Discipleship does not come from positions of prominence, wealth

In the days when truth was spoken through parables and wisdom was shared by the humble, the Teacher from Nazareth walked among fishermen, tax collectors, and the poor in spirit. James E. Faust’s quote, “Discipleship does not come from positions of prominence, wealth, or advanced learning. The disciples of Jesus came from all walks of life,” echoes this eternal truth — that divine calling and spiritual greatness are not born of worldly stature, but of the purity of heart, humility, and willingness to serve. The path of discipleship is a road of surrender, not of prestige; it is a calling that strips away vanity and crowns the meek with purpose.

When Christ called His first followers, He did not seek the scholars of the temple or the wealthy rulers of Jerusalem. He called Peter and Andrew, simple fishermen who smelled of the sea and carried rough hands from labor. He called Matthew, a despised tax collector, and Mary Magdalene, a woman cast aside by society. From these humble souls, He built a movement that would change the course of human history. Thus, discipleship was not bestowed upon the high-born, but upon those willing to abandon the nets of comfort and cast their faith into the unknown waters of devotion.

Consider also the story of Francis of Assisi, born into privilege and wealth. He was destined to inherit the riches of his merchant father, yet he heard a call from beyond the silken curtains of comfort. When he looked upon the suffering of the poor, the lepers, and the forgotten, he renounced all that the world had given him. Barefoot and wrapped in simplicity, he followed the footsteps of Christ — serving, loving, and rebuilding what was broken. His life became a living echo of Faust’s words: true discipleship is not found in luxury or intellect, but in the soul’s surrender to love and purpose.

The ancients understood this well. The warriors of spirit were not crowned by kings, but chosen by conscience. Moses was a shepherd when God called him to lead a nation. David was a boy with a sling before he became a king after God’s own heart. And even Christ Himself was born in a manger, not in marble halls, to show that the divine spark dwells not in rank or wealth, but in the heart that dares to believe. Every generation must remember this: the light of heaven often hides within those the world overlooks.

Yet, in our age of ambition and achievement, men and women often mistake success for sanctity. They chase titles, diplomas, and applause, believing these to be signs of worth. But discipleship asks not for recognition, only faithfulness. It demands that one learns to listen, to serve quietly, to love without expecting return. The truest follower is not the loudest preacher, but the quiet soul who uplifts another without being seen.

The lesson here is profound: discipleship is not a profession, it is a transformation. It is the alchemy of the spirit — the turning of pride into humility, wealth into generosity, and learning into wisdom. To walk this path, one must first empty the self, for only an empty vessel can be filled with divine light. It is through serving, not ruling; through giving, not gaining; that the heart finds its highest purpose.

Let all who hear this teaching take it to heart. You need not be rich to give, nor learned to teach, nor powerful to lead. Begin where you are — in your home, in your work, in your kindness toward others. Every act of compassion, every word of encouragement, every silent prayer is a step in the long road of discipleship. The Teacher still calls today, as He did on the shores of Galilee, not the mighty, but the willing. And blessed are those who answer, for they shall find greatness not in the eyes of the world, but in the eternal gaze of Heaven.