68 中翻英 (林後第七章) The grace of giving —Part I 给予的恩典 —第一部分 26/05/2025
以下是傳道者保羅親自見證主耶穌的復活, 因為他在大馬色的路上親眼看見主.
但复活最伟大的见证人之一是保罗本人，因为作为一个非信徒，他完全相信耶稣已经死了。他的生命发生了根本性的改变——这种改变给他带来了逼迫和痛苦——这无疑证明了主确实已经从死里复活了。保罗明确表示，他的得救纯粹是上帝恩典的作为。但当他侍奉主时，这种恩典在他里面并通过他起作用。 “生于不合时宜”可能是指以色列未来得救，他们像保罗一样，在荣耀中看到弥赛亚（亚 12:10-13:6；提前 1:16）。
在这一点上，保罗的读者会说：“是的，我们同意耶稣从死里复活。”然后保罗会回答说：“如果你相信这一点，那么你必须相信所有死者的复活！”基督以人的身份降临，真正的人，经历了我们所经历的一切，除了他从未犯罪。如果没有复活，那么基督就没有复活。如果他没有复活，就没有福音可传。如果没有福音，那你就信了，你还在罪中！如果没有复活，那么死去的信徒就没有希望了。我们再也见不到他们了！
结论很明显：如果我们今生只有苦难，没有未来的荣耀可以期待，为什么还要成为基督徒？ （在哥林多前书 15:29-34 中，保罗扩展了这个想法。）复活不仅重要，而且很重要。它是“最重要的”，因为我们所相信的一切都取决于主的復活 。
Chapter seven THE GRACE OF GIVING—PART I 2 Corinthians 8 第七章 给予的恩典——第一部分 哥林多后书 2 章 8
One of
the major ministries of Paul’s third mission[1]ary journey was
the taking up of a special “relief offering” for the poor Christians in
But
Paul had other blessings in mind besides the material assisting of the poor. He
wanted this offering to strengthen the unity of the church as the Gentile
churches shared with the Jewish congregations across the sea. Paul saw the
Gentiles as “debtors” to the Jews (Rom.
This offering was also evidence to the Jewish believers (some of whom were still zealous for the law) that Paul was not the enemy of the Jews or of Moses (Acts 20:17ff.). Early in his ministry, Paul had promised to remember the poor (Gal. 2:6–10), and he labored to keep that promise; but at the same time, he hoped that the generosity of the Gentiles would silence the jealousy of the Jews. 这个献祭也向犹太信徒（其中一些人仍然热衷于律法）证明保罗不是犹太人或摩西的敌人（使徒行传 20:17 及以下）。保罗在他事工的早期就承诺要记住穷人（加拉太书 2:6-10），他努力信守这个承诺。但同时，他希望外邦人的慷慨能够平息犹太人的嫉妒。
Unfortunately,
the Corinthians were not doing their part. Like many people, they had made
promises, but they failed to keep them. In fact, an entire year had been wasted
(2 Cor.
Paul
knew that it would be difficult to get the Corinthians to participate, so he
lifted his appeal to the highest spiritual level possible: he taught them that
giv[1]ing
was an act of grace. Paul used nine different words to refer to the offering,
but the one he used the most was grace. Giving is truly a ministry and
fellowship (2 Cor. 8:4) that helps others, but the motivation must be from the
grace of God in the heart. Paul knew that this collection was a debt owed by
the Gentiles (Rom.
It is a wonderful thing when Christians enter into the grace of giving, when they really believe that giving is more blessed than receiving. How can we tell when we are practicing “grace giving”? Paul indicated that there were a number of evidences that appear when our giving is motivated by grace. 当基督徒进入施与的恩典中，当他们真正相信施比接受更有福时，这是一件奇妙的事。我们如何知道我们何时在练习“施恩”？保罗指出，当我们的奉献是出于恩典的动机时，就会出现许多证据。
1. When We Give in Spite of Circumstances (8:1–2) 1. 当我们不顾环境而放弃时（8:1-2）
The Macedonian churches that Paul was using as an example had experienced severe difficulties, and yet they had given generously. They had not simply gone through “affliction”; they had experienced a “great trial of affliction” (2 Cor. 8:2). They were in deep poverty, which means “rock-bottom destitution.” The word describes a beggar who has absolutely nothing and has no hope of getting anything. Their difficult situation may have been caused in part by their Christian faith, for they may have lost their jobs or been excluded from the trade guilds because they refused to have anything to do with idolatry. 保罗所举的马其顿教会曾经历过严重的困难，但他们还是慷慨解囊。他们不是简单地经历过“苦难”；他们经历了“极大的苦难试炼”（林后 8:2）。他们处于极度贫困之中，这意味着“极度贫困”。这个词描述了一个一无所有并且没有希望得到任何东西的乞丐。他们的困境可能部分是由他们的基督教信仰造成的，因为他们可能因为拒绝与偶像崇拜有任何关系而失去了工作或被排除在行业行会之外。
But
their circumstances did not hinder them from giving. In fact, they gave
joyfully and liberally! No computer could analyze this amazing formula: great
affliction and deep poverty plus grace equals abundant joy and abounding liberality!
It reminds us of the paradox in Paul’s ministry: “as poor, yet making many
rich” (2 Cor.
When you have experienced the grace of God in your life, you will not use difficult circumstances as an excuse for not giving. For that matter, are circumstances ever an encouragement to giving? In my first pastorate, we had a great need for a new church building; but some of the people opposed a building program because of the “economic situation.” Apparently the steel mills were planning to go on strike, and the refineries were going to shut down, and the railroads were having problems … and it seemed like a risky time to build. But there were enough people who believed in “grace giving” so that the church did erect a new sanctuary—in spite of the strikes, shutdowns, layoffs, and other economic problems. Grace giving means giving in spite of circumstances. 当你在生活中经历了上帝的恩典时，你不会以困难的境遇为借口不给予。就此而言，环境是否会鼓励给予？在我的第一个牧师生涯中，我们非常需要一座新的教堂建筑。但有些人因为“经济状况”而反对建设计划。显然，钢铁厂计划罢工，炼油厂将关闭，铁路出现问题……这似乎是一个危险的建设时期。但是有足够多的人相信“恩典给予”，因此教会确实建立了一个新的圣所——尽管发生了罢工、停工、裁员和其他经济问题。恩典给予意味着不顾环境给予。
2. When We Give Enthusiastically (8:3–4) 2. 当我们热心奉献时（8:3-4）
It is
possible to give generously but not give enthusiastically. “The
preacher says I should give until it hurts,” said a miserly church member, “but
for me, it hurts just to think about giving!” The Macedonian churches needed no
prompting or reminding, as did the church at
Their giving was voluntary and spontaneous. It was of grace, not pressure. They gave because they wanted to give and because they had experienced the grace of God. Grace not only frees us from our sins, but it frees us from ourselves. The grace of God will open your heart and your hand. Your giving is not the result of cold calculation, but of warmhearted jubilation! 他们的捐赠是自愿和自发的。这是恩典，而不是压力。他们奉献是因为他们想奉献，也因为他们经历了上帝的恩典。恩典不仅把我们从罪中解脱出来，而且把我们从自己中解脱出来。上帝的恩典会打开你的心和你的手。你的付出不是冷酷计算的结果，而是热心的欢呼！
3. When We Give as Jesus Gave (8:5–9) 3. 当我们像耶稣一样给予时（8:5-9）
Jesus
Christ is always the preeminent example for the believer to follow, whether in
service, suffering, or sac[1]rifice.
Like Jesus Christ, the Macedonian Christians gave themselves to God and to
others (2 Cor. 8:5). If we give ourselves to God, we will have little problem
giv[1]ing
our substance to God. If we give ourselves to God, we will also give of
ourselves for others. It is impossible to love God and ignore the needs of your
neighbor. Jesus Christ gave Himself for us (Gal. 1:4;
The Macedonians’ giving was, like Christ’s, moti[1]vated by love (2 Cor. 8:7–8). What a rebuke to the Corinthians, who were so enriched with spiritual bless[1]ings (1 Cor. 1:4–5). They were so wrapped up in the gifts of the Spirit that they had neglected the graces of the Spirit, including the grace of giving. The Macedonian churches had an “abundance of deep poverty” (2 Cor. 8:2), and yet they abounded in their liberality. The Corinthians had an abundance of spiritual gifts, yet they were lax in keeping their promise and sharing in the collection. 马其顿人的捐赠，就像基督的捐赠一样，是出于爱的动机（林后 8:7-8）。对哥林多人来说是何等的责备，他们如此充满属灵的祝福（林前 1:4-5）。他们如此沉浸在圣灵的恩赐中，以至于忽略了圣灵的恩典，包括施与的恩典。马其顿教会有“大量的极度贫困”（林后 8:2），但他们的慷慨大方。哥林多人拥有丰富的属灵恩赐，但他们在信守承诺和分享收藏方面松懈。
We must never argue that the ministry of our spiritual gifts is a substitute for generous giving. “I teach a Sunday school class, so I don’t have to give!” is not an explanation—it’s an excuse. The Christian who remembers that his gifts are gifts will be motivated to give to others and not “hide” behind his ministry for the Lord. I have met pastors and missionaries who have argued that, since they devote their whole time in serving the Lord, they are not obligated to give. Paul argued just the opposite: since you are wonderfully gifted from God, you ought to want to give even more! 我们绝不能争辩说，我们属灵恩赐的事工可以代替慷慨的奉献。 “我教主日学课程，所以我不必付出！”不是解释——而是借口。记住他的礼物是礼物的基督徒会被激励去给予他人，而不是“隐藏”在他为主的事工背后。我遇到过牧师和传教士，他们争辩说，由于他们将全部时间都奉献给主，他们没有义务奉献。保罗恰恰相反：既然你是上帝赐予你的奇妙恩赐，你应该想付出更多！
Paul was careful that they understood that he was not ordering them to give. Actually, he was contrasting the attitude of the Macedonians with that of the Corinthians. He was pointing out that the Macedonians were following the example of the Lord: they were poor, yet they gave. The Corinthians said that they loved Paul; now he asked them to prove that love by sharing in the offering. Grace giving is an evi[1]dence of love—love for Christ, love for God’s servants who have ministered to us, and love for those who have special needs that we are able to help meet. 保罗小心翼翼地让他们明白他不是在命令他们给予。事实上，他是在对比马其顿人和哥林多人的态度。他是在指出马其顿人效法主的榜样：他们很穷，但他们给予。哥林多人说他们爱保罗。现在他要求他们通过分享奉献来证明这种爱。施恩是爱的证据——对基督的爱，对为我们服务的上帝仆人的爱，对那些有特殊需要的人的爱，我们能够帮助满足这些人的需要。
Finally, their giving was sacrificial (2 Cor. 8:9). In what ways was Jesus rich? Certainly He was rich in His person, for He is eternal God. He is rich in His possessions and in His position as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is rich in His power, for He can do anything. Yet, in spite of the fact that He had all these riches— and more—He became poor. 最后，他们的奉献是牺牲的（2 Cor. 8:9）。耶稣在哪些方面富有？当然，他的身位是丰富的，因为他是永远的神。他拥有丰富的财产，并处于万王之王和万主之主的地位。他的能力是丰富的，因为他可以做任何事。然而，尽管他拥有所有这些财富——甚至更多——他还是变得贫穷。
The
tense of the verb indicates that it is His incarnation, His birth at
Why did
He do it? That we might become rich! This suggests that we were poor before we
met Jesus Christ, and we were—totally bankrupt. But now that we have trusted
Him, we share in all of His riches! We are now the children of God, “heirs of
God, and joint[1]heirs
with Jesus Christ” (Rom.
4. When We Give Willingly (
There is a great difference between promise and performance. The Corinthians had boasted to Titus a year before that they would share in the special collection (2 Cor. 8:6), but they did not keep their promise. Note that in 2 Corinthians 8:10–12 Paul emphasized willingness. Grace giving must come from a willing heart; it cannot be coerced or forced. 承诺和表现之间有很大的区别。一年前，哥林多人曾向提多吹嘘他们将分享特别收藏（林后 8:6），但他们没有遵守诺言。请注意，在哥林多后书 8 章 10-12 节中，保罗强调愿意。施恩必须来自心甘情愿；它不能被强迫或强迫。
During my years of ministry, I have endured many offering appeals. I have listened to pathetic tales about unbelievable needs. I have forced myself to laugh at old jokes that were supposed to make it easier for me to part with my money. I have been scolded, shamed, and almost threatened, and I must confess that none of these approaches has ever stirred me to give more than I planned to give. In fact, more than once I gave less because I was so disgusted with the worldly approach. (However, I have never gotten like Mark Twain, who said that he was so sickened by the long appeal that he not only did not give what he planned to give, but he took a bill out of the plate!) 在我多年的事工中，我忍受了许多奉献的呼吁。我听过关于令人难以置信的需求的可悲故事。我强迫自己嘲笑那些本应让我更容易花钱的老笑话。我被责骂、羞辱，甚至几乎受到威胁，我必须承认，这些方法都没有促使我付出超过我计划给予的。事实上，我不止一次地付出更少，因为我非常厌恶世俗的做法。 （然而，我从来没有像马克吐温那样，他说他对漫长的呼吁感到非常恶心，以至于他不仅没有给出他打算给出的东西，而且还从盘子里拿出了一张账单！）
We must
be careful here not to confuse willing with doing, because the two must go
together. If the willing is sincere and in the will of God, then there must be
“a performance also” (2 Cor.
God sees the “heart gift” and not the “hand gift.” If the heart wanted to give more, but was unable to do so, God sees it and records it accordingly. But if the hand gives more than the heart wants to give, God records what is in the heart, no matter how big the offering in the hand might be. 上帝看到的是“心的礼物”，而不是“手的礼物”。如果心想付出更多却做不到，神会看到并相应地记录下来。但是，如果手的奉献超过了心的奉献，上帝就会记录心里的东西，无论手中的奉献有多大。
A friend of mine was leaving for a business trip, and his wife reminded him before church that she needed some extra money for household expenses. Just before the offering, he slipped some money into her hand; and she, thinking it was their weekly offering, put it all in the plate. It was the expense money for the week. 我的一个朋友要去出差，他的妻子在教堂前提醒他，她需要一些额外的钱来支付家庭开支。就在献祭之前，他把一些钱塞到她手里；她认为这是他们每周的奉献，把它全都放在盘子里。这是一周的开销。
“Well,” said my friend, “we gave it to the Lord and He keeps the records.” “嗯，”我的朋友说，“我们把它交给了主，他保存了记录。”
“How much did you intend to give?” asked their pastor, and my friend gave an amount. “Then that’s what God recorded,” said the pastor, “because He saw the intent of your heart!” “你打算给多少？”问他们的牧师，我的朋友给了一笔钱。 “那是上帝记录下来的，”牧师说，“因为他看到了你的心意！”
God
sees, not the portion, but the proportion. If we could have given more, and did
not, God notes it. If we wanted to give more, and could not, God also notes
that. When we give willingly, according to what we have, we are practicing
grace giving. When We Give by Faith (
Who
does the equalizing? God does. Paul used the miracle of the manna as an illustration
of the principle (Ex.
Our motive for giving is God’s spiritual blessing in our lives, but our measure for giving is God’s material blessing. Paul made this clear when he wrote to the Corinthians in his first letter, “Let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him” (1 Cor. 16:2). Paul did not lay down any mathematical formula, because grace giving is not limited by a tithe (10 percent). Grace giving is systematic, but it is not legalistic. It is not satisfied with only the minimum, whatever that minimum might be. 我们奉献的动机是上帝在我们生命中的属灵祝福，但我们奉献的尺度是上帝的物质祝福。保罗在写给哥林多人的第一封信中清楚地表明了这一点，“你们各人都当靠他存留，正如神使他兴旺一样”（林前 16:2）。保罗没有制定任何数学公式，因为施恩不受十分之一（10%）的限制。施恩是系统的，但不是律法主义的。它不满足于只有最低限度，不管最低限度可能是多少。
Since
it is God who does the “balancing of the books,” we cannot accuse Paul of
teaching some form of communism. In fact, 2 Corinthians
Grace
giving is a matter of faith: we obey God and believe that He will meet our
needs as we help to meet the needs of others. As the Jews gathered the manna
each day, so we must depend on God to “give us this day our daily bread” (Matt.
Beginning in 2 Corinthians 8:16, Paul suddenly turned from a profound spiritual principle to some practical counsel on how the special collection would be handled. While it is true that grace giving means giving by faith, it is also true that grace giving does not mean giving by chance. The Christian who shares with others must be sure that what he gives is managed honestly and faithfully. 从哥林多后书 8 章 16 节开始，保罗突然从一个深刻的属灵原则转向了一些关于如何处理特别收藏的实际建议。虽然施恩确实意味着凭信心施予，但施恩并不意味着偶然施予也是正确的。与他人分享的基督徒必须确保他所给予的东西得到诚实和忠实的管理。
Over the years, I have tried to encourage God’s people to support ministries that could be trusted. On more than one occasion, I have warned a church member not to give to an unworthy organization, only to discover that he gave anyway. Then he would come to me a few months later and say, “I sent a check to that outfit, and now I discover that it’s a fake!” 多年来，我一直试图鼓励上帝的子民支持值得信赖的事工。不止一次，我警告过一位教会成员不要给不值得的组织捐款，结果发现他还是给了。几个月后他会来找我说：“我给那家衣服寄了一张支票，现在我发现它是假的！”
“I warned you not to give anything,” I would reply very gently. “我警告过你不要给任何东西，”我会非常温和地回答。
“Well, the Lord knows my heart,” he would argue. “Even though the money was wasted, I got credit for the gift in heaven!” “嗯，上帝知道我的心，”他会争辩道。 “虽然浪费了钱，但我得到了天上的礼物！”
Grace giving is not foolish giving. Even in a local church, the people who handle the funds must possess certain qualifications. Paul was very careful how he handled money entrusted to him, because he did not want to get the reputation of being a “religious thief.” The churches that contributed to the collection chose certain representatives to travel with Paul, so that everything would be done honestly, decently, and in order. 恩典的给予不是愚蠢的给予。即使在地方教会中，处理资金的人也必须具备一定的资格。保罗在处理托付给他的金钱时非常小心，因为他不想得到“宗教窃贼”的名声。为收藏做出贡献的教会选择了某些代表与保罗一起旅行，以便一切都能够诚实、正派、有序地进行。
I noted in one of our Sunday school classes in a church I pastored that one young man was taking up the offering, counting it, recording it, and then taking it to the Sunday school office. In a non-threatening way, I suggested that he was putting himself in a dangerous position if anybody accused him of anything, because he could not prove that he was handling the money honestly. “I trust you,” I said, “but I don’t trust the people who may be watching you and looking for something to criticize.” Instead of following my suggestion, he became very angry and left the church. 我在一间教会的主日学课程中注意到，我曾牧养过一位年轻人正在拿起供品，数数，记录下来，然后把它带到主日学办公室。我以一种非威胁性的方式暗示，如果有人指控他任何事情，他将自己置于危险的境地，因为他无法证明他在诚实地处理这笔钱。 “我相信你，”我说，“但我不相信那些可能正在监视你并寻找批评的人。”他没有听从我的建议，非常生气，离开了教堂。
The men and women in every Christian ministry— a local church, a missionary organization, an evangelistic meeting—should possess the following qualifications if they are to handle God’s money. 每一個基督教事工──地方教會、宣教組織、福音會議──中的男女如果要管理上帝的錢財，就應該具備以下資格。
A God-given desire to serve (vv. 16–17). Paul did not “draft” Titus; the young man had a desire in his heart to assist in the gathering of the special offering. Too often in local churches, men and women are put on the finance committee who do not have a sincere desire to serve God in this way. Above all else, a person who handles the Lord’s money must have a heart that is right with God. 上帝賦予的服務願望（16-17節）。保羅並沒有「起草」提多；這位年輕人心裡有個願望，想幫忙收集特別的奉獻。在地方教會中，常常有男男女女被安排在財務委員會中，而這些人並沒有真誠地希望以這種方式服事上帝。最重要的是，管理上帝錢財的人必須有一顆向祂虔誠的心。
A burden for lost souls (v. 18). We do not know who this brother was, but we thank God he had a testimony that he shared the gospel. Perhaps he was an evangelist; at least he was known to the churches as a man burdened for souls. Local church nominating committees put the good “soul-winners” on the evangelism committee or on the missions committee, which is fine; but some of them also ought to be on the finance committee or the board of trustees. Why? To keep the priorities straight. I have seen committees approve large sums for buildings and equipment who would not release funds for a soul-winning ministry. 迷失靈魂的負擔（第 18 節）。我們不知道這位弟兄是誰，但感謝神，他有傳福音的見證。也許他是一位福音傳道者；至少，教會知道他是一位肩負靈魂重任的人。地方教會提名委員會把優秀的「靈魂贏家」放在福音委員會或宣教委員會，這很好；但他們中的一些人也應該加入財務委員會或董事會。為什麼？保持優先順序。我看過一些委員會批准大筆資金用於建築物和設備，但卻不願意為拯救靈魂的事工撥款。
A discouraged young pastor sought my counsel one day. “My finance committee is running scared,” he said. “The economic situation has made them so tightfisted, they won’t spend any money—and we have a big surplus in the bank!” I had never met his committee, but I knew one thing about them: they needed a burden for lost souls. 有一天，一位灰心喪志的年輕牧師向我尋求建議。 「我的財務委員會很害怕，」他說。 「經濟狀況讓他們變得如此吝嗇，他們不願意花任何錢——而我們的銀行里卻有大量盈餘！」我從未見過他的委員會，但我知道一件事：他們需要為迷失的靈魂承擔責任。
A desire to honor God (v. 19). Too often, financial reports glorify the church, or a group of special donors, and do not glorify God. There is no such thing in the church as “secular and sacred,” “business and ministry.” All that we do is “sacred business” and ministry for the Lord. When the church constitution says that the deacons (or elders) handle the “spiritual affairs” of the church, and the trustees handle the “material and financial affairs,” it is making an unbiblical distinction. The most spiritual thing a church can do is use its money wisely for spiritual ministry. 渴望榮耀上帝（第 19 節）。很多時候，財務報告讚美教會或一群特殊捐贈者，而沒有讚美上帝。教會裡不存在「世俗與神聖」、「商業與事工」之分。我們所做的一切都是「神聖的事業」和為上帝服務。當教會章程規定執事（或長老）處理教會的“精神事務”，而受託人處理“物質和財務事務”時，它做出了不符合聖經的區分。教會所能做的最有靈性的事情就是明智地將其資金用於屬靈事工。
A reputation for honesty (vv. 20–22). Paul made it clear that he welcomed the representatives from the cooperating churches. He wanted to avoid any blame. It is not enough to say, “Well, the Lord sees what we’re doing!” We should make certain that men can see what we are doing. I like the way J. B. Phillips translated 2 Corinthians 8:21: “Naturally we want to avoid the slightest breath of criticism in the distribution of their gjfts, and to be absolutely aboveboard not only in the sight of God but in the eyes of men.” 诚实的名声（20-22 节）。保罗明确表示他欢迎合作教会的代表。他想避免任何指责。仅仅说：“好吧，主看到了我们在做什么！”是不够的。我们应该确保男人可以看到我们在做什么。我喜欢 J. B. Phillips 翻译哥林多前书 8 章 21 节的方式：“我们自然希望在分配他们的 gjft 时避免丝毫批评的气息，并且不仅在上帝面前而且在人眼中绝对光明磊落。 ”
Personally, I would not support a missionary or Christian worker who was not identified in some way with a reputable committee or board, or a reputable organization. Nor would I give support to any ministry that did not have its books audited and the report avail[1]able to the donors. I am not saying that all “freelance” Christian workers are irresponsible; but I would have more confidence in their ministries if they were attached to a board or an organization that supervised their financial support. 就个人而言，我不会支持在某种方式上没有被认可的有声望的委员会或董事会或有声望的组织的传教士或基督徒工人。我也不会支持任何没有对其账簿进行审计的部门，也不会向捐助者提供报告。我并不是说所有“自由职业”的基督徒工人都是不负责任的。但如果他们隶属于监督他们财务支持的董事会或组织，我会对他们的事工更有信心。
Note
the emphasis in 2 Corinthians
A
cooperative spirit (vv. 23–24). Titus not only had a heart for this ministry (2
Cor.
Finance committee members do not own the money; it belongs to the Lord. The committee is but a steward, managing the money honestly and carefully for the service of the Lord. Note too that Paul saw the committee as special servants of the churches. The raising of this special “relief fund” was a cooperative effort of the Gentile churches, and Paul and the representtives were but “messengers” of the churches. The Greek word is opostolos, from which we get “apostle—one sent with a special commission.” These dedicated Christians felt an obligation to the churches to do their work honestly and successfully. 财务委员会成员不拥有这笔钱；它属于主。委员会只是一个管家，诚实而谨慎地管理金钱，为主服务。还要注意保罗将委员会视为教会的特别仆人。筹集这个特别的“救济金”是外邦教会的合作努力，保罗和他的代表只是教会的“使者”。希腊词是 opostolos，我们从中得到“使徒——受特殊使命派来的人”。这些献身的基督徒感到教会有义务诚实和成功地完成他们的工作。
Grace giving is an exciting adventure! When you learn to give “by grace, through faith” (just the way you were saved, Eph. 2:8–9), you start to experience a wonderful liberation from things and from circumstances. Instead of things possessing you, you start to control them; you develop a new set of values and priorities. You no longer measure life or other people on the basis of money or possessions. If money is the best test of success, then Jesus was a failure, because He was a poor Man! 恩典给予是一次激动人心的冒险！当你学会“本于恩典，本于信心”（正如你得救的方式，以弗所书 2:8-9）时，你开始体验从事物和环境中的奇妙解放。你开始控制它们，而不是占有你的东西；你制定了一套新的价值观和优先事项。你不再以金钱或财产来衡量生活或他人。如果金钱是成功的最好标准，那么耶稣就是失败的，因为他是一个穷人！
Grace giving
enriches you as you enrich others.
Grace giving makes
you more like Jesus Christ.
Have you discovered the thrill of grace giving? 你发现恩典给予的快感了吗？
No comments:
Post a Comment