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Spiritual Life

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Spiritual Life › Spiritual Life

The question

What is the meaning of verse, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36)

The answer

What benefit will a man obtain if he spends all his energy seeking wealth, honor and pleasures? These are all worthless if God is not the center of all them. Whatever there is  on earth is only temporary; and cannot  be exchanged  for the  soul. The word soul in this verse means his spiritual life. If he works hard at getting what he wants he might eventually end up having his earthly desires satisfied, but  in the end he will discover that there is emptiness and hollowness inside him. Our Lord Jesus Christ said "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Mt 6:33). Follow the Lord Jesus Christ and you will know what it means to live abundantly now and to have eternal life as well.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

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Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 585 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.