On the eleventh day of Christmas...

"In the same way, anyone of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple..." Luke 14. 33

"11 pipers piping" refers to the 11 faithful disciples. We know from Scripture that they were not perfect but they were faithful. They might have made mistakes, run away when Jesus needed them most, even denied him. But they were faithful because, despite everything, they continued to trust him and to believe in him. And that is what God requires of us. Not perfection. He knows our weaknesses! He does not expect us to believe in ourselves but to believe in him. And to trust him - with everything we've got. Furthermore, we have his promise that whatever we give up on earth - be it wealth, fame, family, pleasures - will be more than amply compensated for in heaven. That is not why we trust Jesus (for a reward) but it reminds us that God is no man's debtor.

He who pays the piper calls the tune!