Dear brothers and sisters, today let’s discuss the calling to give up everything to follow God. This concept is firmly rooted in the teachings of the Bible and demonstrates the ultimate act of faith and devotion. When Jesus called His disciples, He asked them to leave behind their livelihoods, families, and possessions. They responded with unwavering faith, leaving everything to follow Him. This act of surrender is not just about abandoning material possessions; it’s about prioritizing our relationship with God above all else.
One powerful example is the story of the rich young ruler. He approached Jesus, eager to inherit eternal life, but when Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor, he walked away sorrowfully. He was unable to part with his wealth, revealing how tightly his heart was bound to his earthly treasures. Jesus used this moment to teach that following Him requires a heart fully devoted to God, free from the chains of material wealth.
Dear friends, another inspiring example is the apostles. They left their boats, nets, and even their families to follow Jesus. Their sacrifice was great, but their reward was far greater. They witnessed miracles, heard divine teachings, and played important roles in spreading the Gospel. Their lives remind us that the cost of following Jesus might be high, but the blessings and fulfillment that come from a life dedicated to Him are immeasurable.
In our modern world, giving up everything might not always mean selling all we have, but it does mean surrendering our priorities, our ambitions, and our plans to God. It means trusting Him with our future and believing that His plans for us are far better than anything we could imagine. When we truly follow God, we find a peace and purpose that transcends worldly understanding.
Dear friends, now let’s see the Bible scriptures below that talk about giving up everything to follow God.
“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of meAnd he that taketh not his cross, followeth after me, is not worthy of meHe that findeth his life shall lose it: he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it”
— Matthew 10:37-39
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, for joy thereof goeth selleth all that he hath, buyeth that fieldAgain, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearlsWho, when he had found one pearl of great price, went sold all that he had, bought it”
— Matthew 13:44-46
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, follow me”
— Matthew 16:24
“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go sell that thou hast, give to the poor, thou shalt have treasure in heaven: come follow me”
— Matthew 19:21
“Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, shall inherit everlasting life”
— Matthew 19:29
“He saith unto them, Follow me, I will make you fishers of menAnd they straightway left their nets, followed him”
— Matthew 4:19-20
“Give to him that asketh thee, from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away”
— Matthew 5:42
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth rust doth corrupt, where thieves break through stealBut lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, where thieves do not break through nor stealFor where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”
— Matthew 6:19-21
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, love the other; or else he will hold to the one, despise the other. Ye cannot serve God mammon”
— Matthew 6:24
“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, give to the poor, thou shalt have treasure in heaven: come, take up the cross, follow me”
— Mark 10:21
“When he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, follow meFor whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake the gospel’s, the same shall save it”
— Mark 8:34-35
“Sell that ye have, give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corruptethFor where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”
— Luke 12:33-34
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple”
— Luke 14:33
“Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, distribute unto the poor, thou shalt have treasure in heaven: come, follow me”
— Luke 18:22
“He answereth saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; he that hath meat, let him do likewise”
— Luke 3:11
“When they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, followed him”
— Luke 5:11
“Give, it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again”
— Luke 6:38
“He said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, follow meFor whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it”
— Luke 9:23-24
“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive”
— Acts 20:35
“Sold their possessions goods, parted them to all men, as every man had need”
— Acts 2:45
“The multitude of them that believed were of one heart of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things commonAnd with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: great grace was upon them allNeither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, brought the prices of the things that were soldAnd laid them down at the apostles’ feet: distribution was made unto every man according as he had need”
— Acts 4:32-35
“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others”
— Philippians 2:4
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for ChristYea doubtless, I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, do count them but dung, that I may win Christ”
— Philippians 3:7-8
“He that loveth his life shall lose it; he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternalIf any man serve me, let him follow me; where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour”
— John 12:25-26
“If ye love me, keep my commandments”
— John 14:15
“For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better an enduring substance”
— Hebrews 10:34
“But to do good to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased”
— Hebrews 13:16
“There is that scattereth, yet increaseth; there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to povertyThe liberal soul shall be made fat: he that watereth shall be watered also himself”
— Proverbs 11:24-25
“Honour the Lord with thy substance, with the firstfruits of all thine increaseSo shall thy barns be filled with plenty, thy presses shall burst out with new wine”
— Proverbs 3:9-10
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”
— Romans 12:1
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live”
— Romans 8:13
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earthFor ye are dead, your life is hid with Christ in God”
— Colossians 3:2-3
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, gave himself for me”
— Galatians 2:20
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, so fulfil the law of Christ”
— Galatians 6:2
“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, godly, in this present world”
— Titus 2:12
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, have not works? can faith save him?If a brother or sister be naked, destitute of daily foodAnd one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone”
— James 2:14-17
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it”
— Malachi 3:10
“If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, thy darkness be as the noon day”
— Isaiah 58:10
Conclusion
The Bible teaches us that following God may require us to give up everything, as highlighted in verses such as Luke 14:33 and Matthew 19:21. These passages remind us of the importance of prioritizing our spiritual journey over material possessions and worldly attachments. From this topic, we learn the significance of total commitment and sacrifice in our relationship with God. By applying these principles in our lives, we can focus on living a life of obedience, trust, and devotion. This might mean letting go of certain comforts or pursuits, but in doing so, we align ourselves more closely with God’s will and purpose, experiencing a deeper, more fulfilling spiritual life.