Before we arrived in the town for our first pastorate, one of the moms in our new church reached out to me via email. Debbie was a few steps ahead of me on the journey and had benefited from her own discipleship experiences. She had encouragement to share and wanted to offer me mentorship. I’d get to know Debbie that year. She was a confident, musical leader with experience and gifts in teaching and discipling. I’d learned a lot from her. Actually, I haven’t stopped! We are raising our children and serving in church life together because my family is still building our home in that town we didn’t know existed! Debbie and I haven’t had an effortless friendship though. We both have determined personalities. We are similar yet different. Nine years later I can say I appreciate her friendship and input in my life more than ever. One significant reason is we are both (a little bit) more like Jesus.
I don’t think of discipleship as my strong suit. Maybe it’s because I haven’t practiced a lot. Sometimes I’m fooled into believing I haven’t lived well enough or long enough to have much to offer. But—as God could only arrange–I’ve been seeing my own opportunities to disciple and be used by God. Discipleship opportunities are all around me. With my children. With the teenagers I interact with at youth group. With the ladies at Bible Study. Most of the time though I’m not getting fantastic superhero feelings for doing the right thing. But sometimes God shows the satisfaction of obeying Him.
One recent example is when Debbie asked me if the next time we were meeting I’d share some of the strengths, weaknesses, and sins I see in her. I thought about being in her shoes and noticed her vulnerability in asking. I saw the seriousness of being in a position to give input like that. I often speak sooner than I ought, but, ironically, I am an over analyser when I’m given the time to premeditate. Anticipating my visit with Debbie actually made my palms sweaty! In a situation like this I knew that exhausting my nit-picky grievances would be missing the point. If I ignored the uncomfortable things and just listed the good that wouldn’t be aiding her desire to grow either. God doesn’t drown us in failure or puff us up.
Dependence on the Living Word
I felt the reality of my need for God in a sobering way as I prayed and asked Him for help that week. If I was looking to my own good ideas or strength to say what I thought was best, Debbie and I would have both missed out. Any time we are in a place or position to help people follow Jesus, it’s crucial to rely on the One who’s always working. Our time and perspectives are limited but we can bring Him our humble loaves and fishes.
Generosity through the Living Word
I thought about the phrase that says for every critical thing said to a person she needs three positive things to balance them out. Debbie is thick-skinned and aware of many of her strengths, but I’ve seen how some of the most confident people can be under-encouraged. I decided I would bring up one or two areas of growth to talk about, but what I really prayed about were the ways to praise her. I thought about different life categories (marriage, parenting, neighbouring) and considered the fruit of the Spirit evident in her life. I made my list long and I made sure to share it before the “weaknesses.” Although our conversation had awkward moments (receiving encouragement is hard too!) I saw the Living Word working. I didn’t exaggerate, but I was generous. My friend responded well and I clearly sensed God filling me with His Spirit to speak in a way that was edifying, gracious, and clear. There were things I said—or better yet, how I said them—that just weren’t normally what I do. It was the Living Word.
Enriched by the Living Word
As I was thinking about generosity, 2 Corinthians 9:6 came to mind: “whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” Generous discipleship is a different application than the context of giving money, but I saw first hand how giving encouragement and exhortation to follow Jesus gave encouragement back to me.
2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (NIV)
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
God helped me to sow generously.
As my “strengths” list grew for my friend, God was giving me more love in my heart for her. As I was obeying the command to “build one another up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) I was receiving fresh energy to give more in that way. God also used me as a tool to accomplish more of His good work in my Christian sister.
Our Triune God will generously supply you with all that you need for generous discipleship. When you have nothing left to give, God is the dependable supplier. When you don’t feel motivated, God is rich to empower you with grace and joy so you can abound in generosity. As you help people around you follow Jesus, may you also see the harvest of your righteousness and so return thanksgiving to God!
Question: Can you recall a time when God “enriched” you so you could generously disciple someone else? A time you were blessed because of your generosity?
