This question is found in Matthew 16:26.  We know it is a very important question because it was asked by Jesus.  It deals with a subject that has plagued man for a long time and has even had a negative impact upon God’s children.  Jesus really asked two connected questions in the passage.  Here they are:

Matthew 16:26 (ESV)
²⁶  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Jesus is addressing the problem of materialism, which is a form of worldliness.  Man can fall so much in love with the world, and the things in it, that he loses his love for God (1 John 2:15).  If that happens, he forfeits his soul.  What does he benefit from that?  Whatever gains he might experience in the form of earthly pleasures, possessions, power, or prestige, he will still suffer a greater loss, for the soul is worth far more than all that the world has to offer.

The soul is eternal while the things of this world are temporal.  That means that even if they were of equal value, which they are not, choosing the world over the salvation of the soul will always be the wrong decision.  Think about what goes along with the world, even the things that are shiny on the outside.  You may have an abundance of possessions, but soon they are likely to cause more problems than they solve.  Solomon learned this lesson the hard way.

Ecclesiastes 5:13 (ESV)
¹³  There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt,

Solomon knew something about the harm of material riches because he was among the rich.  On the other hand, there is no drawback to having a soul that is in good standing with God.  What goes along with the salvation of the soul?  At the top of the list is all the spiritual blessings that can be enjoyed in Christ, including fellowship with the Father (1 John 1:1-4).

In the end, the salvation of the soul results in a home in heaven, while the things of this world only lead to eternal damnation.  The questions Jesus asked in Matthew 16:26 only give implied answers, but the implications are clear.  There is not much profit in gaining the whole world, at least not lasting profit, or even profit that will always be enjoyable.  So far as the second question is concerned, the one who gains the whole world and loses his soul would give that world right back in exchange for his soul.  How do I know this?  I know it because with the forfeiting of the soul comes the suffering of eternal punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus gives us a pretty good answer to the question of our Savior.  The rich man feasted sumptuously every day, but immediately after death, he would have gladly exchanged all the material things that he valued so much when he was alive for the salvation of his soul (Luke 16:19-24).  Sadly, he discovered that too late.

Do not wait too late to realize that your soul is far more valuable than the things of this world.  Obey the gospel, if you have not already done so, before the reality of damnation hits you right in the face.  If you have obeyed the gospel, lay hold of eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12), and never let go.  You will never regret your decision.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.