Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ²⁴  “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”  Luke 13:22-24.   

Many want to be saved on their own terms and conditions.  They want to live their own lives just as they want.  They want to believe just what they want.  They think that just because (in their own minds) that they are better than someone else, they will be saved.  They think that just because (in their own minds) that they comply with some verse that they pick and choose, they will be saved.  They create their own “god” (in their own minds) who they think will save them. 

But, Jesus exhorts all of us to “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”  Luke 13:24.  The word “Strive” reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 3:14:  “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Paul wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else, and no other Apostle (except perhaps Peter) was more well known and appreciated by the Christian Church throughout history, and yet, he did not rest on his laurels.  He stated:  “Not that I have already obtained it (the resurrection from the dead) or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;  but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:12-14.  (Parenthetical identification is mine).

Paul also said:  “I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?   Run in such a way that you may win.  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.  They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim;  I box in such a way, as not beating the air;  but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”  1 Corinthians 9:23-27.

But, there is more need to be saved than “just” this striving.  Jesus exhorts us to “enter through the narrow door”.  What is this narrow door?  It is a good question to ask and consider and discuss, but I don’t think any of us would be so bold as to claim that we can answer everything that should be considered. 

First, if there was one exclusive definitive answer, I think it would be “Jesus is that narrow door” according to Scripture such as John 14:6 (“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life;  no one comes to the Father but through Me.”) and John 10:9 (“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”). 

But, I think that Jesus meant more than just identifying Himself as the only Savior, because He states just one verse later, that there will be those who say:  “Lord, open up to us!”, but the “the head of the house” will answer and say to them, ‘I do not know where you are from.’  See Luke 13:25.  Moreover, there would be no need for striving if salvation was as simple as claiming Jesus as Savior.

Second, as another thing that should be considered, I think that part of what should be considered as this “narrow door” is more specific (or narrow) knowledge of the truth.  For one example, but there are other examples, we read in Romans 10:2-3 about the zeal of the Jews.  They certainly strived for salvation.  “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.  For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.”  (Emphasis added.)  Thus, it is not sufficient to generally know and believe in God.  We must have more specific knowledge and beliefs. 

Third, as another thing that should be considered, I think that part of what should be considered as this “narrow door” is the Third Point of Calvinism, the “L” in “TULIP”, “Limited Atonement”.  This “Limited Atonement” is narrow.  In contrast to “Limited Atonement”, Arminianism believes in “Universal Atonement”, including that God loves everyone, Christ died for everyone, and God wants to save everyone, and that the only difference between the unsaved and saved is that some take what I will call “a leap of faith” from that wide bridge of universal atonement (which wide bridge illustrates that Christ died for everyone). Arminians believe that everyone has an equal opportunity to be saved (at least in comparable situations), but that Christ’s death saved no one, only those who take the leap of faith (to the other shore as the illustration) will be saved. Thus, the bridge is wide, but it only goes halfway across the stream.

In contrast, Calvinism believes that God only loves His elect and only wants to save them. Christ died only for the elect, and God does everything necessary for the salvation of His elect. In comparison to the wide bridge of Arminianism, Calvinism is the narrow bridge because salvation is only available for the Elect, but unlike the Arminian bridge which only goes half-way across the stream, Calvinism’s narrow bridge completely crosses the stream because God handles all the points of salvation. Because Man is so totally depraved (first point of Calvinism) that he is “dead” in sin, hostile to God, cannot please God, cannot understand the things of God, and is in bondage to sin and Satan, God must make His elect “born again” or “alive” or “draw” them to Christ, or else no one would believe and be saved. God does everything for the elect, including giving them faith, sanctifying them, and preserving them to salvation, so that all the elect will be saved. See the golden chain of salvation in Romans 8: 29-30.

Arminian doctrine believes that man’s work of faith is the only variable which can bring man from universal atonement to salvation; whereas, Calvinist doctrine believes that God’s work is the only variable which brings man from total depravity to salvation. What appears to be “a doctrine of the precepts of man”?

Remember Jesus’ words in Luke 13: 24: “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and not be able.” Likewise, Jesus tells us in Matthew 7: 12: “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” These Scriptures should cause us to pause and consider whether or not Arminian’s doctrine in universal atonement and a doctrine based on “man’s leap of faith” may be the broad way that leads to destruction.

Arminianism appears to rest on “the wisdom of man” while Calvinism appears to rest on “the power of God”? Is it true faith to believe that salvation is ultimately dependent on man’s choice – “the wisdom of man”? Certainly, Arminianism is more attractive and wise and just to our natural human mind to believe that everyone has an equal opportunity to be saved and to believe in free will and to believe in sufficient goodness in man and to believe that salvation is ultimately controlled by us as to whether or not we will choose Christ and be saved. However, our faith should not rest on the wisdom of men (Arminianism) but on power of God (Calvinism). See I Corinthians 2: 5.

In conclusion, these three points to consider are just some of the points to consider in meditating on what Jesus meant by “the narrow door”.  I pray this daily devotion will motivate all of us to consider all that Jesus meant by “the narrow door” and to “strive to enter by the narrow door”.

 ²⁰  And again He said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

 ²¹  “It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”  Luke 13:18-21.

It is interesting to see the contrast within each description of the kingdom of heaven.  It is also interesting to compare each description of the kingdom of heaven.

Regarding the first description of the kingdom of heaven, we see the contrast that the kingdom of heaven is large and extensive and powerful like a tree, but it is also gentle such that the birds can nest in the branches.  “The bird also has found a house, And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God.”  Psalm 84:3     

Regarding the second description of the kingdom of heaven, we see the contrast that the kingdom of heaven is extensive like three pecks flour (“a large quantity” – Click here: Pecks – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary ), but it is also gentle (and pure) such that you can add it to food. 

A comparison between the two descriptions shows us three things about the kingdom of heaven.  First, the kingdom of heaven started with a very small beginning, kind of like it was hidden like a mustard seed in the earth or leaven buried within the flour.  Second, the kingdom of heaven grew, expanded, or permeated to powerfully be and affect a very large amount.  Third, the kingdom of heaven is gentle and can accommodate the pure. 

The powerful size or the powerful permeation of the kingdom of heaven should be encouraging to us.  Some wrongly wring their hands in worry as if the kingdom of heaven is weak and impotent.  This belief and attitude dishonors God.  But, we see here that the kingdom of heaven is large and glorious like a tree and that it powerfully permeates and affects everything:  “… the word of truth, the gospel  … has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing …”.  Colossians 1:5-6.

It was never the intent of God that everyone be saved.  However, it was the intent of God that everyone be held accountable.  “… so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;”  Romans 3:19.  The kingdom of heaven does that (holds everyone accountable).  Praise God! 

“I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
         He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
         Today I have begotten You. 
    ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
         And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. 
    ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
         You shall shatter them like earthenware.’ ”  Psalm 2:7-9.

But, the kingdom of heaven is also gentle.  “A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.”  Matthew 12:20

“¹¹  Worship the LORD with reverence
         And rejoice with trembling.
    ¹²  Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
         For His wrath may soon be kindled
         How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  Psalm 2:11-12. 

“¹¹  For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
         The LORD gives grace and glory;
         No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
    ¹²  O LORD of hosts,
         How blessed is the man who trusts in You! ”  Psalm 84:11-12.

 ⁷  “And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any.  Cut it down!  Why does it even use up the ground?’

 ⁸  “And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer;

 ⁹  and if it bears fruit next year, fine;  but if not, cut it down.’ ”  Luke 13:6-9.

Whether today’s Scripture applies to the set of collective group of people or to the set of individuals, there are other Scriptures that more clearly and expressly show this warning applies to both sets.  

Regarding the set of collective group of people, there is Matthew 21:43 .  “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.”  “When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them.”  Matthew 21:45. 

Regarding the set of individuals there is John 15:2 . “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away;  and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” 

So, let us study how to bear fruit.

John 15:8
“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

John 15:16
“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”

Romans 7:4
“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”

Colossians 1:3-12.                                                                                                                            “We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;  because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;  just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.

 ³  “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

 ⁴  “Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?

 ⁵  “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:1-5. 

When a nation or region suffers a hurricane, flood, drought, or other natural disaster,  it is tempting for us as observers to sit in judgment, shake our heads, and say or think:  “Tsk!  Tsk!  God is punishing them.” 

When an individual suffers a traffic accident, health problem, or other personal disaster, it is tempting for us as observers to sit in judgment, shake our heads, and say or think:  “Tsk!  Tsk!  God is punishing him.”  As I post this devotion, I repent as I think of the many times that I engaged in these thoughts.  

While it is true that God does sometimes (not always) judge and punish using such means, Christ turns the focus to all of us and states:   “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”  Moreover, we should note the emphasis of this teaching by the fact that Christ repeated it twice, both in Luke 13:3 and Luke 13:5.   

When Job was suffering his health problems, his friends were too eager to sit in judgment, shake their heads, and basically say words to Job to the effect:  “Tsk!  Tsk!  God is punishing you.”  We knew God’s reaction.  God was displeased with Job’s friends.

And, what God required of Job’s friends can serve as a lesson to us who also are tempted to likewise sit in judgment to a nation, region, or individual.  “It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.  “Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you.  For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”  So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD told them;  and the LORD accepted Job.”  Job 42:7-9.  (Emphasis added.)

In conclusion, these Scriptures teach us at least these two proper reactions for us as observers to such disasters is to humble ourselves and repent (as taught in the above Luke 13:3 and Luke 13:5), and to also pray for the people who are suffering such disasters and to make an offering for them (Job 42:7-9).

 ⁵⁹  “I say to you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the very last cent.”  Luke 12:57-59.

As an attorney, I appreciate the practical wisdom of this Scripture.  We should try to settle our case (whether it be a criminal or civil case) with our opponent.  We may not be able to reasonably settle our case, but we should at least try. 

Often, we will read a Scripture with a specific command, or general advice like the one in today’s Scripture.  We should not limit our analysis to exactly what we should do, but we should extend our analysis to a search of what God has given us to help us to do what He commands or advises. 

Accordingly, my thoughts turn to some of the “helps” that God has given us to help us settle our cases. 

The Holy Spirit bears the fruit of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”.  See Galatians 5:22-23.  These fruit work toward achieving settlement and against impulses in us which would work against settlement such as “enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, and envying”.  See Galatians 5:20-21. 

 ⁵⁶  “You hypocrites!  You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time?”  Luke 12:54-56.

This Scripture reminds me of 1 Chronicles 12:32:  “Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.”

As we read this Scripture, we pray that our political leaders may understand the times, with knowledge of what we should do as a nation, as a state, and as a city.   We also pray that we ourselves, in our personal lives, may also understand the times, with knowledge of what we should do.

We can and should turn to Christ “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  Colossians 2:3

We are also assured by James 1:5-8 that we can ask God for wisdom and He will give it to us.  “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

 ⁵¹  “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth?  I tell you, no, but rather division;

 ⁵²  for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.

 ⁵³  “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”  Luke 12:49-53.  (Emphasis added.)

When we first read this Scripture, it may seem rather harsh.  We may tend to think peace is always better than division.  It may help to read about the blessings of division in Scriptures such as Psalm 1. 

Notice the blessing on the righteous who is separated from the wicked in verse 1.  “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!”  Psalm 1:1.

We can also speculate that this separation may help the righteous to focus upon and meditate on the law of the Lord as stated in verses 2 and 3 .  “But his delight is in the law of the LORD,  And in His law he meditates day and night.  He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither;  And in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Psalm 1:2-3. 

Notice the judgment on the wicked who is separated away from the righteous in verse 4.  “The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.”  Psalm 1:4.

Notice again the separation of the wicked away from the righteous in verse 5.  “Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.”  Psalm 1:5.

We read again about the blessing on the righteous and the judgment on the wicked through the separation in verse 6.  “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.”  Psalm 1:6.

 ⁴³  “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.

 ⁴⁴  “Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

 ⁴⁵  “But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk;

 ⁴⁶  the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

 ⁴⁷  “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes,

 ⁴⁸  but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few.  From everyone who has been given much, much will be required;  and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”  Luke 12:41-48.  (Emphasis added.)

We are called to be “faithful and sensible” stewards.

It is “faithful and sensible” for us to obey our master and the duties of stewardship.

It is “faithful and sensible” for us to not abuse those under our care.

It is “faithful and sensible” for us to not get drunk.   

It is “faithful and sensible” for us to learn our master’s will. 

It is “faithful and sensible” for us to act in accord with our master’s will.

It is “faithful and sensible” for us to understand that we will entrusted with much to do.

It is “faithful and sensible” for us to do whatever and all that our master entrusts us to do.

It is “faithful and sensible” for us to understand that our master will either reward us or punish us for how we perform in response to our master’s will.

Our master has given us the resources to do what our master calls us to do.  Our master has trained us to do what we need to do. 

In a sense, “all” that we are called here to be is “faithful and sensible”.  Our master is not asking us to be or do something that is unreasonably difficult.  Through God’s grace, including these provisions, we can do God’s will.

Ephesians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.”

Ephesians 2:10                                                                                                                                 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Galatians 3:5
“So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”

Galatians 5:22-23  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

2 Peter 1:2-3                                                                                                                                       “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”

Philippians 2:13                                                                                                                                  “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

 ³⁷  “Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes;  truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.

 ³⁸  “Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

 ³⁹  “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

 ⁴⁰  “You too, be ready;  for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”  Luke 12:35-40.  (Emphasis added.) 

Sometimes when I read Scripture, I will remember prior Scripture and understand the connection between the two passages.  Today, I remembered prior Scripture and understood their connection with today’s Scripture.

The very clear and simple theme for the Scripture today is to be ready for the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Two prior verses that I remembered first are Luke 12:5 and Luke 5:20. 

“But I will warn you whom to fear:  fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!”‘  Luke 12:5.

“But God said to him, ‘You fool!  This very night your soul is required of you;  and now who will own what you have prepared?’ ”  Luke 5:20. 

Even as I consider these two Scriptures, I remember a more distant Scripture, Luke 9:59-62.

“And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”  But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead;  but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”  Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord;  but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.”  But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:59-62.

The connection between all these Scriptures is the supreme demand of discipleship including readiness. 

It is very tempting for us to push aside our devotion to our Lord with various pursuits.  How easy is it to get distracted and off-track!  We can justify the pursuit of so many different things (even as good as they may be). 

But, we are warned!  “… fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!”  ‘You fool!  This very night your soul is required of you;  and now who will own what you have prepared?’

We may think like the five foolish virgins:  “I will get ready later.  I also have friends who can help.”  And notice that the five foolish virgins so quickly tried to get ready and how they asked for help from their friends. 

But, what happened?  “But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him.’  “Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.  “The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ “But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast;  and the door was shut.  “Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’  “But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’  “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”  Matthew 25:6-13.

In conclusion, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  Proverbs 9:10   May God give us grace to truly fear God, and remember and meditate on the fact and act rightly upon it, that God has authority to cast into hell and that Christ can come again at any hour and that we need to be “on our tip-toes” ready (and not distracted by various other pursuits).

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again;  and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”  Matthew 13:44

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”  Matthew 13:45-46. 

We wrongly tend to think that grace is cheap.  We wrongly tend to think grace is common.  We wrongly tend to think that grace does not cost anything.

But, grace is neither common nor inexpensive to produce.

Grace was not inexpensive to produce.  It cost our Savior His life and great suffering along the way.  If ever there was a time for God the Father to relent on His demand for justice, it was when His Son was on the cross. But, He required His Son to endure the full amount of suffering even to the point of death to pay for our sins.

Grace is not common.  Grace is particular.  Grace is given to only God’s elect for whom Christ died.  God does not love everyone.  Christ did not die for everyone. 

Grace is not cheap for us too.  Through God’s grace, we are called, regenerated, and otherwise empowered to seek that kingdom of heaven with our whole heart and all of our resources.  

But, this language of “Sell your possessions and give to charity” is more figurative than literal.  There is other Scripture that we must also consider.  We have duties to support our family.  We have duties to support the poor within our church.  We have duties to support the preaching and other ministries of our church.  There are other support duties as well. 

Even within this Scripture, we see the goal of this giving is to “make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven”.  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Our heart will follow our money.

And, isn’t the kingdom of heaven, that “treasure hidden in the field”, worth all that we have?! 

Isn’t the kingdom of heaven, that “pearl of great value”, worth all that we have?! 

Isn’t the kingdom of heaven, that “unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys”, worth all that we have?!