	Giving—An Aspect of Discipleship
	The Rich Young Man In Mark’s Gospel (Mark 10: 17-23) we read about a rich young man who was faced with the cost of following Jesus. The young man came to Jesus to find out how to obtain eternal life. Jesus said to him: “…go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” (v 21) Jesus wanted this sincere young man to become one of his disciples. However, Jesus could see that the young man’s attitude to money and possessions had a grip on his heart. Jesus felt that the only remedy was for the young man to sell all that he had and give it to the poor. …come, follow me. The young man was faced with a stark choice, total commitment to Jesus and the demands of being his disciple, or commitment to his properties and his bank balances. For the rich young man this was a very hard choice to make. Sadly, he decided he could not face the cost of discipleship. It should be stressed that the demand that Jesus made of the young man was suited to the man’s particular situation and is not required of everyone. However, in one way or another, God wants us to give ourselves to him, serving him wholeheartedly according to the gifts he has given us. Christian giving is not just about giving money, it is about bringing the whole of our lives under the sovereignty of, and in obedience to, the Lord. It is about following Jesus. It is part of being a disciple of Christ. Giving is an act of love Jesus said to his disciples: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13: 34-35) It has been said that It is possible to give without loving but it is impossible to love without giving. Through our giving we test the sincerity of our love. Through our giving, we demonstrate our love for God, for our neighbour and for one another. Let us also remember God’s love for us, a love so great that he gave his only Son (John 3:16) - a love that we respond to in thanksgiving.	Giving makes a difference There are many ways in which we can express our thanksgiving, for example in committing our lives to God, in taking time to pray, in giving generously to fund God’s work, in acts of love and care, and in being prepared to change for the sake of the Kingom. Giving our money in a planned way enables God’s work to be adequately resourced. It also enables us to experience the joy of promoting God’s glory and the privilege of meeting human needs. In short, it strengthens our discipleship. When we give financially in a regular, proportional and sacrificial manner—as I am sure many people at Norbury already do—then we see the growth of God’s Kingdom in our community and a deepening of our discipleship. Prayer As Christians we need to pray regularly about our giving. May I encourage you to spend time with God in prayer. Take time to talk with God about your giving. Seek his guidance and his will on this important aspect of your Christian discipleship, as Paul writes: Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) This article has been written by Martin Smith, who is the Chester Diocesan Adviser in Christian Giving. He is part of the Committee for Mission and Ministry team, providing support for parishes. He works alongside parish clergy and PCCs, advising, encouraging and supporting them in the teaching of Christian giving. As part of our Lent series on Called to Follow, Martin Smith will preach at all services on 24th February on Called to Give. Martin Smith
	Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire. Telephone: 0161-483 6325

Giving—An Aspect of Discipleship

The Rich Young Man

In Mark’s Gospel (Mark 10: 17-23) we read about a rich young man who was faced with the cost of following Jesus. The young man came to Jesus to find out how to obtain eternal life. Jesus said to him: “…go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” (v 21)

Jesus wanted this sincere young man to become one of his disciples. However, Jesus could see that the young man’s attitude to money and possessions had a grip on his heart. Jesus felt that the only remedy was for the young man to sell all that he had and give it to the poor.

…come, follow me.

The young man was faced with a stark choice, total commitment to Jesus and the demands of being his disciple, or commitment to his properties and his bank balances. For the rich young man this was a very hard choice to make. Sadly, he decided he could not face the cost of discipleship.

It should be stressed that the demand that Jesus made of the young man was suited to the man’s particular situation and is not required of everyone. However, in one way or another, God wants us to give ourselves to him, serving him wholeheartedly according to the gifts he has given us.

Christian giving is not just about giving money, it is about bringing the whole of our lives under the sovereignty of, and in obedience to, the Lord. It is about following Jesus. It is part of being a disciple of Christ.

Giving is an act of love

Jesus said to his disciples: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13: 34-35)

It has been said that It is possible to give without loving but it is impossible to love without giving. Through our giving we test the sincerity of our love. Through our giving, we demonstrate our love for God, for our neighbour and for one another.

Let us also remember God’s love for us, a love so great that he gave his only Son (John 3:16) - a love that we respond to in thanksgiving.

Giving makes a difference

There are many ways in which we can express our thanksgiving, for example in committing our lives to God, in taking time to pray, in giving generously to fund God’s work, in acts of love and care, and in being prepared to change for the sake of the Kingom. Giving our money in a planned way enables God’s work to be adequately resourced. It also enables us to experience the joy of promoting God’s glory and the privilege of meeting human needs. In short, it strengthens our discipleship.

When we give financially in a regular, proportional and sacrificial manner—as I am sure many people at Norbury already do—then we see the growth of God’s Kingdom in our community and a deepening of our discipleship.

Prayer

As Christians we need to pray regularly about our giving. May I encourage you to spend time with God in prayer. Take time to talk with God about your giving. Seek his guidance and his will on this important aspect of your Christian discipleship, as Paul writes:

Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

This article has been written by Martin Smith, who is the Chester Diocesan Adviser in Christian Giving. He is part of the Committee for Mission and Ministry team, providing support for parishes. He works alongside parish clergy and PCCs, advising, encouraging and supporting them in the teaching of Christian giving.

As part of our Lent series on Called to Follow, Martin Smith will preach at all services on 24th February on Called to Give.