All four gospels teach us if we focus on ourselves, we will lose it. But if we forget ourselves for Christ, we will have a real life (Luke 9:24-25).
Our culture encourages generosity up to a certain point. Because of the scarcity mindset, we are inclined to keep things solely for ourselves. But Christ teaches us not to hoard for ourselves treasures on earth, which include our time, ability, and wealth. For sure, one day we would lose them all (Matthew6:19-21). As God’s children and as citizens of heaven, our hearts should live above in Christ. Set our hearts and keep our focus on things above, with our feet down on earth (Colossians 3:1-3). Be generous with our stuffs on earth to the needy. Be generous cheerfully. It is the antidote of anxiety. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Sow generously and we will reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6-7; and Proverbs 11:25). Our generosity includes spreading our faith, a natural outflow from a grateful heart for what God has given us freely. As ambassadors of Christ on earth, we are Christ’s witnesses. Though we naturally evangelize what we love, we should prepare to give the reason for our hope. And do this gently and respectfully (1 Peter 3:15). Also, don’t focus on outcomes. We don’t know if God would give us the outcome. In any event, true joy shouldn’t depend on the outcome. It is the path we go, the journey we travel, that counts. God is rich in mercy and abundant in grace. He accepts and reassures us. He gives us a new citizenship and a new way to live. Keep giving back because He will keep providing for us. Ask God to help us not hold on too tightly on our earthly treasures. Ask God to help us learn to give back. Summarized from a sermon by Nicole Unice https://menlo.church/series/the-way#/modal/message/5648/mlo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YsFLP5Yu34 回报 四本福音书都教导我们如果我们专注于自己,我们将失去它。 但是,如果我们为基督忘记自己,我们将拥有真实的生命 (路加福音9:24-25)。 在某程度上, 我们的文化鼓励慷慨好施。 但由于畏惧事物不足心态, 我们往往只是为自己保留积聚东西。 但是主耶稣教导我们不要为自己囤积地上的财宝, 包括我们的时间,能力,和财富。我们应该知道总有一天我们会失去它们 (马太福音6:19-21)。 作为神的儿女和天上的公民,我们的心应该在基督里。 虽然我们的脚踏在地上, 我们应专注于上面的事 (歌罗西书3:1-3)。 所以,对于地上的财宝要慷慨大方给于有需要的人。这是焦虑的解药。好施捨的,必得豐裕; 滋潤人的,必得滋潤。少種的少收,多種的多收 (哥林多后书9:6-7;和箴言11:25)。 我们的慷慨包括宣扬我们的信仰,自然地献出上帝免费给我们的, 成为基督在世上的使者,基督的见证。尽管我们自然向人传达我们所爱的,我们仍然应该准备如何表达我们希望的理由。并以轻柔而恭敬的方式做到这一点 (彼得一书3:15)。 此外, 不要专注于结果。我们不知道上帝是否会给我们结果。真正的快乐并不取决于结果。重要的是我们走过的路,我们的旅程。 上帝是富有怜悯和满有恩典的。祂接受我们,让我们放心。 祂给我们新的公民身份和新的生活方式。我们可以不断地回报因为祂会一直为我们提供的。 求上帝帮助我们不要只在乎 God is not opposed to wealth. For example, Abraham, Job, Joseph, David, Solomon, Barnabas, and Joseph of Arimathea were rich. But be careful with it. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 1 Tim 6:10.
Do not put our hope on wealth. Instead, put our trust and hope in God, in our relationship with Him. Proverbs 11:4. Proverbs 11:7. Do not confuse our value with our wealth. Proverbs 13:7. Be content with what we have. Hebrews 13:5. If God gives us wealth as a blessing, do not feel guilty, shameful, or regretful. Proverbs 10:22. But should know that they are on loan to us. Everything belongs to God. He could take it away anytime. Also, be a good custodian of the wealth. Wealth can be a useful tool. Learn how to accumulate, acquire, and allocate it. In accumulating wealth, learn to save. Spend less than what we make. Proverbs 21:20. Then invest what we have saved. Let money work for us, even when we sleep, instead of us working for money. Ecclesiastes 11:1. Matthew 25:14-23. But do not hoard, selfishly stockpiling them for ourselves. We hoard out of insecurity and pride of our status. God is opposed to greed. Also, whatever we accumulate, deteriorate, such as food, clothes, and precious metal. James 5:1-3. Luke 12:15-21. In acquiring wealth, forget get rich quick schemes. Proverbs 13:11. Make money honestly. Ill-gotten gain takes away our life. Better to keep our soul than be wealthy. Proverbs 1:19. Matthew 16:26. Treat others fairly. James 5:4. Proverbs 10:2. Proverbs 16:11. In business, multiple parties (customers, owners, workers, and society) need to benefit. In allocating wealth, give to God at least 10% first. He would take care of us. Proverbs 3:9-10. Malachi 3:8-12. Use money to make things flourish. Use money to love people. If we have a lot and do not share with those in need, we have sinned. James 5-6. Do what is right. James 4:17. Be generous and share, particularly share with those in need. Ephesians 4:28. In turn, their plenty will supply what we need. 2 Corinthians 8:14. Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed, and will prosper and truly live. Proverbs 11:24-25. 1 Timothy 6:18-19. Summarized from 2 sermons of Rick Warren https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVcm5JJwjb8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCVh5G1ndX0 from 29 minute. 懂得明智处理财富的信心 上帝不反对财富。例如,亚伯拉罕,约伯,约瑟,大卫,所罗门,巴拿巴和约瑟(of Arimathea)都是富有的。但是对财富要小心。 热爱金钱是各种邪恶的根源 ( 提摩太前书6:10)。 不要将希望寄托在财富上。应将希望, 信心, 寄托在天父, 在与天父的关系上 (箴言11:4; 箴言11:7)。 不要将我们的价值与我们的拥有混淆(箴言13:7)。 要满足于我们所有的(希伯来书13:5)。 如果上帝赐我们财富的祝福,不要内疚,羞愧或遗憾的 (箴言10:22)。 但要知道财富是上帝借给我们的。一切都属于上帝。祂任何时间都可以把财富拿走。也要知道好好监护这些财富。 财富可以是一个有用的工具。 了解如何积累,获取和分配它。 在积累财富上,要学会储蓄。 花费少于我们的收入 (箴言21:20)。 然后投资我们的储蓄。要让我们的钱为我们工作,而不是我们为了钱而工作 (传道书11:1;马太福音25:14-23)。 但不要自私地为自己囤积。我们为自己囤积是出于缺乏安全感或对自己的地位感到骄傲。要知道上帝反对贪婪。并且我们积累的任何东西都会变质,例如食物,衣服和贵重金属 (雅各书5:1-3;路加福音12:15-21)。 在获取财富时,忘记快速致富的计划 (箴言13:11)。 诚实地赚钱。不要不义之财。 它会夺走我们的生命 (箴言1:19; 马太福音16:26)。 要公平对待他人 (雅各书5:4; 箴言10:2; 箴言16:11)。 在企业中, 客户,业主,工人和社会都必须受益。 在分配财富时,至少将我们收入的前10%奉献给上帝。祂会照顾我们的 (箴言3:9-10; 玛拉基书3:8-12)。 用财富使事情蓬勃发展。 用钱去爱人。 如果我们有很多,但不分给有需要的人,那我们就犯了罪 (雅各書5-6)。 要做正确的事 (雅各书4:17)。 慷慨地和人分享,特别是与有需要的人分享 (以弗所书4:28)。 有一天他们的丰足会满足我们的需求 (哥林多前书8:14)。 滋潤他人的必得滋潤, 并且会兴盛和真正地生活 (箴言11:24-25; 提摩太前书6:18-19)。 |
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