I'm back now (intermittently at least) .
you wrote:
True, you could look at it that way. Or you could take Jesus' words (as I do) to be describing something more qualitative rather than literal. I count myself to have received more than a hundred fold of what I've forsaken in this life by following Jesus. It's not of the same type, but the things I gave up cannot begin to compare with the rewards I now have in following Jesus, and the paradox is that it's a tougher life.And what of verse 29 (which you quoted)?
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
Instead of receiving a hundred fold in relatives and lands, the leading disciples of the day (with the exception of John), as well as most of the others, received a cruel death at the hands of their enemies.
Also, consider this:
1. Who did Jesus describe as His "mother" and "brothers"? (Matt 12:46, Luke 8:19). Surely, Peter (and the others) received thousands of new "brothers", "sisters", "mothers", etc. during their ministry by remaining faithful. The day of Pentecost records 3000 such additions to the "family", and it goes up from there.
2. The book of Acts records many people selling land and laying it at the apostles feet (Acts 4:32-35).
I don't see anything in your reply that would necessarily negate what I posted unless we press for a literal interpretation of Jesus' words.
Perhaps you could elaborate.
Lord bless.