Discipleship is about adding value to our lives. And it is all about following Jesus Christ. Because it's an exercise in following, it's a journey. And just like every journey this one is made up of steps. That's what this series is all about: the simple steps of discipleship. Because, it turns out, successful discipleship all comes down to simple steps.
They're simple. They're not easy, they're never easy, but they are entirely simple. We have put some work into identifying the specific STEPS the Bible teaches us about discipleship. Each of these steps represents a lifestyle choice, choices that are essential to growing in a relationship with Jesus, a relationship in which he can change and transform us. Because that's what Jesus wants to do in our lives, Change and transform our lives for the better.
In the course of this series, we're taking a look at each of these steps. STEPS is an acronym.
- S is about service in a ministry and or on missions. Jesus called himself a servant and that's what he wants his followers to be people of service.
- T is about tithing and giving.
- E is engage which is how we like to talk about small groups.
- P is the practice of prayer and the celebration of the sacraments.
- S Lastly we talk about sharing our faith. our faith actually grows as we share this message with others.
To look at this step we are going to look at the passage from Mark's Gospel, where we read: As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
This story appears in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. We know from those other accounts that this man was young, rich, and a man of influence and authority. So this very successful guy comes up to Jesus respectfully and humbly, he even kneels before him. He asks the question, that is one of the most important questions of all, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Despite everything going on for him, despite his success, he knows there is more to life. He's coming to Christ looking for more. He asks about eternal life.
Just to be clear, you can't earn your way to heaven that is a gift won for you on the cross. But this guy isn't talking only about the life of heaven but, more broadly, the fullness of life God wants for us right now, and all the time. So, Jesus answered him, "You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.”
So, Jesus is telling the man to live according to the commandments and you will be living life as God intends, simple enough. The man replies to Jesus: "Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”
In other words, I have done everything that is required and my heart is telling me there is more for me to do. Besides the basics, which apply to all of us, there are challenges that each of us must face individually. Yours will be different than mine. Mine will be different than yours. So the man is rightly sensing there is more for him to do.
Jesus, looking at him, and loved him said...
Before Jesus answers, he extends to him his love. He is answering in love, what he says he says because he loves him. He looks at him with love, and then he said, "You are lacking in one thing."
Now, put yourself in the rich young man's position. You have the opportunity to get counsel and advice from someone you highly respect, someone whose counsel you sought. And after that person hears you out, they come to the conclusion they have identified the most essential step you can take in order to improve, in order to get to the next level. You'd probably pay close attention. So, that is what's going on here.
Jesus identifies the ONE thing that is keeping the man from the full and successful life that God wants him to have. And we know from other places in the Gospel Jesus cites this exact same problem, as the number one problem for most people. Not necessarily for everyone, but for most people. It is God's number one competitor for the human heart. Here's what he tells this guy: "Go sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come follow me.”
I am guessing that the guy didn't hear much beyond: “go sell what you have...”
He didn't hear what followed that because Mark tell us, At that statement the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
If you think about it, this was an incredible offer. Jesus was offering him a place in his inner circle, to become one of his closest disciples. At different times thousands of people followed Jesus, but only twelve were on his immediate staff. Two thousand years later, we know the names of those people. People name their kids after them.
We name churches after them: Peter, Andrew, James and John. The rich young man could have joined that group, but as it turns out from his decision, we don't even know his name. And don't miss the other value. This offer held, an even longer term benefit, treasure in heaven. God actually doesn't just call him to give his money away because it's a civic minded, or an altruistic thing to do. Instead he promises him rewards. Jesus is talking about an investment.
But the young man walks away from Jesus and returns to his possessions. Notice, however, he's not very happy about it. He doesn't go back thinking how glad he is that he chose his money and possessions over Jesus. Instead, he went away sad.
He leaves sad because he already knows, he already knows that his money and possessions can not satisfy the deepest longings of his heart. And yet he couldn't release his grip. And who could blame him? Would any of us acted differently?
Money is security, and we all want security for ourselves and our families. Money is comfort and we all yearn for comfort Money is power and influence and prestige all quite desirable things. Money is pleasure which human nature is designed to seek.
And beyond everything that money is, here's all the stuff that money buys: Sports tickets and HD TVs, new kitchens and granite countertops, clothes, and cars, and Disney World, Dining out, dressing up. All of which we like and love, and none of which satisfies the deepest desires of our heart.
Don't get me wrong, money and the stuff money buys is not a problem, unless and until it is a problem, unless and until our money and our stuff starts getting in the way of a meaningful life. This is why after the rich young man walks away we are told.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” That is, for sure, an eye-brow raising remark for us to hear. But for the apostles, it was an absolutely astonishing remark because their faith, not just their culture but their faith taught them that wealth was a sign of God's favor. Wealthy people were thought to be closer to God, in a sense, holier. So then the disciples asked, "Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God." Wealth and possessions, are nothing to apologize for, they are blessings from God. But see, that is exactly it. God has got to be in the equation.
Without God it is impossible to see money and possessions in the right way.
Without God, money becomes the scorecard, the standard, the goal, the aim, the end.
Without God, and what God says about money, we'll look to money to provide meaning and value to our lives and ultimately to save our lives.
Without God, it is impossible. Money is so powerful that it can actually take God's place in our minds and hearts. The temptation actually becomes assigning to money the properties and powers of God himself. After all, we do call it the almighty dollar right?
We're never going to get discipleship right; we're never going to get life right, unless and, until we get the money part right. We've got to grow to see that our money and possessions are gifts from God, and then we've got to learn to love AND trust the GIVER of those gifts more than the gifts themselves.
And there is only one way to do that: give.
This is why tithing and giving is a critical step in discipleship Intentionally giving to God, by intentionally giving to the church or giving to the poor as a worship offering to God teaches us that our hope, and our happiness, and our meaning, and our ultimate fulfillment rest in God.
We say it this way:
I want to make my giving planned not just throwing spare cash in the collection basket, we call that “tipping God,” or giving to the poor out of guilt, but planned giving?, that is part of my budget.Discipleship is simply following the Lord, step by step, on the path of greatness. It’s following the Lord step by step... In the direction of discipleship, a little bit more today than yesterday, a little bit more tomorrow than today, and in the process discovering a more successful, a greater way to live, step by step.
I want to make my giving a priority. My gift to God comes first, right off the top before I do anything else with my money.
I want to make my giving a percentage. The Bible talks about percentage giving and the biblical standard is the tithe, or 10%. At St. Mary we break down 10% by giving 5% to our parish, 1% to our diocese through CSA, and 4 percent to other worthy charities. But the percentage part is more important than the ten part. I want to pick a percentage, and start my giving to the church and to the poor, any percentage, but pick a percentage.
I want to make my giving progressive. This is my ongoing commitment to continue to raise my percentage as I work my way toward the biblical tithe. Giving to God, by giving in my place of worship, as an offering of worship, and giving to the poor, is a sure and certain way to grow your faith right now as well as make an investment in your future by building up treasure in heaven.
Here is a direct link to the audio:
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