Manna issue 78 - Making Time to Serve God 利用時間服事神
How to find time to serve God. 如何利用時間服事神
Shawn Chou—San Jose, California, USA
美國加州聖荷西 Shawn 周
We have many things to do each day,
some of which are necessary, such as
eating, resting, sleeping, working,
going to school, or studying. There
are also many things that are
not necessary, such as watching
television, surfing the Internet, or
shopping.
每一天我們有許多事情要作，有些是必要的，例如，吃，休息，睡眠，工作，上學和學習。
也有許多事是沒必要的，例如，看電視，上網和血拼購物。
How we use our time is important
as it is a precious resource. The Bible
tells us to redeem our time, using
it wisely for the Lord (Eph 5:16). In
order to do so, we need to understand
where our time comes from.
我們如何利用時間是重要的，因為它是一種很寶貴的資源。
聖經告訴我們要珍惜自已的時間，為主有智慧地來使用。(弗 5：16)
為了能這麼作，我們需要了解我們的時間來自何處。
WHERE DOES OUR TIME COME FROM? 我們的時間來自何處呢？
Many people feel that their time
is their own and they can use it
however they wish. The Bible tells us
that time does not actually belong to
us, but to God, and we are merely
custodians. Acts 17:26 says that
God has determined each of our
pre-appointed times; therefore, how
much time we have is not within our
control.
許多人認為時間是自已的，他們想怎麼用就怎麼用。
聖經告訴我們，時間不屬於我們，而是屬神的，我們不過是保管人而已。
使徒行傳十七章26節說，神已經預先決定了我們每一個人的年日；
所以，我們剩下多少時間，並不在自已的掌握之中。
Isaiah 38:1–8 records that God
granted King Hezekiah an additional
fifteen years of life. From this, we
understand that God is the sovereign
giver of our time on earth, and with
this recognition, we should manage it
in accordance with His will.
以賽亞書三十八章1-8節記載，神應允了希西家王額外15年的生命。
從這點來看，我們了解神是世上時間最高權利的賜與者，
有這點認知，我們就應該跟據祂的旨意來好好管理時間。
THE PRINCIPLE OF ALLOCATING OUR TIME 分配時間的原則
In order to please God, we should
live according to biblical principles.
Colossians 3:2 urges us to set our
minds on the things above, which are
eternal. In so doing, we will spend
less time on the things on earth,
which are temporal. We will naturally
prioritize matters of God over secular
matters.
為了取悅神，我們應該跟據聖經的原則而活。
歌羅西書三章2節鼓勵我們，要把心思意念放在天上的事，因為天上的事才是永恆的。
要作到這點，我們就少花時間在世上的事，因為不過是暫時的而已。
我們自然而然會把神的事情看為重要，多過世上的俗事。
We may have many goals, such as
earning a college diploma, finding a
good job, and establishing a family.
However, if we focus the majority
of our time on the pursuit of such
matters, we would have insufficient
time left for the things above. By
prioritizing our time according to
biblical principles, we will refocus our
efforts on matters such as serving
God, knowing that what we do for
Him will not be in vain (1 Cor 15:58).
我們或許會有許多目標，例如取得大學學位，找到好工作，建立家庭。
然而，若我們只把自已大部份的時間，專心去追求這些事情，
我們就很少會有時間剩下來，去作天國的事情。
跟據聖經的原則，來安排自已時間的優先順序，
我們就會再次集中精神，努力來服事神，
因為我們知道，為祂而作的事，將不會白費。(林前 15：58)
A SPIRIT OF DEDICATION 奉獻的精神
Since our time is precious, how
can we allocate more of it to serve
God, amidst competing priorities?
The Bible teaches us that if we want
to serve God, we must have a spirit
of dedication. In Romans 12:1, Paul
exhorts us to offer up our bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and acceptable
to God. Only then can we serve Him
wholeheartedly.
因為時間很珍貴，在很多事情同時要排列先後的同時，我們要怎麼分配才可以得到更多時間來服事神？
聖經教我們，若我們要服事神，我們一定要有奉獻的心志。
羅馬書十二章1節，保羅勸勉我們，要獻上身體成為活祭，對神來說，聖潔又可喜悅。
只有那樣，我們才可以全心的來服事神。
Without a heart of dedication,
it would be challenging for us to
serve effectively; our servitude could
become a mere show (Col 3:22) or a
routine (Mt 16:6). It could lack vitality,
compassion, and love, and might be
superficial, in a similar fashion to the
deeds of the Pharisees who focused
on the letter of the law but neglected
its spirit. Those who have a heart of
dedication will diligently offer their
time to serve Him.
沒有奉獻的心志，對我們來說，要有效的服事祂就是一種挑戰；
我們的服事有可能變成不過是一場表演而已(歌 3：22)，或是一種例行公事。(太 16：6)
有可能缺乏生命力，同情心，和愛心，可能也會變得表面，就好像是和法利賽人的行為是一樣的模式，
他們只重視律法的條文，但卻忽略了其中的精神。
這些有奉獻心志的人，會很殷勤獻上自已的時間來服事祂。
So what is a heart of dedication?
Let us study two biblical characters
to see how they offered their best to
God:
那麼什麼是奉獻的心志呢？
讓我們來學習二個聖經的人物，來看看他們如何把自已最好的一切獻給神：
David (1 Chr 29:3)
David was determined to build a
temple for the Lord. However, God
wanted his son Solomon to complete
this work instead. In spite of this,
David’s heart of dedication did not
waver. He offered his own savings
instead of the money that was in his
country’s treasury, because he loved
God. As a result, God’s name was
glorified. From this, we realize there
is a significant difference between
serving God out of obligation and
serving with a heart of willingness
and a desire to please Him.
大衛(代上 29：3)
大衛決定要為神建造聖殿。
然而神反而要他的兒子所羅門來完成這項工作。
雖然這樣，大衛奉獻的心志並沒有動搖。
他奉獻自已的積蓄，而不是從國庫中拿錢出來，因為他很愛神。
結果，神的名大大的得著榮耀。
從這個故事裡，我們了解到，出於強迫，或樂意來服事神，想要取悅神之間，有一個很重要的差異。
Mary of Bethany (Mk 14: 3–9) 伯大尼的瑪麗亞
Mary came to Jesus with an alabaster
flask of costly spikenard, broke it and
poured the contents on His head.
Because this oil could have been sold
for much money, others criticized her,
saying that she was wasteful because
the money could have been given to
the poor. However, Jesus defended
her and praised her deed before
the crowd. Sometimes, we may be
criticized or ridiculed for offering our
time and resources to God instead
of pursuing worldly gains. But we
must firmly believe that Jesus will
be pleased and will praise us for our
precious offering.
瑪麗亞帶著珍貴的真哪噠香膏來到主面前，打破了瓶子，澆在耶穌的頭上。
因為這個香油可以賣很多錢，別人就批評她說，她很浪費，因為這筆錢可以給窮人。
然而，耶穌在眾人面前，為她辯護，並且稱讚她的行為。
有時，我們會因為獻上自已的時間和資源給神，而沒有去追求世上的財利，而受到批評和取笑。
但我們一定要堅定的相信，耶穌會高興，會稱讚我們這珍貴的祭物。
David and Mary both loved the Lord,
which was evident in their willingness
to offer their best. Similarly, we must
love God wholeheartedly so that we
can be determined to serve Him.
大衛和瑪麗亞都很愛主，很明顯的証據就是他們願意獻上自已最好的給神。
同樣地，我們一定要全心的愛神，這樣我們才會決心來服事祂。
WHAT IT TAKES TO TRULY LOVE GOD 真正愛神的人要付出什麼
Be Filled with the Love of Jesus 充滿耶穌的愛
In Ephesians 3:18–19, Paul prays that
the believers may be filled with the
fullness of God. This fullness includes
His abundant love manifested
through Jesus Christ. What kind of
love is this?
以弗所書三章18~19節，保羅禱告說，信徒可以充滿了神全部的狀態或身量。
這個全部的狀態，包括了透過耶穌基督可表現出來豐富的慈愛。
這到底是一種什麼樣子的愛呢？
And walk in love, as Christ also has
loved us and given Himself for us,
an offering and a sacrifice to God for
a sweet-smelling aroma. (Eph 5:2)
2也要憑愛心行事，正如基督愛我們，為我們捨了自己，當作馨香的供物和祭物，獻與神。
(弗 5：2)
For the sake of love, Christ
completely sacrificed Himself for us.
Something akin to this type of love is
seen in parents who willingly endure
hardship and sacrifice themselves
unconditionally for their children.
However, our Lord Jesus Christ went
further than this, loving us while
we were still sinners. Romans 5:6–8
says that He loved the ungodly who
did not know Him and who were
unwilling to believe in Him. Such
sacrificial love transcends everything.
因為愛的原故，基督為我們完全犧牲自已。
和這種愛相似的情況就是父母對子女的愛，他們願意無條件為自已的子女，來忍受辛苦，並犧牲自已。
然而，我們主耶穌基督比這種情況進入更深一步，在我們還是罪人的時候就愛我們了。
羅馬書五章6-8節說，祂愛那些不聖潔，不認識神，也不願意相信祂的人。
這種犧牲的大愛超越任何事。
Therefore, we must appreciate the
depth of God’s love by recognizing
His saving grace. By doing so, His
love will fill, motivate and inspire
us to willingly and joyfully dedicate
what we have to Him. When Jesus’
love fills us, we will naturally strive to
serve Him and dedicate our lives to
Him.
所以，我們一定要珍惜，並且認識到祂救贖的恩典，了解到神愛有多深。
因為這麼作，祂的愛就會充滿我們，感動我們，激勵我們願意且樂意來奉獻自已所有的給祂。
當耶穌的愛充滿我們之後，我們自然而然會努力去服事祂，為祂奉獻自已的生命。
Be Filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18) 充滿聖靈(弗 5：18)
In Ephesians 3:16–17, Paul
emphasizes the importance of the
Holy Spirit, stating that the Spirit helps
us to understand the love of Christ
and to be rooted and established
in His love, while strengthening us
with might in the inner man. If God’s
Spirit fills us, His power and joy will
manifest through us, and we will not
feel burdened in our servitude.
以弗所書三章16-17節，保羅強調聖靈的重要性，聖靈會幫助我們了解基督的愛，
並可得以札根建立在祂的愛中，加添我們內心的力量。
若神的聖靈充滿我們，他的力量和喜樂就會透過我們表現出來，
我們在服事中就不會感到有壓力。
When we are filled with the love
and Spirit of God, we will freely
offer ourselves to be used by God.
Such willingness will prompt us
to overcome our limitations by
prioritizing and dedicating sufficient
time to serve Him.
當我們充滿了神的愛和聖靈，會很主動的獻上自已為主所用。
這種樂意的心態會促進我們來克服自已的極限，
並且排列優先順序，獻上充兄的時間用來服事祂。
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES 勝過挑戰
Set Aside Time to Serve 分別時間服事主
Many of us would like to serve God,
but somehow, time just passes us
by, and we feel that we do not have
enough time. If we do not manage
our time wisely, even a thirty-hour
day would seem insufficient for our
needs. Conversely, if we manage it
wisely, we would be able to serve
God, even in the midst of our busy
lives.
我們許多人都想要服事神，但不知怎麼了，我們的時間卻流逝了，
我們感到自已沒有足夠的時間。
若我們不能有智慧的管理時間，甚至要空出一天3小時也會非常困難。
相反地，若我們聰明地管理時間，甚至在我們非常忙碌之中，也可以來服事神。
Apostle Paul encouraged the
Corinthian believers to set aside their
possessions for God in case there was
nothing left to offer (1 Cor 16:2). This
approach can also be used when we
are setting aside time to serve God.
使徒保羅鼓勵哥林多的信徒，為主來分配自已的資產，以防他們沒有沒有留下任何東西獻給神。(林前 16：2)
當我們把時間分別出來服事神的時間，這個方法就很好用。
The difficulty that we often face
relates to our value system. If we can
set aside time for God as the priority,
we will find that we always have time
to serve Him. Whatever time is left
can then be used for other activities.
For example, if we plan to visit
members on a Sunday afternoon,
we should dedicate the time for this
work, and schedule other activities
for another time. Without the right
attitude, we will find that we cannot
accommodate God’s work.
我們時間所面對的困難，就是有關到價值判斷的認知系統。
若我們能為主把時間分別出來，當成是高優先順序的事去作，
就會發現，自已有時間來服事祂。
之後無論剩下什麼空閒的時間，那麼就可以拿來從事其他的活動。
例如，若我們計劃在星期天下午訪問信徒，就應該為這工作獻出時間來，
在另一個時間規劃其他的活動。
若沒有正確的心態，我們就會發現自已無法適應神的工作。
Loosen and Bring Over 鬆綁，帶回來
Now when they drew near
Jerusalem, to Bethphage and
Bethany, at the Mount of Olives,
He sent two of His disciples; and He
said to them, “Go into the village
opposite you; and as soon as you
have entered it you will find a colt
tied, on which no one has sat. Loose
it and bring it. And if anyone says
to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’
say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and
immediately he will send it here.”
(Mk 11:1–3)
1耶穌和門徒將近耶路撒冷，到了伯法其和伯大尼，在橄欖山那裡；耶穌就打發兩個門徒，
2對他們說：你們往對面村子裡去，一進去的時候，必看見一匹驢駒拴在那裡，是從來沒有人騎過的，可以解開，牽來。
3若有人對你們說：為甚麼作這事？你們就說：主要用他。那人必立時讓你們牽來。
(可 11：1-3)
The Lord Jesus asked two of His
disciples to bring a tied colt from a
nearby village. After the disciples
had loosened the colt and brought it
to Jesus, He sat on it and went into
Jerusalem, thereby fulfilling the Old
Testament prophecy (Zech 9:9). Even
though the animal was a lowly colt,
the Lord Jesus was able to make use
of it to fulfill an important purpose.
主那穌請二位門徒把一隻綁著的小驢駒從附近的村莊帶回來。
門徒解開了驢駒帶來給耶穌，祂坐在上面進入耶路撒冷，
因此實現了舊約的預言。(亞 9：9)
雖然是一隻卑微的小驢駒，主耶穌就用它來完成重要的目的。
The colt is probably symbolic of
many believers: we may be bound
by many things, such as our studies,
occupation, career goals, and family
life. When we are constrained by
such things, our movement will be
restricted. Like the colt that was tied
up, we will be limited by the length
of rope. In order to be used by the
Lord, we must free ourselves from
the things of this world.
驢駒或許象徵了許多信徒：
我們或許受到許多事情所綑綁，例如我們的學習，工作，職業的目標，和家庭生活。
當我們受到這些事情所拘束的時候，我們的行動就受到限制了。
就好像被綁起來的小驢駒，我們活動範圍受限於繩子的長度。
為了為主所用，一定要把自已從世界的許多事情上，解放出來。
We need to understand why God
wants us to work for Him. When God
placed Adam in the garden of Eden,
God commanded him to tend the
garden (Gen 2:15). Because this was
a direct command from God, Adam
worked to serve Him; however, after
Adam sinned, he was forced to work
in order to provide for himself (Gen
3:17–19).
我們要了解為什麼主要我們為祂工作。
當神把亞當放在伊甸園中的時候，神命令他要好好照顧這個園子。(創 2：15)
因為這是從神而來直接的命令，亞當就用工作來服事祂，
然而，亞當犯罪之後，他就被迫要去工作，只為了讓他得著食物糊口。(創 3：17-19)
Today, God has forgiven our
sins. Therefore, we should aspire to
Adam’s condition before he sinned.
Although we must undertake secular
work to survive, our goal in life should
be to serve God. When choosing our
career path, a primary consideration
should be whether the line of work
allows us time to serve God. Some
occupations may regularly require us
to work overtime, beyond our regular
working hours. When God’s love fills
our hearts, we will be inspired to
choose a career route that not only
sustains our lives, but enables us to
be uninhibited to serve God.
今日，神已經赦免了我們的罪。
所以我們應該要渴望回到亞當犯罪之前的狀況。
雖然我們要承受世上的工作來存活，我們生命的目標應該是用來服事神。
當選擇從事職業的方向時，主要的考量應該就是，工作本身的路線，是不是能讓我們有時間來服事神。
有一些工作可能時常需要我們加班，超過了一般正常上班的時數。
當神的愛充滿我們內心的時候，我們會受到激勵，
選擇一種職業生涯路線，不只能支持自已的生活，而且也能夠不受拘束的服神。
We must discern between the
things that are necessary from the
things that are not, and have the
wisdom to untangle ourselves from
the latter by limiting the amount
of time we spend on them. For
example, if our career occupies all or
a significant amount of our time, then
we should consider whether we need
to change career paths. When we are
bound by our worldly pursuits, there
is often little or no time left for God.
Just as Jesus could only use the colt
after it had been untied, so we must
be loosened from secular matters.
我們一定要在必要的事情，和非必要事情之間，作好決定，
讓自已不會因為非必要事情拘束，反而能限制我們在上面所使用的時間。
例如，若我們工作佔據了全部，或是我們大部份重要的時間，那麼我們可能就要考慮要不要換工作。
當我們受到追逐世俗目標的綑綁時，時常很少，或是沒有留下任何時間給神來使用。
就好像耶穌只能在驢駒被釋放之後，才能好好的用它，
所以我們一定要把自已從世俗的事情中解放出來。
Lastly, we must be brought over to
Jesus, just like the colt that obediently
followed those who brought it to the
Lord. We know that a colt is typically
stubborn, and if it is unwilling, it will
not budge. However, this colt was
willing to be led to Jesus. Today,
when Jesus wants to use us, are we
obedient enough to take hold of
the opportunity to be used by Him,
or are we resistant and stubborn?
Perhaps we think that there is still
time to serve God in the future, or we
may be unwilling and uninterested
in participating in the holy work.
We may even repeatedly decline
opportunities to serve, thinking that
we do not need to do so in order to
enter the kingdom of heaven. Let us
examine ourselves to see if we have a
stubborn streak, and learn to be more
obedient to the Lord and His calling.
Once we learn obedience, God will
be pleased to help us redeem the
time to serve Him.
最後，我們一定要被帶回到耶穌面前，就好像驢駒順從那些去帶它的人，走到主面前。
我們知道，驢子本身就很頑固，若它不願，就不會服從。
然而，這頭驢駒順服地被帶到耶穌面前。
今日，當耶穌要用我們的時候，我們是不是有很順服呢？
並且利用這次的機會來為神所用，或者我們變得即不願意又很頑固呢？
或許我們認為，未來仍有更多的時間來服事神，
或者我們根本就不願意，或對參與聖工沒有興趣。
我們或許甚至一再重複地拒絕服事主的機會，
並且認為，為了能進天國，並不需要作到這些事。
讓我們好好檢視自已，看看是否我們有很頑固的傾向，
要學著好好順服主和祂的呼召。
一旦我們學會了順服，神會很高興的幫助我們，來取回服事祂的時間。
CONCLUSION 結論
God does not need us to accomplish
His work. However, He delights in
seeing our willingness to take part in
His ministry and to use our lives to
serve Him. The Lord Jesus provided
the best example while He was in this
world: “For even the Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life a ransom for
many” (Mk 10:45).
神並不需要我們去完成祂的工作。
然而，祂卻很高興看到我們能夠在祂的福音事工上有所參舉，也樂意看到我們用自已的生命來服事祂。
主耶穌在世的時候，留下了最好的模範：
45因為人子來，並不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人，並且要捨命作多人的贖價。
(可 10：45)
Let us constantly reflect upon God’s
saving grace and His mercy. May we
be filled with the fullness of His love
and His Spirit, and may our hearts
overflow with thanksgiving so that
we yearn to serve Him all the more.
讓我們持續好好想想神救贖的恩典和慈愛。
願我們都能被祂的慈愛和聖靈充充足足的澆灌，
願我們的內心都可以充滿感謝的心，
這樣我們就能夠更多渴望來服事祂。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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