Give up *EVERYTHING*?

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L

Lecrae

Guest
#1
#1
Luke 14:33, "In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." (you can read the whole chapter in context, just didn't feel like typing it all out).

If Jesus means give up all of our wants, then I don't know of a single Christian (including myself) in my church that's going to heaven, as we're not disciples of God. If he literally means give up everything, including the shirt from our back and our food and water that we bought from the job that we have, which we also should give up, then I don't know of a single person (other than missionaries and some pastors) that would be considered disciples. Therefore most Christians on this earth are deceiving themselves.

Where is the line? What does Jesus really mean by "everything"? In theory I would even give up the last shirt that I have for Jesus, but practically that kind of seems absurd.

The second question is: Was this question directed to people who could talk to Jesus face to face? They literally would give up everything to follow him at that time. But now that we can't physically follow the man Jesus, is this commandment slightly different now that Jesus is not physically as a man on this earth? What should we give up today to truly be disciples of God?

This is something that I am uneasy about. I really want to follow God with my whole heart, but I know that I am not there yet. I'm still trying to get past certain habitual sins, so I do feel I am walking in darkness yet. But also, if I'm supposed to give up everything... that almost seems impossible unless I become a homeless street preacher who nobody listens to, or I become a missionary which I don't feel that's my calling. Any answers to help me out here is greatly appreciated. Also, if you can give references to your answers to back up what you are saying, that will also help a lot as well. Thanks in advance!

I'm just trying to do some honest soul searching here.
 
K

Kerry

Guest
#2
#2
Them some evil looking eyes, take another pic please.
 
dcontroversal

dcontroversal

Banned
#3
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#3
Be in the world, but not of the world.....EVEN Paul who wrote almost half of the N.T. had difficulties with doing wat he should and not dong the things he should not do....He went from being...
1. The least of the apostles to
2. The least of the saints to
3. The number one chief sinner

To enjoy the fruits of our labor is from the hand of God<--Solomon said this....

You can live a normal life, have successes and failures, give up the worldliness and still be in the world serving God...

Just know that you are not alone in these difficulties as your brothers and sisters in Christ are gong through the same things...maybe different levels but still enduring just as you are brother.
 
P

psychomom

Guest
#4
#4
isn't it safe for us to give up everything?

because everything we need we possess in Christ. :)
 
4enlightment

4enlightment

Banned
#5
May 15, 2013
4,307
27
0
#5
Lecrae said:
Luke 14:33, "In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." (you can read the whole chapter in context, just didn't feel like typing it all out).

If Jesus means give up all of our wants, then I don't know of a single Christian (including myself) in my church that's going to heaven, as we're not disciples of God. If he literally means give up everything, including the shirt from our back and our food and water that we bought from the job that we have, which we also should give up, then I don't know of a single person (other than missionaries and some pastors) that would be considered disciples. Therefore most Christians on this earth are deceiving themselves.
Click to expand...
God doesn't care if you have things, but He just doesn't want us to put them before Him. Like if someone tries to rob you from these things, then you should give it to them peacefully, and also hand over your cloak as well without getting upset. But one thing that He expect us to do is not give up so easily is what He command us to do, but which some of us think that it is worthless as a bowl of lentils.
 
K

Kerry

Guest
#6
#6
The works that we do are the works of the Holy Spirit or else we would not do them. Paul states that it is no longer I that lives but Christ through me. We never praise our works but the one who works in us.
 
damombomb

damombomb

Senior Member
#7
Feb 27, 2011
3,801
68
48
#7
Well,it means put God first.
 
Reborn

Reborn

Senior Member
#8
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
216
63
#8
"Everything" doesn't mean every thing.... literally.
We need basics to survive.
It's a renewal of your old ways, thoughts and actions.
Every thing worldly (mind and body) that personally holds/or was holding you back from getting to know Him better.
Technically, "Everything" is different for everyone.
You have to figure out what "things" are holding you back my man.
 
maxwel

maxwel

Senior Member
#9
Apr 18, 2013
9,374
2,449
113
#9
Hey Lecrae,

If you look at the entire passage in Luke 14, where Jesus is speaking,
you'll see the context, and the point, is really about a person's PRIORITIES and LEVEL OF COMMITMENT.

This is NOT a passage outlining specific rules, or specific methodologies -
it's a passage dealing with many hypotheticals,
in which we are to examine our LEVEL OF COMMITMENT and PRIORITIES.

That fact that Jesus is clearly using hypotheticals is PROOF that this isn't a list of do's and don'ts.
It isn't a cookbook of specific things to do... it's a series of lessons to show underlying principles.

It talks about building a tower.
Does that mean we're all supposed to build a tower?
No.
God is showing us a principle within the analogy of building a tower.

It talks about a king going forth to make war.
Are we all ACTUALLY kings going out to make war?
No.
God is showing us a principle within this analogy.

Are we supposed to give up everything we own?
No.
We are to have the correct PRIORITY toward our possessions.
We are to be WILLING to give them up.
We are to ALWAYS have the proper LEVEL OF COMMITMENT,
so that we are ALWAYS WILLING to give up ANYTHING God asks us to give up.

We don't have to give up everything TANGIBLY.
But we are to give up everything EMOTIONALLY...
we accept that GOD NOW RUNS OUR LIVES,
and WE'RE WILLING TO GIVE UP ANYTHING FOR HIM.
 
maxwel

maxwel

Senior Member
#10
Apr 18, 2013
9,374
2,449
113
#10
Another way to say it would be like this.

"God, everything I own belongs to you now.
Show me what to do.
I'll do ANYTHING you say."

It is a call to complete submission to God with our possessions.
 
P

psychomom

Guest
#11
#11
maxwel said:
Another way to say it would be like this.

"God, everything I own belongs to you now.
Show me what to do.
I'll do ANYTHING you say."

It is a call to complete submission to God with our possessions.
Click to expand...
technically, everything we 'own' belonged to God even before we are His.

hey, look! i think i just used logic! :)
 
Reborn

Reborn

Senior Member
#12
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
216
63
#12


What's that? Can we be banned for using this thing you call "logic"? ;)
 
Reborn

Reborn

Senior Member
#14
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
216
63
#14
maxwel said:
Hey Lecrae,

If you look at the entire passage in Luke 14, where Jesus is speaking,
you'll see the context, and the point, is really about a person's PRIORITIES and LEVEL OF COMMITMENT.

This is NOT a passage outlining specific rules, or specific methodologies -
it's a passage dealing with many hypotheticals,
in which we are to examine our LEVEL OF COMMITMENT and PRIORITIES.

That fact that Jesus is clearly using hypotheticals is PROOF that this isn't a list of do's and don'ts.
It isn't a cookbook of specific things to do... it's a series of lessons to show underlying principles.

It talks about building a tower.
Does that mean we're all supposed to build a tower?
No.
God is showing us a principle within the analogy of building a tower.

It talks about a king going forth to make war.
Are we all ACTUALLY kings going out to make war?
No.
God is showing us a principle within this analogy.

Are we supposed to give up everything we own?
No.
We are to have the correct PRIORITY toward our possessions.
We are to be WILLING to give them up.
We are to ALWAYS have the proper LEVEL OF COMMITMENT,
so that we are ALWAYS WILLING to give up ANYTHING God asks us to give up.

We don't have to give up everything TANGIBLY.
But we are to give up everything EMOTIONALLY...
we accept that GOD NOW RUNS OUR LIVES,
and WE'RE WILLING TO GIVE UP ANYTHING FOR HIM.
Click to expand...
I dig maxwel's explanation.
He sort of saw that we all didn't give examples (Bible verses) as requested by Lecrae, so he pitched in.
Awesome brother....awesome.
Like maxwel said above.........
 
maxwel

maxwel

Senior Member
#15
Apr 18, 2013
9,374
2,449
113
#15
Reborn said:


What's that? Can we be banned for using this thing you call "logic"? ;)
Click to expand...
You can't get banned,
but you SHOULD expect it to confuse everybody.

: )
 
C

ChristIsGod

Guest
#16
#16
Lecrae said:
Luke 14:33, "In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." (you can read the whole chapter in context, just didn't feel like typing it all out).

If Jesus means give up all of our wants, then I don't know of a single Christian (including myself) in my church that's going to heaven, as we're not disciples of God. If he literally means give up everything, including the shirt from our back and our food and water that we bought from the job that we have, which we also should give up, then I don't know of a single person (other than missionaries and some pastors) that would be considered disciples. Therefore most Christians on this earth are deceiving themselves.

Where is the line? What does Jesus really mean by "everything"? In theory I would even give up the last shirt that I have for Jesus, but practically that kind of seems absurd.

The second question is: Was this question directed to people who could talk to Jesus face to face? They literally would give up everything to follow him at that time. But now that we can't physically follow the man Jesus, is this commandment slightly different now that Jesus is not physically as a man on this earth? What should we give up today to truly be disciples of God?

This is something that I am uneasy about. I really want to follow God with my whole heart, but I know that I am not there yet. I'm still trying to get past certain habitual sins, so I do feel I am walking in darkness yet. But also, if I'm supposed to give up everything... that almost seems impossible unless I become a homeless street preacher who nobody listens to, or I become a missionary which I don't feel that's my calling. Any answers to help me out here is greatly appreciated. Also, if you can give references to your answers to back up what you are saying, that will also help a lot as well. Thanks in advance!

I'm just trying to do some honest soul searching here.
Click to expand...
Hey Lecrae ~ Post #10 nails it. Are we "willing" if He took All to still love Him?

We don't just start giving everything we have away - but we do pray that He "Take" everything that He wants and He will - but if you know Romans 8:28 is for 29 - than you can definitely handle the loss of all things, though you're 'immediate reaction' may be tears at the loss of loved ones, or pets, or the house you loved, etc ... but you'll remember that prayer of dedicating yourself and all that you have to Him "no matter the cost" and it'll turn around to Joy and the Joy of The Lord will be your strength from that point on.
If we're not "willing" to pray that prayer than we just need to pray that He'll help us to Love Him more ... that's all.

I like that chpt as well. It's a good one to read a couple more times.

Thanks!
 
K

Kaycie

Guest
#18
#18
He means to give up everything you want and want everything He wants. And it is more than ok to want the same things He wants, we should. In Matthew He said don't worry about having something to eat or something to wear, because just as God provides for the birds He will much more provide for the needs of His children. So what does He want? He wants us to be fed and clothed. Do we want to be fed and clothed, sure we do. So He is not saying He wants us to give up everything (such as food and clothes) what He is saying is that He wants us to give up our own will and do His Will.

But you don't have to feel guilty about when your wants match His wants, just make sure you are willing to give something up if it doesn't match His Will. He wants us to be fed but there are also times He wants us to fast for a bit. He wants us to be clothed, but we should share clothing with others. Someday He will say to us, "I was naked and you clothed Me, I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was sick or in prison and you gave your time to come visit Me- by doing such for the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine."

Someday we may even have to give our life for Him. But we don't read the scripture to give up everything for Him and then commit suicide because He said 'Everything', no what He means is give up driving and give Him the steering wheel- let Him lead you and give up leading yourself. Give up what you want and do what He wants. If you naturally want the same as He wants, great, if you don't want some of the things He wants, like giving up getting drunk for example, you have to die to what you want and live your life according to what He wants. He even wants us to get married and have sex (well for some people) He commanded of it to Adam and Eve, and for marriages.

Bless you my friend for even pondering this so, this shows that what God wants truly is important to you.
 
Last edited:
C

ChristIsGod

Guest
#19
#19
dcontroversal said:
Be in the world, but not of the world.....EVEN Paul who wrote almost half of the N.T. had difficulties with doing wat he should and not dong the things he should not do....He went from being...
1. The least of the apostles to
2. The least of the saints to
3. The number one chief sinner

To enjoy the fruits of our labor is from the hand of God<--Solomon said this....

You can live a normal life, have successes and failures, give up the worldliness and still be in the world serving God...

Just know that you are not alone in these difficulties as your brothers and sisters in Christ are gong through the same things...maybe different levels but still enduring just as you are brother.
Click to expand...
This is not Scriptural and surely doesn't answer Luke 14 - I need to reply to this one - when I have a chance but as soon as I possibly can.
 
P

psychomom

Guest
#20
#20
Reborn said:
Post #8 too :D
Click to expand...
oh, the humani...i mean, humility. ;)

Lecrae, sorry for joshing in your thread.
you asked great questions, and i think i see where you're going with it.
i mean, God's Kingdom on the earth would get pretty small if we all died
of starvation and exposure. :rolleyes:

but we serve a powerful and generous God.
and if we take into account the whole counsel of God,
we can see Him promising over and over to take care of us.

blessings-
ellie
 
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