Conversion & Calling, Student Workbook, SW01

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C O N V E R S I O N A N D C A L L I N G

How Much Money Can a Christian Make?

In one of the men’s discipling cell groups in a church, a heated debate has been brewing since they began a study in the Gospel of Luke. Luke 14.33 says “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” One brother interpreted this (along with other texts in the Bible) to say that it is impossible for a Christian to be wealthy, even to own things personally, for it says that he must give up all his possessions. Other brothers in the study suggest that this is simply too extreme an interpretation; the real idea is that they should be willing to give up all their possessions, not actually give them up. What is the real nature of discipleship that comes out in this conversation? The elders of the church meet every other Friday evening, which is the time that most of the men and women can attend. One dear brother determined that he would need to leave the elder board because Friday evenings for the last few years have been his date night with his wife. Since God would have him maintain the priority of marriage above the church, he argues, he simply can no longer serve on the Elders Council of church. The other members of the council argued that, in one sense, the Church and its affairs as God’s community should take priority over the issues of marriage and family. The elder argued other Scripture, which suggest that the family must be held as a model of Christ and the Church. Whose side of the argument is most persuasive to you here? A Baptist congregation just up the way is experiencing controversy over its worship services. The new pastor, a fine Christian and biblical teacher, believes that there can be no salvation where there has been no commitment to discipleship. The church, at the end of its services, invites those in the audience who have not responded to Christ to come to him in faith and obedience. Since the new pastor has arrived, he has preached strongly that if you refuse to acknowledge Jesus as your Lord then you cannot receive him as Savior. You receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, not one first and the other second. This seems to go against what some of the deacons have understood of “salvation by grace through faith,” and borders on making salvation a work of the new Christian and not the gift of God. How ought we to understand the invitation to Christ-what does it mean? Date with Spouse versus Date with Service Invite Them to Discipleship, Not to Salvation

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