June 17 2026

Wednesday June 17

When Profit Becomes Loss and Loss Becomes Gain

Philippians 3:7

Welcome to Pastor's Chat. Today we are continuing in Philippians 3:7. It is here that Paul makes an astonishing statement in his testimony. After listing all his religious credentials, his heritage, his training, his zeal, and his outward righteousness, Paul now tells us in verse 7: "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ." That little word "but" changes everything.

Up to this point, Paul has been describing the things that once gave him great confidence before God. If anyone could have boasted in religious accomplishments, as we have seen over the last few days, it was Paul. He had the right family, the right education, the right religion, the right zeal, and the right reputation. But then something happened. Paul met Jesus Christ, and everything changed that day on the road to Damascus. The very things that Paul once counted as assets, he now viewed as liabilities. The things he once placed in the profit column, he moved to the loss column.

The language Paul uses here comes from the world of accounting and bookkeeping. It is as though Paul took out a ledger sheet and carefully examined his life. On one side, he listed all the things he thought would earn him favor with God. On the other side, he placed Jesus Christ. When Paul finished his calculations, he discovered that everything he had trusted in was worthless compared to Christ. In fact, he says, "I have counted loss for Christ."

Notice Paul did not merely say that these things were less important. He says they were loss. Why? Because those things were actually keeping him from seeing his need for a Savior. His religion had given him a false sense of security. His morality had convinced him that he was righteous enough. His achievements had filled him with spiritual pride. The very things he thought were helping him get to God were actually keeping him from God.

That is why salvation is often so difficult for self-righteous people. The person who knows he is a sinner is often closer to the kingdom of God than the person who believes he is already good enough. Jesus illustrated this in Luke 18 with the Pharisee and the tax collector. Remember, the Pharisee stood and thanked God that he was not like other men and listed all his religious achievements. The publican, the tax collector, bowed his head, beat his breast, and cried out: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." Jesus said that the tax collector went home justified. Why? Because he recognized his need.

That is what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 9:11-13 when He called Matthew to be His disciple. Then He went to Matthew's house to eat. The Pharisees asked, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus replied: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." My friend, God cannot fill hands that are already full. As long as we are holding on to our own righteousness, we cannot receive the righteousness of Christ. As long as we trust in ourselves, we cannot fully trust in Him.

This verse reminds us that becoming a Christian is not merely adding Jesus to our lives. It is exchanging everything we trust in for Christ alone. In Matthew 13, Jesus told of the man who found the pearl of great price. He went and sold everything he had to purchase that pearl. That is what we do when we come to understand who we are and realize that what we truly need is Jesus Christ alone. That is why Paul said, "I have counted loss." This speaks of a deliberate decision.

Paul carefully evaluated his life and came to a settled conclusion. He determined that Christ was worth more than anything and everything else put together. Have you ever done that? Have you ever come to that place in your life? Today I ask you a personal question: What is in your profit column? What are you depending on for your acceptance with God? Is it your church membership, your baptism, your good works, your morality, your family heritage? Or are you trusting in Jesus Christ alone? The moment we truly see Jesus Christ for who He is, everything else fades into the background. Paul's testimony is simple but powerful: "What things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ."

Let’s pray. Father, thank You for opening our eyes to see the surpassing value of Jesus Christ. Forgive us for the times we have placed confidence in our accomplishments, our morality, or our religious activities. Help us to count all things as loss compared to knowing Christ. May our trust rest completely in Him and in His finished work on the cross. Thank You so much for the gift of salvation by grace through faith. We pray this in Jesus' precious name. Amen.

God bless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!