A Sold-Out Life | Thursday
“A distracted heart is one that has compromised devotion.”
Key Verse
Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others were supporting them from their possessions. (Luke 8:3)
Reflection
Before Jesus even tells the parable, Luke gives us a living picture of what “good soil” looks like. He introduces us to a group of women who had been healed and transformed by Christ. Their response was not casual or half-hearted. The Bible says they supported Jesus and the disciples with everything they had. This wasn’t just giving from their excess; it was a total, sold-out devotion. They saw the supreme value of Jesus and His kingdom, and their lives became completely oriented around supporting His mission. This is the heart of the matter. A life truly changed by the gospel becomes a life fully given over to the purposes of the gospel. This is what it means to be fruitful. It means our time, our talents, our relationships, and our resources are all offered to God. It’s easy to admire this kind of devotion from a distance, but Jesus invites us into it. He doesn’t want spectators; He wants partners in His kingdom work. A fruitful heart isn’t just a heart that avoids sin, but one that actively and joyfully invests everything it is and has into the mission of Christ.
Question
Looking at your time, finances, and energy, how does the way you use them reflect a life that is sold-out to supporting the mission of Christ?
Prayer Starter
Jesus, I don’t want to live a life of compromised devotion. Show me what it looks like to support your mission with everything I have. Transform my heart to be like the good soil that produces abundant fruit for your glory.
Family Element
Create a “Kingdom Support” jar. As a family, brainstorm all the different things you own or have (your “possessions”), like toys, allowance money, time to play, a home, etc. Write them on slips of paper and put them in the jar. Pray together, offering everything in the jar to Jesus and asking Him to show your family one way you can use one of those things this week to help someone and expand His kingdom.