two days, we looked at the story of Castlereagh’s castle, a lavish estate that was destroyed stone by stone to build a wall that ended up protecting nothing. A powerful image. But what Jesus is getting at here is even deeper. He is asking us to examine not just what we are building, but what we are exchanging.
Every day, you and I make trades. We trade time for progress. We trade rest for more hustle. We trade quiet moments with God for the loud pace of culture. And without realizing it, we may be giving away what matters most: Our peace, our integrity, our purpose. For things that will not last. That is why Jesus says that if you want to follow Him, it will require denial. Not denial of your value, but denial of self-centered living. It means choosing to lose your life in Him so you can actually find it.
Today, take some inventory. What are you trading your energy, your thoughts, and your heart for? Are you gaining the world but growing distant from Jesus? Are you building something impressive but losing something eternal?
The encouragement here is simple. You get to choose what you trade. And when you exchange your way for His, you will never regret what you gave up. Because in Christ, nothing surrendered is ever wasted. Always examine what you exchange.
Subscribe Now for Daily Devotionals
Recent
Archive
2025
July
What Are You Hiding From?Where Worry GrowsWhere Security Really Comes FromChange What You’re Looking AtAnswer the Right QuestionsWhere Are You Looking?Go to the Right WellLet Go of the GripQuit Trying to Outmuscle WorryRunning on EmptyWhen “Lord” is Just a WordDig Deeper Before the StormWhen the Work Feels Too HardThe Slow Work That LastsWhat Were You ThinkingDo You Trust Him?Not Everything Sweet is SafeSay It or Show ItMore Than a NameThe Weight Behind the WordsThe Cost of CommitmentMore Than Good IntentionsThe Neighbor You’re BecomingWhat Are You Known ForSlow Down and See ThemEyes to See, Time to StopWhat Comes FirstMercy MovesWho Are You Really After?The Right Name, the Wrong HeartPower Matters
August
Living a Life That Makes People Ask WhyWhen Your Life Makes No SenseWhen Normal Isn’t the GoalThe Right Kind of QuestionableWhen Motives Get MisunderstoodThere’s a Bigger Story at WorkWhen They Question Your WhyWhen Your Way Gets QuestionedWhen Obedience Breaks ExpectationsWhose Glory Are You Seeking?When the Cross Seems QuestionableBless Someone TodayA Little Can Bless a LotThe Power in Just Showing UpWhen Obedience Doesn’t Make SenseMore Than EnoughThe Beauty of Broken ThingsProtecting the Wrong ThingThe Danger of Misplaced EffortWhat Are You Trading?
No Comments