Give And Gain “施”与“受”
Author: Dea. Ho Kang Hao
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart,
not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
I learnt this lesson the hard way. I pray that you will understand the true meaning of blessing and be inspired by this story.
I was not considered rich, just an average wage earner like most of us who are known as ‘’Sandwich Class”. I started working since 22, and I still remember the excitement when I received my first paycheck. Heavy commitments piled up over the years. I got married at 27 and has 2 boys. I am also serving in the church as a deacon. My life goals naturally shifted towards my family and my solution was to work doubly hard to provide them a comfortable life. I chased after achievements, climbed up the corporate ladder. You might think that this is perfectly alright, but something is amiss. I did not feel fulfilled with what I had, conversely, I felt emptier than ever. My goals seem drifted away.
That’s when I made a tough but sure decision. I prayed for God’s guidance and His control over my life. I quitted my stable job (with no income) and to focus on God’s ministry. Instantly, the light is bright on my path ahead. Not forgetting my responsibilities as a father, I still have to meet end needs! But by God’s grace, every penny I received then was indeed His blessing and now am truly grateful for His providence through this ‘fearful’ but rejoicing journey. That defining moment God was telling me, ‘My grace is enough for you. I am your provider and you shall not be deprived.’
The Virtue of Generosity
In Matthew 23:23, Jesus corrected the Pharisees for how they were tithing and redirect them to what they should do with the tithe instead. Jesus validates it and makes sure the heart of generosity is present when tithing, not self- motivation.
We, as follower of Jesus, are called to tithe and be generous. Ultimately, the emphasis is not on the obligation to give. Because God first loves us, he provides us with our daily bread so that we can be free from secularity and focus on him alone. And because of this, grace is upon all that we received and should be submitted to God for His glory. It is an outward expression of obedience. God does not look at what you give, but at the heart that gives.
文:何康豪执事
翻译:许燕俊执事
“各人要照着心里所决定的捐输，不要为难，不必勉强，
因为捐得乐意的人，是神所喜爱的。”
这是我很不容易学到的一课。我祷告您能理解“祝福”的真正含义，并从这个事件中得到启发。
我不算富裕，与一般人一样被称为“三文治阶层”的平均工资收入者。我从22岁开始工作，至今我还记得第一次收到薪水时的兴奋。这些年来，沉重的承诺堆积如山。我27岁结婚，是两个男孩的父亲，我也在教会担任执事。结婚后，我的生活重心自然地转向了我的家庭，我也加倍努力工作，为的是提供他们舒适的生活。我追求成就，并努力的攀登事业的阶梯。或许你会觉得这也没有什么问题。但事实并非如此，我不但没有得到我想要的成就，我的心反而越来越空虚。我所定下的目标离我越来越遥远。
就是在这个时刻，我做出了一个很艰难但又很肯定的抉择。我向上帝祷告，祈求祂的带领与掌管我的生命。祷告后，我亦然决定辞去了我稳定的工作，并把时间放在上帝的事工。瞬间，在我眼前的道路是一片光明。我依然需要养家，但在这充满挑战的旅途中，我更是见证了主的恩典，一步一步的供应我一家的需要，仿佛上帝再跟我说“我的恩典够你用。我是你的供应者，你必不至缺乏”。
慷慨的美德
在马太福音23:23，耶稣更正了法利赛人的什一奉献方式，教导他们什一奉献的用途。耶稣教导什一奉献应该出自于个人慷慨的心，而不是自我中心。
我们作为耶稣的门徒，应当慷慨的献上我们当纳的十分之一的奉献。奉献不是一种“义务”，乃是因为神先爱我们，并供应我们一切所需，好叫我们可以脱离属世的追求，而能够单单的仰望祂。因着祂恩典的供应，我们应该将一切献上来荣耀祂的名。这是顺服的外在表现。上帝不看我们献上什么，乃是看奉献者的心。