GENEROSITY AS A MARK OF DISCIPLESHIP

          The blog series that we are in has been about giving as a heart issue, and we’ve talked about Biblical generosity, modeling and celebrating. This week we are talking about generosity as a mark of discipleship.

          What is a mark? It is a symbol or indication of something. So a mark of Christian discipleship would be something that indicates being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

          Talking about discipleship is something we’re doing here in our District and in the Conference as well. Our task, as Christians, is to make disciples for the transformation for the world. So, if we’re making disciples, then we must be talking about discipleship in our local churches.

• ·        How do we encourage folks to become disciples?
• ·        How do we help folks to move forward in their discipleship?

·        What are the steps people should follow in becoming stronger disciples, strong enough to start making disciples for the transformation of the world?

          We often talk about marks of discipleship, which include service, prayer, worship, leading, Bible study, etc. But there’s another mark we often don’t talk about, and that’s generosity and giving. Generosity and giving is as important as prayer and Bible study.

          I don’t believe someone can be a disciple if they’re not generous. But I also don’t believe that it comes naturally for a lot of people. If we’re working on our pathways and plans to help people become disciples and discipleship to become stronger disciples, then we need to include conversation and teaching about giving that is as important as teaching about how to pray and how to serve.

          Just as the “offering” during a worship service is a vital part of worship; as important as the singing and the prayer and the sermon, then giving and generosity is a vital part of discipleship, equally as important as prayer and service and Bible study.

          We have a responsibility to encourage generosity and to teach about giving and discipleship! How else will we reach the world and make disciples that will transform the world?