 Money solves lots of problems, and we need it to live. How important is money/possession in our life? Are we controlled by it?
Many of Christ’s parables are about wealth because our attitude towards it is a window into our hearts. Let’s look at Christ’s viewpoint on possessions via the parable in Luke12:13-21. The person there kept storing up stuffs, thinking they would give him security and happiness. V18. Christ called him a fool (V20), which is very rare. If he died that day, he couldn’t enjoy any of the stuffs. The physical world is temporary and is not all there is. Christ had no possession on earth. Yet, He is worshipped by more than anyone today. Instead of storing up things for ourselves, focus on investing in God’s kingdom and His words, which last forever. V21. Be rich through Christ. Christ gave up His heavenly riches to become poor on earth. His sacrifice draws us to God. Through Christ, we become rich and good in God’s eyes. 2Cor 5:21,8:9. Focus on people. Luke 16:9 talks about a shrewd manager putting money into people, something that last. But don’t be good to others so as to claim a place in paradise. Remember that our goodness is far from God’s standards. Don’t focus on gathering possessions for ourselves. We need to save. But also remember to be generous. Generosity can show our faith in God. Don’t trust earthly things more than God. “Let me have this car.” “Help me succeed in this deal.” “Make this woman love me.” “Get me this house.” “Make me beautiful.” “Build up my muscles.” Don’t look to earthly things to give us genuine security and happiness. Only God could. Generosity also shows our hope for the future. Don’t place our hope in earthly things. Instead, have hope in God’s planned future. Generosity shows our love for others. Don’t focus on loving ourselves. Love our neighbors as ourselves. However must remember that we are good before God only via Christ, not through our behavior. Anyway, earthly possessions are temporary. Focus on God’s kingdom and His words. Focus on others. Summarized from a Tim Keller’s sermon. https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/how-money-makes-us-fools-6521/ 金钱可能让我们变得愚蠢 金钱可以解决很多问题。我们需要金钱来生活。在我们生活中的财产/金钱有多重要？金钱控制了我们吗？ 基督的许多比喻都涉及财富，因为我们对钱财的态度可以间接性地看进我们的心。 让我们看看基督在路加福音12：13-21比喻中对财产的看法。在经文描述中的那个人不停地储蓄东西，认为财富会带给他安全和幸福 （路加福音12：18）。基督称他为傻瓜（路加福音12：20），这是非常罕见的。因那个人如在当天去世，他便无法享受任何他储蓄的东西。物质世界是暂时的。基督死在世上时没有金钱财产。然而今天，他比任何人都更被受崇拜。 因此，我们不应集中精力为存储钱财，而是应该专注天国和祂永恒的话语 （路加福音12：21）。 我们通过基督变得富有。基督放弃了天上的财富，成为地上的穷人。他的牺牲将我们吸引到上帝面前。通过他，我们在上帝的眼中变得丰富而美好 （哥林多后书5：21, 8：9）。 也应关注别人。 路加福音16：9谈到一个精明的经理人把钱投资在人上面，因这是持久的。但不要对别人好是为了在天国占有一席之地。我们的善良远远不能达到上帝的标准。 在基督中的丰富是上帝免费的礼物，不要专注于为自己收集钱财。 我们需要储蓄, 但请记住也要慷慨. 慷慨可以表明我们对上帝的信任。 不要信任属世的事比信任上帝更多。 “让我拥有这辆车。”“帮助我成功完成这笔交易。”“让这个女人爱我。”“让我得到这个房子。”“ 让我更美丽，更强壮。” 属世的事物不能给我们真正的安全和快乐. 只有上帝才能。 慷慨也表明了我们对未来的希望。不要把希望放在属世的事物上。相反，应该对上帝的计划和未来充满希望。 慷慨表明了我们的爱。不要专注爱自己。爱你的邻居如同爱自己。 但请牢记我们的慷慨，我们的善行，不能使我们在神面前变得富有。 只有通过基督我们才能。 地上的财产是暂时的。专注天国和祂永恒的话语。关注别人。 Comments are closed.
|