In the context of the Bible, "gaining" can refer to acquiring wealth, wisdom, or spiritual growth. The Scriptures provide various insights into the nature and implications of gaining, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's pursuits with God's will.

Material Gain

The Bible addresses the pursuit of material wealth and the potential pitfalls associated with it. In Matthew 16:26 , Jesus poses a rhetorical question: "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?" This verse highlights the futility of prioritizing material gain over spiritual well-being. The pursuit of wealth is not condemned outright, but it is cautioned against when it becomes an idol or distracts from one's relationship with God.

Proverbs 13:11 states, "Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied." This proverb underscores the value of honest labor and the dangers of acquiring wealth through deceitful means. The Bible encourages diligence and integrity in one's endeavors, promising that such efforts will be rewarded.

Wisdom and Understanding

Gaining wisdom is highly esteemed in the Scriptures. Proverbs 4:7 advises, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." The pursuit of wisdom is portrayed as a noble and worthwhile endeavor, one that leads to a deeper understanding of God's ways and a more righteous life.

James 1:5 offers encouragement to those seeking wisdom: "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." This verse assures believers that God is willing to provide wisdom to those who earnestly seek it, emphasizing the importance of prayer and reliance on divine guidance.

Spiritual Growth

The concept of gaining is also relevant to spiritual growth and maturity. Philippians 3:8 reflects the Apostle Paul's perspective: "More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Here, Paul expresses the ultimate gain as knowing Christ and growing in a relationship with Him, surpassing all earthly achievements and possessions.

In 2 Peter 3:18 , believers are encouraged to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." This growth is seen as a continual process of gaining deeper insight into God's character and living out one's faith more fully.

Warnings Against Misguided Gain

The Bible warns against the pursuit of gain that leads to sin or distraction from God's purposes. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10 , Paul warns, "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." This passage cautions against the love of money, which can lead to spiritual downfall and moral compromise.

In summary, the Bible presents a balanced view of gaining, encouraging the pursuit of wisdom and spiritual growth while warning against the dangers of materialism and misplaced priorities. Believers are called to seek gains that align with God's will and contribute to their spiritual well-being.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Gain.4031. perikrates -- having full command of
... Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee-krat-ace') Short Definition: having full power over,
mastering Definition: having full power over, mastering, gaining control over. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4031.htm - 6k

199. akribos -- with exactness
... This root () refers to gaining with the of accuracy ("exactness") and is acquired
by to provide a (precise) view in adherence to the facts. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/199.htm - 7k

1990. epistemon -- knowing, skilled
... experienced, knowing. Cognate: 1990 (an adjective) -- knowledgeable from
gaining understanding over (it is only used in Js 3:13). It ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1990.htm - 6k

3129. manthano -- to learn
... 3129 (akin to 3101 , "a disciple") -- properly, key facts; gaining " as someone
learns from experience, often with the implication of -- 'come to realize ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3129.htm - 8k

1987. epistamai -- to know, to understand
... 1987 (from 1909 , "fitting ," which intensifies 2476 , "stand") -- properly, ,
referring to gaining knowledge by prolonged acquaintance, ie , effort. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1987.htm - 7k

How Alexandra by Gaining the Good-Will of the Pharisees, Retained ...
... CHAPTER 16. How Alexandra By Gaining The Good-Will Of The Pharisees, Retained The
Kingdom Nine Years, And Then, Having Done Many Glorious Actions Died. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 16 how alexandra by.htm

Nothing Has Greater Effect in Gaining Good-Will than Giving Advice ...
... Book II. Chapter VIII. Nothing has greater effect in gaining good-will
than giving advice? Nothing has greater effect in gaining ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii nothing has greater.htm

Other Arts Made Subservient to Idolatry. Lawful Means of Gaining a ...
... Chapter VIII."Other Arts Made Subservient to Idolatry. Lawful Means of Gaining
a Livelihood Abundant. There are also other species ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter viii other arts made subservient.htm

On Indulgences
... for you. Gaining a plenary indulgence requires proper dispositions, as
you may understand from its very great advantages. To gain ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 21 on indulgences.htm

The Important Question
... 3. But we may conceive a little of these deep things, if we consider, First, what
is implied in that expression, "A man's gaining the whole world:" Secondly ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 84 the important question.htm

Temporal Advantages.
... than in any other, men have the opportunity of what is called rising in life,"of
changing from a lower to a higher class of society, of gaining wealth; and ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon v temporal advantages.htm

The Death of Saint Patrick.
... Among the things he most regretted were the opportunities he had lost of doing good,
and of gaining that knowledge which would have made him useful in his ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter fifteen the death of.htm

To Each one his Work
... To show its value in the carrying out of God's will, and gaining His approval; in
our becoming the benefactors and saviours of the perishing; in developing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/iv to each one his.htm

The Blessedness of Obeying God's Word.
... When a young man, by his good deportment, is gaining a fair name, mothers, when
together, will remark, "It is blessed to be the mother of a young man like that ...
/.../orr/how to live a holy life/the blessedness of obeying gods.htm

That God's Love is to be Mingled with Ilk Time and Deed nor Fails ...
... BOOK II CHAPTER X THAT GOD'S LOVE IS TO BE MINGLED WITH ILK TIME AND DEED NOR FAILS
NOT FOR WEAL OR WOE, AND OF THE WORTHINESS AND THE GAINING THEREOF: AND OF ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter x that gods love.htm

Gaining (17 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gaining (17 Occurrences). ... (WEY). Acts 16:5 So the Churches
went on gaining a stronger faith and growing in numbers from day to day. ...
/g/gaining.htm - 11k

Merchandise (34 Occurrences)
... mart." In John 2:16 reference is made to the "house of merchandise." (4) The profits
of trading: In Proverbs 3:14, cachar is translated "gaining." Referring to ...
/m/merchandise.htm - 22k

Tiglath (3 Occurrences)
... He appears in the Assyrian records as gaining, in the fifth year of his reign (about
BC 741), a victory over Azariah (= Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26:1), king of ...
/t/tiglath.htm - 9k

Pileser (3 Occurrences)
... He appears in the Assyrian records as gaining, in the fifth year of his reign (about
BC 741), a victory over Azariah (= Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26:1), king of ...
/p/pileser.htm - 9k

Dishonest (33 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 6:13 For from their least unto their greatest, Every one is gaining dishonest
gain, And from prophet even unto priest, Every one is dealing falsely ...
/d/dishonest.htm - 16k

Silver (329 Occurrences)
... Yahweh's words were as pure as silver refined seven times (Psalm 12:6). The gaining
of understanding is better than the gaining of silver (Proverbs 3:14 ...
/s/silver.htm - 48k

Dealing (36 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 6:13 For from their least unto their greatest, Every one is gaining dishonest
gain, And from prophet even unto priest, Every one is dealing falsely ...
/d/dealing.htm - 17k

Proclaiming (63 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:21 and, after proclaiming the Good News to the people there and gaining
a large number of converts, they retraced their steps to Lystra, Iconium, and ...
/p/proclaiming.htm - 25k

Gains (19 Occurrences)

/g/gains.htm - 11k

Alike (67 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 6:13 For from their least unto their greatest, Every one is gaining dishonest
gain, And from prophet even unto priest, Every one is dealing falsely ...
/a/alike.htm - 25k

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Gaining: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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