Give up all my possessions?!

public hermit · Sep 4, 2019

Mathetes66 said:
As to my life as a spiritually born again Christian, I have given up all to follow Him. I have never owned a home, although I have been given them & found it to be true that we receive God's wonderful blessings in this life when we simply leave whatever hinders us from following Christ in order to actually follow Him when called to serve where He leads us.

I have discovered that wherever I go, I am now a STEWARD of all that He gives me & it is used for daily provisions & meeting the needs of others & furthering the gospel.

I was truly humbled to leave college without any debt, the last of what I owed was anonymously paid off by others unknown.

He has called me to various states to be involved in ministries, seeing people come to Christ & Christians going on to serve the Lord on the mission field, in the pastorate & other fruitful ministries.

I have had a business that the Lord wanted me to start. I was a steward of it. I had many opportunities to share the gospel & relate to others of the goodness of God. God has always brought people to me who had needs & His provision was more than enough to meet those needs. His promise to me was:

Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD & do good; dwell in the land & enjoy safe pasture--cultivating faithfulness.

I have prayed about & sought to go overseas in missionary endeavors but the Lord has never led me YET to do so. So I continue to be faithful to what He has me do.

The Lord may have you to be a witness on a job or raise a family but when He calls, will we answer, to follow Him elsewhere?

I am presently a caregiver for my dad (almost 90), who had a stroke and several TIA's since then, as the Lord has led me in this endeavor now. Since I presently don't go around like I did before, I have prayed that God would bring people here & to help my neighbors. He has abundantly done so. The reputation around the neighborhood is that we are Christians & help others. Neighbors send their friends in need to us & we are able to share the goodness of the Lord.

Last month we were able to help a couple whose car had broken down & had no money to fix it. We helped provide the means to get parts & another neighbor helped get it running & they were off again.

Several years ago (dad still drives short distances!) dad was driving from the local town a few miles away & felt moved by the Spirit to help a lady stuck on the side of the road. He couldn't communicate with her so he came & got me.

She was deaf & couldn't speak so would write things down. She lived near Seattle, almost 80 miles away. She was stuck on the freeway at a spot no one stops.

She had a card for an expired road service she gave me. I was able to use that & get her re-instated. They came & towed her & took back up north where the car was able to be fixed.

As we were waiting, I wrote down that the Lord is our Provider, Jehovah Jireh & that He would provide for her. She wrote she was a Christian & had prayed for the Lord to help her. She hugged both dad & I before she left.

God takes care of us! Be stewards of what He has given us, ready at a moment's notice, if the Lord would have us to sell something He has given us or give it away, to meet the needs of those to which He has directed us.

Let go & leave the things of this world, in order to follow Him, wherever He leads you. Seek first His kingdom & His righteousness & He will provide for our needs. We are stewards.

That is such a wonderful witness. Thank you so much for sharing it.

Bible Highlighter · Sep 4, 2019

Chadrho said:
"We as Christians should rather “seek the Kingdom” as verse 31 puts it. We should desire or long for that, which has a future, rather than material riches. It is all about focus!" That's helpful. Thank you for sharing the link.

Right, I agree. It is easy to get caught up into the material trap or to focus on possessions. But I think we need to always include God in everything we do and have. I believe that changes things. If we seek to build a house instead of throwing away our money on rent, such a house can be used in multiple ways for the Lord.

Our home can be a witnessing tool by the things we display and or have within them.
At the Ark Encounter, they had a series of comic art pages that was kind of like a gospel tract.
One can do this even in their own home. Imagine a burglar would steal such artwork only to later be converted by such a thing. We can display Christian DVD's on shelving near the TV, and if a babysitter decides to watch one of them and they repent of their sins, glory be to God.

public hermit · Sep 4, 2019

Bible Highlighter said:
Imagine a burglar would steal such artwork only to later be converted by such a thing.

That is a great thought. It would certainly be serendipitous.

Bible Highlighter · Sep 4, 2019

I think if we made a list of things (of how it can be used for God) for a material possession we desire, I think it will further His Kingdom and give Him glory and not ourselves. Granted there are limits to this (of course). Some possessions scream that a person is seeking to give glory to themselves (like a ferrari, private jet, a super huge mansion that one does not need, etc.). Our treasure is in Heaven. This place is not our home. We are only passing through. But why not use those basic things, or simple things, or needs to the glory of God? Sure, we should not get caught up with possessions. We have to pray and stop and focus on what is most important in life. Loving God, and loving others. I believe God wants us to get our hands dirty, too. To get out there and to love others personally.

public hermit · Sep 4, 2019

Bible Highlighter said:
I think if we made a list of things (of how it can be used for God) for a material possession we desire, I think it will further His Kingdom and give Him glory and not ourselves.

I completely agree with what you're saying. What about other things, such as relationships and our own lives, can't we treat those as possessions also? Or, do you think Jesus is speaking strictly about material possessions? Just curious.

Bible Highlighter · Sep 4, 2019

Chadrho said:
I completely agree with what you're saying. What about other things, such as relationships and our own lives, can't we treat those as possessions also? Or, do you think Jesus is speaking strictly about material possessions? Just curious.

People are not possessions. Jesus and Paul both affirm marriage as an acceptable union to God. God can use those in marriage just as he uses those who are single. The union of marriage is about working together as one flesh. The same is true of the body of Christ. We work together with a common goal in mind. To shine forth the light of Christ into people's lives. To love God, and to love others. But we put their needs above our own many times. A sacrificial love. Jesus showed us a sacrificial love by Him dying on the cross for our sins. We should follow His example.

Mathetes66 · Sep 4, 2019

"This place is not our home. We are only passing through. But why not use those basic things, or simple things, or needs to the glory of God?"

Jesus taught a parable about this! Luke 16:1-13

'Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much & whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. If, then, you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches? And if you have not been faithful with the belongings of another, who will give you belongings of your own.'

'No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one & love the other, or he will be devoted to the one & despise the other. You cannot serve both God & money.'

Here are some more thoughts on this.
| Bible.org

Jimdubu · Sep 6, 2019

Chadrho said:
When Jesus teaches us that in order to be his disciples we must give up all our possessions (Luke 14:33), does he mean that literally, metaphorically, spiritually? What is your interpretation and why do you interpret it that way?

Renounce the devil and all his works
From Barnes Notes on the Bible
Every man who becomes a follower of Jesus should calmly and deliberately look at all the consequences of such an act and be prepared to meet them

We are to expect difficulties in religion.It will cost us the mortification of our sins ,and a life of self denial, and a conflict with our lusts, and the enmity and ridicule of the world. Perhaps it may cost us our reputation, or possibly our lives and liberties,and all that is dear to us;but we must cheerfully undertake all this, and be prepared for it all.

Jesus is telling us we need to give up the world, and all the things that distract us from following him. We may think we don't have idols but how much time do you spend chasing the mighty dollar? How much time do you spend in front of the TV and do you spend as much time in "THE BOOK" as you do in Face Book. When is the last time you had Family Worship (every night right) or even the last time you were all home as a family. Is the first thing you do when you wake up is hit your knees and pray with ADDORATION, CONFESSION, THANKSGIVING and SUPPLICATION then do a morning devotional. Do you pray without ceasing ( just talking to God throughout the day, remember this is a relationship, and your talking to your Father) And that's what it boils down to, Jesus want to have a relationship with us, without any worldly distractions ,so he can talk to us. How can we hear him if we have all these distractions?

TO BE A DISCIPLE
1. Accept Jesus as your Savior
2. Pray EVERY day
3. Read the Word EVERY day
4. Fellowship with other believers
5. Share your testimony ( witness to others )

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21 )

public hermit · Sep 6, 2019

Jimdubu said:
Renounce the devil and all his works
From Barnes Notes on the Bible
Every man who becomes a follower of Jesus should calmly and deliberately look at all the consequences of such an act and be prepared to meet them

We are to expect difficulties in religion.It will cost us the mortification of our sins ,and a life of self denial, and a conflict with our lusts, and the enmity and ridicule of the world. Perhaps it may cost us our reputation, or possibly our lives and liberties,and all that is dear to us;but we must cheerfully undertake all this, and be prepared for it all.

Jesus is telling us we need to give up the world, and all the things that distract us from following him. We may think we don't have idols but how much time do you spend chasing the mighty dollar? How much time do you spend in front of the TV and do you spend as much time in "THE BOOK" as you do in Face Book. When is the last time you had Family Worship (every night right) or even the last time you were all home as a family. Is the first thing you do when you wake up is hit your knees and pray with ADDORATION, CONFESSION, THANKSGIVING and SUPPLICATION then do a morning devotional. Do you pray without ceasing ( just talking to God throughout the day, remember this is a relationship, and your talking to your Father) And that's what it boils down to, Jesus want to have a relationship with us, without any worldly distractions ,so he can talk to us. How can we hear him if we have all these distractions?

TO BE A DISCIPLE
1. Accept Jesus as your Savior
2. Pray EVERY day
3. Read the Word EVERY day
4. Fellowship with other believers
5. Share your testimony ( witness to others )

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21 )

Good words. Thank you for taking the time to reply. May God bless you and yours.

Jimdubu · Sep 6, 2019

Chadrho said:
To be fair, maybe I should lay my cards on the table. I don't know that this statement should be taken literally. Our Lord makes this statement in the context of asking us to count the cost of following him (Luke 14:25-33)

"Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?" (Luke 14:26-28-NRSV).

Jesus is using hyperbole in these verses. I seriously doubt the same One who taught us to love our enemies is now telling us to hate our family, loved ones, ourselves. Or, to break the commandment to honor father and mother. But, I do think he is saying that He takes precedence, our primary allegiance is to Him. If our relationships, or our possessions, or even if our own lives come into conflict with our allegiance to Him, then they must give way to Him. He comes first. So, how do we count the future costs of following Him? We can't. Who knows what it will cost us? It may cost us more than we estimate, or maybe less. Who knows what he may ask of my possessions in the future? I don't even know what I will possess in the future. Who knows, he may ask for my life.

Moreover, we humans have a tendency to hold a tight grip on relationships, possessions, and even our own lives as if they are our own. But, they aren't. My relationships, my possessions, even my own life...they are all a gift. And, they are gifts he has every right to ask me to let go of. He may need them, or they may keep me from him.

All that to say, I think at the very least he is asking us to let go of the tight grip we tend to keep on our relationships, our possessions, our lives. Don't hold on to them as if they are your possessions. They are not. They are his, which he has shared with us as a gift.

This is my interpretation, but I am a fallible creature and open to receiving a better one from others.

You are on the right track, but it has to do with the way that words are interpreted from the original Greek. that particular word, and forgive I am not a Greek scholar but as I recall from theology classes. In original Greek the word actually means to love less. So Jesus is not actually telling them to hate their parents and children etc. Jesus is saying love them less then me.

Jimdubu · Sep 6, 2019

Chadrho said:
Good words. Thank you for taking the time to reply. May God bless you and yours.

And you as well brother.

OffGrid · Nov 13, 2019

I see the bodies with great enough zeal to do so, has much faith..
They should be held with high regards, comforted, and given much respect. As they risk their lives in spiritual suffering and dicipline for the fertherance of the Gospel of Truth.

Josheb · Nov 29, 2019

public hermit said:
When Jesus teaches us that in order to be his disciples we must give up all our possessions (Luke 14:33), does he mean that literally, metaphorically, spiritually? What is your interpretation and why do you interpret it that way?

Jesus didn't teach us we need to give up all our possessions to be his disciples. That's what he said to the disciples standing in his audience that particular day.

Proper understanding of scripture requires proper exegesis of all that scripture states, not just one single sentence out of more than 31,000 verses. Forming doctrine on one single verse removed from its context in neglect of all else scripture has to say on a subject is called proof-texting. The practice of proof-texting should be avoided.

If and when the whole Bible is consulted we find wealth can be both a blessing from God or a curse from God. Jesus also taught the love of money, not money itself, was the root of all evil. In Pr. 11:28 we read those who trust in their riches will fail. In Pr. 24 we are admonished not to wear ourselves out getting rich because wealth is fleeting. In the account of Ananias and Saphira we read peter saying,

Acts 5:3-5
"...Peter said, ' Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.' When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last..."

In other words, at a time when the Christians were selling their property (because Jerusalem was soon going to be laid siege and their property would be worthless) Ananias was free to keep the property or keep the proceeds from its sale; and he was free to give either away. He was not free to lie about it and present himself to the body of Christ as something he was not (much like the young ruler of Mt. 19).

We also read wealth can be a blessing. These are the verses those preaching the false "prosperity gospel" abuse to support their false teachings. The LORD sends both poverty and wealth (1 Sam. 2:7),
In the infamous Malachi 3 text in which the audience was admonished to tithe they were told obedience would prompt God to bless them with so much they could not store it all. Pr. 28:27 says those who give to the poor will lack nothing...…… you have to have in order to give. Having is not the problem. Trusting in what you have and greed are the problems. It is always first a heart issue.

Last idea for you to think about. It is quite possible, even likely, Jesus was a wealthy person. At his birth he was given three very expensive gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh). If those gifts were invested as was required of good stewards obedient to the law of God then they made Jesus an exceedingly wealthy man by the time he was age 30 and began his earthly ministry. We know he wore a garment without seems, and expensive garment in his day, so valuable lots were cast for it rather than rend the garment in pieces. Jesus himself did not give up all of his possessions. We know wealthy and socio-economically privileged Christians existed in the early church because James admonishes them over prideful use of their privilege.

Each individual verse on money, wealth, privilege, etc. occurs in a given context and all of those respective local contexts fit into a congruous whole - they do not exist in conflict with one another.

yeshuaslavejeff · Nov 29, 2019

public hermit said:
When Jesus teaches us that in order to be his disciples we must give up all our possessions (Luke 14:33), does he mean that literally, metaphorically, spiritually? What is your interpretation and why do you interpret it that way?

What did the permanent disciples immersed in Yahushua's Name DO ?
(in ACTS)

Give up all my possessions?!

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