Take the World but Give Me Jesus
Take the world, but give me Jesus
The hymn expresses Lutheran concerns with proper ordering of loves, affirming that Christ alone satisfies the human heart and cannot be displaced by material possession or worldly advancement. It reflects the Reformation principle that faith in Christ constitutes the highest good and proper foundation for Christian living.
History & Background
Written by William Hopper Booth in 1891, this hymn emerged from the holiness movement tradition emphasizing complete surrender to Christ. It was widely adopted in evangelical and Pentecostal circles before becoming ecumenical through inclusion in major Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Baptist Hymnal — 578
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 737
- Lutheran Worship — 380
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 345
Bulletin Note
Written in 1891 by William Hopper Booth, this hymn crystallizes Reformation conviction: Christ alone constitutes the highest good and proper foundation of faith, making all earthly treasure comparatively worthless.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law's stripping away of false securities and the Gospel's offer of Christ as the soul's supreme treasure—perfect for sermons on idolatry, mammon, or the sufficiency of grace.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From weariness to rest in Christ, then from spiritual thirst to living water—a journey of complete soul-renewal through Christ's sufficiency
Themes
Christ-centered faith Renunciation of worldly values Treasuring Christ above all Discipleship commitment