But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ…

                                                                                                Philippians 3:7-8 

Main Point: True wealth comes when we find our purpose in Christ.

Yesterday, we saw the first of what will be five declarations from Paul regarding Christian authenticity and the great spiritual rewards that come to anyone who will adopt, believe, and receive the truths found in each pronouncement. We have already seen that true spiritual freedom comes when we embrace what Christ has done for us regarding salvation and wholly depend on Him, putting no confidence in our performance at all. Today we will examine what it means to acquire true wealth.

Paul had invested his life in becoming one of the most prominent leaders in Judaism. He was a Pharisee and was well respected within the Jewish community. Paul was the epitome of what it meant to excel with religious fervor. But all of that changed in an instant. Upon meeting the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul’s life was forever altered. The things in which he was once devoted, in light of knowing the Savior, became to him, nothing. Paul speaks of his former life this way, “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” All of that time and effort spent climbing the religious ladder was now considered as “loss” in exchange for knowing Jesus. Paul’s treasure shifted, as did his heart. He goes on to say, “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” Paul counted all things as loss. These things were loss because he now understood the “surpassing value of knowing Jesus.”

Paul considered his life’s pursuits as “rubbish” so that he could now gain Christ. This word “rubbish” could be translated “garbage.” It can even include the idea of animal excrement. It includes all things worthless and detestable. That is the contrast of Paul’s former life as compared to his new life in Jesus.

As believers, anything that we consider as having value in this world should take second place to that of our relationship with Christ. Money, career, family, material possessions, even ease and comfort, they should all fade away in light of the value and joy of belonging to God. Jesus spoke of the connection between our hearts and what we consider treasure and true wealth. Consider His words:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

                                                                                                     Matthew 6:19-21 

What we pursue in this life, the things on which we spend our time and money, are the things in which we place the most value. Jesus tells us that true wealth comes as we wisely invest in eternal things rather than earthly ones. The eternal things we get to keep and enjoy, while the earthly ones are the things with which we will eventually part. Jesus says that where our treasure is, that is where we will find our hearts. He goes on to declare that we cannot presume to make God our treasure while serving earthly wealth. At some point, we have to make a choice (Matthew 6:24). This doesn’t mean that we cannot work hard and enjoy the fruits of our labor. It is merely a warning that the things that seem to be the most desirable to our flesh, will, in the end, disappoint.

For Paul, everything was considered as loss, as rubbish in comparison to his relationship with Christ. We have to decide how we are going to invest our lives. For the person who values his/her relationship with Jesus above all else, provision, protection, contentment, and fulfillment will be theirs.

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.

                                                                                                             Luke 9:24