Positive cash flow is not profit. Negative cash flow is the normal condition. Profit is a function of accounting. I think this is where we most markedly part company.
Costs represent payments into account balances in both the firms and consumer sectors.
Account balances are normally increasing in both sectors. Not in the real world. There is consumer credit which is driving the American economy today. Neither of these exogenous sources of credit derive in reflux from factor payments. Perhaps not the most enlightening phrasing.