Following God requires a heart fully devoted to Him. Throughout Scripture, we see that surrendering our plans, possessions, and desires to pursue Him leads to true fulfillment and eternal rewards. The Bible teaches us the importance of letting go of worldly attachments to gain something far greater—intimacy with our Creator. Below are Bible verses that highlight what it means to give up everything to follow God.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Following Jesus
The Call to Take Up Your Cross
Jesus invites His followers to deny themselves and take up their cross daily. This call is not about temporary sacrifices but about a lifelong commitment to putting God’s will above our own. The cross symbolizes total surrender, even in the face of difficulty, as we trust God to guide us in His perfect plan.
Matthew 16:24
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.””
Luke 9:23
“Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.””
Mark 8:35
“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.”
Galatians 2:20
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Philippians 1:21
“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.”
Leaving Everything Behind
When Jesus called His disciples, they left their professions, possessions, and even family to follow Him. Leaving everything behind demonstrates trust in God’s provision and prioritizing Him over earthly treasures. It is a radical decision to follow Christ wholeheartedly, regardless of the cost.
Luke 5:11
“And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.”
Matthew 19:21
“Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.””
Luke 14:33
“So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.”
Mark 1:18
“And they left their nets at once and followed him.”
Hebrews 11:8
“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.”
Trusting God’s Provision
Giving up everything to follow God requires trust in His faithfulness to provide for all our needs. The Bible reminds us that God is our ultimate provider and that we should not be anxious about what we will eat, drink, or wear. Our obedience is an act of faith in His sufficiency.
Matthew 6:33
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Philippians 4:19
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Luke 12:24
“Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!”
Psalm 37:25
“Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Storing Up Treasures in Heaven
Jesus encourages us to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Earthly wealth and possessions are temporary, but the rewards of serving God and living for His Kingdom are eternal. This perspective shifts our focus from materialism to spiritual priorities.
Matthew 6:19-20
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19
“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
Colossians 3:2
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
Matthew 19:29
“And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.”
Luke 12:33-34
“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Running to God
Obedience to God’s Call
Obedience to God’s call often requires sacrifice and faith. When we follow His leading, He blesses our faithfulness and uses our lives to fulfill His purposes. Scripture is filled with examples of people who responded to God’s call, leaving behind their old lives for something far greater.
Genesis 12:1
“The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.””
Exodus 3:10
“Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”
Isaiah 6:8
“Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.””
Matthew 4:19-20
“Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.”
Acts 9:15
“But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.””
Finding True Freedom in Christ
While giving up everything for God may seem difficult, it leads to true freedom. In Christ, we are no longer bound by sin, fear, or worldly expectations. Surrendering to Him allows us to experience the joy, peace, and freedom that come from living in His will.
John 8:36
“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”
Galatians 5:1
“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Romans 6:22
“But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.”
Psalm 119:45
“I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.”
The Eternal Rewards of Following God
Giving up everything for God is not in vain. Scripture assures us that He rewards those who faithfully seek Him. These rewards are not just in heaven but include a deeper relationship with Him and His peace in our lives. God’s promises are always worth the sacrifice.
Hebrews 11:6
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
James 1:12
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Revelation 22:12
“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.”
1 Corinthians 2:9
“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’”
Matthew 25:21
“The master was full of praise. “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!””