10/01/25 What We Lose vs. What We Gain

Takeaway: True faithfulness sees every sacrifice as gain, because knowing Christ surpasses all we might lose in following Him.

Opening Prayer (Wednesday)

Father, in the middle of this week, I lean on You for strength. When I am weary, be my rest. When I am uncertain, be my guide. Refresh my soul as I draw near to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection

When Paul reflects on his life in Philippians, he makes a surprising confession. Everything he once considered as gain, he now counts as loss for the sake of Christ. What he once thought he couldn’t live without, he is now letting go for Christ. His words cut against the grain of our natural instincts, because we often measure our worth and security by what we hold onto. Yet Paul insists that when these things are compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, they are exposed as worthless. This is not a rejection of good things but a reordering of priorities. What we lose for Christ is never truly lost, because in Him we gain so much more: the treasure of eternal life.

Stewardship season reminds us of this holy exchange. Giving of our time, talents, and treasures can feel like loss at first glance. But Paul teaches us to see differently: every act of surrender in Christ is in fact gain, because it aligns us with the deeper joy of sharing in His mission. When we loosen our grip on resources that fade, we find ourselves holding fast to something eternal. Stewardship is not simply about budgets; it is about learning the freedom Paul speaks of, where we discover that our greatest gain is not in accumulating but in offering.

The invitation of stewardship, then, is not one of reluctant sacrifice but of joyful participation. Like Paul, we are called to see every offering as an act of faith that proclaims, “Christ is worth more.” As we walk through this season together, may our hearts be formed by Paul’s vision, counting all else as loss when compared to the surpassing joy of knowing Christ, and finding in Him the greatest gain of all.

Questions

What are some things in your life that you may be tempted to count as “gain,” and how might they compete with Christ for your ultimate loyalty?

How might your giving this season proclaim to others that “Christ is worth more”?

Application

Take time to prayerfully examine what you are clinging to most tightly. Ask the Lord to help you see these things in light of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Then, choose one tangible way to giving up something in service to God’s mission. Let this act of stewardship become both a declaration of trust and a celebration of the joy that comes when we count Christ as our greatest treasure.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are worth more than anything this world can offer. Teach me to loosen my grip on the things that fade and to hold fast to You. Shape my heart to declare with Paul that all else is loss compared to what I gain in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Don’t forget to like and leave a comment letting us know that you are reading.