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If temporal affairs impose upon a man a large measure of labour and solicitude, how much more should he exercise the utmost diligence in behalf of his eternal welfare?

I. NOTHING IS MORE NECESSARY THAN TO SAVE OUR SOULS.

1. The chief solicitude of God is for our salvation.

2. The question is of everlasting weal or woe.

3. Therefore Jesus warns us with the most tender anxiety —

(1)  To work our salvation before all things.

(2)  To work our salvation in all things.

(3)  To take care of our salvation at all times, and give it our own personal attention.

II. NOTHING IS MORE RARE THAN THIS SOLICITUDE.

1. Everywhere we may observe an all-absorbing care for temporal affairs and earthly possessions.

(1)  The heart of man is attached to them; restless his desire to acquire them; great his sorrow at their loss.

(2)  All activity of man is centred upon them. Men are grovelling in the dust.

2. Negligence in regard to heavenly things.

(1)  No earnest examination of the condition of the soul.

(2)  Carelessness in regard to the means of salvation.

3. Men appear to be without conscience in regard to the salvation of others.

(1)  Careless parents, educating their children for everything except the one thing necessary.

(2)  Cruel seducers, showing heartless indifference to their own and others' salvation.

4. Let us look back at our past life.

(1) How many opportunities has God granted us to save our souls! Time, the Word of God, misfortunes, &c.

(2) How little is it that we have given to God! What use have we made of our time? For whom have we laboured? Have we laid up treasures for the world to come?

(3) What folly! All our trouble for nothing! We run after the mists and clouds, and neglect that which is everlasting. We frustrate the merciful designs and endeavours of God.

(Tourbe.)

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KJV: For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

WEB: For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?