EGW WritingsMark 8

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 153, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 153, 1899, par. 28

When we choose our own way, our own will, our own pleasure, when we follow the impulses that come to us, we do not live as sons and daughters of God. We do not love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves. We are robbing God. Our time, our service, our affection, our property, all belong to Him. When God’s people meet Him with the willing offering of a faithful tithe, their faithfulness will be rewarded. But many who profess to give God all make a reservation of themselves or of their property. God will accept nothing less than a spiritual priesthood, who can bring Him an offering in righteousness. No selfishness is of Christ. Selfishness lies at the foundation of all sin. The time has come when it is for our present and eternal good to know the will of God for ourselves. The path travelled by Christ is the only safe path for us to follow. The Saviour says, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.]

Selected Messages Book 1

Chapter 6—The Loving Watchcare of Jesus

1SM 80.3

My heart aches as I am shown how many there are who make self their idol. Christ has paid the redemption price for them. To Him belongs the service of all their powers. But their hearts are filled with self-love, and the desire for self-adorning. They give no thought to the words, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). Self-gratification is hiding Christ from their view. They have no desire to walk before God in meekness and lowliness. They are not looking to Jesus. They are not praying that they may be changed into His likeness. Their cases are represented by the man who came to the king’s banquet clothed in his common citizen dress. He had refused to make the preparation required by the king. The garment provided for him at great cost he disdained to wear. To the king’s demand, “How camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?” (Matthew 22:12) he could answer nothing. He was speechless; for he was self-condemned.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 25, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 25, 1899, par. 15

The fields now destitute will never be worked until the professed believers in Christ lay these destitute fields on their naked souls and empty their hearts of every vestige of selfishness. Self must die. “He that will come after me,” Christ declared, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] Contemplate the situation for Christ’s sake. When He beheld the impenitent city of Jerusalem, He wept over it, saying, “O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day, the things that belong to thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 100, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 100, 1899, par. 2

God says, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] You have read your Bibles, and you know of the cross the Saviour bore when He laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown and clothed His divinity with humanity. He did not come to <take His position among> the wealthy, where He could have had all the luxuries and conveniences of life. For our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might become rich. He is our example. We can deny ourselves, and we can do a great deal more of this than we have any idea of.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 11, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 11, 1899, par. 20

With self cherished, self petted, self exalted, we cannot work out our own salvation in harmony with the character of Christ. The service of Christ demands prompt obedience. We are to walk as He walked, learning His meekness, His loveliness, following in His footsteps. How can two walk together except they be agreed? The service of Christ is pure and elevated. The path He travelled was not one of self-pleasing, of self-gratification. He speaks to His disciples, saying, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. So shall he be my disciple.” [See Mark 8:34.] The way [that] Jesus journeyed, we must journey, for that path leads to where Jesus is preparing mansions for us.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 94, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 94, 1899, par. 14

To save us, Jesus came to the world in the form of humanity. He became poor, that through His poverty fallen beings might be uplifted and made rich. He is the greatest Teacher, the greatest Worker, the world has ever known, and He has left an example which His servants must follow. “He that will come after me,” He says, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 198, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 198, 1899, par. 1

[Christ] testifies unswervingly by His character that no sin practiced by humanity can bear the commendation of the pure and holy God, and that He came to condemn sin in the flesh. Hear the words of Christ, all you who would practice your own unbelief and defects of character as virtues: What saith the Lord Jesus in the year 1899, Granville, New South Wales? “He that will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Mark 8:34.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 76a, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 76a, 1900, par. 7

Christ says, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] Let us think of the sacrifice He made to secure our redemption. Let us study how we can most intelligently practice His instructions. We are His by creation and by redemption. We have been “bought with a price;” therefore let us do all in our power to glorify Him who has purchased us. [1 Corinthians 6:20.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 43, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 43, 1900, par. 12

I must speak to my brethren in America and in Australia and with my pen reach the people of God all over the world. What are you doing for the Master who hath said to you, “Follow me, and ye shall not walk in darkness.” [John 8:12.] Has the Lord not said, “Follow me, and ye shall not walk in darkness”? Has the Lord not said, “Follow me?” Then shall we follow or shall we refuse to obey. “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] Love of the world, love of dress, unless we are constantly on guard, will largely occupy our thoughts; but these matters do not lie at the root. The burden that rests upon my soul is, Have you given your heart to Jesus Christ, and do you love with your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole mind, and your whole strength? This is required of all who become children of God. Do we give Him who gave His life for us that confidence, that faith that works by love and purifies the soul? Self love and self indulgence will become our master is we do not guard against the temptation.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 106, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 106, 1900, par. 9

The Lord desires memorials for Him to be established in all parts of the world. Here in Australia we have tried to advance in God’s appointed way, taking the Bible as our rule of faith and practice. The only safety for the cause and work of God in these last days, when deception is so prevalent, is to preserve the principles which have been the foundation of our success. If we desire to have God’s blessing, we must practice Christ’s self-denial and self-sacrifice. Study the Word of God. Walk and work as Christ walked and worked. Man must put away the ambitious schemes which have puffed them up and exalted them in their own estimation, when they should always keep humble. Let those who desire to follow a course of action which represents the life of Christ hear His words, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 21, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 21, 1900, par. 5

Who desires to lay up beside the throne of God a treasure that faileth not? Who will place means where we can use it in our great necessity? Remember that whenever a new place is entered and a company of Sabbathkeepers raised up, a meetinghouse must be built. I am in great distress over the appeals made to me. I dare not respond to them, saying that I can help, for I see no possible way in which I can do this. I have used all that I have to advance the work. I ask the members of the families in Battle Creek, fathers and mothers, to kneel before God, and then before you pray, see whether there is any way in which you can deny self. Christ said, “He that will come after me, let him deny self, and take up the cross and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] Let us see what we can do to work this new field now, just now. We have no time to lose.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8

Self-Sacrifice

8T 209.3

Study Christ’s definition of a true missionary: “Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Mark 8:34. Following Christ, as spoken of in these words, is not a pretense, a farce. Jesus expects His disciples to follow closely in His footsteps, enduring what He endured, suffering what He suffered, overcoming as He overcame. He is anxiously waiting to see His professed followers revealing the spirit of self-sacrifice.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 164, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 15

Remember that Christ left His exalted position in heaven, laying aside His royal robe and kingly crown, and clothing His divinity with humanity, that He might help those in need of help. He says to us, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] These are the terms of discipleship. For our sake Christ became poor, that we might come into possession of eternal riches.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 52, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 52, 1900, par. 12

I am certainly alarmed at the outlook. It seems to be ingrained into your experience that you must depend on display and outward show and pretense and the opinions of men for success. These are of no value in God’s sight. They are a positive hindrance to His work. You think that in order to have influence you must get above the simplicity of Christ. Listen to the words of the Saviour, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] You are not to follow any worldly guide. You are not to follow your own standard. You are to follow the Bible standard.

15LtMs, Lt 52, 1900, par. 21

Self-denial and self-sacrifice will be rewarded as the fruit borne by the true Christian. Christ, the Majesty of heaven, laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown, and stepped down from His position in the heavenly courts. He clothed His divinity with humanity that He might give men and women an example of the life that they must live in order to be sons and daughters of God. For our sakes He became poor, that through His poverty we might become rich. He says, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] This is the gospel receipt for finding the precious, health-giving recipe of Christ.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 25, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 25, 1900, par. 1

Christ declared, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] Let those fathers and mothers who love God and keep His commandments do all in their power to educate their children aright. Let the elder members of the family strive earnestly to help the younger members to walk in the path Christ followed. To make a practice of indulging children’s wishes and desires leads to the existence of many more wishes and desires. Thus the lives that should be trained to practice self-denial and self-sacrifice, to help and bless others, are trained to live for selfish pleasure. They are unfitted for the service of God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 98, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 98, 1900, par. 46

The elevated character of the work of God is to be maintained. The Lord desires His chosen, elect people to stand superior in this Theocracy, shining amid the moral darkness of a hollow, insincere formalism. The children of God are not to pull one another to pieces. The work must be carried forward in Christ’s lines. He has left us an example of humility and unselfishness. He is our Pattern, and He says, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] Let all remember the words, “We are laborers together with God, ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] You are not wise enough to work by yourself. He has made you His steward in trust, to prove and try you, even as He did ancient Israel. He will not have His army composed of undisciplined, unsanctified, erratic solders, who would misrepresent His order and purity.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 135, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 135, 1900, par. 5

When in our world, the great Educator of the human family held in His hand the entire map of truth. He unrolled it and made known the essential parts of the great plan. He has marked out in distinct lines the path to heaven. He might have opened to the minds of men truth deep, broad, and without limit, but He only revealed the plain, straight, simple path which leads to heaven those who are willing to follow in the footsteps of their Leader. “He that will come after me,” He says, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] He reserved much that He longed to communicate, saying, “I have many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now.” [John 16:12.] The minds of His disciples were not prepared to make a right use of the truths He could have opened before them, but did not, lest they should become entangled in a labyrinth of speculation, when they should have been advancing in the narrow path that leads to eternal life.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 32, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 32, 1900, par. 10

God calls for all who claim to have received Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour to educate themselves by precept and example to obey the words of Christ. “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] “We are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

15LtMs, Ms 32, 1900, par. 19

If you are to receive the virtues of His blood, even the forgiveness of your sins, you must consent to the conditions He imposes. “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] Seeking true pardon of sin from His cross, you will then seek direction from His throne. The windows of the soul must be closed earthward and opened heavenward. I point you to the cross of Calvary. Looking to and believing in Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour is your only hope of salvation. Receiving Christ in all His completeness, we are in truth able to sing:

Words of Encouragement to Workers in the Home Missionary Field

Unreserved Surrender

PH164 32.1

“He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” “Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-36; Luke 9:26.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 99, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 99, 1893, par. 21

The one to whom God has entrusted a large capital will not, if he loves and fears God, find it a burden to meet the demands of an enlightened conscience according to the claims of God. The rich will be tempted to indulge selfishness and avarice and to withhold from the Lord His own. But he who is true to God will, when tempted, answer to Satan, “It is written;” “Will a man rob God?” [Malachi 3:8.] “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

8LtMs, Ms 99, 1893, par. 22

The offerings made to God by His professed people would be much larger if it were not for the selfish love of ease, the manufactured wants, the lack of economy, the love of luxuries, the gratification of appetite, the desire for self-pleasing. But the life and character of Christ and the lessons he has given to his followers present no encouragement to selfishness. How much of self-indulgence did Christ have in His life? He for our sake became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich. And He said, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” [Verse 34.] Self-indulgence, self-pleasing, pride, and extravagance must be renounced. We cannot be Christians and gratify these propensities. We cannot love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves and devote to our own use the means entrusted to us to honor and glorify God. We need to make a practical application of the lessons of our Saviour’s life and teachings.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 11, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 11, 1897, par. 14

This is the fruit of true conversion. I ask you, my dear brother and sister, to count the cost. Christ requires that you give soul, body, and spirit to Him. He shed His blood on Calvary’s cross to make this possible. Make an honest reckoning. Put into one scale Jesus, which means life, truth, and heaven, and into the other put every attraction the world may offer. Into the one put the loss of you soul, and in the other a life that measures with the life of God. Weigh them well; weigh for the present time and or eternity. While you are thus engaged, Christ speaks. What does He say? “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] What will your answer be?

12LtMs, Lt 11, 1897, par. 18

The Word of God gives the description of a true Christian, which corresponds with the work of the Holy Spirit on the heart and life. The children of God know at once they have the evidence in their own hearts that they are born of God. “He that will come after me,” says Christ, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] It means depth and breadth of experience to follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. Self-denial and self-sacrifice will always be found in the path that leads through the straight gate to the broad meadows of the Lord’s pastures.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 21 [Nos. 1501-1598]

MR No. 1506—Stay Away From Political Strife; The Fruit of True Conversion

21MR 22.2

This is the fruit of true conversion. I ask you, my dear brother and sister, to count the cost. Christ requires that you give soul, body, and spirit to Him. He shed His blood on Calvary’s cross to make this possible. Make an honest reckoning. Put into one scale Jesus, which means life, truth, and heaven, and into the other put every attraction the world may offer. Into the one put the loss of your soul, and in the other a life that measures with the life of God. Weigh them well; weigh for the present time and for eternity. While you are thus engaged, Christ speaks. What does He say? “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37]. What will your answer be?

21MR 23.2

The Word of God gives the description of a true Christian, which corresponds with the work of the Holy Spirit on the heart and life. The children of God know at once they have the evidence in their own hearts that they are born of God. He that “will come after me,” says Christ, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” [Mark 8:34]. It means depth and breadth of experience to follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. Self-denial and self-sacrifice will always be found in the path that leads through the strait gate to the broad meadows of the Lord’s pastures.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 18, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 18, 1899, par. 7

Guard carefully your own soul. Christ asks, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] How many are selling their souls in a cheap market. I would have you awake, my dear sister. I would have you come to your Saviour. Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call ye upon Him while He is near. Seek the Lord earnestly. Humble your heart before Him.

14LtMs, Lt 18, 1899, par. 9

The Lord Jesus is calling you to follow Him. “He that will come after me,” He says, “let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] Is it not desirable to have God as your Father and the Father of your dear children? He says to you, “Abide in me.” [John 15:4.] While there are many who claim to believe in Christ, many do not obey His requirements.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 24, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 24, 1900, par. 22

Humility, self-denial, benevolence, and the payment of a faithful tithe, these show that the grace of God is working in the heart. The greatest Teacher, the greatest Physician, the world has ever known gave many lessons on the need of humility. These lessons his followers are to bring into the practical life. They are to live lives of self-denial and self-sacrifice. To many this will be a new experience, but on it their salvation depends. “He that will come after me,” Christ said, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] Following Christ produces the virtues of Christ’s character. Humility is a precious grace, peculiarly pleasing to God. Christ says, “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” [Matthew 11:29.] Those who follow Christ will overcome temptations, and will receive the glorious reward of eternal life. And to Christ they will render all the praise and glory.

15LtMs, Ms 24, 1900, par. 31

So it is with the soul. The heart is to be carefully watched and guarded. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] Christ must abide in the heart by faith. His Word is the bread of life and the water of salvation. Truth in its fulness comes to us through constant communion with God. By eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Christ we gain spiritual strength. Christ supplies the lifeblood of the heart, and Christ and the Holy Spirit give nerve power. Begotten again unto a lively hope, imbued with the quickening power of a new nature, the soul is enabled to rise higher and still higher.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 124, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 124, 1900, par. 8

You love the world, its friendship, its practices, its display. But will you sell yourself to the enemy to please him, and lose your soul at last? “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] This question is asked you, my sister. I cannot endure the thought that Christ shall have died for you in vain, that you will not only throw away your own soul, but injure the souls of others. You turn from, as unworthy of your notice, the sanctified influence God has made it possible for you to obtain from Him. Can you think more of the opinion of those who have no connection with truth and righteousness than you do of pleasing and glorifying God?

15LtMs, Lt 124, 1900, par. 18

God has given you in His Word the assurance that you can both be physicians of souls as well as bodies. You should have stood unitedly in the work, heart to heart, shoulder to shoulder, trusting in God, not looking to the world’s customs or the world’s criterion for that which makes a man, but “looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith” [Hebrews 12:2], that faith which works by love and purifies the soul. You will both disappoint our Saviour unless you now change your attitude and begin to build your house on solid rock, that is, on Jesus Christ. “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] God has given you this guiding direction. Will you disregard it in order to follow your own hereditary and cultivated tendencies? You are both indeed in need of a stronger spiritual religious phase of character. Do not for your souls’ sake, strive to be that which will please the worldlings, supposing this to be the sure road to success. Hear the word of the Lord.

15LtMs, Lt 124, 1900, par. 45

You both cherish inferior ideas in regard to what is truth. You do not see or realize the value of truth. That cross of Christ which you have both shunned more or less in your Christian experience will, if you are saved, have to be lifted and borne by you both in every phase of your religious life; for it is the central pillar on which hangs the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory which is for those who accept that cross. Under and around the cross of Christ, that immortal pillar, sin shall never revive, nor error obtain control. Life, love, joy, and peace all hang upon the cross which neither of you appreciate. Christ says, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] In lifting that cross, it lifts you. In bearing that cross, it becomes to you the crown of glory. Life, love, joy, and holiness become a part of the religious experience.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)

Ms 13, 1868

1LtMs, Ms 13, 1868, par. 24

Through the day they told me it was expected that I should address the people in the evening. I felt almost prostrated, yet thought I would try. I had told Brother [J. N.] Andrews that he would have to speak, but he was afraid the people would be disappointed. I arose in great weakness, spoke from these words, “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37. I made an earnest, solemn appeal to the hearers. All listened and many seemed convicted.

1LtMs, Ms 13, 1868, par. 36

I spoke in afternoon from the words: “Whosoever will come after Me, let him take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it,” etc. [Mark 8:34, 35.] I had great freedom. There was a crowded house. After I ceased speaking we invited those who wished [The entry for this day is not complete.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 42, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 42, 1890, par. 34

The temptations of Satan present earthly things and make them all-absorbing and attractive, so that the heavenly realities are eclipsed and the attachment to the world be made first; and this has become so great a power that Omnipotence alone can dislodge it. Satan’s work is to chain the senses to this world. Christ came to break the satanic enchantment, counterwork the work of Satan, and charm the mind away from the earthly to the heavenly. He alone is able to break the enchantment. He exclaims, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37. A few years and the world and all its glory, which has through the bewitching power of the great deceiver become an object of worship, are to be burned, with all the embellishments of the art of man. Then what will be found to compensate for the loss of the human soul?

6LtMs, Ms 42, 1890, par. 45

The Lord would not have any one of us be presumptuous, care not for health, and make no provision whatever for a sustenance; but when He sees the world taking all the thoughts and absorbing all the affections, He sees that eternal realities are lost sight of. He would correct this evil, which is the work of Satan. The mind, which should be trained to high, elevated contemplation of eternal realities, becomes common, bearing the image of the earthly. Jesus comes to present the advantages and beautiful imagery of the heavenly, that the attractions of heaven shall become familiar to the thoughts, and memory’s hall be hung with pictures of celestial and eternal loveliness. He sees the chambers of the mind filled with those things which defile. He places God before them as the center. In the place of the minds being chained to the earth, He sets before them eternal attractions. He passes through the market places, where everything is full of activity and bustle, and the voice of the traders is heard. The lessons He gives in the dense crowd that gathers to listen to His words are a warning from heaven like the trump of God to break the spell of infatuation. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall he give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:34, 35.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 170, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 170, 1907, par. 17

What a terrible mistake for a professed Christian to devote to himself all his time and means and energies! All are to deny themselves, that they may follow Christ. Many souls have not refrained from accepting martyrdom for the sake of Christ. For them is the blessed promise, “He that loseth his life for My sake shall save it unto life eternal.” [Matthew 10:39; Mark 8:35; John 12:25.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 25a, 1891

7LtMs, Ms 25a, 1891, par. 29

Every man upon whom is placed responsibility should be of sterling integrity: who will not be bought or sold. Satan will offer the temptation: “All this will I give you if you will do this or that.” [Matthew 4:9.] But Christ has said, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” “He that saveth his life shall lose it; and he that shall lose his life for my sake shall find it” (or secure it unto life eternal). [Mark 8:36, 35.] The Lord help us to remember that we must all stand before the judgment seat of God, and render an account. Jesus has revealed to us the Father, manifested Him so clearly that in looking upon Christ we look upon the Father. We see God in the simple, loving life of Christ. Thus the human agent is to represent the character of Christ.

That I May Know Him

Count the Cost, November 11

TMK 321.1

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:35-37.

Christ’s Object Lessons

Chapter 26—“Friends by the Mammon of Unrighteousness”

COL 374.1

Christ calls upon every one to consider. Make an honest reckoning. Put into one scale Jesus, which means eternal treasure, life, truth, heaven, and the joy of Christ in souls redeemed; put into the other every attraction the world can offer. Into one scale put the loss of your own soul, and the souls of those whom you might have been instrumental in saving; into the other, for yourself and for them, a life that measures with the life of God. Weigh for time and for eternity. While you are thus engaged, Christ speaks: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36.

The Acts of the Apostles

Chapter 34—A Consecrated Ministry

AA 365.3

The energies of the minister are all needed for his high calling. His best powers belong to God. He should not engage in speculation or in any other business that would turn him aside from his great work. “No man that warreth,” Paul declared, “entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:4. Thus the apostle emphasized the minister’s need of unreserved consecration to the Master’s service. The minister who is wholly consecrated to God refuses to engage in business that would hinder him from giving himself fully to his sacred calling. He is not striving for earthly honor or riches; his one purpose is to tell others of the Saviour, who gave Himself to bring to human beings the riches of eternal life. His highest desire is not to lay up treasure in this world, but to bring to the attention of the indifferent and the disloyal the realities of eternity. He may be asked to engage in enterprises which promise large worldly gain, but to such temptations he returns the answer, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36.

This Day With God

Look at the Pattern, January 22

TDG 30.3

God sees how strong man’s inclination is to accumulate earthly treasure, and in the highways and byways of life His voice is heard saying, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

This Day With God

To Whom Shall We Go? June 29

TDG 189.6

Let us keep our hearts open to His love. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). Oh, when we can speak understandingly the words spoken by Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life,” wonderful blessings will come to us.—Letter 171, June 29, 1905, to Edson and Emma White.

From Trials to Triumph

The Peril of Side Businesses

TT 192.2

“No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him.” 2 Timothy 2:4, RSV. Thus the apostle emphasized the minister’s need of unreserved consecration to the Master’s service. He is not striving for earthly riches. His one desire is to bring to the indifferent and the disloyal the realities of eternity. He may be asked to engage in enterprises which promise large worldly gain, but he returns the answer, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 26, 1886

4LtMs, Ms 26, 1886, par. 23

“What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36. “To obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22. God sent Saul to destroy the Amalakites utterly. Feeling at liberty to use his own judgment to depart a little from what the Lord had said, Saul supposed it his prerogative to save the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice in offerings to God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Lt 41, 1890

6LtMs, Lt 41, 1890, par. 55

How long shall this kind of robbery continue on the part of men who place a high estimate upon their services, and yet leave out of their work the one thing that makes their labors acceptable to God—heart devotion, true piety? You dismiss God from your thoughts, pray scarcely at all, and yet claim for the exercise of your finite wisdom a large compensation in money. And yet Christ declares, “Without me ye can do nothing.” [Verse 5.] “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” [Mark 8:36.] Will you exchange your hope of heaven for worldly gain? Many are doing this very thing, for Satan held out his tempting bribe, and they accepted his terms. Should the tree be cut down, it would lie prone to the earth, lost, lost, eternally lost!

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 26a, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 26a, 1890, par. 9

The Ruler of the universe has protested against the greed of the natural heart, saying, “He that hasteth to be rich shall not be innocent.” [Proverbs 28:20.] God records them as guilty of fraud and transgression. “Trust not in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” [1 Timothy 6:17.] “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.” [Leviticus 19:35.] “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.” [Proverbs 22:4.] “Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” [Hebrews 13:5.] “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase.” [Ecclesiastes 5:10.] He who says to gold, “Be thou my confidence,” shall find himself “pierced through with many sorrows.” [Job 31:24; 1 Timothy 6:10.] “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul.” [Mark 8:36.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 23a, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 23a, 1893, par. 30

Sunday, January 8. I was not able to attend service, but Elder Starr and his wife reported an excellent morning meeting. The hall was well filled, and the presence of the Lord was manifest in the congregation. Brother Faulkhead said that on the Sabbath he obtained a great victory. He went home happy. During the previous week he had a severe struggle, but he had resisted the enemy, and he was determined to continue to strive for the mastery and obtain an experience in the things of God. He spoke with much earnestness and fervor. O, my heart praises God for this victory over the powers of darkness. Who can estimate the value of the human soul? “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” [Mark 8:36.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 109, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 109, 1896, par. 26

Jesus calls upon you to behold that nobler world that has become almost hidden from your view; He brings it within the range of your vision, and lays open before you the momentous claims and duration of the eternity which you are approaching. He would have you subordinate every earthly consideration to your eternal interests, living every moment of life with reference to eternal results. <Christ asks,> “For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” [Mark 8:36.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 98a, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 98a, 1897, par. 20

The Lord Jesus, who made an infinite sacrifice to save His people from their sins, knows all about the higher life to which He is trying to raise them. He is the only one who can understandingly say, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” [Mark 8:36.] To Him let us commit our souls as unto a faithful Creator, who is able to save to the uttermost all who come unto Him. Souls, my brother, are precious.

Gospel Workers (1915 ed.)

Ministers and Commercial Business

GW 339.3

The minister who is wholly consecrated to God refuses to engage in business that would hinder him from giving himself fully to his sacred calling. He is not striving for earthly honor or riches; his one purpose is to tell others of the Saviour, who gave Himself to bring to human beings the riches of eternal life. His highest desire is not to lay up treasure in this world, but to bring to the attention of the indifferent and disloyal the realities of eternity. He may be asked to engage in enterprises which promise large worldly gain, but to such temptations he returns the answer, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” [Mark 8:36.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 14, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 14, 1900, par. 28

Sin is the transgression of the law. Those who continue in sin, notwithstanding the fact that light has come to show them what sin is, those who refuse to lift the cross because doing so would possibly limit their prospect of worldly gain, will meet with great loss. They show that they do not choose to be partakers of Christ’s life of self-denial and self-sacrifice, and they will lose eternal life. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” [Mark 8:36.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 92, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 92, 1901, par. 4

“Hold fast.” [Verse 3.] This does not mean, Hold fast to your sins; but, Hold fast to the comfort, the faith, the hope, that God has given you in His Word. Never be discouraged. A discouraged man can do nothing. Satan is seeking to discourage you, telling you it is of no use to serve God, that it does not pay, and that it is just as well to have pleasure and enjoyment in this world. But “what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” [Mark 8:36.] You may have worldly pleasure at the expense of the future world, but can you afford to pay such a price?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 175, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 175, 1903, par. 16

Will it pay? I ask. Will it pay? “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” [Mark 8:36.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 84, 1904

19LtMs, Ms 84, 1904, par. 11

God sees how strong man’s inclination is to accumulate earthly treasure, and in the highways and byways of life His voice is heard, saying, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” [Mark 8:36.] “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust doth not corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” [Matthew 6:19-21.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 27, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 27, 1907, par. 18

God sees how strong man’s inclination is to accumulate earthly treasure, and in the highways and byways of life His voice is heard, saying, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” [Mark 8:36.] “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” [Matthew 6:19-21.]

Manuscript Releases, vol. 15 [Nos. 1136-1185]

A Warning Against Financial Speculation

15MR 74.2

The Ruler of the universe has protested against the greed of the natural heart, saying, “He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent” [Proverbs 28:20]. God records them as guilty of fraud and transgression. “Nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” [1 Timothy 6:17]. “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure” [Leviticus 19:35]. “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life” [Proverbs 22:4]. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” [Hebrews 12:5]. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, not he that loveth abundance with increase” [Ecclesiastes 5:10]. He who says to gold, “Thou art my confidence” [Job 31:24], shall find himself “pierced through with many sorrows” [1 Timothy 6:10]. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” [Mark 8:36].

Manuscript Releases, vol. 9 [Nos. 664-770]

5—Ministers and Business Matters

9MR 172.4

The one who has become so heavily burdened, should study to place some of these burdens upon others, that they may help him carry the load of responsibility which causes him to become impatient and fretful. Satan and his angels now look on the pitiful spectacle, and are highly pleased. The voice of Jesus is heard, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).—Letter 32, 1906, p. 3.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 1 [Nos. 19-96]

MR No. 55—The Spirit that Should Characterize the Work of Seventh-day Adventist Physicians

1MR 219.2

It is true that every moment is precious, and not one of them is to be wasted; but it is when you obtain the grace of the Holy Spirit through faith in God, that you are qualified for the performance of your various duties and can work with an eye single to the glory of God. Look at the days and weeks and months of the past, and see if your life service has not been one long, complicated robbery of God, because you have failed to remember Him, and have left eternity out of your reckoning. By neglecting spiritual things, you have not only robbed your own soul, but the souls of your family; for by seeking temporal enrichment to the neglect of heavenly enlightenment, you have not been in a condition either physically or mentally to educate and train your children to keep the way of the Lord. How long shall this kind of robbery continue on the part of men who place a high estimate upon their services, and yet leave out of their work the one thing that makes their labors acceptable to God,—heart devotion, true piety? You dismiss God from your thoughts, pray scarcely at all, and yet claim for the exercise of your finite wisdom a large compensation in money. And yet Christ declares, “Without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).” What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). Will you exchange your hope of heaven for worldly gain? Many are doing this very thing; for Satan held out his tempting bribe, and they accepted his terms. Should the tree be cut down, it would lie prone to the earth, lost, lost, eternally lost!

Manuscript Releases, vol. 12 [Nos. 921-999]

MR No. 947—Letter to Emma Weber

12MR 107.2

God can give Dr. Dowse wisdom and skill in her profession if she will cling to Him and make God her strength. You are both situated where the Lord requires that you constantly work with Him, then you will both be a blessing wherever you are. A godlike, holy purpose must be kept ever in view. What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? [See Mark 8:36]

Our High Calling

A Test of Character, July 13

OHC 200.3

The glory of the world to come is eclipsed by the corruptible things of earth. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21. Your thoughts, your plans, your motives, will have an earthly mold, and your soul will be defiled with covetousness and selfishness. “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36. The day is coming when the idols of silver and gold will be cast to the moles and to the bats, and the rich men will weep and howl for the miseries that shall come upon them....

Pastoral Ministry

Chapter 11—Personal Finance

PaM 65.2

Refuse to engage in any business that would hinder you from giving yourself fully to your sacred calling—The energies of the minister are all needed for his high calling. His best powers belong to God. He should not engage in speculation or in any other business that would turn him aside from his great work. “No man that warreth,” Paul declared, “entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4). Thus the apostle emphasized the minister’s need of unreserved consecration to the Master’s service. The minister who is wholly consecrated to God refuses to engage in business that would hinder him from giving himself fully to his sacred calling. He is not striving for earthly honor or riches; his one purpose is to tell others of the Saviour, who gave Himself to bring to human beings the riches of eternal life. His highest desire is not to lay up treasure in this world, but to bring to the attention of the indifferent and the disloyal the realities of eternity. He may be asked to engage in enterprises which promise large worldly gain, but to such temptations he returns the answer, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul” (Mark 8:36)?—The Acts of the Apostles, 365, 366.

Selected Messages Book 2

Chapter 45—A Call to Country Living

2SM 355.1

Let children no longer be exposed to the temptations of the cities that are ripe for destruction. The Lord has sent us warning and counsel to get out of the cities. Then let us make no more investments in the cities. Fathers and mothers, how do you regard the souls of your children? Are you preparing the members of your families for translation into the heavenly courts? Are you preparing them to become members of the royal family? children of the heavenly King? “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). How will ease, comfort, convenience, compare with the value of the souls of your children?—Manuscript 76, 1905.

Child Guidance

Chapter 56—Academy and College Training

CG 328.4

In the home school, during their early years, train and discipline your children in the fear of God. And then be careful lest you place them where the religious impressions they have received will be effaced, and the love of God taken out of their hearts. Let no inducement of high wages or of apparently great educational advantages lead you to send your children away from your influence, to places where they will be exposed to great temptations. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37.2Manuscript 30, 1904.

Our High Calling

First Things First, October 7

OHC 286.3

He sees the chambers of the mind filled with those things which defile. He places God before them as the center.... He passes through the market places, where everything is full of activity and bustle, and the voice of the traders is heard. The lessons He gives in the dense crowd that gathers to listen to His words are a warning from heaven like the trump of God to break the spell of infatuation. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall he give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 22—“Nineveh, That Great City”

PK 273.1

Christ during His earthly ministry referred to the good wrought by the preaching of Jonah in Nineveh, and compared the inhabitants of that heathen center with the professed people of God in His day. “The men of Nineveh,” He declared, “shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.” Matthew 12:40, 41. Into the busy world, filled with the din of commerce and the altercation of trade, where men were trying to get all they could for self, Christ had come; and above the confusion His voice, like the trump of God, was heard: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37.

Selected Messages Book 2

Chapter 13—Should Christians Be Members of Secret Societies?

2SM 132.1

God calls upon you who would be His children to act as under the divine eye, to adopt the holy standard of righteousness. His justice and His truth are the principles that should be established in every soul. He who preserves his integrity toward God, will be upright toward man. No man who truly loves God, will, for the sake of a bribe of gold and silver, of honor, or any other earthly advantage, expose his soul to temptation. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36, 37).

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6

In the Highways and Hedges

6T 78.2

The call to be given in “the highways” is to be proclaimed to all who have an active part in the world’s work, to the teachers and leaders of the people. Those who bear heavy responsibilities in public life—physicians and teachers, lawyers and judges, public officers and businessmen—should be given a clear, distinct message. What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37.

The Upward Look

Immortal Inheritance, January 31

UL 45.1

What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36, 37.

UL 45.6

That which is highly esteemed among men is abhorrent in the sight of God. Christ asks, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36, 37).—Manuscript 6, January 31, 1899, “The Poor Rich Man.”

This Day With God

Meeting the Requirements, April 1

TDG 100.2

Let not cares be so magnified that the time shall be occupied in many cares that are not positively essential. The seriousness of this question presses upon my mind with an intensity that I cannot express. Time is passing, and when I am presented with the many churches that are not prepared to work for the Master, but are in a careless, unconcerned state, I am alarmed, and inquire, What can I say, what can I do, to change this order of things? I can say, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36, 37).

To Be Like Jesus

In Planning, Consider the Unending Future, June 28

BLJ 191.4

“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36, 37).

Sermons and Talks, vol. 1

Work and Baptism of Holy Spirit Needed

1SAT 183.3

When they tell me of losses of temporal goods, I feel like this: It is not a soul. But the loss of a soul is of higher estimate than the whole world. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37]. Please consider how you will settle this question with your Maker, just now, without delay.

Christ’s Object Lessons

Chapter 21—“A Great Gulf Fixed”

COL 267.2

Christ lifted the curtain and presented this picture before priests and rulers, scribes and Pharisees. Look at it, you who are rich in this world’s goods and are not rich toward God. Will you not contemplate this scene? That which is highly esteemed among men is abhorrent in the sight of God. Christ asks, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

Working for the Higher Classes

2TT 386.3

The call to be given in “the highways,” is to be proclaimed to all who have an active part in the world’s work, to the teachers and leaders of the people. Those who bear heavy responsibilities in public life—physicians and teachers, lawyers and judges, public officers and businessmen—should be given a clear, distinct message. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37.

From the Heart

Principles in Business, June 14

FH 177.1

What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36, 37.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

Lt 41, 1877

3LtMs, Lt 41, 1877, par. 11

We would not have you, my dear nephew, deify wealth and love it with your heart and mind and soul. Means is valuable and to be desired. It is a blessing, a precious treasure, if used prudently, wisely, and not abused. To sacrifice one principle of truth or of duty to acquire means for extravagant expenditure or to hoard is very poor policy. It is money and position gained at the expense of the soul, selling the soul to the devil for the worldly advantages supposed to be gained thereby. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37. Whatever may have been your motives for yielding the principles of truth, I cannot divine. I think that Satan has made you spiritually blind. You are in a fearful deception.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 44, 1886

4LtMs, Ms 44, 1886, par. 16

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27. The reward will not be according to his faith, but according to his works, and the life will be eternal with Jesus. In order to obtain this we must be obedient, and not only apply our powers, but if necessary give our lives.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 10, 1885

4LtMs, Ms 10, 1885, par. 10

“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] If I should ask you, “What price do you place upon your soul?” you would look at me in astonishment, and ask, “What good would money be to me if I had sold my soul?” And yet there are thousands who are selling their souls to Satan for worldly gain or worldly pleasure. So engrossed are they with the things of this life that they have no time to think of heaven or heavenly things.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Lt 65, 1884

4LtMs, Lt 65, 1884, par. 15

Who can estimate the value of souls? He who died for you inquires, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own life? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37. He who so loved man that He came from the realms of bliss, from His royal throne, and humiliated Himself to clothe His divinity with humanity, has given us unmistakable tokens of His love and the value He places upon man. He who has made for us this infinite sacrifice summons us to estimate the value of the soul, to strike the balance between earthly gain and heavenly loss, between temporal success and everlasting failure.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 45, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 45, 1890, par. 27

The Lord Jesus in His work and in His instruction lifts up His voice to break the spell of infatuation upon human minds and asks the momentous question, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” or “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 35, 1891

7LtMs, Ms 35, 1891, par. 39

May God help us individually that we may divest ourselves of everything which separates the soul from God, and [may] there be such a reformation here in California that you have not dreamed of. You will see the salvation of God which will go through your minds, and the many souls that will be converted unto Him. That is everything to us. When they tell me of losses of temporal goods, I feel like this: It is not a soul. But the loss of a soul is of higher estimate than the whole world. “What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] Please consider how you will settle this question with your Maker just now, without delay.

Counsels for the Church

Workers to Train Church Members

CCh 69.9

The call to be given in “the highways” is to be proclaimed to all who have an active part in the world’s work, to the teachers and leaders of the people. Those who bear heavy responsibilities in public life—physicians and teachers, lawyers and judges, public officers and businessmen—should be given a clear, distinct message. What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 6, 1892

7LtMs, Ms 6, 1892, par. 31

He has favored some of you with grand opportunities of receiving the wisdom which He alone can impart. You can make these opportunities and privileges appear as worthless if you choose; you can bind yourselves up with worldly associations, and magnify the advantage they offer. But when the cross is ignored and made of none effect by the course of those who should rally around it, who will they draw men unto the cross? “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] Some of you are in the valley of decision. It is for you to choose whether you will bind yourselves up in worldly associations and accept worldly inducement as your future portion or continue with a people who are working under a pressure of poverty to advance the work of God among men.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 16a, 1891

7LtMs, Lt 16a, 1891, par. 11

Jesus did not come to destroy our interest in the duties which lie in our pathway here, but to break the spell of infatuation that the world’s business casts upon the human mind. He lifts His voice in earnest, solemn warning, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] He brings to view the nobler world, placing before men the eternal realities which they had lost sight of. Pointing to the glories of the future life, He warns them of the danger of fixing their affections upon this world. He deposes it from the highest place, assigning to it a subordinate, not a controlling, power.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 8, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 8, 1893, par. 18

You have less and less relish for the Word of God. Your duties to your family and to your God demand that you be not slothful in business, but be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. “Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” [Colossians 3:17.] Hold fast your integrity. When tempted of the devil, consent not to his devices. Flee not to your fictitious reading, but to the Word of God. Here you may find strength every day for duty. You may plunge into the world with as little respect and reverence for God’s requirements as others manifest. You may be deceived by your own heart or by the un-Christlike maxims which prevail with others. You may mingle the frauds of men with the truth of God. But “what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 93, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 93, 1893, par. 6

When the love of Jesus is lost from the soul, the love of the world rushes in to supply the vacuum. Omnipotent power alone can dislodge it from the human affections. The apostle inquires, “Who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth?” [Galatians 3:1.] Having lost that organ of spiritual vision which should keep another world in view, counterbalancing the affections, would have preserved the mind and heart to love and glorify God. The present world and its alluring, deceptive presentations would not be allowed to tyrannize over the mind and soul with the advantage of a power which is ever visible, ever at hand, soliciting the mind to find happiness in this life. Our Saviour seeks to correct this evil. He comes to save the one lost sheep, the one world fallen. He enters the busy world where nothing is heard but worldly speculations, and lifts His voice like the trump of God, and seeks to break the spell of infatuation, and exclaims, “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Or “what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] A short period of time, at most, and death will force the human being away from his chosen idols. The world and all in it must be left. But what will compensate for the loss of the soul?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 2, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 2, 1893, par. 10

Individually you carry with you a personal value of more worth than worlds can buy. “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] Nothing upon earth is of sufficient value to compute with the value of the human soul. Sin is a mortal disease. The wages of sin is death, the gift of God in the saving of the human soul is eternal life. We have as individuals a soul to save or a soul to lose. If the soul perishes through unbelief, it were better had that soul never have been born. Will you have Jesus Christ as your Saviour? He has given His life and made every provision that you shall not perish if you believe in Him.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 53, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 53, 1894, par. 34

God calls upon you who would be His children to act as under the divine eye, to adopt the holy standard of righteousness. His justice and His truth are the principles that should be established in every soul. He who preserves his integrity toward God will be upright toward man. No man who truly loves God will, for the sake of a bribe of gold and silver, of honor, or any other earthly advantage, expose his soul to temptation. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 86, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 86, 1894, par. 13

Who, I ask you, as parents, can neglect the solemn responsibility that is resting upon you? What is the matter with our world? It is because fathers and mothers have thought more of reaching the standard of the world than God’s moral standard of righteousness. Will it pay? “What will it profit a man, though he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul, or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] You can’t afford to sin. We read here in John that sin is the transgression of the law. Third verse. “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” [1 John 3:3, 4.] [There is] something for us to do, to prepare for the future immortal life. Christ has gone that He may prepare mansions for you. Make Him your dependence and your trust. Fathers and mothers, are you purifying your soul in your sphere as God is pure in His sphere? We lift the standard, we point you to it. We say, “I see the battlements of heaven, but how am I to reach it? I see the glory that floods the threshold, but how am I to pass over the threshold? What shall I do that I may win eternal life?”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 105, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 105, 1894, par. 7

An adulterated Christianity surrounds us on every side. It is the time when we are to heed the third angel’s message and to take to ourselves the instruction of the true witness. “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and remove thy candlestick out of its place except thou repent.” [Revelation 2:5.] You should turn unto the Lord by obedience to his commandments, turn unto him in prayer, and by watching unto prayer, or else you will be found walking in darkness. You are not keeping the commandments of God, for you walk in the way of your neighbors. You are so blinded by the sophistries of Satan. Let this question come home to your soul, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] Is eternal life of no value to you? Is this world of more value to you than heaven? Will you permit it to absorb your mind, and engross your attention? Will you permit your neighbors to choose for you and fail [to] follow that which your conscience convinces you is true? Will it pay to sacrifice heaven? God calls upon you to change your course of action, both for your own soul’s sake and for the sake of your children. Let your lives bear a living testimony for God. The Lord says, “Ye are my witnesses.” [Isaiah 43:10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Ms 3, 1895

10LtMs, Ms 3, 1895, par. 16

I am commissioned to bring these things before you, to reprove you for your course of action, and to set before you the fact that your soul is in peril. The question is asked, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] The question is asked, “Will a man rob God?” [Malachi 3:8.] Would you make the excuses before heaven that you have made here for neglect of duty, and the excuses that you have put into the mouths of others? If a man dealt dishonestly with you, you would seize him as did the relentless servant in the parable, and cry with passion, “Pay me that thou owest.” [Matthew 18:28.]

Counsels on Health

Be Strong in the Lord

CH 593.1

It is so with the soul. The heart is to be carefully kept and guarded. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37. Christ must abide in the heart by faith. His word is the bread of life and the water of salvation. Trust in its fullness comes to us through constant communion with God. By eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Christ we gain spiritual strength. Christ supplies the lifeblood of the heart, and Christ and the Holy Spirit give nerve power. Begotten again unto a lively hope, imbued with the quickening power of a new nature, the soul is enabled to rise higher and still higher. Paul’s prayer to God for the Ephesians was, “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 106a, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 106a, 1896, par. 39

Your brothers, who know the truth, are responsible before God for that knowledge. Christ says to them, “What shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] God demands of you more than you are disposed to give Him. He demands the whole heart, the undivided affections, the whole soul, the whole mind, the whole strength. All are to be His. Oh, that you might be a faithful Caleb! You and your brothers need so much to have a deep consecration to God, to give your entire selves to the Lord, to possess personal piety and firm religious principles.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 63, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 63, 1896, par. 16

This is the instruction of the Word. How has it been obeyed? Oh, if this had been brought into the character of all the workers, what a change would there be in our institution! How different now would be the mold upon the work of God in Battle Creek! The strange developments that have been revealed in the decisions of your councils would not have seen the light of day. Bitter jealousies would not have been thriving in the hearts of those who profess to be followers of Christ. Advice or decisions that would involve a brother in distress or perplexity, or bind him in poverty, would be shunned as you would shun the leprosy. It is a fearful thing for a man to lose his own soul, yet every day men are taking steps that will result in the loss of their souls. The question came from the lips of Christ, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man given in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] Solemn, fearfully solemn, question! And yet how many are, like Esau, selling their souls for a mess of pottage. And for a man to lose his own soul means more even than this. His words, his example, his evil-spun theories lead others into perplexities and difficulties. He tolls [draws] men away from Christ to rank under the black banner of the prince of darkness. He is, in short, a soul-slayer; he is doing his best to destroy the principles which God has commanded to live. How terrible the thought of destroying the souls of men whom Christ came to our world to save. The result of our lives day by day should be to heal, not bruise; to save, not destroy.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 69a, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 69a, 1896, par. 14

You are not keeping the commandments of God. You are so blinded by the sophistries of Satan that you do not feel or sense your peril. “What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] Is eternal life of value to you? Is heaven of more value to you than this world? Is this world to absorb your mind and engross your attention, and you live as you choose and as your neighbors choose to have you, hiding your light—that which your conscience convinces you is truth—and sacrifice heaven? Will it pay? God calls upon you to change your course of action for your own soul’s sake, fathers and mothers, and for your children’s sake, and to let your life become a living testimony for God: “Ye are My Witnesses.” [Isaiah 43:10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 20, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 20, 1897, par. 19

You worked hard to glorify yourself, but the work which the Lord gave you to do, to love and serve Him, you refused to do. You had many disparaging remarks to make in regard to the poor and suffering, the homeless widows and the fatherless children as though they were made of different material from you. You despised my poor, those who loved Him who for their sake and yours became poor, that they and you might come into possession of eternal riches. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 76, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 76, 1898, par. 2

One soul is worth more than the whole world. Said Christ, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] You have undertaken a business which will absorb means, but which will not increase your earthly or your heavenly treasure. It will prove a loss, for the endorsement of the Lord is not upon it. Is it not for your present and eternal interest to come back to God? In the past you have done something in the line of giving donations to the cause of God, but you have now grasped your means to bury it in the earth, and my testimony to you is that it will disappoint you.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 45, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 45, 1898, par. 5

Our Saviour undertook the task of correcting this evil. He saw that the hearts and minds of men were absorbed in getting gain. Men worked at a high pressure in their work of buying and selling. Christ lifted up His voice like the trump of God, and sought to break the infatuating spell, which was paralyzing every spiritual sinew and muscle. “What shall it profit a man,” He cried, “if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul.” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 92a, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 92a, 1898, par. 31

But the Lord does not release men from responsibility. “Work out your own salvation,” he says “with fear and trembling; for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” [Philippians 2:12, 13.] Here is a co-operation of God with man and man with God. Here is encouragement for the most earnest, noble strivings. Christ declares that the life is more than meat, and the body than raiment. “What shall it profit a man,” He says “if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 182, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 182, 1898, par. 33

I thank the Lord I rested well last night. My heart was drawn out in earnest prayer to God that He would work for the people in this vicinity. They need to be hunted up, that souls that are ready to perish may be like the lost sheep brought into the fold. We have appointed a Sunday evening meeting and we shall invite all outsiders to attend. We are not to put our light under a bed, that is, confine it to our family and forget that all who have been privileged to hear the truth must hear not only for themselves but to communicate to others that which they hear. Time is passing into eternity and but little has been done to save perishing souls who know not the truth. We must not hide our light under a bushel. This means, Let not your commercial interests absorb all the mind and occupy all the time. Eternal interests shall not be made inferior to the temporal. The Great Teacher asks, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 6, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 6, 1899, par. 31

Christ lifted the curtain, and presented this picture before priests and rulers, scribes and Pharisees. Look at it, ye who are rich in this world’s goods, and are not rich toward God. Will you not contemplate this scene? That which is highly esteemed among men is abhorrent in the sight of God. Christ asks, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Education

Honest Business Dealings

Ed 145.1

“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 21, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 21, 1899, par. 3

This family needs to know what is truth. They need faithful, tender, compassionate appeals made to them over and over again, because there is a hindrance to their character-building. What is it? The riches of this world. They do not see that without Christ they have need of everything. Christ, whose they are by creation and by redemption, does not want to lose them out of His great plan. Every soul is of value with God. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] Do not these precious souls want to know the meaning of the words, “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” [Mark 10:17.] Intelligence is knowledge. Everyone is called upon by God to obtain a knowledge of the future eternal life.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 13, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 13, 1900, par. 12

All I can say, my brother, is, Run no risks. Your soul is of more value than the whole world. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 29, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 29, 1900, par. 21

I now leave this with you, my fellow workers, to read to the Kerr brothers. Ask them not to turn away from the evidence God has given them. God calls upon them to place their influence upon the side of righteousness, irrespective of worldly loss or gain. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 27, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 27, 1900, par. 28

Shall we continue in transgression or shall we so value our peace of mind that we shall cease to transgress, and break off our confederacy with the great apostate? Shall we dare to trifle with our eternal destiny? Shall we not turn away from the companionship of the enemy? “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 34, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 34, 1900, par. 18

God calls for earnest, humble workers, who can carry the truth to the higher classes. Those men who bear heavy responsibilities in public life, who act as judges and lawyers, should be given a clear, distinct message. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 100, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 100, 1900, par. 19

I write to you because, as you know, I have felt an intense interest that your family relations should be broken up, and that you should change your location to a more safe atmosphere. I desired you to come to Australia, that you would not make shipwreck of your faith. That last investment in the sanitarium was a trick of the enemy to destroy you, and I beg of you, for your soul’s sake, Let not your soul be imperilled. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 107, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 107, 1900, par. 16

The counsel to lay up your treasures where they will be secure is given to the wealthy and to those who are not wealthy. In this life put them to the very best use that can be made to advance the kingdom of God and save souls unto eternal life. In comparison with the value of one soul, the whole world sinks into insignificance. Christ finds men risking everything to secure earthly riches; He finds men crazed with the prospect of earthly gain, and He urges them as they respect their own rationality to take into consideration eternity. What provisions have they made in regard to the future immortal life? He lifts His voice and asks, “What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul; or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Manuscript Releases, vol. 16 [Nos. 1186-1235]

MR No. 1223—The Parable of the Ten Virgins

16MR 273.5

But the Lord does not release men from responsibility. “Work out your own salvation,” He says, “with fear and trembling. For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Here is a cooperation of God with man and man with God. Here is encouragement for the most earnest, noble strivings. Christ declares that the life is more than meat, and the body than raiment. “What shall it profit a man,” He says, “if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37].

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 19, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 19, 1900, par. 38

The call to the gospel feast is first to be given “in the highways”—to those who have an active part in the world’s work, to the teachers and leaders of the people. Those who bear heavy responsibilities in public life, who act as ministers, lawyers, and judges, should be given a clear, distinct message. “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 71, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 71, 1901, par. 3

Christ died for you and has graven your name on the palms of His hands. In giving His life for you, He pledged His word to give you happiness, peace, and joy—His joy. For your sake He became poor, to enrich you with His eternal riches. And will you not now, without delay, give the Lord Jesus your whole heart? Will you use your means in helping to spread the knowledge of His grace? Christ has given His life for you. Will you not, dear brother, appreciate the sacrifice? He desires to make you a member of His royal family. Will you accept the honor? Will you for your soul’s sake co-operate with Christ in the saving of your own soul, that He may be honored and His name glorified? The precious Life-giver asks you, “What will it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 52, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 52, 1901, par. 14

This representation will be fulfilled if the people of God will only take the position to which Christ has appointed them. We are to reveal the love of God by reaching out to others. Entering the busy world, where is heard the clamor and hubbub of confusion, He lifts His voice like a trumpet and seeks to break the spell that is upon minds, exclaiming, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 63, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 63, 1901, par. 23

Looking upon these God-dishonoring scenes, Christ lifts up His voice like the trump of God, and seeks to break the spell upon the human race. “What shall it profit a man,” He cries, “if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] He brings to their attention the nobler world which they have lost from view. He points them to the threshold of heaven, flushed with the glory of the infinite God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 57, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 57, 1901, par. 14

Men monopolize that which God has lent them, as though it were their own property, to do with as they please. Selfishness has come in and has appropriated to itself that which belongs to God. This is covetousness, which is idolatry. When their power to grasp wealth is gratified, they think that their possessions make them of value in the sight of God. This is a snare, a deception of Satan. What do outward pomp and show avail? What do men and women gain by pride and self-indulgence? “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] Worldly treasure is fleeting. Only through Christ can we obtain eternal riches. The wealth that He gives is beyond all computation. Having found God, you are supremely rich in the contemplation of His treasure. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” [1 Corinthians 2:9.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 51, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 51, 1902, par. 15

Into the busy world, filled with the din of commerce, and the altercation of trade, where men were trying selfishly to get all they could for self, Christ same; and above the confusion, His voice, like the trump of God, was heard: “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 37a, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 37a, 1903, par. 6

Now in 1903 we have a most solemn work before us on our own account. “Is my name written there?” Let not cares be so magnified that the time shall be occupied in many cares that are not positively essential. The seriousness of this question presses upon my mind with an intensity that I cannot express. Time is passing, and when I am presented with the many churches that are not prepared to work for the Master but are in a careless, unconcerned state, I am alarmed, and inquire, What can I say, what can I do to change this order of things? I can say, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 102, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 102, 1903, par. 8

The Lord is greatly displeased when His people fraternize with the world in its scheming, seeking the counsel of worldly lawyers and following in the footsteps of worldly men. The Holy Spirit cannot work in harmony with the methods of the world. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” [Matthew 6:24.] “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 160, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 160, 1903, par. 7

Christ asks, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] My dear brother, let me tell you in the name of the Lord that your spiritual position, and the position of many others in Battle Creek, has been presented to me as perilous. If you remain where you are now, there will be no future blessedness for your soul.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 10 [Nos. 771-850]

MR No. 817—What Being Saved Means

10MR 294.2

So it is with the soul. The heart is to be carefully watched and guarded. “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36, 37). Christ must abide in the heart by faith. His word is the bread of life and the water of salvation. Truth in its fullness comes to us through constant communion with God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 53, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 53, 1903, par. 6

There certainly must be a careful investigation of the foundation of our institutions, especially of the sanitariums. We must not stand by any unfair proposition or allow advantage to be taken of the ones whose money is received in our institutions. Better far would it be to suffer disappointment in our plans than to have means to use as we please and lose the crown of the overcomer. Better far the cross and shattered hopes than to sit with princes and forfeit heaven. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 257, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 257, 1903, par. 6

I entreat you not to make surface work, but to make sure work for eternity. Remember that you are God’s by creation and by redemption. “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 82, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 82, 1903, par. 6

Christ denounces the imaginary piety that accommodates itself to the world as the great center. He knows of the false theories, the deceptive insinuations, that Satan is trying to bring into the work that man is doing for God. He sees the deceptive presentation, which excludes God and eternal realities. He knows the peril of exalting the things of the world above the grand, eternal realities of heaven. He lifts His voice in warning and seeks to break the spell that is upon minds. With an earnestness that demands attention He exclaims, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] He points to the threshold of heaven, flooded with living glory, and then to the storm of wrath that sooner or later must break upon all who disregard the law of God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 65, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 65, 1903, par. 9

You have had many, many opportunities to become acquainted with the truth as it is in Jesus. Will you not hold the beginning of your confidence firm unto the end? Will you not look to Jesus as your pattern in character building? Then the structure that you rear will not be weak and imperfect, but solid and symmetrical. Study carefully the life of Christ. Constantly compare your way of viewing things with the way in which they are viewed in the Word of God. Do not in character misrepresent the character of Christ. Never, never depart from the way of the Lord; for “what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 399, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 399, 1904, par. 12

You who have seen our youth lose their Christian experience and go into infidelity in Battle Creek, can you answer the question, “What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] What line can sound the depths of the ruin of one soul? Who can weigh the eternal weight of glory and bliss that every soul saved will surely enjoy?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 30, 1904

19LtMs, Ms 30, 1904, par. 34

In the home school, during their early years, train and discipline your children in the fear of God. And then be careful lest you place them where the religious impressions they have received will be effaced, and the love of God taken out of their hearts. Let no inducement of high wages or of apparently great educational advantages lead you to send your children away from your influence, to places where they will be exposed to great temptations. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul; or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 181, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 181, 1904, par. 23

“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] These are serious questions. God places in men’s hands means to be held for Him in trust, to be returned to Him when called for. But the hearts of many whom He has made His stewards have become estranged from Him; and His faithful servants find themselves cramped for lack of means and facilities because of the covetousness of men who are not willing to make efforts to prepare their fellow beings to become members of the royal family.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 250, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 250, 1905, par. 1

Will you not come to America with John and Andrew? If you had done this years ago, you would now be standing on vantage ground. You have wasted the strength that you might have preserved. Will not you and John and Andrew now gather up the fragments of what is left and come to this country in faith? “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 183, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 183, 1905, par. 7

The stupidity of soul that has been evidenced in our plans must now cease to bear away the victory. “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 171, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 171, 1905, par. 12

Let us keep our hearts open to His love. “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] Oh, when we can speak understandingly the words spoken by Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life,” wonderful blessings will come to us. We need the Saviour every moment. He has all that is necessary to supply our necessities for time and for eternity. He loves us with an everlasting love. Then let us not be discouraged. God has a work for you to do, and He will give you wisdom and grace to perfect that work. He wants all that there is of you to be devoted to His service. He would not have you gather to yourself too many burdens, because He has a message for you to bear to the people. He wants you to use your pen to His name’s glory. He has not released you from the work. His hand sustains you, and He will be to you a present help in every time of need.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 3 [Nos. 162-209]

The Cross Before the Crown

3MR 98.2

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36, 37). “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works” (Matthew 16:27). The reward will not be according to his faith but according to his works, and the life will be eternal with Jesus. In order to obtain this we must be obedient, and not only apply our powers, but if necessary give our lives.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 62, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 62, 1906, par. 5

Be sure that I carry you and your family on my soul. When I was at your home, I felt your danger intensely. It has been presented to me that you are in great danger; for you choose to unite in business with men of the world, thinking that thus you will have a better opportunity to make money. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 32, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 32, 1906, par. 7

The one who has become so heavily burdened should study to place some of these burdens upon others, that they may help him carry the load of responsibility which causes him to become impatient and fretful. Satan and his angels now look on the pitiful spectacle and are highly pleased. The voice of Jesus is heard, “What will it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 312, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 312, 1907, par. 4

“What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 49, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 49, 1907, par. 13

“What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 86, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 86, 1907, par. 20

In our day we meet those who, while claiming to believe the truth, do not conform their lives to its teachings. They are not converted. There are among us ministers and physicians who connive at wrongdoing and by their influence lead others to join them in their course of unbelief. All the evidence that God has given loses force with them. They do not choose to give up their way for God’s way. They link together to do their own will, to follow their own devisings, and to lift up their soul unto vanity. God asks these souls, “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Lt 128, 1910

25LtMs, Lt 128, 1910, par. 11

My brethren and sisters, are you doing God’s work intelligently, reasoning from cause to effect? “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” [Matthew 6:33], and the result will be that your efforts to save sinners from the error of their ways will increase. This work must be done in hope and faith and a knowledge of the truth. Souls cost the life of the only begotten Son of God, and the first duty that we have to perform is the setting of a right example to others. We have been bought with a price, and we are to do our God-given work faithfully. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.]

Manuscript Releases, vol. 3 [Nos. 162-209]

MR No. 169—Materials for the Book “I’d Like to Ask Sister White”

3MR 150.3

Monday, February 17, 1868—They told me it was expected that I should address the people in the evening.... I had told Brother Andrews that he would have to speak, but he was afraid the people would be disappointed. I arose in great weakness, spoke from these words, “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36, 37).... The people seemed to receive the word....

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 233, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 233, 1902, par. 11

The murders without one sign of provocation, and the divorces and the miserable marriages—we can understand what Christ meant when He said, “Married and given in marriage,” which He specified as signs of the last days. [Luke 17:27.] The sacred marriage relation is a farce with those who disregard laws human and divine. Mark said about it: “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37.] The life that is to be given to the just is an eternal life of bliss in the heavenly courts.

17LtMs, Ms 233, 1902, par. 12

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father and with the holy angels.” [Verse 38.] Warnings will be given, [with] counsel and entreaties, nevertheless with some there will be just the same spirit. It would not be received if a prophet from heaven would come as a man sent of God to unfold the moral character of many rulers, many “first men in power” thus called. Nothing is [more evidence] of immoral character existing in our day than the majority of worldly kings, nobles, rulers, and legislators. The sport of indulging perverted animal passions is all open to the God of heaven. The violence, the crime, the most horrible sensuality, the corruption far below the dumb animal creation, is the history of today. [There are] those who know, or who have had plenty of light that they ought to know, that the cities are reeking with all kinds of crimes, that there is no justice, no equity. “He who departeth from evil maketh himself a prey.” [Isaiah 59:15.] Yet there are so many men who seem to be wedded to the city life. The rulers are men that need to be converted or they will be no better than the cases brought to [them] to handle and punish.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 22—Jonah, the Prophet Who Ran Away

SS 148.6

Christ referred to the preaching of Jonah and compared the inhabitants of Nineveh with the professed people of God in His day: “The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.” Matthew 12:41. Into the busy world where men were trying to get all they could for self, Christ had come; and above the confusion His voice was heard: “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:37.

Heaven

Chapter 5—Christ’s Second Coming

Hvn 44.1

The Future Kingdom in Miniature—Moses upon the mount of transfiguration was a witness to Christ’s victory over sin and death. He represented those who shall come forth from the grave at the resurrection of the just. Elijah, who had been translated to heaven without seeing death, represented those who will be living upon the earth at Christ’s second coming, and who will be “changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;” when “this mortal must put on immortality,” and “this corruptible must put on incorruption.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. Jesus was clothed with the light of heaven, as He will appear when He shall come “the second time without sin unto salvation.” For He will come “in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Hebrews 9:28; Mark 8:38. The Saviour’s promise to the disciples was now fulfilled. Upon the mount the future kingdom of glory was represented in miniature—Christ the King, Moses a representative of the risen saints, and Elijah of the translated ones.—The Desire of Ages, 421, 422.

Heaven

Chapter 11—Some Are Already in Heaven

Hvn 103.2

Moses And Elijah—Moses upon the mount of transfiguration was a witness to Christ’s victory over sin and death. He represented those who shall come from the grave at the resurrection of the just. Elijah, who had been translated to heaven without seeing death, represented those who will be living upon the earth at Christ’s second coming, and who will be “changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;” when “this mortal must put on immortality,” and “this corruptible must put on incorruption.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. Jesus was clothed with the light of heaven, as He will appear when He shall come “the second time without sin unto salvation.” For He will come “in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Hebrews 9:28; Mark 8:38.

The Desire of Ages

Chapter 46—He Was Transfigured

DA 421.4

Moses upon the mount of transfiguration was a witness to Christ’s victory over sin and death. He represented those who shall come forth from the grave at the resurrection of the just. Elijah, who had been translated to heaven without seeing death, represented those who will be living upon the earth at Christ’s second coming, and who will be “changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;” when “this mortal must put on immortality,” and “this corruptible must put on incorruption.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. Jesus was clothed with the light of heaven, as He will appear when He shall come “the second time without sin unto salvation.” For He will come “in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Hebrews 9:28; Mark 8:38. The Saviour’s promise to the disciples was now fulfilled. Upon the mount the future kingdom of glory was represented in miniature,—Christ the King, Moses a representative of the risen saints, and Elijah of the translated ones.

From Heaven With Love

Chapter 46—Jesus Transfigured

HLv 285.4

Moses on the mount of transfiguration represented those who shall come forth from the grave at the resurrection of the just. Elijah, who had been translated to heaven without seeing death, represented those living at Christ’s second coming, who will be “changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.” 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52. Jesus was clothed as He will appear when He shall come the second time “in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38; see Hebrews 9:28. Upon the mount the future kingdom of glory was represented in miniature—Christ the King, Moses a representative of the risen saints, and Elijah of the translated ones.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 203, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 203, 1899, par. 1

After spending a short time in prayer, Christ joined his disciples, and his first words were a warning of what they might expect. “If any man will come after me,” he said, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” [Matthew 16:24-27.] “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” [Mark 8:38.] “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” [Matthew 16:28.] Christ here referred to the transfiguration scene, the representation of his kingdom, soon to be presented before the disciples.