June 18 2026

Thursday June 18

The Greatest Treasure

Philippians 3:8a

Welcome to Pastor's Chat. Today we continue in Philippians 3:8, where Paul expands upon the remarkable statement he made in verse 7. There he said: "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ." Paul looked at all his religious achievements, his family heritage, his education, his zeal, and his reputation, and he moved them from the profit column to the loss column.

Now he takes this truth even further. In verse 8, he says: "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Notice the change. In verse 7, Paul spoke in the past tense. He was describing a decision he made when he met Christ. But now in verse 8, he speaks in the present tense. He is saying, "I still count all things loss." This is no longer merely his testimony of conversion. It is his daily perspective on life.

Years have passed since the Damascus Road experience. Paul has planted churches. He has preached the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. He has suffered persecution. He was stoned and left for dead on one occasion. He has been imprisoned. He has experienced countless hardships. Yet after all these years, he has not changed his mind. In fact, Christ has become even more precious to him. The more Paul knows Jesus, the more convinced he becomes that Christ is worth everything.

Notice what he says:"I also count all things loss." Not just some things. Not just his religious achievements. Not just his former traditions. All things. Because, my friend, anything that competes with Christ for first place in our lives must be surrendered. Paul is not saying that family, possessions, work, education, friendships, or accomplishments are evil. Rather, he is saying that compared to Christ, they are of far less value.

Remember, Jesus taught the same truth in Matthew 10:37 when He said: "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me." The issue is not whether we love these things. The issue is whether we love Jesus Christ supremely. Think about a young person playing with a handful of pebbles. Suddenly he discovers a diamond worth millions. The pebbles immediately lose their appeal because something infinitely greater has been found.

That is exactly what happened to Paul. When he met Jesus Christ, everything else was put into proper perspective. The world spends its time pursuing wealth, success, pleasure, fame, recognition, and possessions. Yet Paul says that none of these things compare to Christ. We need to remember that one day every possession will be left behind. One day every earthly achievement will be forgotten. One day every human accomplishment will fade away. But Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

One of the great tests of spiritual maturity is this: Is Jesus Christ becoming more precious to you with the passing years? Many people become more attached to the world as they grow older. But Paul became more attached to Jesus Christ. The longer he walked with the Lord, the more he valued the Lord. This should be true of us as well. Every year we live should deepen our love for Christ. Every trial should increase our dependence upon Christ. Every blessing should increase our gratitude to Christ. Every day should cause us to treasure Jesus Christ even more.

Let's think about something for a moment as we close. What do we value most? What occupies our thoughts? A.W. Tozer once said: "I can tell you what kind of relationship you have with God when you tell me what you are thinking about when you have nothing else to think about." What are your thoughts then? That is a good question we should ask ourselves today. What captures our heart? What would be the hardest thing for us to surrender today? The answer to those questions will reveal what we treasure most. Paul's answer was clear: "I also count all things loss." Why? Because he had found something infinitely greater. He had discovered Jesus Christ.

Let's pray. Father, forgive us for the times we allow lesser things to take first place in our hearts and lives. Thank You for the gift of Your Son. Help us to see His beauty, His worth, and His greatness even more today. May Christ become more precious to us with every passing day. Teach us to value Him above all else. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

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