I never see so many people become defensive than when I preach about how Jesus said the following statement:
Luke 14:33 – In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
In today’s society, it is hard to imagine the practicality of this statement, however it is crucial not to deny that this is indeed, what Jesus said. In this post, I want to discuss how to practically apply this statement to our lives. I have heard every explanation under the sun about what Jesus meant when he said we have to ‘give up all’, but there is no hidden meaning behind this statement. It is not a parable that we have to interpret. It is a commandment. It was not said for just a particular person or a certain group of people either. As you will see in this post, Jesus says it quite often and it is a running theme throughout his ministry. If you look at Jesus’ life, including the disciples and the early church, you will see that they also gave up all to preach the gospel. Jesus is not asking us to do anything new or anything he hasn’t also done. Paul, James and other writers also give us evidence that this was how Christians were meant to live. I feel compelled to also write this regarding Luke 14:33 and the practicality of this statement. Everything Jesus said is relevant today and holds the power to give us true freedom and eternal life.
Let us consider Luke 12:22-34 -22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Is God Really Your Provider?
This scripture clearly says that once you give up your possessions and rely on God, He will provide for your needs. Obviously, this takes great faith and if you are lacking the faith, then you’re going to miss the point. I have personally witnessed this statement strike fear into the heart of many people and it is simply because they fail to acknowledge God as their Provider.
Luke 12:31 – But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 – Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
A repentant person will pray and ask God “help me with my unbelief or faith” like the father of a demon-possessed boy asked in Mark 9:20-24.
Mark 9:20-24 – 20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
An unrepentant person on the other hand, will just twist the scriptures to suit their argument so that they can keep their money. As it says in Luke 16:14 – The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. Other translations say they were scoffing and ridiculing Jesus.
This is the attitude I feel some people have towards Luke 14:33 and every other scripture that supports the commandment to give up your possessions.
Jesus gave up his possessions and preached the gospel whilst God provided for him. So did the disciples and we, also being disciples, are called to do the same.
Luke 18:28 – “Look,” said Peter, “we have left all we had to follow You.”
Luke 9:58 – Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Matthew 8:20 – Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
1 John 2:4 – 6 – Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
Accepting The Statement
If you really want to know how it works to give up all, I’ll say this – it’s a slow process, nothing happens quickly. Giving up all needs to be a completely informed and logical decision which is based on the Bible. It is not an emotional choice that is made on a whim which you may later regret. It is life changing; a complete priority switch. Jesus says to take the time you need to make this decision.
Right before Luke 14:33, verses 28-32 say this:
28“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
31“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
We need to weigh up whether we can accept the cost of discipleship or not. We must remember that the first step is to just accept the statement of:
Luke 14:33 – In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
Jesus gives the same commandment to the rich young ruler.
Mark 10:21 – Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Luke 18:22 – When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
But this man could not even accept the statement.
Mark 10:22 – Shocked at this statement, the man went away sad, because he had many possessions.
Matthew 19:22 – And having heard this statement, the young man went away grieving; for he was one having many possessions.
If he would have at least accepted the statement but not actually done it, this would be considered ‘annulling’. He would have still entered the kingdom of heaven but as the least in the kingdom. ‘Accepting the statement but annulling’ means to believe the philosophical statement that Jesus made and to constantly know that you should give up all. However, you lack faith in God’s ability to provide for your needs to actually put this philosophy into action.
Matthew 5:19 – Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
It’s important to note that the one who annulled or ‘set aside’ was still in the Kingdom of Heaven. This decision is what Jesus meant by ‘suing for peace’ in Luke 14:32.
Luke 14:32 – If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
The Cost Of Being A Disciple
It’s also what he meant by estimating the cost of being a disciple in:
Luke 14:28 – “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?
This is why Jesus goes on in Mark and Matthew to say:
Matthew 19:30 – But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.
The least being the one who annulled and the greatest being the one that does not. The one who annuls this commandment will still be rich on this earth and considered great. And the one who does not annul and gives up all will be considered the least on this earth.
Mark 10:31 – But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
The Kingdom of Heaven is opposite to earth. The poor who gave up their riches and did not annul, shall be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. While the one who annulled, will be least in the kingdom. Keep in mind, however, that both are in the Kingdom of Heaven. So the first step is just to accept the statement and not to actually do it. This in itself is a great feat but we must separate the action from the philosophy in order to acknowledge the truth in what Jesus is saying. Don’t imagine what it will be like when you give up all and ask yourself doubtful questions but rather first simply focus on whether Jesus said it.
Matthew 6:31-32 – So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
The Prodigal Son
At this point, if you can accept the statement and you believe Jesus’ words and have not denied them, you have entered the kingdom of heaven. However, you will have entered as the least. If at any moment before your death, you stop annulling the commandment and give up all in action, you have now become the greatest in the kingdom of God. This is the true meaning behind the story of the ‘Prodigal Son’, who is like someone who stops annulling.
Luke 15:11-32 – Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
In this story, the prodigal son portrays one who was annulling God’s word. This was signified by living in a distant country, working with pigs and squandering his inheritance. Spiritually speaking, this inheritance is the truths given to him by God which he is choosing to annul in action. However, because the prodigal son never twisted the philosophical truth, he could return to the father by no longer annulling in action. The prodigal son returned home and was accepted back by the father with open arms.
It all begins with accepting the statement. You cannot move any further without first accepting the statement of:
Luke 14:33 – In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
Accepting the statement is half the battle. Once you have accepted the statement, the Holy Spirit will begin to enable you to actually do it, meaning make it possible to actually do it in action, if this is your desire. This is why Jesus said:
Luke 18:27 – Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Matthew 19:26 – Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Mark 10:27 – Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
It is impossible to do this with our own spirit but through the Holy Spirit, all things are possible.
Denying The Commandment To Give Up All
For the one who does not even accept Jesus’ statement, he is a blasphemer of the Holy Spirit and this is an unforgivable sin.
John 6:63 – The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Matthew 10:20 – For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Luke 12:12 – for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
John 7:16 KJV – Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
John 12:49 – For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.
Jesus’ words are spirit. If we reject them, do not believe them and deny them, then we blaspheme the Holy Spirit by calling what is right that which is wrong, and this is an unforgivable sin.
Matthew 12:31-32 – Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come
Luke 12:10 – And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
Mark 3:28-29 – 28Truly I tell you, the sons of men will be forgiven all sins and blasphemies, as many as they utter. 29But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of eternal sin.”
This is who Jesus is speaking of in:
Luke 14:29-30 – For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
Anyone who moves too quickly without completely understanding and accepting the statement in Luke 14:33, will eventually claim that the statement is impossible to fulfill. Thus, claiming that Jesus could not have possibly meant this saying in its literal form. This in turn, causes the individual to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit by not believing the words of Jesus. In order not to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, we must take our time with the option of believing what Jesus said, without doing it. This would ensure that we enter the Kingdom of Heaven, even if we are going to be least there. Additionally, as long as we are still alive, we will also have the further option to stop annulling. This in turn would be fulfilling this commandment in action as well; becoming like the prodigal son and returning to the Father.
The first step is to accept the statement without worrying how to fulfill it in action.
Matthew 6:31 – So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
We must not ask ourselves doubtful questions. Rather we must have faith that God will provide and will add to us, the things He already knows we need.. Then the Holy Spirit will enable you to do so in action if this is your desire. Or you may choose to believe it and teach it to others but you yourself, have annulled it in action in your own life. This would make you least in the kingdom of heaven but at least you are in the kingdom of heaven. At a later time, you may be like the prodigal son and stop annulling in action. As it stands now, not accepting the statement at all will make this commandment impossible to fulfill in your life, whether philosophically or in action.
Luke 14:33 – In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
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