That's a very bad take. Things have value even if they're not profitable. Do you think the pharaohs built the pyramids because they were profitable? Look how important they are to the world culture.
The most familiar thing to compare the pyramids to is probably European cathedrals. They were huge public works projects requiring a lot of labour, both skilled and unskilled, and done for religous, political, and probably economic reasons.
Fake> I ordered them to build the pyramid. If you revolt I will order them to pillage your village. Have a nice day and please send 20% more goats.