5398 loss

In a fallen world, believers are always liable to lose those things that they hold precious. Whilst offering comfort, Scripture urges believers to set their hearts upon eternal treasures, which cannot be lost.

Loss is part of a fallen world

Mt 6:19

Loss of property

Through theft See also Job 1:15,17

Through accident Ge 31:39; Ex 21:33-34; Ex 22:15; 2Ki 6:5

Through disaster Job 1:16; Ac 27:10,18-21

Through one’s own fault Pr 6:10-11; Pr 24:33-34; Pr 13:11,18; Lk 15:13

Through the judgment of God Jer 17:4; Mal 1:4

Loss of family and friends

Through bereavement Ge 23:2; Ge 37:34; Ge 50:3; Nu 20:29; Dt 34:8; Ru 1:21 Naomi had lost her husband and her two sons; 2Sa 12:18-23; 2Ki 4:18-21; Eze 24:15-18; Lk 7:11-13

Through violence and disaster 2Sa 1:12; Job 1:18-19; Isa 47:8-9

Through alienation Job 19:13-22; Ps 31:11-12; 1Co 7:10-15

Losses in warfare

Ge 14:11-12; 1Sa 4:17; 1Sa 23:5; 1Sa 30:1-2; 1Ki 20:21; 2Ch 13:17; 2Ch 36:17-20; Lk 21:24

Other kinds of loss

Health and strength Ps 31:9-10; Ps 32:3-4; Ps 102:3-5,11

Reputation Ps 102:8; 2Co 6:8

Dignity Job 30:15

Power Da 4:31; Da 7:26

Employment Lk 16:1-3

Time Ex 21:19; Ac 27:9

Spiritual loss

Of the ungodly Pr 6:12-15; 2Th 1:8-10

Of the worldly Mt 16:26 pp Mk 8:36 pp Lk 9:25 See also Lk 12:20-21; Heb 12:16-17

Of the disobedient Mt 7:26-27 pp Lk 6:49

Of the Jewish nation Jer 50:6; Mt 21:43

Of the lazy servant Mt 25:26-30

Of the careless worker 1Co 3:12-15

Of the apostate See also Heb 6:4-6

Voluntary loss

By Jesus Christ for the salvation of humanity Php 2:6-11

For Jesus Christ Mt 16:25 pp Mk 8:35 pp Lk 9:24 Php 3:7-9 See also Mt 10:39; Mt 19:12; 1Co 4:9-13; Heb 10:34; Heb 11:24-26

Losses made good

By restitution Ex 21:19,34

By recovery Lk 15:4,8,20

By God’s goodness Job 42:10; Mt 19:29 pp Mk 10:29-30 pp Lk 18:29-30; Ro 11:12

God seeks the lost soul

Lk 19:10 See also Lk 15:4,8,20

Comfort in loss

God’s comfort Ps 146:9; 2Co 1:3-4

The comfort of others Job 2:11; Jn 11:19; Ac 11:28-29; Jas 1:27

Treasures that cannot be lost

Mt 6:20 See also Lk 12:33; Jn 16:22; 1Pe 1:3-5

See also