What does Luke 14:19 mean?

Using a parable (Luke 14:15–18), Jesus explains that it's not enough to be "invited" by God—a person must be open enough to act on that invitation. Jesus' birth inaugurated the kingdom of God on earth. For thousands of years, Jews have been anticipating the arrival of the Messiah—God's anointed one—to give them the blessings God promised Abraham. That time of fulfillment is still future, during the millennial kingdom. Right now, in Luke's narrative, Jews can step into their God-ordained role to introduce the world to the proper worship of God and the salvation He offers.

Instead, metaphorically, they would rather check out the new oxen—the "riches…of life" they just bought (Luke 8:14). Or their new field (Luke 14:18), their new wife (Luke 14:20), or honor amongst each other (Luke 14:7–14), or any other earthly blessing (Luke 14:33) that just feels more real than a banquet at God's table at the resurrection. Meanwhile, Jesus has told His disciples that to truly follow Him, they must be willing to give up their lives, food security, and all their possessions (Luke 12:4–5, 22–33). They need to be willing to live in faith, trusting God to see to their needs on earth and their resurrection after death.

This is a hard lesson for a culture that teaches that if God blesses the obedient the rich must be righteous. The poor, blind, and crippled, those who seem to be cursed by God and banned from worshiping in the temple: it's these people who tend to trust God more and look forward to eternity in paradise with Him. The gospel is often more easily accepted by those who are not fulfilled by the world (Luke 14:21–23).