I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase before– but “cut your losses” means to stop an unprofitable or unsuccessful activity (like a business venture, relationship, or investment) to prevent further damage, loss of money, or wasted time (thank you Google). But I think the phrase might have been coined by the Apostle Paul before it was ever adopted in the business realm.

Paul was successful in the eyes of the world, and especially in the religious sects of his day. He was a confessed Pharisee, one who did things so perfectly that he was counted as “blameless” (Philippians 3:6). And yet, he willingly gave it all up for one purpose:

To know Christ Jesus as Lord.

He said, “Everything that was gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord…” (Philippians 3:7-8). When I read his testimony, I see my own.

Our former life, in some respect, could be viewed as gain depending on your circumstances. Maybe you had a great upbringing, went to college, started a career, or traveled the world. And in the eyes of the world, you had it altogether. But if the hole in your heart remained empty, “everything that was gain” was in reality just external fluff.

And from that understanding, Paul realized it wasn’t just his accolades and credentials, but everything was nothing “in view of” knowing Jesus.

Can you think of something you thought was really grand until you saw something with more grandeur? Many things come to mind for me: nature, buildings, or the ocean for example. I live in West Texas with very few trees and little greenery, so traveling to more lush areas is impressive. And my city’s three-story courthouse is nice but pales in comparison to the Library of Congress in Washington DC. As for water, we have to travel four hours to get to our favorite lake, and as much as my family loves the water, standing on a beach facing any ocean is intimidating and makes our lake seem so small.

My point is that whatever you hold up next to Jesus will instantly seem as nothing. 

Paul said, “Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ– the righteousness from God based on faith” (Philippians 3:8-9).

Paul isn’t telling a sad story.

He’s making a radical declaration of faith (including using some colorful language to describe how he really views the difference: It’s all poo in comparison)! Paul gladly cut his losses. But in reality, it was all GAIN.

Jesus asked us to follow Him, by denying ourselves and taking up His cross (Matthew 16:24). I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. To deny myself simply implies choice. What do I view as more important right now? What will add more to my spiritual growth?

In all honesty, there was a time when these thoughts were intimidating because my flesh was lazy, greedy, and self-centered (that’s all flesh actually, not just mine). But as my spirit and heart have grown closer to Jesus, the desire to cut the loss of those things has become much easier.

In view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ? Oh yeah, easy decision! I’ll cut my losses every time. “My goal is to know Him…” (Philippians 3:10).

Coming to a conclusion that you’ve spent enough time on things that don’t fill or fulfill you is a good thing. So I say, cut your losses (daily)! Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you’re spending time on things that are just air and fluff (nothing of value). And instead reveal the surpassing value of really knowing Jesus! I promise there’s nothing more satisfying.