Sunday, August 30, 2026

“What can a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mt 16:26

We want to acquire many things in life. Security, a home, health, peace, respect. We want to live well – and if possible, a little better. There is nothing wrong with this. Christianity does not teach that we should seek poverty, illness, or suffering. These are not values in themselves and certainly not goals. If they come upon us, we must learn to bear them, but at the same time, we rightly strive to live healthier, safer, and more dignified lives.

Jesus’ question draws the line elsewhere: what is the price we are willing to pay for this? It is possible to strive for more, to build, to grow, to advance. But not at any cost. It is not worth giving up our conscience for a better job, our honor for success, or our self-esteem for the recognition of others.

Self-esteem is not arrogance. It is the quiet awareness that there is something within us that is not for sale. Something that cannot be exchanged for money, advantages, connections, or momentary success. We can lose many things and perhaps regain them later. Money, work, opportunities, authority. But if in the process we give up ourselves, the price is much higher.

Perhaps that is why Jesus’ question is so harsh. He does not say that we should not want to live better. He asks if there remains something that we will not give away even if the offer is very tempting.

Because it can happen that someone eventually acquires everything they wanted – but in the process, the person who arrives at the goal is no longer the same.

So there is a deal that is never worth making: when we give ourselves away in exchange for something. Not even when soul-killers with honeyed smiles are waiting exactly for this.