What Good Is It for a Man to Gain the Whole World, Yet Forfeit His Soul? – Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba’s Sunday Reflection
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
As Christians marked the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba delivered a thought-provoking message urging believers to reflect on the eternal consequences of earthly pursuits. Drawing from the Book of Amos 6:1, 4-7, 1 Timothy 6:11-16, and Luke 16:19-31, the priest emphasised the need for spiritual vigilance and eternal perspective amid life’s fleeting riches.
The Call to Be a True ‘Man of God’
According to Akahi News findings, Rev. Fr Olowolagba highlighted the sacred responsibility borne by those called “men of God.” He recalled how biblical figures like Moses, Eli, and Samuel were so described, noting that this title carries weighty expectations.
He explained that a man of God must:
- Flee the love of money, avoiding the snare of materialism (1 Timothy 6:9-10).
- Resist worldly temptations, remaining transformed by God rather than conformed to secular values (Romans 12:2).
- Pursue righteousness and holiness, allowing God to reshape the heart through Christ (Matthew 5:6).
- Live by faith, love, endurance, and gentleness, walking humbly yet firmly in God’s will (Galatians 5:22-23).
“The man of God,” Fr Olowolagba noted, “must profess the reality of eternal life and live faithfully before God and men, conscious that Christ alone reveals the glory of God’s presence.”
Lessons from the Rich Man and Lazarus
Turning to the Gospel reading, the priest stressed that Jesus’ account of Lazarus and the rich man was no mere parable but a vivid spiritual reality.
The contrast was striking: Lazarus, though poor, disabled, and covered in sores, honoured God and found eternal comfort. The unnamed rich man, despite his wealth and luxury, lacked reverence for God and ultimately faced eternal torment.
“This shows,” Rev. Fr Olowolagba said, “that life’s true measure is not earthly gain but eternal destiny. For what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36).
A Call to Eternal Perspective
As the new week begins, the priest encouraged Christians to live generously, revere God, and seek spiritual treasures over material wealth.
“May your heart be attuned to God’s will, and may you become a blessing to others,” he prayed, invoking divine peace upon all worshippers.
Akahi News gathered that the reflection serves as a powerful reminder for believers to reassess their values, placing eternal life above fleeting pleasures.
Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org
Peruse Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba’s Message
🎓 Attend 2027/2028 JAMB, Post-UTME, WAEC, and NECO GCE Tutorials
Get fully prepared with expert tutors, comprehensive study materials, and personalised academic guidance at Akahi Tutors.
📍 Located at 67, Oduduwa College Road, Off Sabo Junction, Ile-Ife.
📞 Call: 08038644328
for enrollment and accommodation reservation.
26TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR C
Readings: 1st. Amos 6: 1, 4-7, 2nd. 1 Timothy 6:11-16, Gospel Lk 16: 19-31
Theme: What Good Is It For A Man to Gain the Whole World, Yet, Forfeit His Soul ?
Reflection: Peace of the Lord be with you all, beloved brethren in Christ Jesus. Being a minister and being called ” a man of God ” is a privilege ! This is one of the great titles of the minister of God. Moses was called a man of God ( Dt. 33:1: Psalm 90). Eli, was called “a man of God ”( 1 Sam. 2:27). Samuel was called a man of God (1 Sam 9:6). What a dynamic challenge to minister to be called “a man of God ”. Four charges are given to the man of God: the man of God is the one who flees the love of money ( 1 Timothy. 6:9-10). The man of God doesn’t love the world nor seek after the things of the world ( Rm.12:2). The man of God, pursues, follows after the things of God. He pursues righteousness: It’s having a heart that allowed God to recreate and remake it in righteousness through the Lord Jesus ( Mt. 5:6). And does his duty to God and man (1 Cor. 15:34). A man of God lives in reverence and awe of God. A man of God pursues faith. He seems to gain a consciousness of God’s presence. Faith means both to believe and to be faithful,(1Cor. 4:2). A man of God pursues love. He pursues endurance and gentleness: gentleness is having a strong State of mind, and strong self control. A gentle person walks in a humble, tender, but strong State of mind ( Gal. 5:22-23). A man of God professes the reality of eternal life and lives up to his profession before many witnesses. Christ is the only one who has seen and can see the light of God’ s presence and glory. In the Gospel narrative, two things must be noted : Jesus didn’t say this was a parable and when giving a parable, He never mentioned a character – point to it as actual experience. There was one main difference between Lazarus and the rich man: Lazarus was named because, he knows God and Honour God. The rich – man doesn’t know God. The rich man was wealthy and healthy but Lazarus was poor and disabled, was full of ulceratedsores, unable to walk to earn a living. The rich man lives in luxury and entravagance. In death, Lazarus lives on. His soul was immediately met by angels, taken to Abraham bosom and experienced beatific glory of God while the rich man buried and was fixed in hell tormented and Lazarus comforted ! Beloved brethren in Christ, what does it profit a man who gained the whole world but forfeit his soul? ( Mk. 8:36). As you step out this new week, may you be blessed with generous heart to reverence God and become a blessing for others. Peace of the Lord be with you all.