For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. (Philippians 3:3-7)

Things That Mean Nothing

The apostle Paul was one of the most gifted, educated, and blessed men among the nation of Israel. Known as Saul of Tarsus, he was a young man with all the privileges of his day. Although a Jew, he was a Roman citizen by birth. There can be little doubt that the family of Paul was well off, allowing for the means to send their son to Jerusalem to be taught by Gamaliel, a member of the Jewish High Court (Sanhedrin), a teacher of the law held in high regard by the Jewish nation, and a man of authority. Paul was brought up and educated under Gamaliel, carefully trained in Jewish law and custom. He became very zealous to defend the law against the followers of Christ who declared a new law.

The pedigree of Paul was impeccable. He was born a Jew as circumcised on the eighth day according to the Law of Moses. The tribe of Benjamin was small but powerful, known for its elite warriors, who boasted 700 left-handed slingers, each capable of hurling a rock and hitting a target within a hair’s breadth without missing. King Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin was the only tribe that stood with Judah when the kingdom was divided after the death of Solomon. Paul called himself a “Hebrew of the Hebrews.” He enjoyed every advantage that could be derived from being a Hebrew. His lineal descent was superior to most. His parents were both Hebrews with no admixture of Gentile blood. There were no proselytes in his genealogy.

Concerning the law, Paul was initiated into the Pharisees, a powerful and influential Jewish sect. The Pharisees were distinguished among the Jewish sects for their rigid adherence to the letter of the law. The zeal of being a passionate Jewish scholar led Paul to persecute the church of Christ with all the authority of the Jewish nation and permission of the Romans. He wanted to destroy every disciple of Christ, persecuting them to foreign cities, throwing men and women into prison, inflicting torture on the Christians, and casting his vote for their deaths. Paul believed himself blameless for what he did against the church. That changed on the road to Damascus when the Lord came to him face to face. Three days later, Saul of Tarsus became one of the greatest evangelists for the cause of Christ when he obeyed the gospel.

As Paul reflected upon his sterling pedigree, he viewed it all with disdain. The Jewish world looked upon this pedigree with envious eyes, for any Jewish man would want to attain the accolades, power, wealth, and authority that come with such privilege. To Paul, it was dung. What things were gained for him, he counted as a loss for Christ. Achieving success in the world would not give him success in eternity. He gladly turned his back on the trappings of the world that so many sought for and worked their whole lives to attain. Paul gave all those things up to be a follower of Christ. He lost his wealth, power, and authority to become a humble servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The world attracts the heart to seek fame and fortune to find happiness. Men will dedicate themselves to their jobs with a passion to succeed and become successful in the business world. Money and the desire for worldly pleasures are what many families focus on. Parents drive their children to find happiness in the world’s accomplishments. Entertainment is the mantra of many. Life is lived to the fullest to the neglect of God. Everyone who seeks the mammon of the world will find at death the reality that mammon is empty. There is nothing to take to the grave. Paul had everything a man would want to be considered a success, but he called it dung, garbage, refuse, and something thrown to the dogs. He lived for a crown bearing his name. Gaining the world means nothing. Finding eternal life is everything.