by[29] So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, [30] who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. [31] But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” – Mark 10:29-31 (NKJV)
For some years now, I have been studying how the lives of people who choose to follow Jesus end up. Honestly speaking, the results vary from person to person. While some people end up receiving much more benefits, some also struggle in some areas of their lives. For those who struggle, some end up blaming God for their struggles, and if care isn’t taken, they even opt to leave the ministry to pursue worldly gains. That is the same thing Demas did to Paul (see 2 Timothy 4:10). But the outcomes of such lives aren’t the standard. Instead, it is what God has said that holds.
Jesus said if you have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children or even lands for His sake and the gospel’s, you will receive a hundredfold of all those things (excluding father and wife) with persecutions (from unbelievers who’ll be terrorised by God’s blessings in your life). Jesus didn’t add “father” as part of what you’ll receive for following Him because God will be there to father you. Secondly, he didn’t add “wife” to it because doing ministry doesn’t relieve you of that conscious duty of choosing a suitable marital partner for your life. Some people choose to give up their marriages for the sake of the gospel, which is fine. But my main emphasis is on the verse 31, where Jesus said,
Do you know what that means? Those who forsake the ministry and go about chasing worldly possessions will get those things earlier than the believers. But in the long run, believers in Christ will get better things than they do. So, if you are a Christian and you think your unbelieving companions, including the atheists, are getting more material possessions than you, don’t ever think you are late. You are not late. In fact, God is setting you up for a high elevation beyond what people think of you. Fret not! For God has got you well covered.
You are a blessing.
Prayer:
Father, help me not to be affected by the deception of pursuing worldly possessions over building my intimacy with You. Let my eyes keep gazing at the price. In the name of Jesus. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2026 – 128
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