It is More Blessed to Give than to Receive 施比受更为有福
Shared by Rev Ng Eng Keng
Translate: Sis Charis Ong
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive,’ ”
Acts 20:35
In this present time and society, the human heart is increasingly self-centred, and self-interest is at the centre of any undertaking. There are some who would betray friends to profit themselves or they might even go as far as betraying themselves and their own dignity. Such is the sorry state of the human condition.
Jesus taught us that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”. This is not only his teaching and expectations of us but also a testimony of his life. It is exactly how Jesus lived his life on earth – giving and selfless, even to the point of sacrificing his own life! In slightly more than three years of ministry life, Jesus has helped countless who were in need. Whether they were weak in the body, from needy families or even feeling despair and emptiness, Jesus could satisfy their every need, and enable them to live a new life.
Our church organises an annual ‘Community Sunday’ to encourage our brothers and sisters to place greater emphasis on becoming a testimony among the people, reaffirming the church’s vision of becoming disciples who ‘live among the people’. This is especially evident in our community work, so that we become witnesses for Jesus, allowing our friends in the community to see God!
In the past years, the primary recipients of the church’s community work have been the seniors. But with the revision of electoral divisions, our area for community work has expanded to the whole of Potong Pasir, including the new Bidadari estate which mainly consists of younger families. Therefore apart from the present community, we are actively working on our ministry strategies to reach out to this new group.
Beloved brothers and sisters, if we are to serve our community better, on top of the current volunteers, we will need more young people to come on board to serve this larger group. We especially need young couples and youth to participate in reaching out to the new community in Bidadari Newtown. Let us come together with one heart so that we may serve our community better!
文:黄永庆牧师
我凡事以身作则，你们必须照样辛劳，扶助软弱的人，并且记念主耶稣的话：‘施比受更为有福。’
使徒行传 20:35
在现今的这个时代与社会，人的心越来越自我，做任何事情都是以自己为中心。有些人甚至为了自己的利益，不惜出卖朋友、甚至出卖自己的人格、自己的尊严，这是何等可悲啊！
主耶稣教导我们“施比受更为有福”。这不但是主对我们的要求与教导，更是祂生命的见证。在耶稣的一生中，所带出的就是这样的一种生命，即付出、无我，甚至是牺牲的生命！在耶稣那短短的三年多的服侍生涯里，帮助了许许多多有需要的人，无论是身体的软弱、家庭的需要，甚至心灵上的空虚与绝望，耶稣都能一一的满足他们的需要，并使他们重新有一个全新的生活与生命。
教会每一年都有社区主日，藉着重申教会的异象，即成为“活在人群中”的门徒教会，来鼓励弟兄姐妹更注重在“人群中”的见证。特别是我们的社区事工，也能积极的朝着这个方向前进，以至于我们成为耶稣的见证人，并让社区的朋友看到我们背后的神！
过去这十多年，教会的社区事工主要的服事对象是年长者。但居于选区的重新划分，我们所服事的区域也扩大至整个波东巴西，这也包括了新的比达达利新镇，此新镇是一个以年轻家庭为主的社区。因此除了现有的社区事工，我们也积极的拟定新的事工策略，好让我们能够更针对性的接触这个群体。
亲爱的弟兄姐妹们，若我们要更好的服事我们的社区，除了现有的义工，我们也需更多的年轻人一起参与，来服事这广大的社区。特别是比达达利新镇，需要教会中的年轻夫妇与年轻人。让我们同心一起参与，好让我们能够更全面的服事我们所处的社区！