助人助己—-箴言11:25［好施捨的必得豐裕, 滋潤人的必要得滋潤.］［理由］這節經文體現聖經施比受更為有福的原則. 瑪拉基書3:11[萬軍之耶和華說：你們將當納的十分之一全然送入倉庫, 使我家有糧, 以此試試我是否為你們敞開天上的窗戶, 傾福與你們, 甚至無處可容.] 美國上世紀三十年代, 經濟大衰退時, 一位愛神的人, 他專門研發重型機器, 神施恩給他, 那一年他賺了三萬五千美元的巨款. 他因為想賺更多的錢, 便把當奉獻給神的金錢也投資在生意上, 結果他生意一落千丈. 後來他在神面前悔改認罪, 神再次施恩給他. 他便決定將收入的十分之九奉獻給神. 這位人士曾一度當過國際基甸會的主席. 士師記第六, 七章的基甸, 是一位完全遵照上帝旨意行事的人. 謙卑, 信心和順服, 構成他偉大的品格. 這也是基甸會希望每一會員在身上樹立的品格標準, 就是每個人在任何時候, 任何地方, 任何途徑, 都應遵照聖靈的指引, 行出上帝的旨意. ［禱告］親愛的天父上帝, 我們感謝祢, 眷顧我們的工作和生活, 給我們豐盛的生命. 求主讓我們也能夠成為別人的祝福, 用愛人, 關心人和幫助人的心態對待周圍的人, 特別是有需要的, 我們都願意出手相助, 使人得福, 因為這是神所喜悅的, 要我們彼此相顧, 就能夠榮神益人. 禱告是奉主耶穌基督的名, 阿們！
Helping Others Helps Ourselves – Proverbs 11:25 [A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.] [Reason] This verse reflects the biblical principle that giving is more blessed than receiving. Malachi 3:11 states: [The LORD Almighty says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”] During the Great Recession in 1930s in the US, a God-loving man specializing in heavy machinery development experienced God’s favor, earning an incredible $35,000 in one year. Seeking even greater profits, he used the money meant for offerings to invest in his business. The result? His business failed miserably. After repenting before God, God blessed him again. He then resolved to dedicate 90% of his income to God. This man later became an international president of the Gideons International organization. Judges 6 and 7 describe Gideon as a man who acted in complete obedience to God’s will. His humility, faith, and submission formed the core of his greatness. These traits also represent the character standard Gideons International encourages its members to embody: to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit at all times, in all places, and by all means, fulfilling God’s will. [Prayer] Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for caring for our work and lives and for blessing us abundantly. We ask that You help us become a blessing to others, treating those around us—especially those in need—with love, care, and a willingness to help. Let our actions bring blessings to others, as this pleases You and fulfills Your desire for us to support one another. In doing so, may we glorify You and benefit those around us. In Jesus Christ’s name, we pray, Amen!