There is a vast difference between being saved and being a disciple, a follower of Jesus.

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Matthew 4:18–20 (ESV) 

A disciple follows Jesus — Follow Me.

A disciple is being changed by Jesus — I will make you.

A disciple is committed to the mission of Jesus - Fishers of men.

Are you disqualifying yourself from following Jesus? Remember, sinners are the only kind of people Jesus calls.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” …Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now …” Luke 5:8–10 (NIV)

Called To Be Generous

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)

Generosity is central to Jesus' mission, and generosity will shape our hearts, lives, and eternal reward.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 (NIV) 

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. 2 Corinthians 8: 11 (NIV)

Money giving is a very good criterion, in a way, of a person’s mental health. Generous people are rarely mentally ill people. Dr. Karl Menninger

Money is such a priority in our lives, it competes for the loyalty of our souls.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

First and foremost, money is a spiritual matter. You can’t become Christlike without becoming generous.

The godly are generous givers. Psalm 37:21 (NLT)

A tithe of everything… belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)

***Video Clip - Ps Russell Johnson, Pursuit NW Church***

Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality. A.W. Tozer

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV).

People go through three conversions: the conversion of their head, their heart, and their pocketbook—unfortunately, not all at the same time. Martin Luther.

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. Luke 19:1–3 (NIV)

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” Luke 19:5–7 (NIV)

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house…For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:8–10 (NIV)

Jesus notices how much we give but is far more interested in what that amount says about our hearts than anything else.

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1–4 (NIV)

Faith is like a muscle. When you use it, faith grows. 

Your giving is a proof of your faith. Many people will praise God because you obey the Good News of Christ—the gospel you say you believe—and because you freely share with them and with all others. 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NCV)

God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with. Billy Graham