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We don’t need to wait to enjoy a rich life in God’s kingdom.
我们现在就可以在上帝国度中,享受富足的人生。
Watch out ! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. Luke 12:15
你们要谨慎自守,免去一切的贪心,因为人的生命不在乎家道丰富。-路加福音12章15节
Lately, as I’ve been skimming financial advice books, I’ve noticed an interesting trend. While almost all such books have good advice, many imply that the primary reason to cut costs is to live like millionaires later. But one book offered a refreshingly different perspective, arguing that living simply is essential for a rich life. If you need more or fancier stuff to feel joy, the book suggested, “You’re missing the point of being alive.”
最近,我浏览了一些财务指南的书,发现一个有趣的现象。虽然这些书大多有好的建议,但都暗示节省开支的主要目的是为了以后能有富裕的生活。然而,有一本书提供了令人耳目一新的见解,认为生活简朴是富足生活的要素。若你需要更多或更好的物资才能感到快乐,便如书中所说:“你错失了活着的真义。”
Those insightful words brought to mind Jesus’s response when a man asked Him to urge his brother to divide an inheritance with him. Instead of sympathizing, Jesus dismissed him abruptly before warning sternly about “all kinds of greed”—because “life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:14–15). He then described a wealthy person’s plans to store his crops and enjoy a luxurious lifestyle—the first-century version of retirement planning—with a blistering conclusion. His wealth did him no good, since he died that night (vv. 16–20).
最近,我浏览了一些财务指南的书这番真知灼见令我想起,有一个人求耶稣吩咐他的兄长和他分家产时,耶稣没有同情那人,还驳回他的请求,并且严厉地警诫众人要免去“一切的贪心,因为人的生命不在乎家道丰富”(路加福音12章14-15节)。随后,耶稣讲述一个财主如何计划积蓄他的庄稼,好享受奢华的生活。这是典型的第一世纪退休计划,但结局令人震惊。当夜财主就去世了,他的万贯家财对他根本毫无意义(16-20节)。
Although we are responsible to use our resources wisely, Jesus’s words remind us to check our motivation. Our hearts should be focused on pursuing God’s kingdom—knowing Him and serving others—not on securing our own futures (vv. 29–31). As we live for Him and freely share with others, we can fully enjoy a rich life with Him now—in the kingdom that gives meaning to all of life (vv. 32–34).
虽然我们要有智慧地使用所拥有的,但耶稣的话语提醒我们应省察自己的动机。我们要专心寻求上帝的国,更认识祂,乐意服事人,而不是专为自己的未来打算(29-31节)。当我们为祂而活并无私地与人分享,我们此刻就能与祂同在,享受富足的人生,活在生命充满意义的国度中(32-34节)。
Lord, thank You for Your generosity.
Teach us how to enjoy what You’ve given us and to share that with others.
主,感谢祢一切丰富的供应,
求祢教导我们,懂得如何享受祢所赏赐的一切,并与他人分享。
12 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no store room or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you can not do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
12 耶稣又对门徒说:“所以我告诉你们,不要为生命忧虑吃什么,为身体忧虑穿什么。 23 因为生命胜于饮食,身体胜于衣裳。 24 你想乌鸦,也不种也不收,又没有仓又没有库,神尚且养活它,你们比飞鸟是何等地贵重呢! 25 你们哪一个能用思虑使寿数多加一刻呢? 26 这最小的事你们尚且不能做,为什么还忧虑其余的事呢? 27 你想百合花怎么长起来,它也不劳苦,也不纺线,然而我告诉你们:就是所罗门极荣华的时候,他所穿戴的还不如这花一朵呢! 28 你们这小信的人哪!野地里的草今天还在,明天就丢在炉里,神还给它这样的装饰,何况你们呢! 29 你们不要求吃什么、喝什么,也不要挂心。 30 这都是外邦人所求的。你们必须用这些东西,你们的父是知道的。 31 你们只要求他的国,这些东西就必加给你们了。 32 你们这小群,不要惧怕,因为你们的父乐意把国赐给你们。33 “你们要变卖所有的周济人,为自己预备永不坏的钱囊、用不尽的财宝在天上,就是贼不能近、虫不能蛀的地方。 34 因为你们的财宝在哪里,你们的心也在哪里。
God already lovingly rules. Yet in a fallen world, believers also pray for His kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10), for evil to be gone forever. How do we live in that tension?
上帝早已慈爱地掌管治理全地。但在这堕落的世界中,信徒仍要祈求上帝的国降临(马太福音6章10节),并祈求罪恶永远消除。在这样充满张力的境况中,我们当如何生活呢?
Instead of living in fear of loss, Jesus taught His followers to live as if God’s kingdom was already here in full. Worrying is powerless, but courageously seeking Him leads to priceless, eternal riches (Luke 12:31–34).
耶稣教导门徒,不要活在担心害怕中,患得患失,反要毫无惧怕,有如上帝的国已全然降临。忧愁挂虑让人软弱无力,我们当勇敢地寻求祂,好得着那无价的、永恒的珍宝(路加福音12章31-34节)。
整理:于姊妹
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