十一月二十八日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/11/1128.mp3″]
经文: 为本族的人求好处。(以斯帖记十:3)
末底改是一位真正的爱国者。当亚哈随鲁王抬举他使他高升时,他利用自己的影响力去促进以色列的繁荣富强。耶稣就是这样,祂在荣耀的宝座上,并不是为自己的好处,乃是利用祂的权能为祂的百姓求好处。每个基督徒都应该是教会中的末底改,根据自己的力量,奋力使教会昌盛。若有人处于富足的地位,并有影响力,愿他们能在世上的高处尊崇并在伟大人物前见证耶稣。有些人的地位更优越,他们与万王之王有亲密的相交。愿他们确能每日为软弱者、疑惑者、被试探者、不安适者代求。倘若信徒能贡献自己的才能作一般善行,并且将他们从天学到的财富与他人分享,教导他人有关上帝的事,也就是对主的服事。在基督身体内最小的肢体至少也可以寻求上帝百姓的好处。他即使不能付出更多,光是他的心愿也己足够了。信徒最基督化和最快乐的生活就是不再为自己而活。为别人祝福的人必然蒙祝福。反之,只寻求自己个人的成就是邪恶的、不快乐的生活。你是否尽力在你的邻居中寻求教会的好处?我希望你没有以讽刺和毁谤来阻挠或忽视来弱化教会。朋友啊,与属主的软弱者联合,负他们的十架,为他们尽力作一切善工。你将得到赏赐。
Evening, November 28
Scripture: “Seeking the wealth of his people.”(Esther 10:3)
Mordecai was a true patriot, and therefore, being exalted to the highest position under Ahasuerus, he used his eminence to promote the prosperity of Israel. In this he was a type of Jesus, who, upon his throne of glory, seeks not his own, but spends his power for his people. It were well if every Christian would be a Mordecai to the church, striving according to his ability for its prosperity. Some are placed in stations of affluence and influence, let them honour their Lord in the high places of the earth, and testify for Jesus before great men. Others have what is far better, namely, close fellowship with the King of kings, let them be sure to plead daily for the weak of the Lord’s people, the doubting, the tempted, and the comfortless. It will redound to their honour if they make much intercession for those who are in darkness and dare not draw nigh unto the mercy seat. Instructed believers may serve their Master greatly if they lay out their talents for the general good, and impart their wealth of heavenly learning to others, by teaching them the things of God. The very least in our Israel may at least seek the welfare of his people; and his desire, if he can give no more, shall be acceptable. It is at once the most Christlike and the most happy course for a believer to cease from living to himself. He who blesses others cannot fail to be blessed himself. On the other hand, to seek our own personal greatness is a wicked and unhappy plan of life, its way will be grievous and its end will be fatal.
Here is the place to ask thee, my friend, whether thou art to the best of thy power seeking the wealth of the church in thy neighbourhood? I trust thou art not doing it mischief by bitterness and scandal, nor weakening it by thy neglect. Friend, unite with the Lord’s poor, bear their cross, do them all the good thou canst, and thou shalt not miss thy reward.