10. Manna issue 60 - Finding Perspective in Difficult Times 在不同時期找到
How God will carry us through. 神會如何背負我們走過去
Audrey Chan—Leister, UK 英國萊斯特
The past couple of years have presented those of us living in the UK
with one financial challenge after another.
First, we faced rising interest rates,
then soaring petrol prices, followed by inflated household bills.
Now, we find ourselves in the midst of a recession.
The latter has hit the country particularly hard,
with many businesses struggling for survival and others going bankrupt.
過去幾年來，我們住在英國的人已經面臨了一個接一個的財務挑戰。
首先，我們遇到利率上升，
然後是飆升的油價，接著家庭帳單通貨膨脹。
如今，我們發現自已正面臨經濟衰退。
經濟衰退已對這個國家的打擊特別嚴重，
許多企業艱難求生，還有一些公司破產倒閉。
The outcome for many people is an uncertain future.
The picture seems to be very much the same in other industrialized countries,
and I suspect few of us will escape untouched.
對許多人來說，這種結果是一種不確定的未來。
其他工業化國家的情況似乎也大致相同，
我懷疑我們很少人能夠不受影響。
Nevertheless, as Christians, we can reflect on some important teachings from the Bible,
which offer us some much needed perspective in these difficult times.
然而，作為基督徒，我們可以反省聖經一些重要的教導，
這些教導給我們艱難時期一些必須重要的觀點。
CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL CARE 神預備照顧的自信
The Bible reminds us that our heavenly Father knows our needs:
聖經提醒我們，天父知道我們的需要：
“Look at the birds of the air,
for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns;
yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they?
Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”
(Mt 6:26, 27)
“26你們看那天上的飛鳥，
也不種，也不收，也不積蓄在倉裡，
你們的天父尚且養活他。
你們不比飛鳥貴重得多麼？
27你們那一個能用思慮使壽數多加一刻呢
（或作：使身量多加一肘呢）？”
（太 6：26-27）
God lovingly takes care of the smallest living creatures
and shows even greater care for us, His children.
But this is a truth we can sometimes forget,
especially when difficult times arrive.
On the one hand, we know the Bible’s teachings about God’s providential care;
but on the other, we have the reality of household bills dropping
through our letterbox each month.
It takes a strong person not to worry.
慈愛的神會照顧最微小的生物，
並且對我們—祂的兒女—甚至顯露浩瀚的看顧。
但這是一個我們時常忘記的真理，
特別是遇到困難時期的時候。
一方面，我們知道聖經神必預備的教導；
但另一方面，我們家中有帳單送達的現實面，
每月投遞至我們的信箱。
需要擁有堅強的信心才會不擔心。
The Bible encourages us with these words:
聖經用這些話語來鼓勵我們：
Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Phil 4:6, 7)
6應當一無罣慮，
只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求，和感謝，
將你們所要的告訴神。
7神所賜、出人意外的平安，
必在基督耶穌裡保守你們的心懷意念。
（腓 4：6-7）
Christians are not exempt from the trials of life.
But what distinguishes us from those who do not believe is that
we have a heavenly Father, the almighty God, whom we can turn to.
基督徒並沒有免於人生的試煉。
但使我們與那些沒有信仰之人的區別是，
我們有一位天父，全能的真神，可以讓我們轉向示祈求。
The Lord Jesus has given us the Lord’s Prayer
through which He teaches us to pray, saying,
“Our Father in heaven…
Give us this day our daily bread”
(Mt 6:9, 11).
These simple words are all we need to ask God to supply our daily needs.
Importantly, they act as a constant reminder
that He is our ultimate provider
—the One who gives us life, health, gracious opportunities, and everything we have.
主耶穌已經教導我們主禱文，
經由主禱文，祂教導我們如何禱告，說：
“9我們在天上的父…
11我們日用的飲食，今日賜給我們。”
（太 6：9，11）。
這些簡單的話語就是一切我們的需要，可以向神祈求預備自已的日常所需。
更重要的是，這些話語時時可以提醒我們，
祂是我們最大的給予者，
—祂就是唯一真神，賜給我們生命，健康，恩典的機會和我們所有的一切。
When I think of God’s providential care,
I reflect especially on the early years of my married life.
My husband and I bought our first home
when the housing market was at its peak.
The result was that the mortgage and other bills stretched our incomes to the limit.
Yet, we felt immensely blessed
because we had enough to live on and life was stable.
當我想到神的眷顧時，
我特別會反省自已婚姻生活的早期歲月。
我和丈夫買了第一棟房子，
在房市是高峰期的時候。
結果就是，房貸和其他的帳單使我們的收入壓入不敷出到了極限。
然而，我們依然感到非常蒙福，
因為我們足夠過活，且生活穩定。
When we moved some years later,
we lost a substantial amount due to tumbling house prices.
By God’s grace it did not worry us very much.
However, things got more challenging
when I could not find new work
and had to receive unemployment benefits for about a year.
幾年後我們搬家時，
由於房價下跌，我們損失了一大筆錢。
然而，靠著神的恩典，我們並沒有太擔心。
不過，情況變得更加艱難，
當我找不到新工作，
並且大約一年必須領取失業補助。
I prayed to God as I searched for work,
and He finally helped me find the perfect job,
one that seemed almost tailor-made for me.
He also provided us with an affordable new home.
From then on, we were back on track to supporting our young family.
在尋找工作時，我向神禱告，
祂最後幫我找到了一份完美的工作，
這份工作幾乎像是為我量身訂做的。
祂還為我們預備了一間可負擔的新家。
從那時起，我們回到正軌可以支撐自已年輕的家庭。
I am sure we all have our own stories to tell.
When we count our blessings,
we realize that
God has always been with us through the inevitable ups and downs of life.
It is just far clearer in hindsight.
Knowing this, we should look ahead with faith
and be confident that He will continue to care for us.
We should never doubt or be disheartened,
because we are His children and He holds our lives dear to His heart.
我相信我們大家都有自己的故事可說。
當我們數算恩典時，
我們才會意識到 ，
神一直都陪伴著我們，度過生命中不可避免的起伏。
只是回頭看時才會看得更加清楚。
明白這一點之後，就應當以信心展望未來，
並堅信祂將繼續照顧我們。
我們不應該懷疑或灰心，
因為我們是祂的子女，祂內心深愛著我們的生命。
“Peace I leave with you,
My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
(Jn 14:27)
“27我留下平安給你們；
我將我的平安賜給你們。我所賜的，不像世人所賜的。
你們心裡不要憂愁，也不要膽怯。”
（約 14：27）
KEEPING LIFE SIMPLE 保持生活單純
I remember a minister once humorously pointing out
that Christians sometimes want the best of both worlds:
the luxurious life of Solomon and the reward of Paul.
The fact is, there can be real tension
between our aspirations for this life and our spiritual faith.
Hence, Jesus tells us:
我記得有位長執曾幽默的指出，
基督徒有時想要兩邊世界最好的一切：
既想要所羅門的奢華生活，又想要保羅的賞賜。
事實是，在我們今生渴望和自已屬靈信仰之間，
其中存在的關係真的很緊張。
因此，耶穌告訴我們：
“No one can serve two masters;
for either he will hate the one and love the other,
or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.”
(Mt 6:24)
“24一個人不能事奉兩個主；
不是惡這個，愛那個，
就是重這個，輕那個。
你們不能又事奉神，又事奉瑪門
（瑪門：財利的意思）。”
（太 6：24）
The problem is not wealth itself, but our hearts.
The Bible says:
問題並非財富本身，而是我們的內心。
聖經說：
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare,
and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,
for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(1 Tim 6:9, 10)
9但那些想要發財的人，就陷在迷惑、落在網羅
和許多無知有害的私慾裡，叫人沉在敗壞和滅亡中。
10貪財是萬惡之根。
有人貪戀錢財，就被引誘離了真道，
用許多愁苦把自己刺透了。
（提前 6：9，10）
The moral is that when money and material things become our passion,
our raison d’etre, our faith will inevitably suffer.
Therefore, it is with good reason that the Bible teaches us
to aspire to a simple life.
這個教訓就是，當金錢和物質成為我們的渴望，
存在的理由，我們的信仰將避免不了受影響。
因此，聖經教導我們追求簡單生活，確實有其道理。
Moreover, as we cannot take our wealth with us when we leave this world,
we will do well not to make material wealth our focus.
The apostle Paul advises:
此外，既然我們離開這個世界時無法帶走財富，
就會好好選擇不要把物質財富作為自已的焦點。
使徒保羅勸勉說：
Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
(1 Tim 6:6-8)
6然而，敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了；
7因為我們沒有帶甚麼到世上來，
也不能帶甚麼去。
8只要有衣有食，就當知足。
（提前 6：6-8）
Many of us have more than the basic food and clothing that Paul is talking about.
It is likely that we have very comfortable lives indeed:
food in abundance, fine homes, closets full of clothes,
and all manner of technology for an easy life
—even during these hard times.
我們大家所擁有的已優於基本的衣食，就是保羅所說到的。
很可能，我們真的有非常舒適的生活：
食物充足，精美的屋子，滿櫃的衣物，
以及各種方便生活的科技裝置，
—即使遇到這些艱難的時期。
Therefore, there is ample reason for us
to be content and not to crave for more.
Paul describes contentment as “great gain,”
undoubtedly because it brings immense benefits.
It means that we live within our means
and do away with the pressure of toiling extra hours and years
for things we do not really need:
perhaps a bigger house, a better car, more up-todate gadgets,
the latest fashion items, and so forth.
因此，我們有充足的理由，
可以知足而不再貪心。
保羅將知足即是“大利”，
無疑是因為它會帶來巨大的好處。
知足代表我們量入為出，
擺脫額外時時刻刻，年復一年勞苦的壓力，
為了那些我們並不是真需要的事物：
可能是更大的房子，更好的車子，更先進的小工具，
最新的時尚物件等等。
Hence, the writer of Hebrews exhorts us, saying:
因此，希伯來書的作者勸勉我們說：
Let your conduct be without covetousness;
be content with such things as you have.
For He Himself has said,
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
(Heb 13:5)
5你們存心不可貪愛錢財，
要以自己所有的為足；
因為主曾說：
“我總不撇下你，也不丟棄你。”
（來 13：5）
The other reason for contentment being “great gain” is that
it gives us the right conditions for nurturing our relationship with God and for serving Him.
As human beings, we have finite amounts of time and energy.
When we stop striving after material things,
we will have more to dedicate to God for advancing church ministries,
for taking care of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and for our families.
滿足就是“大利”的另一個原因是，
它帶給我們正確的情況，可培養自已與神的關係，並且為了事奉祂。
作為人類，我們的時間和精力有限。
當我們停止追求物質財物時，
就會有更多所有的一切奉獻給神，以推動教會事工，
照顧基督裡的弟兄姐妹，且以及關愛自已的家庭。
Having said this, there is nothing wrong with being rich per se.
In fact, God is the one who can choose to bless us with wealth.
But when He does, we can be confident
that there will be no accompanying angst:
談到這裡，富有本身並沒有錯。
事實上，神是那位可以選擇祝福我們財富的主。
但當祂進行時，我們可以有信心，
將不會有隨之而來的焦慮。
The blessing of the Lord makes one rich,
And He adds no sorrow with it.
(Prov 10:22)
However, we should remember that
whatever the extent of our earthly riches,
it is only for this lifetime,
and we will do well to set our minds on the eternal things above
(Col 3:1, 2).
22耶和華所賜的福使人富足，
並不加上憂慮。
（箴 10：22）
然而，我們應該記得，
無論我們世上的財富到達多高的程度，
它只於此生有用，
若把心思放在永生的事上，我們就會過的很好
（西 3：1，2）。
STORING UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN 儲藏財寶在天上
Difficult financial times remind us of the fragility of wealth:
經濟困難時期會提醒我們財富的脆弱性：
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys
and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also.”
(Mt 6:19-22)
“19不要為自己積儹財寶在地上；
地上有蟲子咬，能銹壞，也有賊挖窟窿來偷。
20只要積儹財寶在天上；
天上沒有蟲子咬，不能銹壞，
也沒有賊挖窟窿來偷。
21因為你的財寶在那裡，你的心也在那裡。”
（太 6：19-22）
Thinking of the situation today,
we see the truth of this teaching all too clearly.
The modern equivalent of moths and rust are the adverse market conditions
that have decimated some people’s hardearned assets.
Life is unpredictable, so we should not overly depend on our earthly riches.
想到當今的情況，
我們更加清楚的看見這個教導的真理。
現代蛀蟲和鐵銹類似情況，就是不利的市場情況，
已經毀壞了某些人辛苦得來的財產。
人生充滿變數，因此我們不應過度依賴自已世上的財富。
When Job lost all that he had in one calamitous day,
he reflected in the following manner:
在一次災難，當約伯失去了他所有的一切，
他以這樣的態度反省：
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
(Job 1:21)
“21我赤身出於母胎，
也必赤身歸回；
賞賜的是耶和華，收取的也是耶和華。
耶和華的名是應當稱頌的。”
（伯 1：21）
His words remind us that we came into the world empty-handed,
but God has graciously provided us with all the things we need for this life.
In some cases, He has also chosen to bless us with wealth.
他的話語提醒我們，我們空手來到這個世界，
但神慈愛預備今生所需的一切給我們。
有此情況，祂也會選擇祝福我們得到財富。
However, just as God can give,
so He can also take away
—we live under His grace.
On our own, we can do nothing.
Knowing this helps us to put things in perspective
and not to place too much importance on wealth.
然而，正如神可以賞賜，
祂也可以收回，
—我們活在祂的恩典之下。
單憑我們自己，我們做不了什麼事。
明白這一點會幫助我們換個角度看待事物，
不致於太過看重財富。
What we have is given to us and is temporary.
Therefore, we should make use of what we have
in a manner that is pleasing to Him.
Moreover, when we do, we can be sure that it will bring everlasting dividends.
我們所擁有的一切事物都是賞賜給我們的，是暫時的。
因此，我們應該運用我們的資源，
以討祂喜悅的方式。
此外，當我們這樣做時，就可以確信這會帶來永遠的回報。
The apostle Paul teaches: 使徒保羅教會：
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty,
nor to trust in uncertain riches
but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
Let them do good, that they be rich in good works,
ready to give, willing to share,
storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come,
that they may lay hold on eternal life.
(1 Tim 6:17-19)
17你要囑咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，
也不要倚靠無定的錢財；
只要倚靠那厚賜百物給我們享受的神。
18又要囑咐他們行善，在好事上富足，
甘心施捨，樂意供給（或作：體貼）人，
19為自己積成美好的根基，預備將來，
叫他們持定那真正的生命。
（提前 6：17-19）
He exhorts the rich amongst us to do good, to give, and to share.
Such good works constitute our faith in action
when we apply the Lord’s commandment to love God and to love man
(Mt 22:36-40).
他勸告我們當中的富人行善，拖捨和分享。
這樣的善行形成我們信仰的行動，
當我們運用主的誡命去愛神愛人
（太 22：36-40）。
It may entail us giving financial support to the church,
donating to charitable causes, practicing hospitality,
or giving aid to our brothers and sisters in Christ
(Gal 6:10).
Jesus likens such acts to storing up treasures in heaven,
meaning that God will keep an account of what we do.
The outcome will be eternal life and a glorious reward
(Rev 20:12, 22:12; 1 Cor 4:5).
這可能會包括我們給教會財務支持，
捐助慈善事業，接待他人，
或是幫助基督裡的弟兄姐妹
（加 6：10）。
耶穌比喻這些行為是積攢天上的財寶，
意思就是神會記錄我們所做的一切。
結果將是永生和榮耀的賞賜
（啟 20：12，22：12；林前 4：5）。
However, good works should not be confined to the rich.
In fact, the Bible teaches us about the generosity of those who had very little:
the widow of Zarephath, who sacrificed her last meal
(1Kgs 17:8-16);
the boy who offered up five barley loaves and two small fish
(Jn 6:9);
the poor widow who contributed two mites
(Mk 12:41-44);
the impoverished Macedonian churches that rallied to the aid of their fellow brethren
(2 Cor 8:1-5).
然而，行善並不應該僅限於富人。
事實上，聖經教導我們，那些一貧如洗的人卻樂善好施：
撒勒法的寡婦，獻出她最後的食物
（王上 17：8-16）；
那位獻出五餅二魚的男孩
（約 6：9）；
貧窮的寡婦投入兩個小錢
（可 12：41-44）；
還有貧困的馬其頓教會，集合大家去幫助自已的弟兄姐妹
（林後 8：1-5）。
Their noble examples touch not only us,
but surely touch our heavenly Father who sees into the heart
(1 Sam 16:7).
他們高貴的榜樣不僅感動我們，
也必定感動了察看人心的天父
（撒上 16：7）。
Lastly, the Bible tells us of a wonderful blessing associated with giving
that we can expect in this lifetime.
The apostle Paul says:
最後，聖經告訴我們，有一種捐助有關的美好祝福，
今生就能期待。
使徒保羅說：
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you,
that you, always having all sufficiency in all things,
may have an abundance for every good work.
As it is written:
“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness remains forever.”
(2 Cor 9:8, 9)
8神能將各樣的恩惠多多的加給你們，
使你們凡事常常充足，
能多行各樣善事。
9如經上所記：
“他施捨錢財，
賙濟貧窮；
他的仁義存到永遠。”
(林後 9：8，9)
Doing good enables us to experience a miracle:
God has the power to ensure that we have “an abundance” for future good works.
However, this blessing is only for those who give willingly and in faith.
Should we choose to hold on tightly to what we have for ourselves,
we will not see this grace.
行善使我們能夠體驗神蹟：
神有能力確保我們“富裕”，可以進行將來的善事。
然而，這樣的祝福只會賞賜給那些甘心樂意且有信心施捨的人。
如果我們選擇緊緊抓住自己所有的一切，
就無法看見這種恩典。
But this I say:
He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
(2 Cor 9:6)
6少種的少收，多種的多收，這話是真的。
（林後 9：6）
Living in this world, we will encounter difficult financial times.
But, for Christians, they are merely reminders to avoid trusting in uncertain riches.
Rather, we should rely on our heavenly Father,
who is the provider of all our needs.
活在這個世界上，我們會遇到經濟困難的時刻。
然而，對基督徒而言，這些只不過是提醒我們避免去依靠無定的錢財。
相反地，我們應該依靠天父，
祂會給我們預備一切所需。
We should also aspire to live simple lives
and to have the spiritual foresight
to use what we possess in this lifetime for good works,
thereby laying up everlasting treasures in heaven.
我們也應當立志過著簡樸的生活，
並具備屬靈的遠見，
利用自已今生所擁有的資源去行善，
如此便能積存天上永恆的財寶。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入翻譯
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