WE HAVE LEFT ALL AND FOLLOWED YOU

TUESDAY 15

“Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?’”
Matthew 19:27 (NKJV)

READ: Matthew 19:23–30

In our text, Peter asked Jesus and said: “SEE WE HAVE LEFT ALL AND FOLLOWED YOU. THEREFORE WHAT
SHALL WE HAVE?” (Matthew 19:27)

Now, when Peter asked the question, Jesus did not reprove or scold him for asking such a question. Jesus did not
say that Peter was too profit conscious, but rather, He answered the question.

Some have come with the saying or teaching, asserting that it is wrong to expect from God when you give to
Him—His work or kingdom, His servants and the needy. They call it transactional gospel. When you give to God or His cause, you should not just do it as an obligation, you should have faith to receive back because God did
promise to give back when you give towards His cause (Proverbs 19:17; Haggai 2:18,19; Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38).

You cannot just give without expecting anything in return from God; God Himself in Malachi 3:10 says tithes should be brought to His storehouse, and try or prove Him, if He would not bless in return.

Peter was asking what would be their lots or gains since they have left everything to follow Him. Jesus answered him that those who have followed Him would also sit on twelve thrones in the regeneration when He would be in His glory, judging the tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).

In addition, Jesus said everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for His name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:29).

We could see that God is not against having a desire to receive rewards for whatever is done in His kingdom. Jesus did not frown at the question asked by Peter, but He rather explained to Him what the benefits of leaving all to follow Him would be (Matthew 19:28,29).

If you give your money, possession, time and whatever for the purpose of God’s kingdom, you surely would be rewarded (Luke 8:1–3).

In fact, in Jesus’ earthly ministry, in one of His outreaches, He borrowed Peter’s boat and used it as a platform to preach, after the preaching Jesus told Peter to push the boat into the deep and cast his net, though they had caught nothing before then, but at the word of Jesus, Peter did and were able to catch a lot of fish (Luke 5:1–9).

This shows us that God is not a user or a taker, that is, He would not just use you and take what you have, and dump you without any rewards. No, God is not like that.

If money, or any material thing of yours, is used for the purpose of God’s kingdom, as well as your time; you
would surely be rewarded and be bountifully blessed in returns.

God would not be against you for asking for His blessings after you have done the right thing, or you have contributed to the propagation of His kingdom.

If God did not want you to desire or ask for a reward after you have worked or given to His work, He would not have
promised to give you a reward to begin with. Since He said you should prove Him, it means you can ask Him after
you might have done the right thing—done the work or giving (Malachi 3:10). God will not forget your good works
towards His name and kingdom (Hebrews 6:10).

Even your good works towards the people of household of faith would be rewarded (Galatians 6:9,10). Whatever
you do for the betterment of the poor generally would be remembered and rewarded by God because the Bible says you have lend what you give to them to God (Proverbs 19:17). Thus, working for God and giving to the cause of His
kingdom with a desire to be blessed is not transactional!

God commends, and He loves commendations, and one of the ways through which He commends is giving of rewards. He even promises in the book of revelation that He is coming with His reward (Revelation 22:12).

Although, it is not right that you should be carnally driven that you are solely giving to God’s work or kingdom
because of material benefits or gains. You primarily give to God and the cause of His kingdom because you love
Him. You will not find it difficult to give to God if you truly love Him with all your heart.

Whoever you love, you will not hesitate to give to the person (1 Kings 3:3,4). Thus, if you truly love God, you will not hesitate to give your money, time, and whatever you have for the propagation of His kingdom.

Remember, this question of Peter was not asked at the initial stage when they started following Him, it was probably towards the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry—when the issue of crucifixion and resurrection were being repeatedly talked about and reiterated.

Thus, whatever you want to do for God and His kingdom, rewards should not be the first thing that should come to your mind—you should not consider rewards first—but how to do the work effectively with the whole of your heart. Whether you ask for a reward or not, God will reward you if you faithfully do whatever you ought to do, or you are specifically instructed to do:
FOR GOD IS NOT UNJUST TO FORGET YOUR WORK AND LABOUR OF LOVE WHICH YOU HAVE SHOWN TOWARDS HIS NAME, IN THAT YOU HAVE MINISTERED TO THE SAINTS, AND DO
MINISTER.”
Hebrews 6:10 (NKJV)

The point being made is, God is not against rewarding whoever serves Him wholeheartedly, however, that should
not be your goal—the reason for serving.

Peace.

Reflect:
• What have you truly left to follow Jesus, and what are you still holding on to?
• Are you following Him for reward, or because He is worthy?

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