祈求祝福前要思考和回答的三个问题
经文: 太25:14-30,
人人都希望上帝的祝福。 但是在我们祈求某个祝福前, 我们需要思考和回答三个问题:
1. Do I need this blessing?
我一定需要这个祝福吗?或是没这个祝福,我也可以照样正常生活下去?
2. Am I ready for this blessing?
我做好接受祝福的准备了吗?
3. What are the responsibilities that are connected to this blessing?
如果领受了这个祝福, 我需要尽什么责任?
我个人对这三个问题的回应如下:
1. God often gives what I need rather than what I want.
上帝常常给我们必需的, 而不是我们奢求的。
2. What I must do so that I am qualified for the blessing.
我必需遵守什么诫命或具备什麽样的信心,才配得这项祝福。
3. Which additional responsibilities I must do to others so that I not only keep this blessing but also multiply this blessing--to bless more people through this blessing I receive. God's blessing is neither a right nor a privilege, but a responsibility I must do to others. Otherwise I will be like the "wicked and slothful servant" who buried and hided God's talents or money (Matthew 25:14-30)
如果领受了这个祝福, 我们需要对其他人尽什么责任?
上帝的祝福不是我们的天赋权利, 更不是特权, 而是我们需要对他人尽上的责任。 我们能否用上帝所赐的祝福, 去祝福更多的人们, 使我们把上帝的祝福增值?假如我们不能使祝福增值, 那么我们会像那“又懒又恶的仆人”一样, 把上帝所给的银子埋藏下来, 从而接受刑罚。