“not just about giving”

Here’s another piece from my email conversation with a friend (see the others here and here):

What does it look like [“to immerse ourselves in the depths of ‘follow me'”]? Jesus seems to teach complete dependence on God in every area of life (economic, social, political, with family, church, etc.). We demonstrate this faith by looking to God for help and trusting how He gives. Weakness and poverty, in that sense, helps us overcome our separation from God. Whereas wealth and human strength will do the opposite. Yet following Jesus is not just about giving and/or helping, but about having a close relationship with God (i.e., oneness).