Manna issue 73 - Employing Our Gifts - Fulfilling Our Purpose 英文嗎哪雜誌中譯 73 期 善用恩賜 - 完成神的託付
Employing Our Gifts - Fulfilling Our Purpose
善用恩賜 - 完成神的託付
Employ vt. 使用
Philip Shee—Jakarta, Indonesia 雅加達，印尼
I have food to eat of which you do
not know.… My food is to do the
will of Him who sent Me, and to
finish His work. (Jn 4:32,34)
耶穌說：我有食物吃，是你們不知道的。...
我的食物就是遵行差我來者的旨意，做成他的工。(約 4：32,34)
Jesus’ disciples had just returned
from buying food in the city while He
rested by the well and preached to the
Samaritan woman. His response as
the disciples urged Him to eat reflects
an important and fundamental
Christian philosophy of life.
門徒剛從城裡買食物回來的時候，耶穌正在井邊休息，並且向撒瑪利亞婦人傳福音。
而門徒拿東西給耶穌吃的時候，耶穌的回覆表現了一個重要根本的基督徒生活哲學。
preach vt. 講道
reflect vt. 思考，反省
Food is a basic necessity that keeps
one physically alive and provides
nutrition for growth. In a similar
vein, Jesus’ response highlights
the principle that serving God
and accomplishing His work is a
fundamental element of our spiritual
lives. Serving God is not reserved for
the veterans in faith, but is meant for
one and all in their journey of faith.
It is akin to taking spiritual food, which
enables our spiritual life to grow.
When we appreciate that faith and
service complement each other, we
can reflect how we can start serving
God:
食物是必需品，可以讓身體活著，並提供營養讓身體成長。
同樣的道理，耶穌的回答強調服事神和完成他的工作是維持靈命的基本原則。
服事神不是只針對信心剛強的人，所有追求靈性成長的人都應該服事神。
同樣的道理，屬靈的食物可以讓我們的靈命成長。
當我們領會到信心和服事神是相輔相成的時候，我們就可以想想要如何開始服事神：
accomplish vt. 完成
appreciate vt. 體會
complement vt. 輔助
1. What is God’s calling and purpose for us?
2. What are the gifts and talents that God has bestowed upon us?
3. What environment or circumstances has God placed us in?
1.什麼是神的呼召和旨意？
2.什麼是神給我們的恩賜和才能？
3.神給了我們什麼樣的環境或情況呢？
Paul wrote to the church in Rome
that “the gifts and the calling of God
are irrevocable” (Rom 11:29). This
was to highlight that God, being
faithful, will not turn His back on
the Israelites forever; ultimately, they
are His chosen people. But while
the Israelites remained unreceptive
of God’s grace, salvation reached
the Gentiles, for God’s intention
was to “have mercy on all” (Rom
11:32). As we start to appreciate
God’s faithfulness and the special
grace bestowed on us, it is only fair
that we respond to Paul’s plea and
reciprocate by serving God: “I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by
the mercies of God, that you present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your
reasonable service” (Rom 12:1).
保羅寫信給羅馬教會說“因為神的恩賜和選召是沒有後悔的。“（羅11:29）。
這是要強調的是神，是信實的，不會永遠轉頭不看顧以色列人;他們一直到最後還是他的選民。
不過，雖然以色列人仍然不接受神的恩典，救恩卻臨到外邦人，因為神的旨意是要“憐恤眾人”。(羅馬書11:32)
當我們開始體會到神對我們的信實和奇異恩典的時候，說直白的，這就像我們回應了保羅的呼籲，以事奉來回報神：
所以弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們，將身體獻上，當作活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的；你們如此事奉乃是理所當然的。(羅12：1)
irrevocable a. 不可撤回的
bestow vt. 贈與
beseech vt. 懇求
GOD HAS CALLED US FOR A PURPOSE
神揀選我們都有神的旨意
As we embark on our journey of faith
and service, it is useful to consider
God’s calling and purpose for us.
Apart from calling us for salvation,
what exactly does God want us to
accomplish? For Joseph, it was to
keep many people alive, of which the
preservation of Jacob’s family was
key (Gen 50:20). For Moses, it was
to spend the last forty years of his life
to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. For
Peter, it was to minister to the Jews,
and for Paul, it was to minister to the
Gentiles (Gal 2:7–8).
當我們開始信心和事奉的歷程時，好好想想神揀選的旨意是有幫助的。
除了神召了我們進入了祂的救贖之外，到底神還要我們作什麼呢？
對約瑟來說，神揀選的旨意是要保全許多人的性命，其中要保全雅各一族人是關鍵。(創50:20)
對摩西來說，神揀選的旨意是經歷過去四十年的生活，讓他能帶領以色列人出埃及。
對彼得來說，神揀選的旨意是為了傳道給猶太人，
對保羅來說，神揀選的旨意是為了傳道給外邦人。（加2：7-8）
embark vi. 從事
minister vi. 執行
In continuing with his message
to the church in Rome, Paul used
the analogy of a body with many
members to illustrate that each of us
is called to a different purpose and
function. Although we have been
called into one body, the church, we
are still “individually members of one
another.” We have each been blessed
with “gifts differing according to the
grace that is given to us.” We have
each been dealt “a measure of faith,”
and we should serve “in proportion
to our faith” (Rom 12:3–8).
在保羅與羅馬教會頻繁連繫的書信中，他用一個身體及許多肢體的比喻來說明每個人身上都有神不同的旨意和功用。
雖然我們已經被揀選成一身體，神的教會，我們仍然是"互相聯絡各為肢體"。
我們已蒙恩，"按我們所得的恩賜，各有不同"。
即然神已經分給各人信心，我們就應該“照著個人的信心大小“來服事神。(羅12：3-8)
analogy n.比擬
This concept was also reinforced in
Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians:
在保羅在哥林多教會的書信中也強調這個概念：
epistle n. 書信
For in fact the body is not one
member but many.… If the whole
body were an eye, where would
be the hearing? If the whole were
hearing, where would be the
smelling? But now God has set the
members, each one of them, in the
body just as He pleased. And if they
were all one member, where would
the body be? But now indeed there
are many members, yet one body.
(1 Cor 12:14,17–20)
其實身體不是只有一個成員，而是有很多...
若全身是眼，從那裡聽呢？
若全身是耳，從那裡聞呢？
神照著祂的意思，把肢體各別安置在全身
若都是一個肢體，身子在那裡呢？
但如今肢體是多的，身子卻是一個。(林前12：14,17-2)
Paul extended this analogy,
translating each part of the body
into real roles and functions within
the ministry: “I planted, Apollos
watered, but God gave the increase”
(1 Cor 3:6), concluding that “God
has appointed these in the church:
first apostles, second prophets, third
teachers” (1 Cor 12:28).
保羅更進一步延伸這個比喻，把每一個肢體轉化成福音事工上真實的人物和工作。
我栽種了，亞波羅澆灌了，惟有神叫他生長。(林前3：6)
並且得出的結論“神在教會所設立的：第一是使徒，第二是先知，第三是教師。(林前12:28)
apostle n. 使徒
prophet n. 先知
These passages show the interplay
between God’s grace and our faith,
and therefore, the compelling reason
for an integrated response from us
to consider our individual function in
His church and our individual role in
His ministry. What is His calling for
us? What is the purpose He wants us
to fulfill?
這些經節顯示神的恩典和信心互相作用，
因此，我們有無法逃避的理由要全面性的回應神的期待
並思考個人在教會中的所以從事的工作，以及要在什麼角色上來服事神。
祂的旨意是什麼？祂要我們要完成那些工作？
compelling a. 強制的
GOD HAS BLESSED US WITH SPECIAL GIFTS AND TALENTS
神祝福特別的恩賜和才能
One way to learn about God’s calling
for us is by considering the special
gifts and talents He has blessed
us with. This is reinforced in the
following passage:
了解神旨意的方法就是透過祂祝福的特別恩賜和才能。
下面會有更加深入的探討：
But to each one of us grace was
given according to the measure of
Christ’s gift.… And He Himself gave
some to be apostles, some prophets,
some evangelists and some pastors
and teachers, for the equipping of
the saints, for the work of ministry,
for the edifying of the body of
Christ, till we all come to the unity
of the faith and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, to a perfect man,
to the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ.
(Eph 4:7, 11–13)
我們各人蒙恩，都是照基督所量給各人的恩賜。
他所賜的，有使徒，先知，傳福音的，牧師和教師，
為要成全聖徒，各盡其職，建立基督的身體，
直等到我們眾人在真道上同歸於一，認識神的兒子，得以長大成人，滿有基督長成的身量。(弗 4：7，11-13)
evangelist n. 傳教士
pastor n. 牧師
In the previous section, we saw
how God called different people to
be apostles, prophets or teachers
by “appointing” them. In this
passage, we see that each is given
“a measure of Christ’s gift” and God
Himself “gave some to be” apostles,
prophets, evangelists, teachers, or
pastors. We see, therefore, that God
aligns His calling of people to serve in
various functions based on the gifts
and talents He bestows. In addition,
He lines them up in different functions
to complement one another for the
purpose of edifying the church, the
body of Christ. This is done so that
the church can progress towards
perfection and mature in the stature
of the fullness of Christ.
上一段，我們看到神叫不同的人分別成為使徒，先知或教師。
這裡，我們看到他所賜的，有使徒，先知，傳福音的，牧師和教師
因此，我們看到神讓他所揀選的人有不同功用，並分派恩賜和才能。
此外，神連結各種不同的功能互相幫補，為要完成造就教會的用意。
直等到教會得以完美成長，滿有基督長成的身量，
edify vt. 教化;造就
This approach is very similar to the
building of the tabernacle, a prefiguration
of the church. After God
had instructed Moses to build the
tabernacle and had given him the
detailed specifications, God Himself
prepared a team of gifted artisans to
work with Moses to accomplish the
task. God filled the artisans with His
spirit, with wisdom, understanding,
knowledge, and skills to design and
work on multiple aspects, including
working in gold, silver, bronze,
jewels, wood, and tapestry (Ex 31:1–
11; 35:30–35).
這種方法就像建造會幕，是建立教會的預表。
在神指示摩西建造會幕，不旦指示他各種樣式，
神也預備了一組聰明的工匠和摩西一起完成建造
神以祂的靈充滿了工匠，使他們有智慧，有聰明，有知識，有技術能做各樣的工，
有靈巧技藝，用金、銀、銅製造各物、並鑲嵌寶石、雕刻木頭、以及各樣編織的工作。（出31：1-11; 35：30-35）
tabernacle n. 會幕
prefiguration n. 預表
artisan n. 工匠
tapestry n. 掛毯
As we recognize the special gifts
and talents that God has blessed us
with, our hearts must be stirred up
to employ these gifts in His service,
just as Paul reminded Timothy:
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the
gift of God which is in you through the
laying on of my hands” (2 Tim 1:6).
The reason becomes clear when we
appreciate the parable of the talents
spoken by Jesus, of how the servants
who employed their talents to make
a profit of five talents and two talents
respectively were rewarded for being
good and faithful, while the servant
who buried his talent in the ground
was punished for being wicked and
lazy (Mt 25:14–30).
當我們體認到神的恩賜和才能，就要好好利用這些恩賜熱心來服事神。
正如保羅提醒提摩太：
為此我提醒你，使你將神藉我按手所給你的恩賜再如火挑旺起來。（提後1：6）
當我們領悟了耶穌的比喻-按才幹受責任時，就能清楚明白，
那運用才幹多賺五千和二千的僕人，分別被稱讚是又良善又忠心的僕人，
而那把一千埋藏在地裡的僕人，卻被斥責為又惡又懶的僕人而受責罰。（太25：14-30）
Similarly, we should be reminded
of the parable of the fig tree planted
in the vineyard. The fig tree, which
could have been just growing by the
wayside, was given the special grace
of being planted and tended to in
a vineyard, which ordinarily, would
have been reserved for vine. Yet the
fig tree did not bear any fruit for
three consecutive years and hence,
the master wanted to cut it down.
Though the master finally relented
after the vineyard keeper pleaded for
grace, it was the final chance, which
meant that it would still be cut down
the following year if it continued to
occupy the ground without bearing
any fruits (Lk 13:6–9).
同樣，我們應該再想想葡萄園裡無花果樹的比喻。
無花果樹得到了特別的恩典，被種在葡萄園的路旁，但通常裡面只會種葡萄。
然而無花果樹連續三年不結果子，因此，園主人想把它剪除。
在園丁的施恩懇求下，雖然主人發了慈心，但這也是最後的機會了，
假如它明年繼續白佔地土不結果子，就會被剪除。（路加福音13：6-9）。
relent vi. 寬容
plead vi. 懇求
GOD HAS PUT US INTO A
SPECIFIC PLACE TO GIVE US
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE
神將我們安置在特定的地方給我們服事的機會
Another clue that will help us to
recognize our calling is to consider
where God has placed us and what
circumstances or environment He
has subjected us to. Why have we
been brought to a particular place, to
this school, to this company, to this
country?
Why has God put us among
these people? Why has God allowed
us to meet with these incidents? As
we go about our lives, we must be
sensitive to these clues.
另一個能幫我們了解神呼召的提示是，想想神把我們放在什麼地方，我們要面對了什麼環境和情況。
我們為何被帶到一個特定的地方，這所學校，這間公司，這個國家？
神為何把我們放在這些人當中？神為何讓我遇到這些事？
一旦我們開展自已的人生時，我們必須要能察覺這些提示。
The story of Esther is a good
illustration of this concept. By some
twist of events, Queen Vashti was
removed from her position and
Esther, a Jewish commoner, was
thrust into the position as queen
of Persia and Media. As the story
unfolds, it seemed coincidental that
the Jews were plunged into a crisis
at about that same time, in the same
place, where the evil Haman almost
succeeded in exterminating them.
王后以斯帖的故事就很貼切的表達了這個概念。
因為一些曲折的情況，王后瓦實提被廢，而猶太平民以斯帖得以被送入王宮成為波斯瑪代帝國的王后。
隨著故事情節的開展，非常巧合的是，在同一時刻，猶太人也正面臨天大的危機，
邪惡的哈曼正在這裡，差不多要成功把他們全部消滅了。
illustration n. 說明
concept n. 概念
Serving God is not reserved for the veterans in faith, but is
meant for one and all in their journey of faith. It is akin to
taking spiritual food, which enables our spiritual life to grow.
服事神不是只針對信心剛強的人，所有追求靈性成長的人都應該服事神。
同樣的道理，屬靈的食物可以讓我們的靈命成長。
If these circumstances were
considered in isolation, they would
have served a different purpose or
even no purpose at all. However,
Mordecai was able to see the
interplay between the events. He
sent messengers to ask Esther to
use her position as queen to petition
before the king on behalf of her
people. Initially, Esther was reluctant
as she was well aware of the law.
No one would be able to see the king
unless he had sent for them and
in fact, those who appear before
the king without being summoned
would be put to death. Yet when
Mordecai learned of her reservations,
he responded by reminding her, “For
if you remain completely silent at
this time, relief and deliverance will
arise for the Jews from another place,
but you and your father’s house will
perish. Yet who knows whether you
have come to the kingdom for such a
time as this?” (Est 4:14)
in isolation 單獨地
petition n. 祈求
reluctant a. 不情願的
如果這些情況是不相關的，他們會有不同的意義，又或者完全沒有意義。
不過，末底改卻能夠看到其中的關連性。
他託人請以斯帖以王后的身份去見王，為本族的人在王面前懇切祈求。
以斯帖知道進宮的定例，起初有些不情願。
除非王通知進宮召見，沒有人可以見王，事實上，若不蒙召，擅入內院見王的，必被治死。
當末底改知道她有所保留的時候，他回覆以斯帖並且再次提醒她，
此時你若閉口不言，猶大人必從別處得解脫，蒙拯救；你和你父家必致滅亡。
難道你得了王后的位分不是為現今的機會嗎？（帖 4:14）
Finally, Esther concluded, “And so
I will go to the king, which is against
the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Est
4:16). She had finally realized her
calling. That was her purpose in life.
She was placed there “for such a time
as this.” Although it was against the
law, she knew that God could open
a way for her. But if not, that would
have still been the right thing to do,
and her purpose in life, for which she
was prepared to perish. To her, there
was no meaning in living without
finally accomplishing her calling.
最後以斯帖回覆，"我會違例進去見王，我若死就死吧！"（帖 4:16）。
她終於明白了自已的使命。這就是她一生的使命。
就是為了在“這樣的時機“，她被放在王后的位置上。
雖然違例見王會被治死，但她深知神會為她開路。
即使無法再度存活，她也準備迎接即將到來的死亡，因為那正是她所該作的事，也是她一生的使命。
對她來說，不能完成她的使命，活下來也沒有意義。
Indeed, like Esther, we need to
appreciate not just our talents, but
also the positions and places God has
put us in, and the circumstances that
God may subject us to. While it may
not be easy, we need to consider if we
have been placed there to accomplish
God’s will. If we fail to do what is
needed, God can still accomplish His
will through other means and other
people, but we would have missed
the opportunity and failed in our
purpose.
事實上，就像以斯帖，我們不只需要明白我們自已的才能，
也要明白神為何把我們放在這個位置和這個地方，
為何要讓我們經歷這些情況。
雖然不容易，但我們需要想想，是不是我們在那裡是為了完成神的旨意。
如果我們不能完成所該作的事，神仍然能透過其他方法和其他人來完成他的旨意，
我們卻會因此錯失了神給的機會，而且也不能完成自已的使命。
If we are able to look for the clues in
our lives and integrate our gifts with
our positions, the places we operate
in, and the circumstances we face,
we will get closer to understanding
God’s calling and purpose for us. As
we then seek to do the will of God
and accomplish His work, our lives
will surely be even more fulfilling and
meaningful.
如果我們想在生活中找到線索，不論是在自已的崗位上，
在各處我們活動的地方，在面對各種不同狀況，都要能善用自已的恩賜，
我們就會更深入了解神的呼召和使命。
只要我們願意尋求神的旨意，完成他的工作，
我們的人生將會更加充實，更有意義。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)