And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:29
Jesus talked about how hard it is for the rich to enter into the kingdom of heaven. It was because the rich want to rely upon their wealth to live and not God. Jesus finishes out talking by telling them that anyone who has left anyone or anything for Him, will receive much more and eternal life.
Giving up something now for something greater later is often hard for people to do. Investors tell people that they must give up a little money now, in order to have a large bank account later. Some people will follow that, while most will not do it. They do not see the value in giving up some fun now in order to have greater wealth later.
Following Jesus requires that a person puts Him first in his life. However, some will go to the point of following Jesus that they neglect others in their life. This was not what Jesus was saying.
Looking at the whole of God’s Word, one will see that they are to love every person. They are to work for their food. Following Jesus means that you will love every person and will also work.
The challenge is to not let other people or your work get in the way of doing what God wants you to do. In the Bible the people were to be willing to give up their land to follow Jesus. This was their livelihood, their job.
Today God may call you to leave a job in order to do another work for Him. He may call you to not spend the time with family members, in order to do another work for Him. This does not neglect others, but puts God and His work first.
Trust God today as you follow Him. He knows what your needs and responsibilities are. He will make a way where there seems to be no way. Be willing to step away from the things and people of this earth to follow God when He leads. He can do great things through you and redeem all the time. You will receive much more in the end.
I pray today that you will follow God with all your heart; that you will put God first in your life; that you will trust God’s leading in your life; and that God will redeem all that you give up for Him.
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