Rubbish vs. Treasure
Bible Reading: Philippians 3:4-11
Philippians 3:7-9, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.”
In 2014, a Northern California couple out walking their dog stumbled across a modern-day bonanza buried in the shadow of an old tree. Day after day, they would walk that portion of their property, unaware of what lay beneath the surface. Over time, erosion worked to unearth the top of a can that was buried along the path. Curious, they stopped to investigate. Guess what they found? 1427 coins in rare, uncirculated coins in mint condition, dating from 1847 to 1894, and worth an estimated $10 million! Now, before you rush out to walk your property, consider this… in Christ, you already possess “unsearchable riches” (Ephesians 3:8)!
Paul came to understand the riches he possessed in Christ and henceforth viewed his past religiosity as mere rubbish. Note the repetition of the terms “counted” and “gain” and “loss.” The term “counted” is an accounting term and appears in verses 7 and 8. It’s in the present tense, speaking of a continual conviction Paul had about these things. The terms “gain” and “loss” are likewise accounting terms. So, what we have here is Paul weighing the other things in his life on the one hand and the value of knowing Christ on the other. It is his profit and loss statement.
On the loss side of things were the various elements of his religious resume, including his impressive religious pedigree, position, practice, passion and even his religious perfection (Philippians 3:4-6). He had been respected and admired by his peers. He had been self-confident and assured in his own religiosity. He was a citizen of Tarsus, a place for families of wealth and reputation. He was taught by the famous Gamaliel. He had power, position, and possessions, friendships, family relationships, and in a purpose and a cause for which he was laboring, the respect of his peers. All of that, Paul counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Yet, notice Paul’s perspective when it comes to the loss side of the ledger. He not only counted those things and all things to be loss, but he also counted them to be “rubbish.” The KJV translates the term “dung.” According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary the term can either be understood to be referring to “excrement,” or to “the leavings which are to be thrown from the table.” Paul had previously devoted his life to such things, but now they were to him as that which should be thrown away to the dogs. Worthless scraps.
On the plus side of things was but one thing—” the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). The term “surpassing” translates a term meaning “to have over.” It means more excellent, or superior, or super better. Knowing Christ is not just better, but super better! So much so, that in Him lie “unsearchable riches” (Ephesians 3:8). In knowing Him, “we have this treasure in jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Nothing can compare to knowing Jesus! Everything else pails in comparison, no matter how much it once seemed to matter!
KNOWING YOU, JESUS
All I once held dear, built my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this
Knowing You, Jesus
Knowing You
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord
Now my heart’s desire is to know You more
To be found in You and known as Yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All-surpassing gift of righteousness
Knowing You, Jesus
Knowing You
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord
Oh, to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like You in Your death, my Lord
So with You to live and never die
Knowing You, Jesus
Knowing You
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord
Songwriters: Graham Kendrick
Knowing You Jesus lyrics © Make Way Music
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