Topical Bible: Man: Would Give all his Possessions for the Preservation of Life

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In the biblical narrative, the intrinsic value of life is emphasized, and the lengths to which a person would go to preserve it are acknowledged. The concept that a man would give all his possessions for the preservation of life is rooted in the understanding of life as a precious gift from God, one that surpasses material wealth in its significance and worth.

Job's Testimony

The Book of Job provides a profound exploration of this theme. In Job 2:4, Satan challenges God by asserting, "Skin for skin! A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life." . This statement underscores the belief that life is of such paramount importance that a person would willingly sacrifice all material possessions to save it. Satan's assertion is part of his argument that Job's faithfulness is contingent upon his well-being and that if his life were truly threatened, he would forsake his integrity.

The Value of Life in Proverbs

The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also reflects on the value of life over material wealth. Proverbs 13:8 states, "A man’s riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat." . This proverb suggests that wealth can be used as a means to preserve life, highlighting the idea that life itself is more valuable than the riches that might be used to protect it.

Jesus' Teachings on Life and Possessions

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the relationship between life and possessions in His teachings. In Matthew 16:26, He poses a rhetorical question: "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" . Here, Jesus emphasizes the eternal value of the soul and life over temporal material gain, suggesting that no earthly possession can equate to the worth of one's life and soul.

The Rich Young Ruler

The encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler further illustrates this principle. In Mark 10:21-22, Jesus tells the young man, "Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." . The young man's reluctance to part with his wealth reveals the tension between material possessions and the pursuit of eternal life. Jesus' invitation to follow Him underscores the call to prioritize spiritual life over earthly wealth.

The Apostolic Perspective

The apostles also echo this sentiment. In 1 Timothy 6:7, Paul writes, "For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it." . This statement serves as a reminder of the transient nature of material possessions compared to the enduring value of life and godliness.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, the theme that a man would give all his possessions for the preservation of life is consistently affirmed. Life is portrayed as a divine gift, inherently more valuable than any material wealth. This biblical perspective encourages believers to prioritize spiritual and eternal matters over temporal and material concerns, recognizing the supreme worth of life as bestowed by God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 2:4
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yes, all that a man has will he give for his life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Self-Mutilation for Self-Preservation
... Take it from him, and give it to ... for the exercise of them in a material world are
at an end, and there will be little left to the man who would carry hands ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture b/self-mutilation for self-preservation.htm

The Monk Nilus.
... there; believing that the relics of the holy man would be a ... was much moved when he
heard that a man so venerated ... But give to me and mine only a small piece of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/the monk nilus.htm

Sunday Before Lent
... For no man can ever fathom the depths of these mysteries. ... for he who would at all
do these, would do any ... must be: "Were it possible for me to give all my goods ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday before lent.htm

Blemished Offerings
... It was the entire and unblemished one that would be accepted ... Just as some little
State will give up its ... it maintains a precarious existence, so a man is never ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/blemished offerings.htm

The Hidden Treasure.
... that it tosses up the scale in which all his former delights ... A young rich man came
running once to Jesus, as ... He would give so much for it, but the owner held ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/v the hidden treasure.htm

Whether the Judicial Precepts were Suitably Framed as to the ...
... refuge, wherefore it is offensive to a man to be ... in security, but rather permits
the debtor to give what he ... who could conveniently pay their debts, would do so ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts were 3.htm

The Last Incidents in Per??a - the Young Ruler who Went Away ...
... and judgment which He will in the future give to His ... had been written concerning
the Son of Man should be ... In such case it would seem difficult to explain how ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxiii the last incidents.htm

Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome.
... things are requisite: a man to give, and a ... than in anything else, and despises all
that springs ... influence the inward being of man, would necessarily understand ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/gregory the great bishop of.htm

The Woman of Samaria.
... This peculiarity of the water He would give was remarked ... the city to which the woman
in all weathers had ... worthy of preservation that "the good man is satisfied ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/ix the woman of samaria.htm

The Founder of Christianity.
... catalogue of virtues and graces, however complete, would give us but ... is the even
harmony and symmetry of all graces, of love to God and love to man, of dignity ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 15 the founder of.htm