This verse has always been a challenge for me. Understanding it and accepting it is hard. Paul seems to be saying to us, "What is a gain to me may very well be a loss to Christ." So? Give it away! Everything that doesn't belong to God give it away. If it truly belongs to God then just enjoy it while you have it. But be ready to release it when He ask for it.
Attempting to hold on to what really belongs to God will entrap us. We will become possessive. It can become so meaningful to us that it takes the place of God. This is idolatry. The Apostle John re-enforces this in I John 2:15 when he says, "Love not the things of the world." He knew the danger.
When things become so meaningful to us, we find our pleasure in them. Instead of seeking pleasure in the things of God we look at what we can possess here, in this life. To make a list of the things of the world that may entrap us is almost impossible. We are strange creatures and can't ever seem to have enough. The only thing that satisfy us in this misguided approach to life is more of what we already have. A little more will bring us more pleasure.
You see, in God you can have fullness of life. Content and at rest with what you have. Sometimes contentment may require you to give something away instead of getting more. Just release it. Don't let it hold you. There is no pleasure in what holds you. Anything that holds you is an addiction. Things can easily become addictive.
You will have to personally experience the pleasure of a relationship with God to understand this whole concept. Entering into a relationship with Him can bring such pleasure that you can not explain it. I fail to put into words what I am at this moment experiencing in my relationship with Christ. It is simply unexplainable.
Attempting to hold on to what really belongs to God will entrap us. We will become possessive. It can become so meaningful to us that it takes the place of God. This is idolatry. The Apostle John re-enforces this in I John 2:15 when he says, "Love not the things of the world." He knew the danger.
When things become so meaningful to us, we find our pleasure in them. Instead of seeking pleasure in the things of God we look at what we can possess here, in this life. To make a list of the things of the world that may entrap us is almost impossible. We are strange creatures and can't ever seem to have enough. The only thing that satisfy us in this misguided approach to life is more of what we already have. A little more will bring us more pleasure.
You see, in God you can have fullness of life. Content and at rest with what you have. Sometimes contentment may require you to give something away instead of getting more. Just release it. Don't let it hold you. There is no pleasure in what holds you. Anything that holds you is an addiction. Things can easily become addictive.
You will have to personally experience the pleasure of a relationship with God to understand this whole concept. Entering into a relationship with Him can bring such pleasure that you can not explain it. I fail to put into words what I am at this moment experiencing in my relationship with Christ. It is simply unexplainable.
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