Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the concept of profit is often discussed in the context of material wealth, spiritual gain, and moral instruction. The term "profit" can refer to financial gain, but it also encompasses broader implications, including the benefits of wisdom, righteousness, and spiritual growth.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, profit is frequently associated with material wealth and the fruits of labor. Proverbs, a book rich in wisdom literature, often contrasts the pursuit of profit with the pursuit of righteousness.
Proverbs 11:4 states, "Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." This highlights the transient nature of material wealth compared to the enduring value of righteousness.
The book of Ecclesiastes also reflects on the futility of labor and profit when disconnected from a relationship with God.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 warns, "He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile." This underscores the idea that the pursuit of profit for its own sake can lead to dissatisfaction and spiritual emptiness.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles address the concept of profit in the context of spiritual priorities. Jesus famously questions the value of material gain in
Mark 8:36 : "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" This rhetorical question emphasizes the supreme importance of spiritual well-being over worldly success.
The apostle Paul also speaks to the issue of profit in his letters. In
1 Timothy 6:6-10 , Paul writes, "Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 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." Here, Paul warns against the dangers of coveting wealth and highlights the true profit found in godliness and contentment.
Moral and Ethical ImplicationsThe Bible consistently teaches that the pursuit of profit should not overshadow ethical and moral responsibilities. In the prophetic literature, the exploitation of the poor and the pursuit of unjust gain are condemned. For example, in
Micah 6:10-12 , God rebukes the people for dishonest practices: "Am I still to forget, O wicked house, your ill-gotten treasures and the short ephah, which is accursed? Shall I acquit a man with dishonest scales and with a bag of false weights? For the rich men of the city are full of violence, her residents speak lies, and their tongues are deceitful in their mouths."
The Bible encourages believers to seek profits that align with God's will and to use their resources for the benefit of others. Acts of charity, justice, and mercy are seen as true profits in the eyes of God. In
Matthew 6:19-21 , Jesus advises, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
ConclusionThe biblical perspective on profit challenges believers to evaluate their priorities and to seek gains that are not only material but also spiritual and ethical. The Scriptures call for a balanced approach, where material wealth is managed wisely and used to further God's kingdom and serve others.
Greek
3081. lusiteleo -- to be advantageous, profitable... to be advantageous, profitable. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: lusiteleo
Phonetic Spelling: (loo-sit-el-i') Short Definition: it
profits Definition: it
...5623. opheleo -- to help, benefit, do good
... do good NASB Word Usage accomplishing (1), benefit (1), benefited (1), doing...good
(1), help (2), helped (1), profit (4), profited (1),profits (2), value (1...
2585. kapeleuo -- to make a trade of
... of gain. 2585 -- properly, to act as an unscrupulous merchant, ie "a "
whoprofits by " the Word of God" for personal gain. 2585...
Strong's Hebrew
5532a. sakan -- to be of use or service, benefit... Definition to be of use or service, benefit NASB Word Usage advantage (1), ever
been accustomed (1), intimately acquainted (1), nurse (2),
profits (1), steward
...8636. tarbith -- increment, interest, usury
... Word Origin from rabah Definition increment, interest, usury NASB Word Usage increase
(3),profits (1), usurious (1), usury (1). increase, unjust gain....
1214. batsa -- to cut off, break off, gain by violence
... cut off (1), cuts me off (1), finish (1), gains by violence (1), get dishonest
(1), gets (1), greedy (2), greedy man (1), injured your for gain (1),profits (1...
Library
Whether the Burial ServiceProfits the Dead?
... OF THE SUFFRAGES FOR THE DEAD (FOURTEEN ARTICLES) Whether the burial service
profits the dead?... Therefore the burial serviceprofits the dead....
Whether a Man is Bound to Restore WhateverProfits He Has Made Out...
... (E) BY SINS COMMITTED IN LOANS (Q ) Whether a man is bound to restore whatever
profits he has made out of money gotten by usury?...
The Folly and Danger of Parting with Christ for the Pleasures and...
... The Folly and Danger of Parting with Christ for the Pleasures andProfits
of Life. Matthew 8:23-34 " "And when he was entered into...
Whether Lies are Sufficiently Divided into Officious, Jocose, and...
... The first is "in religious doctrine"; the second is "a lie thatprofits no one and
injures someone"; the third "profits one party so as to injure another"; the...
Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity. But Ye have not So Learned Christ
... Shall Tabor's glories never see. Whatprofits it that Christ hath deigned.... He chooseth
for His earthly throne. Whatprofits it that Christ is born,....
Whether one May Give Alms Out of Ill-Gotten Goods?
... But theprofits from whoredom are filthy lucre; wherefore it was forbidden
(Dt.23:18) to offer therefrom sacrifices or oblations to God: "Thou shalt not offer...
Whether Suffrages Offered for one Deceased Person Profit the...
... Therefore one also who offers suffragesprofits him alone for whom he offers them.
I answer that, There have been two opinions on this question....
But one Sometimes Comes to a Case of this Kind...
... The second, that he should hurt some man unjustly: which is such that
itprofits no man and hurts some man. The third, which so...
Article xxiv (xii): of the Mass.
... The adversaries have a long declamation concerning the use of the Latin language
in the Mass, in which they absurdly trifle as to how itprofits [what a great...
Whether a Man Can Merit Anything from God
... 2. Again, it seems that a man merits nothing from God if heprofits himself,
butprofits God nothing. Now by good work a manprofits...
Thesaurus
Profits (19 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Profits (19 Occurrences). Matthew
... BBE). John 6:63
It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh
profits nothing.
...Issue (59 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Produce of the earth, orprofits of land, tenements, or other property;
as, A conveyed to B all his right for a term of years, with all the issues...
Rewards (26 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Psalms 62:10 Have no faith in the rewards of evil-doing, or inprofits
wrongly made: if your wealth is increased, do not put your hopes on it....
Profit (143 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) To be of service to; to be good to; to help on; to benefit; to advantage;
to avail; to aid; as, truthprofits all men.... The fleshprofits nothing....
Wrongly (15 Occurrences)
... Exodus 18:21 But for the rest, take from among the people able men, such as have
the fear of God, true men hatingprofits wrongly made; and put such men over...
Grain (413 Occurrences)
... had had the one talent came and said, Lord, I had knowledge that you are a hard
man, getting in grain where you have not put seed, and makingprofits for which...
Seed (337 Occurrences)
... had had the one talent came and said, Lord, I had knowledge that you are a hard
man, getting in grain where you have not put seed, and makingprofits for which...
Gain (142 Occurrences)
... word is translated "gain" in the King James Version, though it occurs in other places
translated "price"); tebhu'ah, "produce," "profits," "fruit" (Proverbs 3...
Evil-doing (106 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Psalms 62:10 Have no faith in the rewards of evil-doing, or inprofits wrongly
made: if your wealth is increased, do not put your hopes on it. (BBE)....
Quickens (4 Occurrences)
... John 6:63 It is the Spirit which quickens, the fleshprofits nothing: the words
which I have spoken unto you are spirit and are life. (DBY)....
Resources
What is a Rotary club? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God kill Ananias and Sapphira for lying? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian view Planned Parenthood? | GotQuestions.orgProfits: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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