lesson 6 Decision Making

We face decisions every day. How can we determine the best choices to make, especially in the big decisions and the ones that really don’t have a clear path for us to choose? Today’s Bible study will address these very issues…

我们每天都要面对决定。我们怎样能做出最好的选择呢,尤其是在重大的决定上,以及实在没有清楚的道路让我们选择的情况下?今天的圣经学习将探讨此类问题…

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· Job/career

· 工作/职业

· Wife/husband

· 妻子/丈夫

· How many children

· 生几个孩子

· How much money I return to the Lord

· 向主奉献多少钱

· How I serve Jesus in the church with the talents he’s given to me

· 如何用神赐给我的才干在教会服侍

Wisdom’s Starting Point

智慧的开端

An ancient philosopher by the name of Confucius once said that wisdom can be learned by 3 methods:

一位名叫孔子的古代哲学家曾说可以通过三种方式学到智慧:clip-image004

  1. Reflection (the noblest)

生而知之 即思悟(上等)

  1. Imitation (the easiest)

学而知之 即模仿(次等)

  1. Experience (the bitterest)

困而知之 即体验(下等)

Consider the following Bible passages…

思考以下圣经章节…

Psalm 119:97,98 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.

诗篇119:97,98我 何 等 爱 慕 你 的 律 法 , 终 日 不 住 地 思 想 .98你 的 命 令 常 存 在 我 心 里 , 使 我 比 仇 敌 有 智 慧 .

· Apply reflection to this passage for the Christian

· 将思悟的智慧应用于这节经文来教导信徒

· Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

腓立比书2:3-5凡 事 不 可 结 党 , 不 可 贪 图 虚 浮 的 荣 耀 ; 只 要 存 心 谦 卑 , 各 人 看 别 人 比 自 己 强 . 4各 人 不 要 单 顾 自 己 的 事 , 也 要 顾 别 人 的 事 . 5你 们 当 以 基 督 耶 稣 的 心 为 心 :

· Apply imitation to this passage for the Christian

· 将效仿的智慧应用于这节经文来教导信徒

Matthew 26:31-35 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ”‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.“ 33 Peter replied, ”Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.“ 34 ”I tell you the truth,“ Jesus answered, ”this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.“ 35 But Peter declared, ”Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.“ And all the other disciples said the same.

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马太26:31-35那 时 , 耶 稣 对 他 们 说 : 今 夜 , 你 们 为 我 的 缘 故 都 要 跌 倒 . 因 为 经 上 记 着 说 : 我 要 击 打 牧 人 , 羊 就 分 散 了 . 32但 我 复 活 以 後 , 要 在 你 们 以 先 往 加 利 利 去 . 33彼 得 说 : 众 人 虽 然 为 你 的 缘 故 跌 倒 , 我 却 永 不 跌 倒 . 34耶 稣 说 : 我 实 在 告 诉 你 , 今 夜 鸡 叫 以 先 , 你 要 三 次 不 认 我 . 35彼 得 说 : 我 就 是 必 须 和 你 同 死 , 也 总 不 能 不 认 你 . 众 门 徒 都 是 这 样 说 .

Matthew 26:69-75 69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. ”You also were with Jesus of Galilee,“ she said. 70 But he denied it before them all. ”I don’t know what you’re talking about,“ he said. 71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, ”This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.“ 72 He denied it again, with an oath: ”I don’t know the man!“ 73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, ”Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.“ 74 Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, ”I don’t know the man!“ Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ”Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.“ And he went outside and wept bitterly.

马太26:69-75彼 得 在 外 面 院 子 里 坐 着 , 有 一 个 使 女 前 来 , 说 : 你 素 来 也 是 同 那 加 利 利 人 耶 稣 一 夥 的 . 70彼 得 在 众 人 面 前 却 不 承 认 , 说 : 我 不 知 道 你 说 的 是 甚 麽 ! 71既 出 去 , 到 了 门 口 , 又 有 一 个 使 女 看 见 他 , 就 对 那 里 的 人 说 : 这 个 人 也 是 同 拿 撒 勒 人 耶 稣 一 夥 的 . 72彼 得 又 不 承 认 , 并 且 起 誓 说 : 我 不 认 得 那 个 人 . 73过 了 不 多 的 时 候 , 旁 边 站 着 的 人 前 来 , 对 彼 得 说 : 你 真 是 他 们 一 党 的 , 你 的 口 音 把 你 露 出 来 了 . 74彼 得 就 发 咒 起 誓 的 说 : 我 不 认 得 那 个 人 . 立 时 , 鸡 就 叫 了 . 75彼 得 想 起 耶 稣 所 说 的 话 : 鸡 叫 以 先 , 你 要 三 次 不 认 我 . 他 就 出 去 痛 哭 .

· Apply experience to these verses of the Bible for the Christian

· 将体验的智慧应用于这段圣经经文来教导信徒

The Bible’s starting point for Wisdom

圣经是智慧的开端

Proverbs 9:10 ”The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.“

箴言9:10敬 畏 耶 和 华 是 智 慧 的 开 端 ; 认 识 至 圣 者 便 是 聪 明 .

· Describe this ”fear of the LORD“

· 阐述”敬 畏 耶 和 华“的意思

Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

箴言3:5,6 你 要 专 心 仰 赖 耶 和 华 , 不 可 倚 靠 自 己 的 聪 明 , 6在 你 一 切 所 行 的 事 上 都 要 认 定 他 , 他 必 指 引 你 的 路 .

· Describe the difference between our understanding and God’s understanding

· 阐述我们的聪明和神的智慧上的差异

Romans 11:33-36

罗马书11:33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!34 ”Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?“ 35 ”Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?“36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

深 哉 , 神 丰 富 的 智 慧 和 知 识 ! 他 的 判 断 何 其 难 测 ! 他 的 踪 迹 何 其 难 寻 ! 34谁 知 道 主 的 心 ? 谁 作 过 他 的 谋 士 呢 ? 35谁 是 先 给 了 他 , 使 他 後 来 偿 还 呢 ? 36因 为 万 有 都 是 本 於 他 , 倚 靠 他 , 归 於 他 . 愿 荣 耀 归 给 他 , 直 到 永 远 . 阿 们 !

  1. What does Paul teach us about the paths that the Lord chooses for us and the judgments he makes for us in life?

对于神为我们选择的道路和他为我们在生命中做出的判断,保罗怎样教导我们?

Career/job

职业/工作

Martin Luther once said…

马丁路德曾说…

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God requires that you work hard at your calling without worrying about what anyone else is doing. Yet few people do this. A poet who reflected on what people are like once said, ”The farmer would like to be a shopkeeper, and the shopkeeper a farmer.“ As the saying goes, ”The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.“ Few people are satisfied with their lives. The person in the church pew wants to be a member of the clergy. The student wishes he were to be a member of the clergy. The student wishes he were the teacher. The citizen thinks he should be mayor.

Few people are content with their calling. However, there is no other way to serve God except simply living by faith, sticking to your calling, and maintaining a clear conscience.

神要求你致力于神对你的呼召,不要担忧其他人在做什么。然而没几人能做到这点。一个反思人性本相的诗人曾说,”农民想当店主,而店主想当农民。“俗话说得好”这山望着那山高(原意是围栏外的草更绿)。“没有人对自己的生活感到满意。教堂长椅上坐着的人想当牧师。学生也希望自己能成为牧师。学生还希望自己能成为老师。市民认为自己应该当市长。没有人满意神对他们的呼召。然而,除了完全依靠信心生活,持守你的呼召,保持一个清白的良心,没有其他方法服侍神。

Philippians 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

腓立比书4:12我 知 道 怎 样 处 卑 贱 , 也 知 道 怎 样 处 丰 富 ; 或 饱 足 , 或 饥 饿 ; 或 有 馀 , 或 缺 乏 , 随 事 随 在 , 我 都 得 了 秘 诀 .

Contentment, as Paul teaches us, is not something readily achieved by even Christians, which is the root problem of some of our regrets and indecisions in life. Contentment comes only through a continual growing in our faith and our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Here are a couple of suggestions if we are given the choice to determine our career path for this life…

正如保罗教导我们的,满足是一个连基督徒都不易达到的境界,它是生活中我们某些懊悔和优柔寡断的根源。满足只能通过我们的信心及与耶稣基督的关系不断地增进才能获得。

如果给我们选择机会决定职业生涯的话,下面是几条建议…

  1. Meditate on God’s Word. He promises to touch our heart and speak to us through his Word and he will help us to identify where our gifts can be best used for his kingdom. Read the following…

冥想神的话语。他应许感动我们的心,藉着他的话语与我们交谈,并帮助我们认识如何使用我们的恩赐去最好地服侍神的国。阅读以下经文…

Psalm 1:1-3

诗篇1:1-3

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

不 从 恶 人 的 计 谋 , 不 站 罪 人 的 道 路 , 不 坐 亵 慢 人 的 座 位 ,2惟 喜 爱 耶 和 华 的 律 法 , 昼 夜 思 想 , 这 人 便 为 有 福 ! 3他 要 像 一 棵 树 栽 在 溪 水 旁 , 按 时 候 结 果 子 , 叶 子 也 不 枯 乾 . 凡 他 所 做 的 尽 都 顺 利 .

”Whatever he does prospers“ is directly related to ”His delight is in the law of the LORD.“

”凡 他 所 做 的 尽 都 顺 利 “与 ”惟 喜 爱 耶 和 华 的 律 法“是直接相关的。

”Law“ in the Hebrew does not have to just refer to the word we commonly think of regarding the Ten Commandments, but is rather inclusive of all the Word of God, which would also include his promises to watch over us, to bless us, and preserve us as his children, as well as save us from our sins. But in order to meditate ”day and night“ on the Word of God, it’s very important that God’s children know the Word of God very well and are studying it and growing in their faith.

希伯来文中”律法“并不专指我们通常认为的与十诫相关的(神的)话语,而是包含神所有的话语,其中包括了他的应许:看护我们,赐福我们,保守我们作他的儿女,把我们从罪中拯救出来。但为了”昼夜“思想神的话语,非常重要的是神的孩子们能很好地理解神的话,学习神的话,在信心上不断长进。

  1. Listen to other people

倾听别人的话

Isaiah 30:19-21 O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ”This is the way; walk in it.“

以赛亚书30:19-21百 姓 必 在 锡 安 、 在 耶 路 撒 冷 居 住 ; 你 不 要 哭 泣 . 主 必 因 你 哀 求 的 声 音 施 恩 给 你 ; 他 听 见 的 时 候 就 必 应 允 你 . 20主 虽 以 艰 难 给 你 当 饼 , 以 困 苦 给 你 当 水 , 你 的 教 师 却 不 再 隐 藏 ; 你 眼 必 看 见 你 的 教 师 . 21你 或 向 左 或 向 右 , 你 必 听 见 後 边 有 声 音 说 : 这 是 正 路 , 要 行 在 其 间 .

Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

箴言15:22不 先 商 议 , 所 谋 无 效 ; 谋 士 众 多 , 所 谋 乃 成 .

God places people in our lives to help us in this process of determining and defining where our gifts are in life – like family members, close friends, maybe a pastor or other Christian friends. They may be able to help us identify the path that we ought to choose.

神在我们的生活中安排人来帮助我们决定和确定我们生命中的恩赐在哪里——像家庭成员,亲密的朋友,也许是一位牧师或其他基督徒朋友。他们也许能够帮助我们认清我们应该选择的道路。

One thing each of us ought to bear in mind, when choosing a career path is that sometimes our course in life changes because of a whole variety of circumstances. What’s important is that we are confident that where we are today is no accident, but all a part of God’s purpose for our life, a purpose that he does not always reveal to us. But it’s not for us to question God’s path for us, but rather trust that he will accomplish his will through us.

当选择职业生涯时,我们每个人应该记住一件事,我们生活的历程有时因为整个环境的多样性而改变。但重要的是我们确信我们今天所在并非巧合,而是神旨意的一部分,这个旨意他不总是向我们显示。但不是我们要去质疑神为我们预备的道路,而是要相信他将通过我们实现他的意志。

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Choosing a husband or wife

选择丈夫或妻子

Matthew 7:7,8 ”Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

马太7:7,8你 们 祈 求 , 就 给 你 们 ; 寻 找 , 就 寻 见 ; 叩 门 , 就 给 你 们 开 门 . 8因 为 凡 祈 求 的 , 就 得 着 ; 寻 找 的 , 就 寻 见 ; 叩 门 的 , 就 给 他 开 门 .

Be specific. What do you really desire in a spouse? Someone to laugh with, someone you can pray with and worship Jesus with, someone who would be a great father or great mother, someone who you can share your greatest concerns in life with? Certainly all of us would like a companion such as this, but it’s equally important that we ask God for such a partner. For if we take God at his Word in the Bible, then we must understand that it is He who puts couples together, not us. Read the following…

目标要明确。你对配偶的真正的期望是什么?与你一起欢笑的人,与你一起祷告和敬拜耶稣的人,一个能当个伟大的爸爸或妈妈的人,还是一个能与你分担生活中最大的顾虑的人?当然我们所有人愿意有个像这样的伴侣,但同样重要的是我们祈求神赐给我们这样的伴侣。因为如果我们认同神在圣经上的话,那么我们应该明白是他把夫妻配合在一起,不是我们决定的。阅读以下经文…

Matthew 19:5,6 “Jesus said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

马太19:5,6耶稣 说 : 因 此 , 人 要 离 开 父 母 , 与 妻 子 连 合 , 二 人 成 为 一 体 . 这 经 你 们 没 有 念 过 麽 ? 6既 然 如 此 , 夫 妻 不 再 是 两 个 人 , 乃 是 一 体 的 了 . 所 以 , 神 配 合 的 , 人 不 可 分 开 .

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  1. What words from Jesus indicate that God is going to be the one who brings husbands and wives together?

耶稣的什么话表明是神将把丈夫和妻子配合在一起的。

What do you think?

你怎么认为?

Couples today get married more for physical compatibilities rather than spiritual compatibilities?

今天的夫妻结婚更多为了物质上的结合而非灵性的结合?

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

哥林多后书6:14你 们 和 不 信 的 原 不 相 配 , 不 要 同 负 一 轭 . 义 和 不 义 有 甚 麽 相 交 呢 ? 光 明 和 黑 暗 有 甚 麽 相 通 呢 ?

This is not a command for Christians not to marry unbelievers, but rather a command for Christians not to join in fellowship with pagans. However, a Christian who is praying to God, seeking a Christian partner whom they can share more than love and children with, will want to seriously consider getting involved with a pagan for the simple fact that a person’s Christian faith will eventually become the single most important aspect of their life. If they are unable to share their faith with their spouse, it will cause a strain either in the person’s relationship with Jesus, or with their spouse.

这不是一条不许基督徒与非基督徒结婚的诫命,而是一条要基督徒不要参与异教徒团体的诫命。然而,一个向神祷告的基督徒,寻求一个不只是共同分享爱和孩子的伴侣,将会严肃地考虑和异教徒产生关系的问题,因为简单的事实是一个人对基督的信心将最终成为他们生活中单单最重要的方面。如果他们不能与配偶分享他们的信仰,不是在个人与神的的关系上,就是与配偶的关系上导致紧张局面。

How many Children should we have?

我们应该有几个孩子?

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be

lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

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提摩太后书3:1-5你 该 知 道 , 末 世 必 有 危 险 的 日 子 来 到 . 2因 为 那 时 人 要 专 顾 自 己 、 贪 爱 钱 财 、 自 夸 、 狂 傲 、 谤 ? 、 违 背 父 母 、 忘 恩 负 义 、 心 不 圣 洁 、 3无 亲 情 、 不 解 怨 、 好 说 谗 言 、 不 能 自 约 、 性 情 凶 暴 、 不 爱 良 善 、 4卖 主 卖 友 、 任 意 妄 为 、 自 高 自 大 、 爱 宴 乐 、 不 爱 神 , 5有 敬 虔 的 外 貌 , 却 背 了 敬 虔 的 实 意 ; 这 等 人 你 要 躲 开 .

I know and understand that in most of China there is a 1 child policy within the government so I’m not writing about Chinese policies, which is a completely different issue – I’m writing about something that the apostle Paul prophesied about as a trademark to the end of civilization and the end of the world. One of those signs that will accompany the end of the world will be the pervasive lovelessness for God’s order of creation in this world – the love of family.

我知道也理解在中国政府在大多数地方采取计划生育政策,因此我不是写关于中国政策,它是一个完全不同的事情——我是写关于使徒保罗预言的作为文明的终结和世界末日的标志。其中一个伴随世界末日的征兆将是人们普遍对神创世的命令——热爱家庭的冷漠无情。

In America, where families are free to have as many children as they’d like, consider these statistics…

在美国,每个家庭想生多少个孩子是自由的,考虑下面的数字…

The American home now averages less than 2 children per household

42% of children are born out of wedlock

There are now more dogs (42 million) in American households than there are children (38 million under the age of 18)

70% of couples live together before marriage

美国家庭现在平均每家少于两个孩子

42%的孩子是非婚生的

在美国家庭养的狗(4200万只)多于孩子人数(3800万人18岁以下)

70%的夫妻婚前同居

During Christmas time, there was a television ad on TV that played Silent Night; Holy Night, a very famous Christmas anthem reflecting on the birth of our Savior, during a commercial that featured abandoned and mistreated animals in our society. Now compare some of these statistics in America with what the Bible says about children…

圣诞节期间,电视上在一个揭露被人抛弃和虐待的动物的广告中播放的音乐是平安夜;圣善夜,而这是一首非常有名的关于我们的救主诞生的圣诞节圣歌。让我们将美国的这些统计数字和圣经关于孩子的话语相比较…

Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

创世纪1:28神 就 賜 福 給 他 們 , 又 對 他 們 說 : 要 生 養 眾 多 , 遍 滿 地 面 , 治 理 這 地 , 也 要 管 理 海 裡 的 魚 、 空 中 的 鳥 , 和 地 上 各 樣 行 動 的 活 物 .

  1. How would you answer someone who said, “There’s not enough room on this earth for families to have lots of children?

有人说,”地球没有足够的空间让所有家庭生很多孩子?“ 你怎样回答?

Psalm 127:3-5 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

诗篇127:3-5兒 女 是 耶 和 華 所 賜 的 產 業 ; 所 懷 的 胎 是 他 所 給 的 賞 賜 .

4少 年 時 所 生 的 兒 女 好 像 勇 士 手 中 的 箭 .5箭 袋 充 滿 的 人 便 為 有 福 ; 他 們 在 城 門 口 和 仇 敵 說 話 的 時 候 , 必 不 至 於 羞 愧 .

  1. What do these verses teach us about children?

关于孩子, 这段经文怎样教导我们?

The decision for Christian husbands and wives to determine ”how many“ children is not a small and insignificant decision, especially in a government that mandates that no more than 1 child be granted. God has given each of us a brain to determine ”how many“ children each of us will have and there are many factors that may come in to this decision. For instance, what our government demands from us…what our own individual temperance will allow…the health of dad or mom or the ability to support a family.

基督徒夫妻生”多少“个孩子的决定不是一个无关紧要的事,尤其当政府下令只允许生一个孩子的情况下。神给我们每个人一个大脑决定要生”多少“个孩子,并且有很多因素可能影响这个决定。比如,政府对我们的要求…我们个人的节制…爸爸或妈妈的健康或是供养家庭的能力。

However, our motives must constantly be kept in check with the will of God and his desire for his creation. Therefore, it’s important our decisions aren’t based on the loveless attitude of our world that has clearly become more concerned about animals than they have human beings.

然而,一定要经常用神的旨意和他创造万物的愿望来检查我们的动机。因此,重要的是我们的决定不是基于我们这个世界的冷漠无情的态度,因为这个世界明显地变得关心动物多过关心人类自身。

Recently, a very high profiled NFL football player was sentenced to 3 years in prison for a dog-fighting ring that he operated illegally. Now, I’m certainly not condoning dog fighting, but with the millions and millions of babies that have been slaughtered under the protection of our government (called abortion), it seems awfully inconsistent that we have more strict laws to protect animals than we do human life. Again, as Christians, it’s important that we come out from the world and stand apart from their loveless acts and deeds.

最近,一位非常高调的NFL橄榄球运动员因为违法进行斗狗比赛被判蹲3年监狱。现在,我当然不是在赦免斗狗行为,但是成千上万的婴孩在我们的政府保护下已经被残杀(所谓堕胎),这看起来非常不合逻辑,因为比起保护人类的生命来我们有更严格的动物保护法。再次申明,作为基督徒,我们挺身而出与这个世界无情的做法和行为划清界限是很重要的。

John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

约翰15:19 你 们 若 属 世 界 , 世 界 必 爱 属 自 己 的 ; 只 因 你 们 不 属 世 界 , 乃 是 我 从 世 界 中 拣 选 了 你 们 , 所 以 世 界 就 恨 你 们 .

How much money ought I to return to the Lord?

我应该奉献给神多少钱?

Proverbs 3:9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops

箴言3:9你 要 以 财 物 和 一 切 初 熟 的 土 产 尊 荣 耶 和 华 .

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In the Old Testament, God required 10% of his people’s offerings to supply the needs of church located at Jerusalem. According to God, therefore, ”firstfruit“ not only meant the first and the best, but also 10%

在旧约中,神要求他的子民的十一奉献用于供应耶路撒冷教会的需要。因此根据神的要求 ”初熟的收成“意味着不仅是最早的和最好的,而且要10%

Even before the Tithe (10%) was introduced to the Israelites, we see the example of Abraham blessing Melchizedek with a 1/10 of everything he owned!

甚至在要求以色列民十一奉献之前,我们就看到亚伯拉罕把他所得的的十分之一给麦基洗德的例子!

As Christians living in the New Testament, we have no command that 10% of our offerings are to be returned to the Lord, in fact some have suggested that 10% was merely meant to be a ceiling for Old Testament Israel because God held their hand throughout their worship life, telling them where they had to worship, when they had to worship, and what they were to bring for worship. But as New Testament Christians, we might say that the ceiling has been lifted so that Christians have now been given the freedom to discern ”firstfruit“ giving through prayerful decision making based on the income.

作为活在新约时代的基督徒,我们没有要将10%的收入奉献给神的诫命,实际上有些人认为10%不过是神对旧约以色列民奉献要求的上限,因为神是手把手教导他们,告诉他们应该在哪敬拜,何时敬拜,以及他们带什么东西敬拜。但是作为新约时代的基督徒,我们可以说这个上限已经取消,因此现在的基督徒已经得到可以基于自己的收入,通过虔诚的祷告来决定奉献”初熟的收成“的自由。

May God cast the inborn nature of greed aside, and help us see our gifts as his – and help us make a God-pleasing decision in how much we return to his house. Let us also not forget, that often our financial status changes throughout our earthly lives – for some that means a decrease in what we have to live on – for others it means an increase in our wealth. Let’s bear in mind these New Testament words as we prayerfully consider our annual gifts that we return to God’s house for the service of the saints…

求神把我们内在的贪婪抛开,帮助我们视我们的恩赐为神所有——帮助我们在奉献多少给神的殿的决定上为神所喜悦。也让我们别忘记:我们世俗的生活中经济状况时常改变——在维持生计的方面对某些人意味着减少——对另一些人却意味着财富的增加。当我们虔诚地考虑为了圣徒者的服侍向神的殿奉献我们一年所得时,让我们记住新约的这些话。

2 Corinthians 9:6,7 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

哥林多后书9:6,7少 种 的 少 收 , 多 种 的 多 收 , 这 话 是 真 的 . 7各 人 要 随 本 心 所 酌 定 的 , 不 要 作 难 , 不 要 勉 强 , 因 为 捐 得 乐 意 的 人 是 神 所 喜 爱 的

2 Corinthians 8:7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

哥林多后书8:7你 们 既 然 在 信 心 、 口 才 、 知 识 、 热 心 , 和 待 我 们 的 爱 心 上 , 都 格 外 显 出 满 足 来 , 就 当 在 这 慈 惠 的 事 上 也 格 外 显 出 满 足 来 .

When we return to the Lord what he has blessed us with in our households, let not guilt be the driving force behind what we return to the Lord, but rather let the good news of Jesus Christ, and him crucified for our sins and for our salvation motivate you to set your gifts free for his service. This is the only way a Christian can give to God with a cheerful heart. Read the following…

当我们把他赐给我们家庭的所得奉献给神时,在我们奉献给神所得的背后不要让内疚成为奉献的动机, 而是让耶稣基督的福音,和为我们的罪和救赎被钉十字架的他(耶稣基督)激励我们奉献。这是一个基督徒能奉献给神一颗喜乐的心的唯一方法。阅读以下经文…

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2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

哥林多后书8:9你 们 知 道 我 们 主 耶 稣 基 督 的 恩 典 : 他 本 来 富 足 , 却 为 你 们 成 了 贫 穷 , 叫 你 们 因 他 的 贫 穷 , 可 以 成 为 富 足 .

How I serve Jesus in the church with the talents he’s given to me?

我怎样用耶稣赐给我的才能在教会侍奉他?

Matthew 25:14-30

马太福音25:14-30

14 ”Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

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19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.‘21 ”His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.‘23 ”His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!‘24 “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.‘26 ”His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.28 “‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

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p>天 國 又 好 比 一 個 人 要 往 外 國 去 , 就 叫 了 僕 人 來 , 把 他 的 家 業 交 給 他 們 , 15按 著 各 人 的 才 幹 給 他 們 銀 子 : 一 個 給 了 五 千 , 一 個 給 了 二 千 , 一 個 給 了 一 千 , 就 往 外 國 去 了 . 16那 領 五 千 的 隨 即 拿 去 做 買 賣 , 另 外 賺 了 五 千 . 17那 領 二 千 的 也 照 樣 另 賺 了 二 千 . 18但 那 領 一 千 的 去 掘 開 地 , 把 主 人 的 銀 子 埋 藏 了 .19過 了 許 久 , 那 些 僕 人 的 主 人 來 了 , 和 他 們 算 賬 . 20那 領 五 千 銀 子 的 又 帶 著 那 另 外 的 五 千 來 , 說 : 主 阿 , 你 交 給 我 五 千 銀 子 . 請 看 , 我 又 賺 了 五 千 . 21主 人 說 : 好 , 你 這 又 良 善 又 忠 心 的 僕 人 , 你 在 不 多 的 事 上 有 忠 心 , 我 要 把 許 多 事 派 你 管 理 ; 可 以 進 來 享 受 你 主 人 的 快 樂 .22那 領 二 千 的 也 來 , 說 : 主 阿 , 你 交 給 我 二 千 銀 子 . 請 看 , 我 又 賺 了 二 千 . 23主 人 說 : 好 , 你 這 又 良 善 又 忠 心 的 僕 人 , 你 在 不 多 的 事 上 有 忠 心 , 我 要 把 許 多 事 派 你 管 理 ; 可 以 進 來 享 受 你 主 人 的 快 樂 .24那 領 一 千 的 也 來 , 說 : 主 阿 , 我 知 道 你 是 忍 心 的 人 , 沒 有 種 的 地 方 要 收 割 , 沒 有 散 的 地 方 要 聚 斂 , 25我 就 害 怕 , 去 把 你 的 一 千 銀 子 埋 藏 在 地 裡 . 請 看 , 你 的 原 銀 子 在 這 裡 .26主 人 回 答 說 : 你 這 又 惡 又 懶 的 僕 人 , 你 既 知 道 我 沒 有 種 的 地 方 要 收 割 , 沒 有 散 的 地 方 要 聚 斂 , 27就 當 把 我 的 銀 子 放 給 兌 換 銀 錢 的 人 , 到 我 來 的 時 候 , 可 以 連 本 帶 利 收 回 . 28奪 過 他 這 一 千 來 , 給 那 有 一 萬 的 .29因 為 凡 有 的 , 還 要 加 給 他 , 叫 他 有 餘 ; 沒 有 的 , 連 他 所 有 的 也 要 奪 過 來 . 30把 這 無 用 的 僕 人 丟 在 外 面 黑 暗 裡 ; 在 那 裡 必 要 哀 哭 切 齒 了 .

God requires faithfulness. Now, this is rather intimidating considering the fact that each of us has, at times, gone through life like the man who buried his treasure. Faithfulness in God’s kingdom is a teaching of the law and can swell our souls with fear and trepidation, which is the very cause of burying one’s treasure.

神要求我们忠诚。现在,考虑到我们每个人,有时候生活中经历过像那个把财宝埋起来的人的事情,心里就非常战兢。对神国的忠诚是个律法的教导,能让我们灵里的恐惧和颤抖升腾,这正是这个原因让一个人把财宝埋起来。

Therefore, it’s important that each of us Christians knows and understands that Jesus has set us free from the law and its accusations against us, providing us with full and free forgiveness of all our sins! This knowledge and this faith alone will enable us to use the talents that Jesus has entrusted to each of us for service in his kingdom.

因此,很重要的一点是我们每个基督徒要知道并理解耶稣已把我们从律法以及律法对我们的指控中释放出来,我们所有的罪得以无偿的,全然赦免!单单这个认识和信心本身就能够使我们使用耶稣委任给我们每个人的才干在他的王国服侍。

It’s also important for us to understand through this parable that Jesus reminds each of us that he has blessed us with different gifts and different talents. Some have been given more; some have been given less. God has not called everyone to be an evangelist or a pastor. There’s probably going to be only 1 apostle Paul, right? But what God does give to us, it’s important that we use wisely, not governed by his Law that intimidates and restricts, but governed by his holy gospel which has set us free to proclaim and encourage others with his love and grace.

对我们同样重要的是要通过这个比喻明白耶稣提醒我们每个人他已赐给我们不同的恩赐和才干。有些人给的多一些,有些人给的少一些。神没有呼召每个人去当传道人或牧师。只可能有一个使徒保罗,不是吗?但对于神赐给我们的,重要的是我们智慧地使用它,不受使人胆怯和约束人的律法控制,而是让圣洁的福音来掌管,这福音将我们释放出来,用神的爱和恩典去宣扬和鼓励别人。

Revelation 2:10 Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

启示录2:10你 务 要 至 死 忠 心 , 我 就 赐 给 你 那 生 命 的 冠 冕 .

最后更新于 2013年6月27日 星期四 09:12