Lyrics
What Will You Gain
Read together: Mark 10:17–27; Hebrews 11:24–26; 1 John 2:15–17; Romans 10:9–10
The world makes big promises. Gold and fame. Joy and freedom. But all the world ever pays is guilt and shame, this song warns. The more you give to the world, the more it will take and make you fall. The chorus carries Jesus' famous question: what will you gain if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul?
There is a man in the Gospels who faced that question directly. Read Mark 10:17–27. A rich young man ran to Jesus, knelt, and asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He had kept the commandments since his youth. Mark tells us that "Jesus looked at him and loved him." Then Jesus said, "One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." The man's face fell, "and he went away grieving, because he had great wealth."
That is one of the saddest scenes in the Bible. Jesus loved him and invited him to follow. He chose his possessions instead. He gained what he was holding—and walked away from the One who offered everything.
Jesus then told His disciples how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom. They were astonished: "Then who can be saved?" And Jesus answered, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." No one can let go of the world in their own strength. But God can free us.
The song's chorus echoes Jesus' call: Deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Me, and believe. That sounds like loss. But Scripture shows it is the way to gain. Read Hebrews 11:24–26. Moses, raised as a prince of Egypt, "refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward." Moses did the math. Egypt's treasures were real, but temporary. God's reward was eternal.
Read 1 John 2:15–17. "Do not love the world or anything in the world… For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever."
The second verse names the mystery the world cannot find: how God can love all humankind. He sent His Son to bear our cost. And Jesus' call is not only to give up, but to receive: Give yours away and take Mine I freely gave. We give Him our lives; He gives us His.
The bridge is a prayer anyone can pray: Oh Jesus, I've wandered far from You. Please forgive my sins and make me whole and new. I believe… You died and rose to set me free. Oh Jesus, take my heart and dwell in me. Read Romans 10:9–10. That simple confession and belief is the doorway to salvation.
If you are chasing the world, ask yourself honestly: what has it actually paid you? Then consider what Jesus offers—a soul made whole, now and forever.
A moment to respond: Read Mark 10:17–22. Ask God to show you the "one thing" you might be holding onto more tightly than Him. Write it down and pray over it, asking for grace to let it go. If you have never trusted Jesus, pray the song's bridge as your own prayer today.
Let's pray: Lord Jesus, forgive us for chasing gold and fame and the fleeting pleasures of the world. Like the rich young man, we often hold on to what we cannot keep. Give us the faith of Moses, who saw that You are greater treasure. We deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow You. Take our hearts and dwell in us. Amen.
Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that you would not walk away from Jesus for anything this world offers—because nothing it gives is worth losing your soul.
