Soul for sale?

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

Growing up, I never quite understood this verse. How does someone lose their soul? I used to picture someone sneaking off into a back alley where a creepy little guy wearing a cape and red pointed ears awaited him. They would make an exchange via brown paper bags - one had a man’s soul, the other a large sum of money. After the swap, they would depart ways.

This misguided understanding only led to more questions. How much does a soul cost? If someone wanted to forfeit their soul, how would they know which alley to meet the creepy little guy? Does he have a phone number? And so on…

Now, I’ve come to realize there is not one large exchange for your soul, but rather several small ones. And the buyer doesn’t come in the guise of red pointed ears. He looks more like a corner office, an attractive woman, a respectable job, beautiful home, and accolades. He looks like your dream life.

Last summer I met with a man who was worried about how little his family was saving each month. (Keep in mind that financial security is very subjective. His ideal savings goal could be very different from yours or mine, so I lead these discussions by asking several questions.) Through our one-hour conversation, he shared that he and his family tithe regularly to their church. His household income is well above the average salary (at the time I’m writing this, the average household income in America is $63,000 annually), and his family enjoys a comfortable lifestyle. 

Our conversation took an unexpected turn - as it usually does when God is leading - and he began to question his career. He had a respected management position, which paid well and had great benefits. He was very capable and skilled, and most days enjoyed his work. However, he felt the Lord pulling his heart towards a life in ministry. 

Have you ever seen a heart smile? That’s what was happening as my new friend shared the joy he receives when serving others. He loves ministering to people one-on-one because when he does, he senses his purpose in God’s kingdom. This is what God created him to do, he loved it, and it brought him great joy. But as he was explaining, his smile slowly faded and he shared that he rarely gets to minister to others because “my life is just so busy.” 

Asserting gently, I asked if he had ever considered leaving his job to pursue a career in ministry. “Yes,” he paused, “but I couldn’t provide for my family the way I do now if I worked for a nonprofit.” 

Many of you reading this may have similar desires to leave your well-paying job in pursuit of serving God’s kingdom. A friend of mine calls those good-paying, unfulfilling jobs “golden handcuffs.” We feel trapped because we’ve built up a lifestyle that only certain jobs can provide for financially. The problem is, some of us choose those jobs outside of the will of God, and when he places a calling on our hearts to pursue a lesser-paying position, we have a hard choice to make. Do you maintain your lifestyle and settle for second-best in your service to God, or do you tell your family to say goodbye to the nice cars, large home, and annual vacations in exchange for a higher kingdom reward? The fact that you are here reading this now, may be yet another sign of God working in your heart.

Now, back to my friend and his career dilemma. Keep in mind that his response was not, “If I switch careers, my family will starve. We will lose our house and be forced to live on the streets.” No, his hang-up was purely in regards to his lifestyle. In a matter of words, he was making a decision between obeying God (following his true calling) and living comfortably.

Friends, hear me in this. The God of the universe is crazy about you! He created you on purpose, for a purpose. You are not an accident. He uniquely designed you and desires nothing more than for you to walk in his perfect will.

I have a close friend who, a few years ago decided to leave his very prestigious high-paying job in pursuit of God’s call to open his own business. Recently over coffee he shared, “Courtney, in the last two years I have made less money than I have in a really long time. I’ve also experienced more joy than I ever have! I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

I think there’s a common misconception that if we give up the things our culture idolizes, we will have less joy, not more. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! There’s a reason Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

The way of the world is hustle, grind, don’t stop, keep pushing. You must be perfect. You must succeed.

The way of the Jesus is to slow down, take rest. He is your advocate, you don’t need to fight for yourself. True peace lies in relationship with Him. Status, money, and pursuit of ‘the perfect life’ will only lead you wanting more. You can leave that behind.

I like the Message version of Mark 8:36, “What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?” Now for the hard question, who is the real you? Most of us don’t know how to answer this question. We’re too busy chasing a lifestyle that will hopefully, one day, make us happy…