The Wonderful Legacy From The Church’s Predecessors 从教会前辈得到的美好传承
Author: Bro Lock Chee Peng
Translate: Sis Charis Ong
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
Pastor Chiang Wei Sin Who Guided Me According To The Truth
I heard Pastor Chiang’s sermon not long after I joined ECF Holy Word in 1974 at the age of 20. It was through that message that I understood I was a sinner who deserved an eternal death. Yet because of Lord Jesus’ redemption grace, I was spared from that frightful fate.
Two months later, again, through Pastor Chiang’s message, I came to understand the truth and promise about tithing. Leaning upon the grace of our Heavenly Father, I adhered to this truth for the past 46 years to this day. This journey allowed me to experience the reality of the promise written in Malachi 3:10: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
The ‘blessing’ in the Scriptures does not necessarily mean material blessings, but there is definitely God’s guidance, peace and comfort. Pastor Chiang’s message according to the truth has benefitted me all my life.
Sister Jin Ying Who Gave Beyond Her Means
Deacon Jin Ying is one person whom I deeply respect. Despite not receiving much education and having a difficult early life (I heard), she came to Christ under the lead of Sister Dorcas Gih, and managed to set up an economic rice stall in a primary school canteen later on. Her life changed for the better after that. She is a sister who understood thanksgiving and regularly donated to the needy through Elder Tay. Through Elder Tay’s record of Deacon Jin Ying’s giving, I am certain that she gave more than a tenth of her income, because as a primary school canteen staller owner, her revenue is limited.
I recall a time when Elder Tong said, “some gave out of their abundance, others gave despite being in lack”. Deacon Jin Ying belongs to the latter group. She became a role model for me to give beyond my tithe. I was slow in learning that, but thankfully, I made progress. And in the process, I experienced the promise in 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
文/陆宇平弟兄
“神能将各样的恩惠多多的加给你们，使你们凡事常常充足，能多行各样善事。”
按真理引导我的姜维信牧师
我1974年20岁时来到中国布道会，不久就听到姜牧师主日讲道的信息。那次的信息，让我了解到自己是个罪人，是应当下地狱的。但因着主耶稣的赦免和救赎，以至于我不需面对那可怕的地狱。
两个月后，我又从姜牧师的讲道中明白十一奉献的真理和应许。我就从国民服役时开始学习遵行十一奉献。靠着天父的恩典，我过去46年都遵行此真理直到今天。这一路上让我深深经历了马拉基书3:10之应许的真实性。经文这么说：”万军之耶和华说：你们要将当纳的十分之一全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。”
这里的福气，不一定是物质上的，但却肯定有神的引导、平安与安慰。姜牧师那按正意传讲的道，使我一生受益。
超过能力奉献的金英姐 (Sister Jin Ying)
另一位就是我尊敬的金英执事。她受的教育虽然不多，且听说早年生活蛮清苦的。后来在计师母的带领下，进入教会，之后也在小学食堂卖饭菜，生活因此有了改善。她是一位懂得感恩奉献的姐妹，常常把钱交给郑长老去奉献给有需要的机构。从郑长老报告她所奉献的数目，我肯定是远远超过十分一，因为在小学卖菜饭，所赚的收入是不多的。
记得有一次，汤长老说：“有人是把多余的拿来奉献，有的人是在不够时，仍然大力奉献。”而金英姐正是第二类。她的榜样常常鼓励了我应当为各种需要而超越十一的奉献，虽然学的慢，但最终也有进步。在过程中，也让我深深经历到哥林多后书9:8的应许：”神能将各样的恩惠多多的加给你们，使你们凡事常常充足，能多行各样善事。“