【至上的爱】

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至上的爱

我若能说万人的方言并天使的话语，却没有爱，我就成了鸣的锣、响的钹一般。我若有先知讲道之能，也明白各样的奥秘、各样的知识，而且有全备的信，叫我能够移山，却没有爱，我就算不得甚么。我若将所有的赒济穷人，又舍己身叫人焚烧，却没有爱，仍然与我无益（哥林多前书13:1-3）

  

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，没有能比爱更重要的了。对此，保罗在哥林多前书12章和13章有无与伦比的论述，有爱才能真正释放出属灵的恩赐。当时，哥林多教会过多地专注于表现他们的恩赐，所以使徒给他们显明了“更优秀的”爱（哥林多前书12:31你们要切切地求那更大的恩赐）。有趣的是，保罗没有试图给爱下定义，而是描述出爱的重要性和如何表达。

保罗论到的爱并不是源自人类的爱，而是上帝的爱（上帝完美品性的一部分），就是为了别人的益处，付出无私奉献的爱。上帝要把我们改造成有祂儿子的形象，首先就是使我们有完美的秉性，因为当我们无私地关爱彼此时，就是最像基督的时候。

本章前三节提醒我们，如果不是以爱为出发点和目的，那么我们所有的善行，甚至是侍奉上帝，都与我们无益。在上帝眼里，一个充满爱的灵比我们所有的感人之词、知识、信心、慷慨和自我牺牲更为重要。当我们站在基督跟前，为所行的受审判时，若我们是出于自私而行，那我们就不会得到奖赏。

我们都会在某种程度上忽视自己的动机，所以分辨侍奉上帝或行善的出发点就会变得非常困难。向上帝祷告，让祂使你懂得隐藏在你内心的目的，并且以上帝“优秀的大爱”（为别人的益处，付出无私奉献的爱）来取代你一切自私的动机，那么你的事工才会有恒久的价值。

Supreme Love

1 Corinthians 13: 1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

There is no emotion of greater importance than love. Paul’s incomparable treatise on this subject in 1 Corinthians 13 is sandwiched between two chapters that deal with spiritual gifts. The Corinthians focused too much on their display of such gifts, so the apostle showed them the “more excellent way” of love (1 Cor. 12: 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.). Interestingly, he made no attempt to define love but instead described its importance and expression.

The type of love which Paul is talking about is not human in origin, but rather a love coming from GOD—a part of HIS very nature. It’s unselfish, sacrificial love which acts on behalf of someone else. Since GOD wants to transform our character into the image of HIS SON, this priority makes perfect sense, because whenever we display such selfless care for one another, that’s when we are most like CHRIST.

The first three verses of this chapter issue us a warning. Without the motivation of love, all our good deeds—even service for the LORD—will profit us nothing. In GOD’s eyes, a loving spirit is more important than all our impressive words, knowledge, faith, generosity, and self-sacrifice. When we stand before CHRIST to be judged for our good works, those deeds done for selfish reasons will not be worthy of reward.

We are all blinded to some degree when it comes to our motives, so discerning why we serve GOD or do good deeds can be difficult. Pray to know your heart’s hidden intentions, and replace any self-centred motivations with HIS “more excellent way” of love (unselfish, sacrificial love which acts on behalf of someone else). Then your works will be of eternal value.  

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自私自利的基督教

第二日，站在海那边的众人知道那里没有别的船，只有一只小船，又知道耶稣没有同祂的门徒上船，乃是门徒自己去的。然而有几只小船从提比哩亚来，靠近主祝谢后分饼给人吃的地方。众人见耶稣和门徒都不在那里，就上了船，往迦百农去找耶稣。既在海那边找着了，就对祂说：“拉比是几时到这里来的？”耶稣回答说：“我实实在在的告诉你们，你们找我，并不是因见了神迹，乃是因吃饼得饱。不要为那必坏的食物劳力，要为那存到永生的食物劳力，就是人子要赐给你们的，因为人子是父 神所印证的”（约翰福音6:22-27）

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，哪一个是你更感兴趣的，是耶稣是谁，还是祂能为你做什么？比起要认识主耶稣，恐怕有很多人更关心祂能给我们什么。

其实这并不是什么新鲜事，主耶稣在世上传道时就存在这样的问题。众人经常寻找主耶稣，目的是想让祂为自己做些什么。即使他们的需求合乎常理，但是基督却知道他们的根本动机。

为己私利地试图利用主得到自己想要的，或是谦卑地来到主的跟前，呈上我们的需求和挣扎，这两者本在一线之间。我们让上帝解决一些问题，却又心急迫切地要祂按照我们想要的方式来采取行动，这就变成我们的渴望比甘愿降服于上帝的旨意更为重要。有时，我们所谓的“信心”其实是一个苛求的灵。

我们必须牢记，我们所需要的毕竟都有尽头，但是耶稣基督却是永恒的。如果我们只是为己利而祷告上帝，那么我们就错失了将能用永生来认识这位永恒之主的良机。让我们把时间都投入于追求与基督有亲密的关系上，那么我们就能永远享有与上帝亲密关系所带来的益处。

你与上帝交流，大部分只是为自己的需求吗（即使是合乎常理的需求）？你是否投入你的时间和精力来认识上帝呢？尽管上帝喜悦我们祷告，也告诉我们可以为任何事而向祂祷告，但是祂更希望我们来到祂的跟前，只是因为热爱与祂在一起。

Selfish Christianity

John 6: 22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that JESUS had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither JESUS nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of JESUS.

Jesus the Bread of Life

25 When they found HIM on the other side of the lake, they asked HIM, “Rabbi, when did YOU get here?”

26 JESUS answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for ME, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the SON of MAN will give you. For on HIM GOD the FATHER has placed HIS seal of approval.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Which interests you more—who JESUS is or what HE can do for you? I’m afraid that too many of us are more concerned about what HE can give us than we are about getting to know who HE is.

But this is nothing new—JESUS had this problem when HE walked on earth. The crowds often sought HIM out for what HE could do for them. Even though their needs were quite often legitimate, CHRIST knew their motives.

There is a fine line between selfishly trying to use the LORD to get what we want and humbly coming to HIM with our needs and struggles. Some of the issues we bring to HIM are so pressing and urgent in our minds that our desire for HIM to take action in the way we want becomes greater than our willingness to submit to HIS will. At times, what we call “faith” is really a demanding spirit.

We must remember that our needs will come to an end, but JESUS CHRIST will remain forever. If our prayers have dealt only with presenting our requests to the LORD, we’ve missed a great opportunity to get to know the ONE with whom we’ll spend eternity. Let’s invest time in pursuing intimacy with CHRIST. Then we can enjoy the benefits of that relationship forever.

How much of your communion with GOD is devoted to your needs—even legitimate ones? Are you spending any time getting to know the LORD? Although GOD delights in our prayers and tells us to pray about everything, HE also wants us to come to HIM just because we enjoy being with HIM.

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怎样运用理财的智慧？

我并不是因缺乏说这话，我无论在甚么景况都可以知足，这是我已经学会了。我知道怎样处卑贱，也知道怎样处丰富，或饱足、或饥饿、或有余、或缺乏，随事随在我都得了秘诀，我靠着那加给我力量的，凡事都能作。然而，你们和我同受患难原是美事。腓立比人哪，你们也知道我初传福音离了马其顿的时候，论到授受的事，除了你们以外，并没有别的教会供给我。就是我在帖撒罗尼迦，你们也一次两次的打发人供给我的需用。我并不求甚么馈送，所求的就是你们的果子渐渐增多，归在你们的帐上。但我样样都有，并且有余，我已经充足，因我从以巴弗提受了你们的馈送，当作极美的香气，为 神所收纳所喜悦的祭物。我的 神必照祂荣耀的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足（腓立比4:11-19）。

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，上帝把分享祂财富的职分委托给每个基督徒，使他们作有智慧的管家，带领他们能够充分善用祂的财富：

* 基本支出。一个基督徒明智的理财决策，就是定期首先留出一部分收入，为基督里的弟兄姊妹们预备。当我们以这种方式来促进和供给上帝的事工时，上帝也会保守我们余剩的财产（申命记26:2 就要从耶和华你 神赐你的地上，将所收的各种初熟的土产取些来，盛在筐子里，往耶和华你 神所选择要立为祂名的居所去。玛拉基3:10-11 万军之耶和华说：“你们要将当纳的十分之一全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。”万军之耶和华说：“我必为你们斥责蝗虫，不容他毁坏你们的土产；你们田间的葡萄树在未熟之先也不掉果子”）。

* 第二项基本支出。上帝承诺供给我们需用（腓立比4:19 我的 神必照祂荣耀的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足），最根本的就是使我们获得生活的必需，如衣食住行和教育，这些都是通过上帝的供给而得来的。

* 追求敬虔的目标。接下来，我们使用资金要合乎上帝对我们或我们家庭的旨意，而不是为了满足我们“虚浮”的生命，真正的基督徒应该寻求并顺从上帝的旨意而行。上帝也许会带领你投资教育培训事业或展开一项生意、或购得一个特别的项目。

* 崇高的呼召。捐助穷人就是投资上帝的国度。然而我们也应当谨慎，不要因此助长人的惰性，对穷人有行动的怜悯，“就是借给耶和华，祂必偿还”（箴言19:17 怜悯贫穷的，就是借给耶和华。他的善行，耶和华必偿还）。

* 剩余资金的使用。最后一项就是满足心愿。真正的基督徒会以顺从上帝为乐，那么上帝就会用符合祂对他们生命的旨意的美好事物来祝福他们（诗篇37:4 要以耶和华为乐，祂就将你心里所求的赐给你）

好管家靠着求问上帝来经管上帝的财富：“您赐予我财富的旨意是什么？”按照圣经的法则来生活，那么你将能够为圆满实现上帝对你的旨意而感到惊喜望外。当你把资金用于上帝的计划，即使是一点钱，也会成为无比的丰盛。

Financial Wisdom: How to Spend

Philippians 4: 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. 13 I can do all this through HIM who gives me strength.

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to GOD. 19 And my GOD will meet all your needs according to the riches of HIS glory in CHRIST JESUS.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

GOD entrusts each believer with a share of HIS resources. And like any wise overseer, HE gives HIS stewards guidelines for making the best use of HIS wealth:

• The Essential Expense—A believer’s wisest money management decision is to regularly set aside the first portion of income for the brothers and sisters in CHRIST. As we promote and provide for GOD’s work in this way, HE protects what is left (Deut. 26: 2 take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the LORD your GOD is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your GOD will choose as a dwelling for HIS Name; Mal. 3: 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in MY house. Test ME in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD ALMIGHTY.).

• The Next Priority—GOD promised to supply for our needs (Phil. 4: 19 And my GOD will meet all your needs according to the riches of HIS glory in CHRIST JESUS.). The primary way we get necessities like food, clothing, shelter, transport, and education is by paying for it with what He provides.

• Pursuit of Godly Goals—Next, we’re to use money to meet GOD’s goals for us or our family. Instead of “floating” through life;  true believers should seek and pursue GOD’s will. HE may lead you to invest in education, start a business, or purchase a particular item.

• A High Calling—Giving to the needy is an investment in GOD’s kingdom. While we should be cautious not to promote laziness, a gracious act to a poor man “lends to the LORD and HE will repay . . .” (Prov. 19: 17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and HE will reward them for what they have done.).

• Uses for What’s Left—Last on the list is fulfilment of desires. True believers who delight in the LORD walk in obedience to HIM. HE in turn blesses them with the good things that fit HIS will for their lives (Ps. 37: 4 Take delight in the LORD, and HE will give you the desires of your heart.).

Good stewards manage GOD’s resources by asking HIM, “What is YOUR will for the wealth that YOU have given me?” You’ll be amazed at how fulfilling it is to live according to biblical principles. Even a little money seems like more than enough when you spend it as the LORD intends.

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不要混淆

[关键词屏蔽]拉住那少年人，与他亲嘴，脸无羞耻对他说：“平安祭在我这里，今日才还了我所许的愿”（箴言7:13-14）

平安弟兄姊妹们！长久以来，人们利用宗教的语言来诱惑灵命稚嫩的基督徒陷入罪里，而另一些人则用宗教习俗来混淆真实的敬虔。可是，作为真基督徒，我们应该决不将个人的感觉和意愿混淆真正的灵命。

Not be confused

Pro. 7:13-14

So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him:“I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows.”

Shalom Brothers n Sisters,

People have long used religious language to entice naive Christians into sin. Others confuse religious practices with genuine godliness. But we should never confuse sentiment with true spirituality.

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不要在疑惑上浪费时间

不要作糊涂人，要明白主的旨意如何（以弗所5:17）

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，有时基督徒会双手相搓，为他们的祷告是否合乎上帝的旨意而担忧。“哦，是的”他们说，“我肯定不能指望上帝为我做祂的旨意之外的事。” 他们说的完全正确。

可是，他们不需要把时间浪费在这个疑惑上，他们应该紧握圣经，从中寻求上帝的旨意。

上帝在圣经里作了非常特别的承诺，就是对你生命的承诺，祂的旨意是成就它们。事实上，这些承诺是透过主耶稣的宝血所立定的神圣保证。

这样想来，你的圣经就是耶稣基督的遗志圣约，记载了你要继承的一切。记在圣经里的每一件事都是你要继承的，所以你能做的最明智的事，就是察考圣经。不要把圣经丢在一边，然后又跺着脚呼求：“哦，上帝、上帝！我要寻求真理。”

拿起圣经，察考属于你的一切，也找出你需要怎样改变自己，才能与上帝的旨意保持一致。

然而，有些人却不这样做，他们设法要改变上帝。他们不过用受伤多严重、生活多贫困来不断地设法说服上帝，他们用乞求、各种借口、甜言蜜语，一直要以某种方法改变上帝对他们所处境况的旨意。这群人得到的结果，无非是漫长的等待。

上帝永远不会改变。圣经说，上帝昨日、今日、到永远都是一样的（希伯来13:8），祂的旨意也是如此。所以，如果你的祷告符合上帝的旨意，就不要浪费时间疑惑。持守圣经，将其作为你的祷告根基。然后，你就可以放心了，回应你的祷告已经开始运作了。

研经：箴言2:1-12
2:1 我儿，你若领受我的言语、存记我的命令，
2:2 侧耳听智慧、专心求聪明，
2:3 呼求明哲、扬声求聪明，  
2:4 寻找他如寻找银子，搜求他如搜求隐藏的珍宝，  
2:5 你就明白敬畏耶和华，得以认识 神。  
2:6 因为耶和华赐人智慧，知识和聪明都由祂口而出。  
2:7 祂给正直人存留真智慧，给行为纯正的人作盾牌；
2:8 为要保守公平人的路，护庇虔敬人的道。  
2:9 你也必明白仁义、公平、正直，一切的善道。  
2:10 智慧必入你心，你的灵要以知识为美；  
2:11 谋略必护卫你，聪明必保守你，  
2:12 要救你脱离恶道，脱离说乖谬话的人。  

Don't Waste Time Wondering

Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the LORD’s will is.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Sometimes, believers wring their hands and worry about whether or not they're praying according to GOD's will. "Oh, dear me," they say, "I certainly can't expect GOD to do something for me that's outside His will." And they're absolutely right.

But they don't need to waste time standing around looking puzzled. They need to grab their Bibles and find out what the will of GOD is.

GOD has made some very specific promises in HIS WORD and it's HIS will to fulfil every one of them in your life. In fact, those promises are divinely guaranteed by a contract that's been signed in the blood of JESUS.

Think of it this way. Your Bible is the last will and testament of JESUS CHRIST. It is a record of your inheritance. Everything that belongs to you has been written down in that book and the smartest thing you can do is to find out what is in it. Don't leave it lying on the coffee table and hit the floor crying, "Oh, GOD! Oh, GOD! I'm searching for the truth."

Pick up your Bible from the coffee table and find out what belongs to you! Find out how you need to change to get in line with GOD's will.

Some people don't do that. They try to change GOD instead. They'll go on and on trying to convince GOD just how badly they hurt or how poor they are. They'll beg and plead and wheedle, all the while acting as though they had to somehow change GOD's mind about the situation. Those folks are in for a long wait.

GOD is never going to change. The Bible says HE's the same yesterday, today, and forever. HIS will is too. So don't waste your time wondering if your prayers are in line with it. Get the Bible and base your prayers on it. Then you can rest assured the answer is on the way!

Scripture Study: Proverbs 2:1-12

Moral Benefits of Wisdom
2 My son, if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
    and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
    and find the knowledge of GOD.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
    from HIS mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 HE holds success in store for the upright,
    HE is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for HE guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of HIS faithful ones.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just
    and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.

12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
    from men whose words are perverse,