What shall it profit a man....?

A few days ago, in Norway, a young lad of 17 was killed by a Polar Bear and four others badly injured. It appears that this lad was part of a scientific expedition when they were attacked in their tents. Of course, it is right to have a deep sense of sympathy for the dead boy's family and for those injured; but as I pondered this tragedy I was drawn to the fact that he was a student at Eton and, humanly speaking, had a brilliant future ahead of him.

However, what good does it do to have such a head start in life if one's soul is not saved? A person may come from a rich family and have all the advantages that money can buy but if they are not saved then all the money in the world cannot save them from the torments of an eternal Hell.

It may be that this lad was a Christian and a believer in Jesus - I hope so. However, Jesus said "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?" Mark 8 v 36

Over the years of doing street evangelism I've observed a number of people who seem to be doing very well as far as this world's goods are concerned - but appear to have no time for God. In most cases they refuse the offer of a Gospel leaflet, no doubt because they think they don't need God. I wonder how many of them have since passed into eternity and are now bitterly regretting their folly. It is true that wealth and prestige can so easily blind people to eternal realities.

Moreover, with wealth and a prestigious education, also comes a high degree of arrogance. We only need to look at the way these Eton snobs walk about with haughty looks to see that they obviously think they are above everybody else. Arrogance is sinful - I wonder how many of these people, with their lives in front of them, are giving any thought to the fact that one day they will face God.

Death is the great equalizer - no matter how rich or poor we are, we all face death. Then we all spend eternity in Heaven or Hell. Only those who have repented of their sins and accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour are going to have a blessed eternity. The rest will suffer the indescribable punishment of Hell. The onus is on everyone - whatever their "status" in society - to get right with God before it is too late.