What does Luke 14:33 mean?

Jesus is explaining to a crowd what will be required for His disciples. Jesus-followers must love Him more than their own families and even more than their own lives. They must carefully consider whether they are willing to make that sacrifice (Luke 14:25–32).

Now, Jesus tacks on one last, all-encompassing requirement: Jesus-followers must be willing to give up all they have.

The parable of the great feast touched on this. A man invited many people to a banquet. When the day of the feast came, everyone declined. One said he had just bought a field; another said he had to inspect his new oxen; a third had recently married. The point of the parable is that those who over-value what they have on earth will not take the time to consider the earthly sacrifices life in the kingdom of God entail (Luke 14:15–24).

This is not the first time Jesus has touched on this theme. He's talked about how His disciples need to be willing to do without wealth (Luke 12:13–21), food and clothing necessary to live (Luke 12:22–30), and money and possessions (Luke 12:33).

This verse doesn't mean we have to sell everything we own and give the money to the poor. It means we need to release our love of our possessions in our hearts, recognizing that what we own has always belonged to God. We must agree that we are stewards commissioned to use all our resources and abilities as God wishes us to. That may mean to give it all away, to use it for ministry, or to meet others' needs.

Next, Luke includes a curious comment about salt. The gist is this: we need to count the cost of following Jesus. Those who start strong but do not continue a life of submission to Him aren't useful citizens in the kingdom of God.