How much are you willing to sacrifice in doing the Lord’s work? Are you more concerned with success and a comfortable life or willing to forsake everything for the sake of Christ? (Luke 14:25-33; Philippians 3:7-8) We often think of “forsaking everything” in terms of physical possessions. That’s true, but everything might also include our health, safety, comfort, dreams, and goals.
“Everything” is all-encompassing; it touches every area of our lives. Are you willing to do that? Is Christ worth surrendering everything you’ve ever wanted and everything you might have dreamed to achieve? Is He worth your comfort, safety, and even your life? (Luke 9:23-24; Revelation 12:11)
How much are you willing to sacrifice to prove your love for Christ? Are you willing to walk away from every friend you’ve ever had and every dollar you’ve ever saved? (Matthew 10:37-39; Luke 14:33) The call to follow Jesus is radical and requires enormous sacrifice. (Mark 8:34-35; Luke 14:26-27) But no matter how large the sacrifice required of us, it is nothing when compared to the sacrifice Jesus made for us. (Philippians 2:5-8; 1 Peter 2:21-24) The one who never knew sin had to bear every sin from the past, present, and future.(2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 10:10-14) If that weren’t more than enough, he suffered unimaginable torture and excruciating pain in our place. (Isaiah 53:4-7; Matthew 27:26-31) In the end, He died so that we would never have to feel the sting of death. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Hebrews 2:14-15)
How much are you willing to sacrifice of your wealth to promote the spread of the gospel? Where we spend our resources says more about what’s important to us than perhaps anything else. We divest our money in what we value most. (Matthew 6:19-21) There is an endless array of things in this world on which we can spend our money, but none of it will last. (1 John 2:15-17; 1 Timothy 6:7) Think of every dollar you spend as an investment into either God’s Kingdom or the kingdom of the Devil. There are no neutral dollars. You are always building one kingdom or the other. (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:10-13)
You can substitute time for money in the paragraph above. The same principles apply. Both are finite, and both come to an abrupt end when we die. (James 4:13-14; Psalm 90:10-12) Only what we do for Jesus will remain (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 1 John 2:17), so all our money, time, and effort must go into building His Kingdom while we still can. (Ephesians 5:15-17; Colossians 3:17) We must forsake everything for the cause of Christ. (Luke 14:33; Philippians 3:7-8) Why would you invest a single cent or second into building something that will not last and does not please your Father above? It makes no sense.
How much are you willing to sacrifice to spend eternity with Jesus? That’s the ultimate question. Are you willing to forgo the temporary and sinful pleasures of this world to gain the eternal and holy joy of the Kingdom of Christ? (Hebrews 11:24-26; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18) The day is fast approaching when each of us will give an account of what we’ve done with this life He entrusts to us. (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10)
When you face the King, will it be with gratitude after a life spent for His glory, or in shame over a life wasted on selfish pursuits and desires? (1 John 2:28; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15) There is no downside to forsaking everything for Jesus. Everyone who does will receive a hundred times more in the life to come. (Mark 10:28-30; Matthew 19:27-29) Are you willing to wait? How much are you willing to sacrifice for the glory of God?