S) "33 So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions."
Luke 14:33 (NASB)
O) This is the final verse of a paragraph, all about the cost of discipleship. Taking it in context, I don't think we can take this quite literally, since it is associated quite closely with other analogies about the costs of construction or war. To make the sentence literal would be to imply that only those with absolutely no possessions could be a disciple, but that seems foolish on a number of levels, not the least of which is that God still provides our daily needs (like clothes, which are a possession). No, to make a literal statement out of this, it might help to add the word "on" between "up" and "all" and it would say something like, "who does not give up on all his own possessions." What Jesus is really asking (prospective) disciples to do, is to let go of their ownership. Really, this is an extension of submission. Jesus is warning that discipleship to Him, could very well mean giving up a hobby, a car, or a house. It could very well mean that God calls a person to destitution in their service to Him as King. This reminds me of a great song by Rend Collective Experiment, "The Cost". Jesus is saying that we must count up the cost and decide that it's worth it.
A) The best analogy I've heard for this, is that God wants me to hold things with an open hand. Then, if He is asking me to give something up, for whatever reason, it is His to take (it rightfully is His to take, but I won't be fighting Him for it). I don't think of myself as materialistic, but this is sometimes hard to do. It's also a concept that can (and probably should) apply to more than material things. If God is asking me to take a different career path, give up a dream, change my fandom (again, this is all His prerogative; He is sovereign), I must be ready, willing, and able to obey. The key, is to properly value discipleship with Him. If I am valuing my relationship with Him above all else, finding satisfaction in Him above all else, then I will follow Him at any cost.
P) Father, You are worth it all, but I am forgetful. It is easy for me to lose sight of Your glory. It is easy for me to forget how fulfilling You are. It's not what You give me, or do for me, it's just who You are to me. You are God, and I am Your creation. When I focus on that, and then consider our relationship, I remember. I am satisfied in Your presence, sustained by Your hand. You give me peace and comfort, joy and purpose, Everything I need, and everything I want. Help me to remember, You are worth it all. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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