Luke 9:25 — “For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Every generation has notable examples of what Jesus was talking about in this verse – people who seemed to have gained the whole world but lost themselves. Their massive success brought them only superficial, fleeting benefit and it didn’t meet the deepest needs of their soul. They lost themselves either by an all out pursuit of pleasure that ended in death, or by intentionally taking their own life.
We can think of famous examples, but Jesus’ words touch each one of us. We are all tempted to live for the pleasures and treasures of this world and neglect the most precious thing we possess – our everlasting soul.