69 英翻中 (林后書9章) The grace of giving - II 賜於恩典 - 第2部分 5/27/2025

69 英翻中 (林后書9章)    The grace of giving - II              賜於恩典 - 第2部分            5/27/2025

Chapter 8                   THE GRACE OF GIVING—PART II                                2 Corinthians    9          第八章                               奉獻的恩典－第二部分                                                哥林多後書

It seems strange that we Christians need encouragement to give, when God has given so much to us. God had enriched the Corinthians in a wonderful way, and yet they were hesitant to share what they had with others. They were not accustomed to grace giving, so Paul had to explain it to them. Having explained grace giving to them, Paul then tried to motivate them to get involved in the special offering; he did this by sharing five encouragements that relate to grace giving.              上帝已經給了我們這麼多，我們基督徒需要鼓勵去給予，這似乎很奇怪。上帝以一種奇妙的方式豐富了哥林多人，但他們卻不願與他人分享他們所擁有的一切。他們不習慣施捨，所以保羅必須向他們解釋。保羅向他們解釋了恩典的給予之後，便試圖激勵他們參與特別奉獻；他透過分享與施予恩典有關的五點鼓勵來做到這一點。

1.  Your Giving Will Provoke Others (9:1–5)                                                                                          1. 你的奉獻會激發他人（9:1-5）

While Christians must not compete with each other in their service for Christ, they ought to “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Heb. 10:24). When we see what God is doing in and through the lives of others, we ought to strive to serve Him better ourselves. There is a fine line between fleshly imitation and spiritual emulation, and we must be careful in this regard. But a zealous Christian can be the means of stirring up a church and motivating people to pray, work, witness, and give.                                                                                                    雖然基督徒在為基督服務時不能互相競爭，但他們應該「彼此關注，激發愛心，勉勵行善」（希伯來書 10:24）。當我們看到上帝在別人的生活中以及透過別人的生活中所做的一切時，我們就應該努力更好地服事祂。肉體的模仿和精神的效法之間只有一線之隔，在這方面我們必須小心謹慎。但熱心的基督徒可以成為激發教會並激勵人們祈禱、工作、見證和奉獻的手段。

The interesting thing is this: Paul had used the zeal of the Corinthians to challenge the Macedonians; but now he was using the Macedonians to challenge the Corinthians! A year before, the Corinthians had enthusiastically boasted that they would share in the offering, but then they had done nothing. The Macedonians had followed through on their promise, and Paul was afraid that his boasting would be in vain.                                                                                              有趣的是：保羅曾經使用哥林多人的熱情來挑戰馬其頓人；但現在他正在使用馬其頓人來挑戰哥林多人！一年前，哥林多人曾熱情地誇口說他們會分享奉獻，但後來他們什麼也沒做。馬其頓人履行了他們的諾言，保羅擔心他的誇耀會落空。

Paul sent Titus and the other brothers to Corinth to stir them up to share in the offering. Far more important than the money itself was the spiritual benefit that would come to the church as they shared in response to God’s grace in their lives. Paul had written to the church before to tell them how to take up the contributions (1 Cor. 16:1–4), so there was no excuse for their delay. Paul wanted the entire contribution to be ready when he and his “finance committee” arrived, so that there might not be any last-minute collections that might appear to be forced on the church.        保羅派提多和其他弟兄前往哥林多，鼓勵他們分享奉獻。比金錢本身更重要的是，當教會分享上帝在他們生命中的恩典時，教會將獲得屬靈上的益處。保羅之前曾寫信給教會，告訴他們如何接受捐款（哥林多前書 16：1-4），因此他們沒有理由拖延。保羅希望當他和他的「財務委員會」到達時，所有的捐款都已經準備好，這樣就不會出現教會被迫在最後一刻募款的情況。

What did Paul want to avoid? Embarrassment to himself and to the church if the offering was not ready. For, after all, there were several representatives from the Macedonian churches on the special committee (see Acts 20:4). Paul had boasted to the Macedonians about Corinth, and now he feared that his boasting might be in vain.                                                                                            保羅想要避免什麼？如果祭品還沒準備好，他自己和教會都會感到尷尬。畢竟，特別委員會中有幾位來自馬其頓教會的代表（參考使徒行傳 20:4）。保羅曾向馬其頓人誇耀哥林多，現在他擔心他的誇耀可能是徒勞無功。

Apparently, Paul did not see anything wrong or unspiritual about asking people to promise to give. He did not tell them how much they had to promise, but he did expect them to keep their promise. When a person signs up for a telephone, he promises to pay a certain amount each month. If it is acceptable to make financial commitments for things like telephones, cars, and credit cards, certainly it ought to be acceptable to make commitments for the work of the Lord.    顯然，保羅並不認為要求人們承諾捐贈有什麼不妥或不屬靈的地方。他沒有告訴他們必須承諾多少，但他確實希望他們信守承諾。當一個人簽約一部電話時，他承諾每月支付一定金額。如果對電話、汽車和信用卡等做出財務承諾是可以接受的，那麼對主的工作做出承諾當然也是可以接受的。

Notice the words that Paul used as he wrote about the collection. It was “ministering to the saints,” a service to fellow believers. It was also a “bounty” (2 Cor. 9:5), which means “a generous gift.” Was Paul perhaps hinting that the Corinthians give more than they had planned?                    請注意保羅在撰寫有關該收藏品的文章時所使用的字詞。這是“服事聖徒”，為信徒服務。這也是一種「賞金」（哥林多後書 9:5），意思是「慷慨的禮物」。保羅是否暗示哥林多人奉獻的比他們計畫的多？    

However, Paul was careful not to put on any pressure. He wanted their gift to be “a matter of bounty [generosity], and not as of covetousness [something squeezed out of them].” High-pressure offering appeals do not belong to grace giving.                                                                                        不過，保羅很小心，沒有施加任何壓力。他希望他們的捐贈是「出於慷慨，而不是貪婪」。高壓奉獻的訴求不屬於施捨。

Our greatest encouragement for giving is that it pleases the Lord, but there is nothing wrong with practicing the kind of giving that provokes others to give. This does not mean that we should advertise what we do as individuals, because that kind of practice would violate one of the basic principles of giving: give secretly to the Lord (Matt. 6:1–4). However, Paul was writing to churches; and it is not wrong for congregations to announce what they have given collectively. If our motive is to boast, then we are not practicing grace giving. But if our desire is to provoke others to share, then God’s grace can work through us to help others.                                                我們對奉獻的最大鼓勵是它能取悅上帝，但實踐那種激發他人奉獻的奉獻並沒有錯。這並不意味著我們應該宣傳我們個人所做的事情，因為這種做法違反了奉獻的基本原則之一：秘密地奉獻給主（馬太福音 6：1-4）。然而，保羅寫信給教會；各會眾宣告他們集體捐了多少錢並沒有錯。如果我們的動機是自誇，那麼我們就沒有施予恩惠。但如果我們的願望是激發他人分享，那麼上帝的恩典就可以透過我們來幫助他人。

2.  Your Giving Will Bless You (9:6–11)                                                                                                      2. 你的奉獻會祝福你（9:6-11）

“Give, and it shall be given unto you,” was our Lord’s promise; and it still holds true (Luke 6:38). The “good measure” He gives back to us is not always money or material goods, but it is always worth far more than we gave. Giving is not something we do, but something we are. Giving is a way of life for the Christian who understands the grace of God. The world simply does not understand a statement like Proverbs 11:24: “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” In grace giving, our motive is not “to get something,” but receiving God’s blessing is one of the fringe benefits.                      「你給予，就必有所得」是我們主的承諾；至今仍是如此（路 6:38）。祂給我們的「充分衡量」並不總是金錢或物質財富，但它的價值總是遠遠超過我們所付出的。給予不是我們所做的事情，而是我們本身的事情。對於懂得上帝恩典的基督徒來說，奉獻是一種生活方式。世人根本無法理解箴言 11:24 中這樣的說法：“有施捨的，卻更增添；吝惜過度的，反致缺乏。”在施捨恩典時，我們的動機不是“為了得到什麼”，而得到上帝的祝福是附帶的福利之一。

If our giving is to bless us and build us up, we must be careful to follow the principls that Paul explained in this section.                                                                                                                            如果我們的奉獻是為了祝福我們、造就我們，那就必須小心遵循保羅在本節中所解釋的原則。

The principle of increase: we reap in measure as we sow (v. 6). This principle needs little explanation, because we see it operating in everyday life. The farmer who sows much seed will have a better chance for a bigger harvest. The investor who puts a large sum of money in the bank will certainly collect more dividends. The more we invest in the work of the Lord, the more “fruit” will abound to our account (Phil. 4:10–20).                                                                                  遞增的原則：我們種多少，就收多少（第 6 節）。這個原則幾乎不需要解釋，因為我們在日常生活中看到它的運作。播種越多的農民越有機會獲得更大收成。把大筆資金存入銀行的投資者肯定會獲得更多的股息。我們對主的工作投入越多，我們的「果子」就會越多（腓立比書 4:10-20）。

Whenever we are tempted to forget this principle, we need to remind ourselves that God was unsparing in His giving. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32). In both nature and grace, God is a generous Giver; and he who would be godly must follow the divine example.                                  每當我們想要忘記這個原則時，我們都需要提醒自己，上帝的給予是毫不吝惜的。 「上帝既不愛惜自己的兒子，為我們眾人捨了，豈不也把萬物和祂一同白白地賜給我們嗎？」（羅馬書 8:32） 無論從本質還是從恩典來看，上帝都是慷慨的給予者；凡是想成為虔誠的人，就必須效仿祂神聖的榜樣。

The principle of intent: we reap as we sow with right motives (v. 7). Motive makes absolutely no difference to the farmer! If he sows good seed and has good weather, he will reap a harvest whether he is working for profit, pleasure, or pride. It makes no difference how he plans to use the money that he earns; the harvest will probably come just the same.                                            意圖原則：只要有正確的動機，我們就會收穫。 （第 7 節）動機對農民來說毫無差別！如果他播下好種子並且遇到好天氣，那麼無論他是為了利潤、快樂,  還是驕傲而工作，他都會有收穫。他計劃如何使用自己賺到的錢並沒有區別；收穫可能還是會一樣。

But not so with the Christian: motive in giving (or in any other activity) is vitally important. Our giving must come from the heart, and the motive in the heart must please God. We must not be “sad givers” who give grudgingly, or “mad givers” who give because we have to (“of necessity”); but we should be “glad givers” who cheerfully share what we have because we have experienced the grace of God. “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed” (Prov. 22:9).                                  但對基督徒來說並非如此：奉獻（或任何其他活動）的動機至關重要。我們的奉獻必須發自內心，內心的動機必須討上帝的歡心。我們不能成為勉強給予的“悲傷的給予者”，也不能成為因為不得不（“必要”）而給予的“瘋狂的給予者”；但我們應該是“樂於奉獻的人”，愉快地分享我們所擁有的，因為我們經歷了上帝的恩典。 「眼目慈愛的，必蒙福。」（箴 22:9）

If we cannot give joyfully (the Greek word gives us our English word hilarious), then we must open our hearts to the Lord and ask Him to grant us His grace. Certainly God can bless a gift that is given out of a sense of duty, but God cannot bless the giver unless his heart is right. Grace giving means that God blesses the giver as well as the gift, and that the giver is a blessing to others.                                                                                                                                                          如果我們不能快樂地給予（希臘語單字 hilarious 衍生了英語單字 hilarious），那麼我們必須向主敞開心扉，祈求祂賜予我們恩典。當然，上帝可以保佑那出於責任感而贈送的禮物，但除非贈送者的心地善良，否則上帝不會保佑贈送者。賜予恩典意味著上帝祝福贈與者和禮物，贈與者對其他人來說是一種祝福

The principle of immediacy: we reap even while we are sowing (vv. 8–11). The farmer has to wait for his harvest, but the believer who practices grace giving begins to reap the harvest immediately. To be sure, there are long-range benefits from our giving, but there are also immediate blessings.即時的原則：我們播種的時候，就收穫（8-11節）。農民必須等待收穫，但實踐恩賜的信徒則立即開始收穫。確實，我們的奉獻會帶來長遠的利益，但同時也會帶來直接的祝福。

To begin with, we start to share God’s abundant grace (2 Cor. 9:8). The “universals” in this verse are staggering: all grace; always; all sufficiency; every good work. This does not mean that God makes every Christian wealthy in material things; but it does mean that the Christian who practices grace giving will always have what he needs when he needs it. Furthermore, the grace of God enriches him morally and spiritually so that he grows in Christian character. In his walk and his work, he depends wholly on the sufficiency of God.                                                                          首先，我們開始分享上帝豐富的恩典（哥林多後書 9:8）。這節經文中的「普遍性」令人震驚：所有的恩典；總是; 一切充足；一切善事。這並不意味著上帝讓每個基督徒都擁有豐富的物質財富；但它確實意味著，實踐恩典的基督徒, 在需要的時候, 總會得到他所需要的東西。此外，上帝的恩典豐富了他的道德和心靈，使他的基督徒品格不斷成長。在他的生命和工作中，他完全依靠上帝的供給。

It is disturbing to see how many Christians today are totally dependent on others for their spiritual resources. Preachers cannot get sermons unless they borrow them from a book or a other resource. Church officers are bewildered about what to do with a problem unless they phone two or three well-known preachers for advice. Far too many church members have to consult with the pastor once a week or they fall apart spiritually.                                                                                    令人不安的是，今天有這麼多的基督徒完全依賴他人來獲取屬靈的資源。傳教士除非從書籍或其他資源中藉用，否則無法獲得佈道的靈感。教會官員對於如何處理問題感到困惑，除非他們打電話給兩三位知名的傳教士尋求建議。太多的教會成員必須每週與牧師商議一次，否則他們的靈命就會崩潰。

The word sufficiency means “adequate resources within” (see Phil. 4:11). Through Jesus Christ, we can have the adequacy to meet the demands of life. As Christians, we do need to help and encourage one another; but we must not depend on one another. Our dependence must be on the Lord. He alone can give us that “well of water” in the heart that makes us sufficient for life (John 4:14).                                                                                                                                                          「豐滿」這個字的意思是「內心有足夠的資源」（參考  腓立比書 4:11）。透過耶穌基督，我們可以有足夠的能力來滿足生活的需要。身為基督徒，我們確實需要互相幫助和鼓勵；但我們不能互相依賴。我們必須依靠主。只有祂能賜給我們心中的“活井水”，使我們有足夠的生命（約翰福音 4:14）。

We not only share God’s grace, but we also share His righteousness (2 Cor. 9:9). Paul quoted Psalm 112:9 to prove his point. That psalm describes the righteous man who has no fears because his heart is sincere and obedient to the Lord. Paul did not suggest that we earn righteousness by our giving, because the only way to get righteousness is by faith in Jesus Christ. However, if our hearts are right, our giving will be used by God to make our character righteous. Grace giving builds Christian character.                                                                                                                          我們不只分享上帝的恩典，我們也分享祂的公義（哥林多後書 9:9）。保羅引用了詩篇 112:9 來證明他的觀點。那篇詩篇描述了一位義人，他無所畏懼，因為他的心真誠，並且順從主。保羅並沒有建議我們透過奉獻來獲得正義，因為獲得正義的唯一途徑就是信仰耶穌基督。然而，如果我們的心是正確的，我們的奉獻將被上帝用來使我們的品格變得正直。施予恩典塑造基督徒的品格。

We reap as we sow, and we share God’s miracle multiplication of what we give and do (2 Cor. 9:10). The farmer has to decide how much seed he will keep for food and how much he will plant. If the harvest has been lean, there is less seed available both for eating and planting. But the Christian who believes in grace giving never has to worry about this decision: God supplies all that he needs. There is always spiritual and material “bread” for the eating and spiritual and material “seed” for the sowing.                                                                                                                  我們種的是什麼，收的也是什麼，我們也分享了上帝因我們的付出和所做的而帶來的奇蹟倍增（哥林多後書 9:10）。農民必須決定要保留多少種子作為食物以及要種植多少種子。如果收成不好，可供食用和種植的種子就會減少。但是相信恩典的基督徒永遠不必擔心這個決定：上帝會供應他所需要的一切。總有靈命和物質的「麵包」可供食用，總有靈性和物質的「種子」可供播種。 

Paul referred here to Isaiah 55:10–11, a passage that uses “seed” and “bread” to refer to both the Word of God and to the literal harvest in the field. There is no such thing as “secular” and “sacred” in the Christian life. The giving of money is just as spiritual an act as the singing of a hymn or the handing out of a gospel tract. Money is seed. If we give it according to the principles of grace, it will multiply to the glory of God and meet many needs. If we use it in ways other than God desires, the harvest will be poor. Finally, as we sow, we are enriched and we enrich others (2 Cor. 9:11). The farmer reaps immediate physical benefits as he works in his field, but he has to wait for the harvest. The Christian who is moti[1]vated by grace reaps the blessings of personal enrichment in his or her own life and character, and this enrichment benefits others. The final result is glory to God as others give thanks to Him. Paul was careful to point out that grace giving does not bring credit to us; it brings thanksgiving to God. We are but channels through whom God works to meet the needs of others.                                                                                                  保羅在這裡引用了以賽亞書 55:10-11，這段經文使用「種子」和「麵包」來指上帝的話語和田野裡的實際收穫。在基督徒的生活中，不存在「世俗」和「神聖」之分。捐錢就像唱讚美詩或分發福音傳單一樣，是一種屬靈行為。金錢就是種子。如果我們按照恩典的原則給予，它就會倍增，榮耀上帝，並滿足許多需要。如果我們以上帝不希望的方式使用它，那麼收穫就會減少。最後，當我們播種時，我們變得富有，我們也使他人變得富有（哥林多後書 9:11）。農民在田裡勞動時立即獲得了物質利益，但他必須等待收穫。恩典所激勵的基督徒會收穫個人生活和品格充實的祝福，而這種充實也會使他人受益。最終的結果是，其他人感謝上帝，榮耀上帝。保羅謹慎地指出，施捨恩惠並不會帶給我們榮譽；它帶對上帝感恩的感謝。我們基督徒只是上帝用來滿足別人需求的管道。

But 2 Corinthians 9:11 teaches another truth: God enriches us so that we may give even more bountifully. One of the joys of grace giving is the joy of giving more and more. Everything we have—not just our income—belongs to God, is given to God, and is used by God to accomplish His work. We are enriched in everything because we share everything with Him and with others.          但哥林多後書 9:11 教導了另一個真理：上帝使我們富足，以便我們可以給予更多。施捨的樂趣之一就是給予越來越多遞增的樂趣。我們所擁有的一切 — 不僅僅是我們的收入 — 都屬於上帝，是獻給上帝的，並被上帝用來完成祂的作為。我們在一切事情上都很富有，因為我們與祂和他人分享一切。

As a pastor, I have watched young Christians lay hold of these principles of grace giving and start to grow. It has been a great joy to see them trust God as their giving is motivated by grace. At the same time, I have seen other believers smile at these principles and gradually impoverish themselves. Some of them “pros[1]pered” financially, but their income was their downfall: it did not enrich them. They had their reward, but they lost their opportunities for spiritual enrichment.身為牧師，我看到年輕的基督徒, 他們掌握了這些施恩的原則, 並開始成長。看到他們出於恩典而信任上帝，真是一件令人興奮的事。同時，我也看到其他信徒對這些原則嗤之以鼻，並逐漸使自己變得貧窮。他們中的一些人經濟上“繁榮[1]”，但他們的收入卻成了他們的敗筆：他們並沒有因此而富裕起來。他們得到了回報，卻失去了靈命充實的機會。

Grace giving means that we really believe that God is the great Giver, and we use our material and spiritual resources accordingly. You simply cannot outgive God!                                                    施予恩典意味著我們真正相信上帝是偉大賜給者，並且我們相應地使用我們得到的物質, 和屬靈資源。你根本無法給上帝！

5.  Your Giving Will Meet Needs (9:12)                                                                                                    5. 你的奉獻將滿足你的必須的需要（9:12）

Paul introduced a new word for the offering: service. It means “priestly service,” so once again, Paul lifted the offering to the highest level possible. He saw this collection as a “spiritual sacrifice” presented to God, the way a priest presented a costly sacrifice on the altar.                                      保羅引入了一個新詞來表示奉獻：服務。它的意思是“祭司的服務”，所以保羅再一次將祭品提升到了最高的水平。他認為這些收藏是獻給上帝的 “屬靈的祭品"，就像牧師在祭壇上獻上昂貴的祭品一樣。

Christians no longer bring animals as sacrifices to God, because the work of Christ on the cross has ended the Levitical system (Heb. 10:1–14). But the material gifts we bring to the Lord become “spiritual sacrifices” if they are given in the name of Jesus (Phil. 4:10–20; Heb. 13:15–16; 1 Peter 2:5).                                                                                                                                                                基督徒不再將動物作為祭品獻給上帝，因為基督在十字架上的工作結束了利未制度（希伯來書 10：1-14）。但如果我們奉耶穌的名獻上物質禮物給主，它們就成為「屬靈的祭物」（腓立比書 4:10-20；希伯來書 13:15-16；彼得前書 2:5）。

But the emphasis in 2 Corinthians 9:12 is on the fact that their offering would meet the needs of poor saints in Judea. “For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God” (2 Cor. 9:12). The Gentile believers could have given a number of excuses for not giving. “It’s not our fault that they had a famine and are poor!” might have been one of them. Or, “The churches closer to Judea ought to give them help.” Or, “We believe in giving, but we think we should first take care of our own.”                        但哥林多後書 9:12 強調的是，他們的奉獻將滿足猶太貧窮聖徒的需要。 「因為辦這供給的事，不但補聖徒的缺乏，而且叫許多人越發感謝上帝」（林後 9:12）。外邦信徒可以給許多不奉獻的藉口。 「他們遭遇飢荒、變得貧窮，這不是我們的錯！」可能是其中之一。或者，“靠近猶太的教堂應該向他們提供幫助。”或者，“我們相信奉獻，但我們認為我們應該首先照顧好自己。”

When a Christian starts to think of excuses for not giving, he automatically moves out of the sphere of grace giving. Grace never looks for a reason; it only looks for an opportunity. If there is a need to be met, the grace-controlled Christian will do what he can to meet it.                                  當基督徒開始想不給的藉口時，他就自動脫離了施捨的範圍。"恩典" 從不尋找理由；它只是在尋找機會。如果有需要滿足，受恩典控制的基督徒會盡其所能去滿足。

 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). Paul admonished the wealthy Christians “that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate [share]” (1 Tim. 6:18). Most of us would not consider ourselves “wealthy,” but the rest of the world does.                      「所以有了機會，就當向眾人行善，向信徒一家的人更當這樣」（加拉太書 6:10）。保羅勸告富有的基督徒「要行善，在好事上富足，甘心施捨，樂意供給人」（提摩太前書 6:18）。我們大多數人並不認為自己“富有”，但世界上其他人卻這麼認為。

However, we are not the ones who get the glory; it is the Lord who is glorified (Matt. 5:16). Many people will give thanksgiving to God because of our sharing in the meeting of their needs. We may not hear that thanksgiving on earth today, but we will hear it in heaven when the church is gathered together.                                                                                                                                        然而，得著榮耀的不是我們；得榮耀的是主（太5:16）。許多人會因為我們滿足他們的需要而感謝上帝。今天我們可能在地球上聽不到感恩的聲音，但當教會聚集在一起時，我們會在天堂聽到它。

It might be profitable here to notice Paul’s use of the concept of abundance as he wrote this letter. He opened the letter with abundant suffering that was matched by abundant comfort (2 Cor. 1:5). He also mentioned abundant grace (2 Cor. 4:15) and abundant joy and liberality (2 Cor. 8:2). Because of God’s abundant grace, we can abound always in every good work (2 Cor. 9:8). The apostle saw the Christian life as one of abundance, for Jesus Christ can make us adequate for every situation.                                                                                                                                          注意到保羅在寫這封信時使用了「豐富」的概念可能會有所幫助。他在信的開頭表達了極大的痛苦，同時也表達了極大的安慰（哥林多後書 1:5）。他也提到了豐盛的恩典（哥林多後書 4:15）以及豐盛的喜樂和慷慨（哥林多後書 8:2）。因為上帝豐富的恩典，我們才能常常多行各樣善事（哥林多後書 9:8）。使徒認為基督徒的生活是富有的生活，因為耶穌基督可以使我們適應各種情況。

Our giving ought to provide for necessities, not subsidize luxuries. There are needs to be met, and our limited resources must not be squandered. It is true that the need itself is not the only reason for giving, for there are always more needs than any one Christian or church can meet; but the need is important. Some needs are greater than others, and some needs are more strategic than others. We need accurate information as well as spiritual illumination as we seek to meet the many needs that are pressing on us today.                                                                                                        我們的捐款應該用於滿足生活必需品，而不是補貼奢侈品。有些需求需要滿足，我們有限的資源不能浪費。確實，需要本身並不是捐贈的唯一原因，因為總是存在著比任何一個基督徒或教會所能滿足的更多的需要；但這種需求很重要。有些需求比其他需求更大，有些需求比其他需求更具策略性。當我們尋求滿足當今我們面臨的諸多需求時，我們需要準確的資訊和精神啟蒙。

6.  Your Giving Will Glorify God (9:13)                                                                                                    6. 你的奉獻會榮耀神（9:13）

“Let your light so shine before men,” said our Lord, “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). This is one of the beauties of church giving: no individual gets the glory that belongs only to God.                                                                              我們的主說：「你們的光也這樣照在人前，叫他們看見你們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父」（馬太福音 5:16）。這是教會奉獻的美妙之處之一：沒有哪個個人能夠獲得只屬於上帝的榮耀。

For what would the grateful Jewish believers give thanks? Of course, they would praise God for the generosity of the Gentile churches in meeting their physical and material needs. But they would also praise God for the spiritual submission of the Gentiles, their obedience to the Spirit of God who gave them the desire to give. They would say, “Those Gentiles not only preach the gospel, but they also practice it!”                                                                                                            感恩的猶太信徒會感謝什麼呢？當然，他們會讚美上帝，因為外邦教會慷慨地滿足了他們的物質需求。但他們也會讚美上帝，因為外邦人的精神順從，他們服從上帝的精神，是上帝的精神讓他們有奉獻的願望。他們會說，“那些外邦人不僅傳福音，而且還實踐福音！”

The little phrase and unto all men at the end of this verse (2 Cor. 9:13) is significant. The Jewish believers would give thanks that others were also being assisted by the Gentile churches. Each little congregation that received aid would be thankful for that aid and for the aid being given to others. Instead of saying, “Why didn’t we get more?” they would be praising God that others in need were also being helped. That is the way grace giving works.                                                      這節經文末尾的小片語「和凡人」（哥林多後書 9:13）意義重大。猶太信徒會感謝其他人也得到了外邦教會的幫助。每個接受援助的小團體都會對這種援助以及給予他人的援助表示感謝。而不是問「為什麼我們沒有得到更多？」他們會讚美上帝，因為其他有需要的人也得到了幫助。這就是施恩的方式。

It might be good for our churches to take inventory to see if anybody is giving thanks to God for our obedience and generosity. No amount of evangelistic zeal or worship activity can compensate for lost opportuni[1]ties in serving others and meeting their practical needs. It is not a matter of choosing one and ignoring the other. There must be a balance of sharing the gospel and meeting practical needs, if our light is to shine brightly and steadily. It has well been said that it is difficult to preach the gospel to a hungry man (see James 2:15–16).                                                                    我們的教會最好清點一下，看看是否有人因我們的服從和慷慨而感謝上帝。無論多少傳福音的熱情或崇拜活動都無法彌補服務他人和滿足其實際需要的機會的失去[1]。這並不是選擇一個而忽略另一個的問題。如果我們的光芒要明亮而穩定地閃耀，就必須在分享福音和滿足實際需求之間取得平衡。有人說得好，向飢餓的人傳福音是困難的（參考雅各書 2：15-16）。

I recall reading about a wealthy Christian who daily, at family devotions, prayed for the needs of the missionaries that his church supported. One morning, after he had concluded family prayers, his little boy said, “Dad, if I had your checkbook, I could answer your prayers!” A discerning lad, indeed!                                                                                                                                                        我記得我讀過一篇關於一位富有的基督徒的文章，他每天在家庭禮拜時, 為他的教會所支持的傳教士的需要祈禱。一天早上，當他結束家庭祈禱時，他的小兒子說：「爸爸，如果我有你的支票簿，我就可以回應你的祈禱！」真是個有眼光的小伙子！

7.  Your Giving Will Unite God’s People (9:14–15)                                                                                7. 你的奉獻將使神的子民合一（9:14-15）

This, of course, was one of the major purposes that Paul had on his heart when he challenged the Gentile churches to assist the Jewish believers. The extreme legalists in the church had accused Paul of being anti-Jewish and even anti-law. The Gentile churches were removed from the “mother church” in Jerusalem both by distance and culture. Paul wanted to prevent a 529 III. PAUL ENFORCES HIS AUTHORITY (10—13) A.The warrior, attacking the opposition—10 2 Corinthians 9—10 division in the church, and the “relief offering” was a part of that prevention program.                                                                                                                                                    當然，這也是保羅要求外邦教會協助猶太信徒時心中的主要目的之一。教會中的極端律法主義者指責保羅反猶太，甚至反律法。由於距離和文化的原因，外邦教會與耶路撒冷的「母會」相距甚遠。保羅想要阻止 529 III 事件的發生。保羅強調他的權威（10-13） A.戰士攻擊反對派－10 哥林多後書 9-10 教會的分裂，「救濟祭」是預防計畫的一部分。

In what ways would this offering bind the Jewish and Gentile congregations more closely? For one thing, the offering was an expression of love. The Gentiles were not obligated to share (though Paul did see the offering as the payment of a “spiritual debt,” Rom. 15:25–27), but they did so because of the grace of God. The Jews, in turn, would feel themselves bound to their Gentile brothers and sisters.                                                                                                                                  這種奉獻將以何種方式使猶太人和外邦人會眾更加緊密地聯繫在一起？首先，奉獻是愛的表達。外邦人沒有義務分享（儘管保羅確實將奉獻視為「精神債務」的償還，羅馬書 15：25-27），但他們這樣做是因為上帝的恩典。反過來，猶太人會覺得自己與非猶太人兄弟姊妹有著緊密的連結。

Another spiritual bond would be prayer. “And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you” (2 Cor. 9:14 niv). Were the Gentile churches “buying” the prayer support of the Jewish churches? Not in the least! Paul envisioned a spontaneous expression of love, praise, and prayer as he shared the offering in Judea.                      另一種精神紐帶是祈禱。 「他們因著神極大的恩賜，就切切地切慕你們，為你們祈禱。」（哥林多後書 9:14）外邦教會是否在「購買」猶太教會的禱告支持？一點兒也不！保羅想著當他在猶大分享祭品時人們會自發性地表達愛、讚美和禱告。

I have had the experience of visiting several mission fields and hearing believers there say, “We are praying for you.” I recall chatting with a fine Christian from eastern Europe, who said, “We are praying for you in the United States, because in some ways, you have a more difficult time being spiritual Christians than we do.” When I asked him to explain, he smiled and said, “You have relatively easy lives, and comfort is an enemy of the spiritual life. In eastern Europe, we know who our enemies are, and we know who our friends are. Where you live, it is easy to be fooled. Yes, we are praying for you!”                                                                                                      我曾經去過幾個傳教區，聽到那裡的信徒說：「我們在為你們祈禱。」我記得曾與一位來自東歐的優秀基督徒聊天，他說：「我們在美國為你們祈禱，因為在某些方面，你們作為屬靈的基督徒比我們更困難。 」當我請他解釋時，他笑著說：「你們的生活相對輕鬆，而安逸是屬靈生活的敵人。在東歐，我們知道誰是我們的敵人，我們知道誰是我們的朋友。在你居住的地方，很容易被愚弄。是的，我們為你祈禱！ 」

Both the Jewish and the Gentile churches would be drawn closer to Jesus Christ. “Thanks [grace] be unto God for his unspeakable [indescribable] gift” (2 Cor. 9:15). In Jesus Christ, all human distinctions are erased, and we no longer see each other as Jews or Gentiles, rich or poor, givers or recipients. “For ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).                                                                  猶太教會和外邦教會都會更接近耶穌基督。 「感謝上帝，因祂賜給我們說不盡的恩賜」（哥林多後書 9：15）。在耶穌基督裡，一切人類的區別都被消除了，我們不再將彼此視為猶太人或外邦人、富人或窮人、給予者或接受者。 「因為你們在基督耶穌裡都成為一了」（加拉太書 3:28）。

It is sad when our giving becomes a substitute for our living. A church officer once complained to me, “I’ll give any amount of money you want for missions. Just don’t make me listen to a missionary speak!” When a Christian practices grace giving, his money is not a substitute for either his concern or his service. He first gives himself to the Lord (2 Cor. 8:5) and then he gives what he has. His gift is a symbol, as it were, of the surrender of his heart. You cannot separate the gift and the giver when your giving is motivated by God’s grace.                                                        當我們的奉獻代替了我們的生活時，這是令人悲傷的。一位教會官員曾經向我抱怨：「你們要多少錢用於傳教，我都願意給。只是別讓我聽傳教士講道！」當基督徒施捨恩惠時，他的錢不能代替他的關心或服務。他首先將自己獻給主（哥林多後書 8:5），然後將他所有的奉獻給主。他的禮物可以說是他內心臣服的象徵。當你的贈與是受到上帝恩典的激勵時，你就無法將禮物和贈與者分開。

I suggest you read 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 again, and that you note the emphasis on the grace of God. If our churches and other ministries would get back to grace giving, there would be fewer high-pressure offering appeals, fewer gimmicks to raise funds, and fewer complaints from the people of God. Instead, there would be plenty of money available for the ministries that truly magnify the grace of God. And I think that the unsaved people in the world would sit up and take notice!                                                                                                                                                            我建議你再讀一遍哥林多後書第 8 章和第 9 章，並注意其中對上帝恩典的強調。如果我們的教會和其他事工能夠恢復施捨，那麼高壓奉獻的呼籲就會減少，籌集資金的花招就會減少，上帝子民的抱怨也會減少。相反，將會有足夠的資金用於真正彰顯上帝恩典的事工。我認為世界上尚未得救的人們會注意到這一點！

You and I are saved because God believed in grace giving.                                                                  你和我都得救了，因為上帝相信恩典。

How much do we believe in grace giving?                                                                                                我們對恩典的相信程度有多少？