Expert: Marvin Howard - 12/11/2010

Question
Dear brother, I was wondering, in order to be considered a true disciple of Christ (or simply a disciple, seeing as a disciple would be true) does this passage teach that one must poor; literally giving up one possessions to follow the Lord? I asked this because, what is really the difference from disciple who followed Christ during that age, and our current age? If the only thing different from back then and now is societal technology, why then don't His disciples give up their possessions and live only by ; for, isn't that what faith is? I ask brother (I have been baptized into Christ accordingly) because we (Christians) often say to individuals, "what does the bible say?" And the bible clearly says to sell all you have. I read the story of Zacchaeus, and the redemption of salvation given to him was given directly from Jesus; although he only sold half his possessions to give to the poor. Would not this 'example' be like the thief on the cross, how they have a distinct departing of salvation? If so, does the example of Zac rebuke the notion implied by Luke 14:25-27?  Must we sell our possession and live solely on belief. Is that what a non-believer is? A person who doesn't have full belief in God; but, instead, remains help down by unbelief that God won't support his needs? Thank you for your answer brother. God bless.
P.S. Just trying to figure if a true disciple is one who reads only the Word, and lives only by it.

Answer
Hi!

David, thank you for the opportunity to be of service. We must be careful in reading and studying: what is meant for us and what is only meant for others? For example, we are not to sacrifice blood because Christ is our sacrifice. Likewise, we are not to build an ark because it is not going to flood.

You must consider, Luke 14 was written about events that occurred before the death of Christ (just as the thief on the cross). Therefore, they took place before the New Covenant with God was in force. This doesn't mean nothing prior to His death applies. We must simply be careful as to what we say is law and what is not. This passage is not a command, but a principle, and it does apply.

One of the myriad definitions of the Greek word, translated as "hate," means "to love less." With that definition in mind, does it not make perfect sense to say if you love your father or mother (or anything in the world for that matter) more than Jesus you are not worthy of the supreme love of Jesus in the form of His sacrifice for us? I say it does. In fact, this is a parallel to Matthew 10:37. We can love father and mother; just not as much as we do Christ. We simply cannot say, "I won't do it as shown in the Bible because my parents did it different. Jesus must be wrong since my parents weren't wrong and weren't lost."

Concerning wealth, you must also remember that Abraham was one of the richest in the world for his time. So was Solomon. Consider the account of Ananias and Sapphira. They had wealth. They didn't have to sell their property. When they did sell it, they were still not required to give it all to God. They were said to be in complete control of it. Their sin was not in keeping part, but in lying and saying they did not. Zaccheus sold what he did as repentance for the sin of robbing people in his position as tax collector. He took more than he was supposed to take, and didn't pass it to Rome. He was simply returning the illegal part of his monies. The rich young ruler was told to sell all he had; not because we all must, but because he, in particular, was placing more trust in those riches than he was in God.

God supplies our needs. Paul tells us how.

2nd Thessalonians 3:10, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."

Micah 7:15ff tells us that the days of God providing for His people miraculously only lasted 40 years. Now, He provides Providentially. In other words, He has already given us opportunity to learn work and ability to find it. If we eat, He gets the glory. If we don't, it's our fault.

Yes, a disciple is one who obeys all commands. Just don't call things commands that are not. The best way to determine this is to look for qualifying and quantifying statements.

David, please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance in your studies.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard