Mateus 16:26
Horae Homileticae de Charles Simeon
DISCOURSE: 1377
THE WORTH OF THE SOUL
Mateus 16:26. What is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
THE precepts of the Gospel oppose our natural inclination. They are also in many respects adverse to our worldly interests. The whole of Christianity is a system of self-denial. Hence none cordially embrace it till they have learned to take eternity into their estimate of present things. Our Lord therefore, having prescribed the line of duty to be regarded by all his followers (ver. 24.) and having urged the observance of it from the consideration of eternity, enforces it yet further by these pointed interrogatories; “What shall it profit,” &c.
In order to elucidate the meaning of the text, we shall,
I. Institute a comparison between the things which are here set in competition with each other—
By “the world” we are to understand pleasure, riches, and honour [Note: 1 João 2:15,]—
This, if considered in itself, is vile—
[It is altogether earthly in its nature. It is utterly unsatisfying in its use. It is short and transitory in its continuance.]
If it be considered as it has been estimated by the best judges, it is worthless—
[Abraham, though opulent, left all to sojourn in a strange land [Note: Hebreus 11:8.]. Moses relinquished the splendour of a court, to participate the lot of God’s people [Note: Hebreus 11:24.]. Solomon, after much experience, declared the world to be mere vanity [Note: Eclesiastes 1:14.]. St. Paul counted those things as dung, which he once thought his gain [Note: Filipenses 3:8.]. Christ himself despised the proffered titles of royalty [Note: João 6:15.]. All true Christians resemble their Master in their contempt of the world [Note: João 17:16.]
The “soul,” on the contrary, if considered in itself, is noble—
[It is exalted in its origin [Note: Hebreus 12:9. God himself is “the Father of our Spirits,” without the intervention of any second cause.], capacious in its powers, eternal in its duration; and it is doomed to everlasting happiness or misery. Already therefore its superior importance abundantly appears.]
Moreover, as estimated by the best judges, it is invaluable—
[Many have thought nothing too much to do or suffer for its welfare [Note: Atos 20:24.Hebreus 11:35.]. But that which most stamps its value beyond all possible calculation, is, the gift of God’s Son to die for it. Surely God would never have redeemed it at such a price, if it had not been of infinite value in his sight — — —]
Such being the disparity between the value of the world and that of the soul, we are prepared to,
II.
See the result of the comparison—
We suppose, for argument sake, that a man may possess the whole world. We suppose also that, after having possessed it for a while, he loses his own soul. What in the issue “would he be profited?”
Let us inquire concerning this in general—
[Would carnal enjoyments compensate for the loss of Heaven? Would transient pleasures counterbalance an eternity of glory? Would he have any thing remaining to mitigate his pain? [Note: Lucas 16:24.] Would a momentary possession of the whole world be so high a gratification, that any reasonable man would be content to lose even his “animal life” for it [Note: Ψυχὴν—compare ver. 25 and 26. in the Greek.]? How much less could it be a sufficient price for the “soul!”]
Let us inquire also more particularly—
[The questions in the text are strong appeals to our hearts and consciences: they bid defiance, as it were, to all the arts of sophistry. Let the “lover of pleasure” then ask, what sensual gratifications, or vain amusements, will profit him? Let the “lover of this present evil world” ask, what will his honours and preferments profit him [Note: Provérbios 11:4.]? Let the learned ask, what, even learning itself, the most excellent of all human attainments, will profit them [Note: Eclesiastes 2:16.]?]
We conclude with suggesting some interesting subjects of self-examination—
[Which have I more regarded hitherto, the world, or my own soul? — — — Which do I intend in future to prefer? — — — What will be my thoughts respecting them in the day of judgment? — — — What answer shall I make to Christ, when he shall call me to account for despising that, for which he paid so great a price? — — — What would I not gladly give in exchange for my soul, if ever it should be lost through my present neglect? — — — And, if ever my soul should be saved, shall I not then account as dung all which I had lost in order to promote its salvation? — — — If these questions be duly weighed, we shall soon be like-minded with the great Apostle [Note: Filipenses 3:13.].”]