Luke 22:35, commentary and pictures

On the last evening He spent with the disciples after the last Passover supper He reminded them of their first missionary tour, when He sent them without purse and scrip and shoes and asked whether they had lacked anything, to which they answered Nothing. Without purse and scrip and shoes meant going without money, a travel bag or bag, or shoes, and without other supplies or provisions. Those thus sent lacked nothing, because God and Christ supplied all their needs as they obeyed His call to work and serve.

Peter and his companions proved this by leaving their boats and nets immediately when bidden to follow, though some had friends dependent on them for support, without hesitating to ask how they would live and sustain their families, showing that obedient consecration is fully supplied. The same test comes to rich and poor alike, to Matthew in his wealth and to Andrew and Peter in their poverty, and leaving all for the work of the gospel brings no want. Strength lies not in what poor finite beings suppose they are able to do but in what Christ will do for those who exercise strong persevering faith and entire trust in Him as Leader, in contrast to assurance and self-confidence like Peter's, which is presumptuous and falls.

The same power that supplied the disciples will supply the necessities of those who today go forth to labor earnestly to give the last gospel message to the world, with angels waiting to go forth with them. Those who serve Him can trust His care rather than make compensation their chief concern, even when they cannot see how they will earn a living or meet a trial, and their answer assures His followers that He can sustain them. Workers who go forth in this trust should be allowed to follow where the Spirit directs, without forbidding human restriction.