The Abuse of Luke 14:33

[Enow]

Some will take this verse out of context to inspire a believer to give up everything he has to a leader or to a church as if that is the same thing as giving it all to Jesus Christ.

Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

But there is a problem here because there is such a thing as a rich believer.

1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

So then what was Jesus really saying in Luke 14:33?

At this link below is Luke 14th chapter:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2014&version=KJV

If you read from verse 15-24, you see a question that Jesus is answering about the King's Supper which is what I believe to be the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Then Jesus turns to the multitude to expound on that parable about the cost of discipleship in following Him.  If you compare verses 15-24 with 25-35, with His help, you may see that Jesus was addressing the excuses given in that parable from which a believer may find himself left behind from the Marriage Supper, because they loved someone or this life more than Him to not leave it.

So Luke 14:33 was not about giving everything up in this life while living this life down here, but to be ready to leave this life when the Bridegroom comes.

 

[Sue]

Very appropriate title for your post, Enow.

Some will take this verse out of context to inspire a believer to give up everything he has to a leader or to a church as if that is the same thing as giving it all to Jesus Christ.

Ok.  So it sounds like you are saying here that it would be "out of context" to forsake all and give the money to a church (or leader).  But what is the context that suggests Jesus was saying WHO to give the money to in Luke 14:33 or that as you suggest, he meant to give it to himself, literally?  If you read Luke 12:33 Jesus commands his disciples to sell everything and give the money TO THE POOR.  Are you suggesting that Luke 14:33 would not agree with that passage?  Ie, that Jesus didn't say sell all and give the money to himself, but to the poor.    Also, at the end of Acts chapters 2 and 4 there is evidence that the early church members forsook all and gave the money "to the elders" (leaders?) of the church when an individual joined or perhaps "became a disciple" of Jesus.  So how does that fit with what you claim further in your post?

"Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

But there is a problem here because there is such a thing as a rich believer. 

So you think there is a problem with what Jesus said.  Really?  Notice you have changed the criteria from "disciple" to "believer" which, IMO, is broadening the definition.  Here is what you present as your evidence that there IS such a thing as a rich "believer" (when I think we are really discussing "disciples" here, as that was the word Jesus used). 

1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 

Where does Paul say that the "rich in this world" are "believers" in the above passage?  You are adding that interpretation to this passage which says nothing about "the rich" being "believers" at all.    Paul is admonishing Timothy to rebuke the rich.  Paul is saying the rich should be "rich in good works", "ready to distribute" (their wealth presumably?) and "ready to distribute" (to the poor we would expect) and "willing to communicate" (meaning to share), and by doing this, they may lay hold on eternal life. 

Lets just check what Jesus said about "the rich" so we can make sure we are not forgetting the words of our saviour himself...

"Woe unto you who are rich..."  Luke 6:24

Can't really argue with that can you?

So then what was Jesus really saying in Luke 14:33?

Maybe exactly what he said?

Then Jesus turns to the multitude to expound on that parable about the cost of discipleship in following Him.  If you compare verses 15-24 with 25-35, with His help, you may see that Jesus was addressing the excuses given in that parable from which a believer may find himself left behind from the Marriage Supper, because they loved someone or this life more than Him to not leave it. 

When I read the parable of the excuses people gave for not coming to the feast, it sounds pretty much like the same excuses you hear people saying for not forsaking all to become a disciple (Christian).  They loved their families, businesses and possessions more than Jesus. 

So Luke 14:33 was not about giving everything up in this life while living this life down here, but to be ready to leave this life when the Bridegroom comes.

Uh uh.

If you read the parable about the virgins waiting for the bridegroom, some were ready with their oil and some weren't.  You are suggesting that people wait until Jesus comes back before forsaking all.  That's a bit like the foolish virgins waiting until the bridegroom arrives before discovering they don't have any oil.  Becoming a disciple of Christ is about acting NOW and not waiting until death or the return of Christ happens. 

Don't be fooled.  Read the teachings of Jesus to get the full picture.