Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context: In the biblical context, "profiting" generally refers to the act of gaining or benefiting, whether materially, spiritually, or morally. The concept of profiting is addressed in various ways throughout Scripture, often highlighting the distinction between earthly and heavenly gains.
Old Testament Insights: The Old Testament frequently addresses the idea of profit in terms of material wealth and the wisdom required to manage it.
Proverbs 3:13-14 states, "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold." Here, wisdom is portrayed as a form of profit that surpasses material wealth, emphasizing the value of spiritual and moral understanding over mere financial gain.
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon reflects on the futility of earthly pursuits, questioning the ultimate profit of labor under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:3 asks, "What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun?" This rhetorical question underscores the transient nature of worldly profit compared to eternal values.
New Testament Teachings: The New Testament further develops the theme of profiting by contrasting earthly wealth with spiritual riches. Jesus teaches in
Matthew 16:26 , "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" This passage highlights the supreme value of the soul over any temporal gain, urging believers to prioritize their spiritual well-being.
The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of profit in his epistles. In
1 Timothy 4:8 , he writes, "For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come." Paul emphasizes that while physical discipline has some benefit, the pursuit of godliness yields eternal profit.
Spiritual Profiting: Spiritual profiting involves growth in faith, character, and understanding of God's will. In
Philippians 3:7-8 , Paul declares, "But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Here, Paul illustrates the ultimate profit found in a relationship with Christ, which surpasses all earthly achievements and possessions.
Warnings Against Misplaced Priorities: Scripture warns against the dangers of prioritizing material profit over spiritual health. In
1 Timothy 6:9-10 , Paul cautions, "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." This passage serves as a warning against the pursuit of wealth at the expense of one's spiritual integrity.
Conclusion: The biblical perspective on profiting encourages believers to seek spiritual growth and eternal rewards over temporary, worldly gains. By prioritizing a relationship with God and the pursuit of godliness, Christians are called to find true profit in the things that hold eternal value.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Profit.
2. (n.) Gain; advantage; profit.
Library
HisProfiting by Peter's Instruction.
... Book I. Chapter XVIII."HisProfiting by Peter's Instruction. To this
I:answered: "I give thanks to God Almighty, because I have...
Of True Meekness and Adversity: and of the Example of the Saints...
... BOOK I CHAPTER XXVII OF TRUE MEEKNESS AND ADVERSITY: AND OF THE EXAMPLE OF THE SAINTS:
AND OF THE MANNER OF GHOSTLYPROFITING: AND OF THINKING ON CHRIST'S...
The Original Translator's Preface.
... at every edition himself to be one of those qui scribendo proficiunt, et proficiendo
scribunt, which with their writing do grow inprofiting, and with their...
Whether Lies are Sufficiently Divided into Officious, Jocose, and...
... it is the second kind of lie, which "profits no one, and injures someone"; or with
the intention of injuring one and at the same timeprofiting another, and...
1 Timothy iv. 14-Nov
... But we are indolent, and we hear with carelessness and indifference. What punishment
do we not deserve! "That thyprofiting may appear," he says, "to all."....
Ahab and Naboth
... be so very sharp in looking into the matter.' And so you see men who really wish
to be honest and kindly themselves, making no scruple ofprofiting by other...
The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Should some unlooked-for chance relieve them from the presence of their foreign
lord, they will probably be quite incapable ofprofiting by the respite which...
From an Epistle to Demetrius, Bishop of Alexandria.
... For, indeed, wherever there are found persons capable ofprofiting the brethren,
such persons are exhorted by the holy bishops to address the people....
Fenelon -- the Saints Converse with God
... A thousand suspicions, jealousies, fears, and prejudices prevent us fromprofiting,
as we might, by what we hear from men; and tho they announce the most...
The Disciple, -- O Master, Fountain of Life! Why Dost Thou Hide...
... Under such circumstances My Word and service and My presence lose their attraction
to the sinner, and instead ofprofiting by them he begins to argue about and...
Thesaurus
Profiting (1 Occurrence)...Profiting (1 Occurrence). 1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself
wholly to them; that thy
profiting may appear to all. (KJV WBS).
...Profiteth (9 Occurrences)
Profits (19 Occurrences)
Gog (12 Occurrences)
... it seems to refer to the last and desperate attempts of a dying heathenism to overturn
the true religion of Yahweh, or make capital out of it,profiting by its...
Meditate (37 Occurrences)
... (Root in DBY YLT). 1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly
to them; that thyprofiting may appear to all. (KJV WBS)....
Joppa (14 Occurrences)
... Yafa is a prosperous town,profiting much by the annual streams of pilgrims who
pass through it on their way to visit the holy places in Palestine....
Appear (111 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY WBS RSV NIV). 1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself
wholly to them; that thyprofiting may appear to all. (KJV WBS)....
Asmoneans
...Profiting however by the endless cabals of the Syrian court, he soon sided with
Tryphon, the new claimant, and with the aid of his brother Simon extended the...
Thyself (352 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them;
that thyprofiting may appear to all. (KJV ASV DBY WBS)....
Abraham (2539 Occurrences)
... In the section of Genesis which describes this contact with the Pharaoh Abraham
is suitably represented as playing no political role, but asprofiting by his...
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