Losing to Gain

Is there a box in your basement, attic, or garage that contains medals, trophies, ribbons, or pictures of achievement from your past?

In Philippians 3:7–11, the apostle Paul shares a deeply personal confession: "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ." Paul had every reason to boast – his heritage, education, and religious zeal were impressive by any standard. Yet when he encountered Jesus, his entire value system changed. He realized that the very things he once prized were worthless compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.

Paul’s words challenge us to examine what we consider “gain” in our lives. Is it success, reputation, possessions, or comfort? These are not inherently wrong, but when they take the place of Christ in our hearts, they become idols.

Paul goes on to say, “I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him” (v. 8-9). The Greek word used conveys utter worthlessness, or waste. Paul is not being dramatic. He’s expressing the reality that all our achievements, when compared to knowing Jesus, simply don’t hold eternal value. This is echoed in Jesus’ own words: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matthew 16:26). In other words, success without Christ is ultimately failure.

Consider modern examples. Jim Elliot, the missionary who was martyred in Ecuador, famously said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Though he lost his life young, the impact of his sacrifice continues to inspire people today. He truly lived Paul’s words, valuing the knowledge of Christ above earthly security.

Or look at someone like Corrie ten Boom, who survived a Nazi concentration camp. She lost her freedom and family yet found Christ more deeply in her suffering. Later, she testified, “You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have.” Like Paul, she experienced “the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings (Philippians 3:10).”

In our modern context, choosing Christ over the world may not always involve persecution or martyrdom. It may mean saying no to a promotion that would compromise your integrity, choosing generosity over accumulation, or walking away from relationships that hinder your faith.

Knowing Christ is not just about head knowledge; it’s a relationship that transforms everything. It changes how we view our past, how we live in the present, and what we hope for in the future. Paul longed “to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings.” That’s not just poetic language; it’s the heartbeat of a life centered on Jesus. Like Paul, may we count all things as loss in comparison to the joy of knowing Jesus – our greatest treasure, our highest goal, and our hope for eternity.

4832 Ponderings:

• Are there things in your life that may get in the way of a deeper knowledge of Christ?
• Are there things in your life that have value for you so that it would be difficult to consider them as garbage?
• In what ways can you “invest” yourself to more effectively carry out the commission Jesus gives us?

Closing Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, sometimes I have placed too much importance on unimportant things. The world tells me some things are so important, but it simply isn’t true. All things I value past, present, and future, are temporary and finite. The most important thing in life, that never changes, is knowing You. There is no greater thing. Now my heart’s desire is to know You more, to be found in You and known as Yours; To possess by faith what I could not earn, the all-surpassing gift of righteousness. You’re my all, You’re the best, You’re my joy, my righteousness, and I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This prayer is adapted from the song "Knowing You" by Graham Kendrick, ©1993 Make Way Music, based on this Philippians 3 passage.