10.凭信心求神的…

「我们要起来,上伯特利去,在那里我要筑一座坛给神,就是在我遭难的日子应允我的祷告、在我行的路上保佑我的那位。』【创35: 3

以撒的生命是神赐下的礼物。亚伯拉罕和撒拉很爱他,并把他们的信仰和价值观传递给他。他和他父亲一样,并没有把财富积藏起来,而是忠心实行神所给他的角色,把祝福传递出去,最终万国都会因而受到祝福。以撒是一个负责任的儿子,学了如何领导家庭并经营事业,而且用的方式尊荣了他那位有能力又敬虔的父亲。

经营家族事业意味着家族的根本结构需要保持完整,而且这是父亲的工作。长子继承权和祝福。以撒没有理解雅各才是接受长子继承权及祝福的人选,是因为他视自己安乐的重要性高过家族结构的需要。

过渡沈浸在自己个人的视角可能会导致我们严重误判情势。我们每个人都受到试探,要专注在自己的舒适、偏见和个人喜好上,但此举让我们看不见我们工作更长远的重要性。我们的弱点可能在于跟我们完成神旨意的工作有所冲突的荣誉、稳妥的财务、冲突避免、不正当的关系、短期奖励及其他个人的好处上。在这方面,有个人的因素,也有结构性的因素。

雅各与神面对面了。在他软弱的时候,他凭信心呼求神的祝福,因而在恩典之中被改变了。

虽然神的计划是要让雅各继承以撒,但利百加和雅各用欺骗和偷窃的方式取得祝福,让整个家庭陷入危机。他们为了保有未来,用不符伦理的方式对待丈夫和哥哥,而不是信靠神,结果这对家庭事业造成重大又长期的分化。

神的圣约祝福是礼物,只能领受,不能自行抓取。这祝福带来责任,领受者要与别人分享这祝福,而不能藏起来独享。雅各没有承担起这责任。虽然雅各有信心,他却仰赖自己的能力去取得他重视的权利。雅各利用以扫饥饿的弱点,怂恿他卖掉他的长子继承权。虽然雅各重视长子继承权是一件好事,但他将之占有的自私动机却表现出信心的缺乏,尤其是他占有的方式。他遵从他母亲利百加的建议,欺骗了他父亲。他之后逃家的生活证明了他这行为有多么不可取。

雅各一直以来都真实相信神的圣约应许,但他却没有活出信靠神的生活。成熟、敬虔的人已经学会让他们的信心转变他们的选择。雅各固执地要为自己抓取利益,显示出他的恐惧使他无法被神的恩典改变。若我们真的相信神的应许,我们比较不会去刻意操作情势,让我们得到好处。我们需要不断提醒自己,我们很轻而易举就可以欺骗自己,相信自己的动机是纯洁的。

在这段期间,雅各学到如何给牲畜育种,他就利用这技术跟拉班讨回公道。透过育种的技术,他从拉班那里得到很多财富,到一个地步,拉班的儿子抱怨:“雅各把我们父亲所有的都夺了去,并藉着我们父亲的,得了这一切的荣耀。”

虽然他表面上把荣耀归给神,但显然他的财富是他耍花招得来的。在这阶段,我们没有看到他把信仰跟工作结合在一起。这是故事刻意营造的悬疑,藉此强调雅各与神与人的争战,是不可分割的。雅各为我们做了一个信仰核心真理的示范:我们与神的关系,跟与人的关系,是有关联的。我们与神和好,可以让我们与别人和好。奉主耶稣基督的圣名祈求!阿们!

学习体会 : 原来神不只是敬拜与信仰的对象,也是工作与家族事业的神。祂完全可以胜过雅各这个狡猾的操控者。仗着自己的优势,祂打伤雅各的髋部,造成永久性的伤害,但雅各在虚弱之余,对攻击者说,他不会投降,除非祂给他祝福。蒙主恩典!阿们!

9&10…

Leadership is one of the fundamental preoccupations of modern business and for good reason. It matters. Few subjects have been more written about in recent years than leadership. Good leadership is at the heart of every successful organisation. As kingdom entrepreneurs, we must look to the greatest of leaders as our role model. We must learn to lead like Jesus.
领导力成为现代商业的基本前提之一是有充分理由的。领导力很重要。近年来,鲜有其他不是领导力的话题被书写。良好的领导力是每个成功机构的核心。作为国度企业家,我们必须以最伟大的领袖为榜样。我们必须学习像耶稣那样领导。
Activity 活 动
Write down some of the words that come to mind when you think of business leadership.
写下当你想到企业领导力时脑海里浮现的一些词。
记 住 谁是老 板
祷 告
Teaching 教 导
If we are to lead a fruitful business ministry, we must cultivate a Christ-like approach to leadership. We suggest that the core characteristics of Jesus’ leadership are authority and service. Were these on your list? The people around Jesus recognised that He ‘taught as one who had authority and they ‘praised God, who had given such authority to man.’ The people recognised that Jesus acted with authority long before they understood his positional authority as the Son of God.
如果我们要领导一个富有成果的营商事工,我们必须培养一种像基督那样的领导方式。我们认为耶稣领导力的核心特征是权柄和服务。这些在你的清单上吗?耶稣周围的人认识到耶稣“教训他们正像有权柄的人”,他们“就归荣耀与神,因为祂将这样的权柄赐给人。”人们认识到耶稣做事有权柄,远在了解他因上帝独生子的地位而有的权柄之前。
Do you have authority? If so, what is it based on?
你有权柄吗?如果有,它基于什么?
Reflection 反 思
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘my servant lies at home paralysed, suffering terribly.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Shall I come and heal him?’ The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, “Go,” and he goes; and that one, “Come,” and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, ‘Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.’
耶稣进了迦百农,有一个百夫长进前来,求祂说:『主啊,我的仆人害瘫痪病,躺在家里,甚是疼苦。』耶稣说:『我去医治他。』百夫长回答说:『主啊,你到我舍下,我不敢当;只要你说一句话,我的仆人就必好了。因为我在人的权下,也有兵在我以下;对这个说“去!”他就去;对那个说“来!”他就来;对我的仆人说:“你做这事!”他就去做。』耶稣听见就希奇,对跟从的人说:『我实在告诉你们,这么大的信心,就是在以色列中,我也没有遇见过。
Matthew马太福音8:5-10
Teaching 教 导
If Jesus’ authority was so important, we need to understand better. It helps to think about where authority comes from. Authority always flows from a higher authority. Even Jesus looked up. He had authority yet was Himself under the authority of His Father. The Centurion was commended by Jesus for recognising this. The passage illustrates how authority flows within a hierarchy. Authority always starts at the top where the buck stops. From there, it flows down the hierarchy. Being under authority means you operate with the authority of the one whose authority you are under. As Kingdom Entrepreneurs, we are leaders who are under the authority of Christ. We act with His authority.
如果耶稣的权柄如此重要,我们就要更好地了解它。这有助于思考权柄的来源。权柄总是来自更高的权柄。甚至耶稣也要向上看。他拥有权柄,但却把自己放在父神的权柄之下,他称赞百夫长看到了这一点。这段经文说明了权柄是如何在等级制度中流动的。权柄总是从承担全责的权力顶峰开始,从那里在等级制度中向下流动。在权柄之下意味着你运用对你有权柄之人的权柄来运作。作为国度企业家,我们是在基督权柄之下的领袖。我们以他的权柄行事。
What are the benefits of knowing that we are ourselves under the authority of Christ?
知道我们自己是在基督的权柄之下有什么益处?
Teaching 教 导
Too often in business, authority is based on positional leadership alone. It becomes ‘the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience over subordinates.’ Not so for the Kingdom Entrepreneur. This is because Christ-like leadership is characterised by both authority and the equally essential and complementary characteristic of service.
在商业领域,权柄常常完全基于职位。权柄成为“下达命令,做决定,并强制下属服从的权力或权利。”对于国度企业家来说,情况并非如此。这是因为基督般的领导力特征是即有权柄又有与之同等重要且互补的服事。
Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
耶稣叫了他们来,说:『你们知道外邦人有君王为主治理他们,有大臣操权管束他们。只是在你们中间不可这样;你们中间谁愿为大,就必作你们的用人;谁愿为首,就必作你们的仆人;正如人子来,不是要受人的服事,乃是要服事人;并且要舍命,作多人的赎价。』
Matthew马太福音20:25-28
Jesus turns the world’s pattern of leadership on its head. He modelled servant leadership and made this a clear priority for His disciples. If we are to become Christ-like leaders we too must model an attitude of service towards those who are under our authority. Great leaders are not better than others. They are just the ones willing to lay down their lives for others. This turns the normal understanding of authority upside down.
耶稣彻底改变了世界的领导力范式。他示范了仆人式领导,并清楚地把这作为门徒的首要任务。如果我们要成为像基督一样的领袖,我们也必须树立服事我们下属的态度。伟大的领导者并不是比其他人更好,他们只是愿意为他人付出自己生命的人。这就颠覆了人们通常对权柄的理解。
What might it look like when a business leader gives their life for their subordinates?
当商业领袖为下属付出自己的生命时,看起来会是怎样的?
Hierarchy 等级制度 Obedience 服从 Trust 信任 Faith 信仰
God上帝
Delegation 代表 Empowerment 赋权 Authority 权柄
The diagram above illustrates the flows in a hierarchy. Discuss where the word ‘service’ should go on the diagram.
上图显示了等级制度中的流动。讨论“服事”一词在图表上的位置。
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him.
你们作仆人的,要惧怕战兢,用诚实的心听从你们肉身的主人,好像听从基督一般。不要只在眼前事奉,像是讨人喜欢
的,要像基督的仆人,从心里遵行神的旨意。甘心事奉,好像服事主,不像服事人。因为晓得各人所行的善事,不论是为奴的,是自主的,都必按所行的得主的赏赐。你们作主人的,待仆人也是一理,不要威吓他们。因为知道,他们和你们同有一位主在天上;祂并不偏待人。
Ephesians以弗所书6:5-9
Discussion 讨 论
Reflect on the passage. Note that masters are called to treat their employees in the same way as the Lord does. List what is expected from masters.
反思这段经文。请注意,上帝要求做主人的用与上帝同样的方式对待仆人。请列出上帝对主人的期望。
The Bible makes it clear that both employees and their employers have a Master in heaven who will treat everyone
without favouritism. What would change in business if earthly masters behaved in this way and showed ‘no favouritism’?
圣经清楚地表明,雇员和他们的雇主同有一位不偏待人的主在天上。如果全地的主如此行事,祂不偏待人,那么我们经商的方式应该发生什么变化?
When we recognise that we are under the authority of Christ we will be able to model Christ-like servant leadership.
当我们认识到我们是在基督的权柄之下时,我们就能效法基督式的仆人领导力。
The goal of every ministry is to bear fruit. Not just any old fruit, but spiritual fruit that will last. This can only be achieved in God’s way, through spiritual means. We must seek to ensure the activities of our business bear spiritual fruit.
每个事工的目标都是结果子,而且不是什么破旧的果子,是历久不衰的属灵的果子。而这只能通过属灵的方法达到。我们必须努力确保我们的商业活动结属灵的果子。
‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.’
我是葡萄树,你们是枝子。常在我里面的,我也常在他里面,这人就多结果子;因为离了我,你们就不能做什么。
‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.’
不是你们拣选了我,是我拣选了你们,并且分派你们去结果子,叫你们的果子常存,使你们奉我的名,无论向父求什么,祂就赐给你们。
John约翰福音15:5,John约翰福音15:16
Jesus makes it clear that he has appointed us to bear much fruit. It is empowering to know that this is God’s desire for us. As the leader of a business ministry, we can confidently expect to bear spiritual fruit, in and through the activities of our business. It is
在基督 里
essential, however, that we remember how this is achieved. We must learn to operate ‘in Christ’.
耶稣清楚地表明他委派我们多结果子。知道这是神对我们的期望带给我们力量。作为营商事工的领袖,我们可以充满信心地期待通过我们从事的商业活动结属灵的果子。然而,至关重要的是,我们必须记住怎样才能实现这一目标。我们必须学会“在基督里”运作。
Discussion 讨 论
Jesus tells us that we can ‘do nothing’ apart from Him. Why can’t a Kingdom Entrepreneur bear fruit apart from Jesus?
耶稣告诉我们,离了祂,我们就不能做什么。为什么国度企业家离了耶稣就不能做什么?
What does this tell us about the kind of fruit we are to bear?
这告诉我们,我们要结的果子是那种果子?
Teaching 教 导
Jesus goes on to set out why we are to bear fruit.
耶稣继续阐明为什么我们要结果子。
We are called to bear fruit for the Father’s glory. We do this by  showing ourselves to be Jesus’ disciples. Business as a ministry is all about the spiritual fruit that occurs when Kingdom Entrepreneurs confidently and publicly live as visible disciples of Jesus. The BizMin Course seeks to set out what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in the business context. When we learn how to do this we will have become the leaders of a fruitful Christian ministry. We can rejoice in knowing that it will bring glory to God.
我们被呼召为着天父的荣耀结果子。我们通过表明自己是耶稣的门徒来结果子。营商事工的一切都是为了结属灵的果子,当国度企业家充满信心并公开可见地做耶稣的门徒时,就会结属灵的果子。BizMin 课程就是要阐明在经商环境中,做耶稣的门徒意味着什么。当我们学习如何这样做,我们都将成为富有成果的基督教事工的领袖。知道这将荣耀上帝,我们就欢喜雀跃。
We must never forget that Jesus is the source of our fruitfulness and that it is for the Father’s glory, not our own.
Reflect on the following account of a kings downfall.
我们永远不要忘记,耶稣是我们结果子的源泉,而结果子是为了天父的荣耀,而不是我们自己的荣耀。反思以下关于一个国王垮台的记述。
‘This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.’
你们多结果子,我父就因此得荣耀,你们也就是我的门徒了。

John 约翰福音 15:8,Daniel但以理书4:28-33a
All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, ‘Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?’ Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, ‘This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass
by for you until you acknowledge that the Highest is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.’ Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled.
这事都临到尼布甲尼撒王。过了十二个月,他游行在巴比伦王宫里(原文是上)。他说:『这大巴比伦不是我用大能大力建为京都,要显我威严的荣耀吗?』这话在王口中尚未说完,有声音从天降下,说:『尼布甲尼撒王啊,有话对你说,你的国位离开你了。你必被赶出离开世人,与野地的兽同居,吃草如牛,且要经过七期。等你知道至高者在人的国中掌权,要将国赐与谁就赐与谁。』当时这话就应验在尼布甲尼撒的身上。
Who did the king think was behind his achievements and who’s benefit and glory were they for?
尼布甲尼撒王认为谁是他成就的源泉,这些成就是为了谁的利益和荣耀?
Discussion 讨 论
How might a Kingdom Entrepreneur ensure that they and their company avoid the king’s mistake and remain ‘in Christ’?
国度企业家如何确保自己以及自己的公司不犯尼布甲尼撒王的错误,确保自己“在基督里”?
If we are to bear spiritual fruit we must remain in Christ.
我们若要结出属灵的果子,就必须在基督里。
he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment – to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
都是照祂自己所预定的美意,叫我们知道祂旨意的奥秘,要照所安排的,在日期满足的时候,使天上、地上、一切所有的都在基督里面同归于一。
Ephesians1:9-10以弗所书
This passage sets out that God’s purpose is ‘to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.’ This is the primary objective of any Christian ministry and must involve bringing all aspects of our business under Christ. The book of Ephesians sets out how this goal is achieved in chapters 4, 5 and 6.
这段经文指出,上帝的旨意是“使天上、地上、一切所有的都在基督里面同归于一。”这是所有基督教事工的主要目标,而且必须包括将我们业务的各个方面都归于基督之下。以弗所书在第 4、5 和 6 章中阐述了如何实现这一目标。
The diagram opposite illustrates the process. At the centre is the church and those called to ‘equip the saints for works of service.’ With the support of our church, we are required to progressively bring all areas of our lives under Christ. First and foremost, our own lives are to be brought under Christ through personal discipleship. Secondly, we are to bring our family and homes under Christ. Next, we are to be disciplined as workers, serving the Lord wholeheartedly. The master, the employer or Kingdom Entrepreneur is the final step in the process. It is here,
in the hands of leaders, that all things on earth might be brought under Christ.
下图说明了这一过程。中心是教会和那些被呼召“为要装备圣徒,去承担圣工”的人。在教会的支持下,我们被要求逐步地将我们生活的各个领域都归于基督之下。首先要通过个人的门徒训练把自己的生命归于基督之下。第二,要把我们的家庭和家族归于基督之下。然后,我们要成为做工的门徒,全心全意地事奉主。主人,雇主或国度企业家是这个过程的最后一步。正是在这一步,在领导者的手中,地上的万物才可以被带到基督里。
When your business is brought under Christ you will have done your bit to bring unity to all things on earth. This is BizMin’s
Teaching 教 导
goal. We want to equip Kingdom Entrepreneurs to play their part in bringing all things under Christ. That includes your business. We believe this is one of the key reasons why God is calling and equipping a new generation of Kingdom Entrepreneurs. It is a key part of what He purposed in Christ.
当你的企业被带领归于基督时,你就为地上万物的合一尽了自己的那份力量。这就是 BizMin 的目标。我们想装备国度企业家去发挥自己的作用,将万物归于基督。这其中包括你的企业。我们相信这是上帝呼召和装备新一代国度企业家的关键原因之一。这是祂在基督里对我们的旨意的一个关键部分。
At the centre of this process is the local church. Has your church equipped you for ‘works of service’ in the world of work? Discuss what your church could do to better support believers in the workplace.
Discussion 讨 论
教会 属灵前线的扩展 ,我的家庭,我的生意,我的生活
这个过程的中心是本地的教会。你的教会有没有装备你在工作中“去承担圣工”?讨论你的教会可以做什么以更好地支持职场的信徒。
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
我还有末了的话:你们要靠着主,倚赖祂的大能大力作刚强的人。要穿戴神所赐的全副军装,就能抵挡魔鬼的诡计。因
我们并不是与属血气的争战(原文是摔跤;下同),乃是与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的,以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战。所以,要拿起神所赐的全副军装,好在磨难的日子抵挡仇敌,并且成就了一切,还能站立得住。
Ephesians以弗所书6:10-13
It is at this point that the book of Ephesians turns to the spiritual battle. A Kingdom Business is a front-line in the battle for the Kingdom of God. It is essential that we recognise this. Bringing every aspect of our business under Christ will be a spiritual battle. This battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of darkness. It will not be won through anything other than the authority of Christ. It is by remaining
Teaching 教 导
in Him and standing in His authority that this battle will be won. First in our own lives, then in our homes and finally in our workplace. As this occurs in our business, we will see it transformed into a fruitful ministry.
正是在这一点上,以弗所书转向了属灵的战争。在为上帝国度征战的这场战争中,国度企业是最前线。我们必须意识到这一点。把我们企业的各个方面归入基督将是一场属灵的战争。这场战争不是与血气和肉身争战,而是与黑暗的属灵势力争战。除非凭着基督的权柄,否则怎么都不会赢。只有靠着在主里面并凭着主的权柄站立,才能赢得这场战争。首先是在我们自己的生命里,然后是在我们的家庭中,最后是在我们的工作场所。当这发生在我们的企业中时,我们就会看着它变成一个富有成果的事工。

Without evidence of a spiritual battle, we may need to consider whether we are really striving to achieve spiritual fruit. Is your experience of business a spiritual battle?
如果没有属灵战争的确据,我们可能需要思考我们是否真的在努力取得属灵的果子。你的经商经历是一场属灵战争吗?
Think of an example of where you have taken a stand over a situation in your business. Write down the testimony of how you were successful.
举个例子说明针对经商中的某种情形你坚持了立场。写下你如何获胜的见证。
Reflection 反 思
What was the role of prayer in this process?
祷告在这个过程中起了什么作用?
How often do you pray for your business?
你多久为你的生意祷告一次?
Never All the time Business is at the front-line of the spiritual battle for the Kingdom of God. Our goal is to equip Kingdom Entrepreneurs to take a stand and, when everything is done, to still be
Discussion 讨 论
从来没有 一直祷告
standing. The good news is that we do not need to fight in our own strength. Remember, we are in Christ and can do nothing apart from Him. Any spiritual fruit we bear is a product of grace and most often the result of prayer.
商业是为了上帝国度的属灵战争之最前线。我们的目标是装备国度企业家采取立场,并在一切完成后仍然保持立场。好消息是我们不需要以自己的力量来战斗。记住,我们在基督里,离了他我们什么也做不了。任何我们所结的属灵果子都是恩典的产物,常常是祷告的结果。
The Kingdom of God will advance as our business is brought under Christ. This is a spiritual battle, won by grace.
当我们的企业被带领归于基督,上帝的国度就会拓展。这是一场属灵的战争,将靠着恩典得胜
In section 9.2 we identified that all of this is ‘for the Father’s glory’. In a Kingdom Business, it is God who should receive both the praise and the glory. When you succeed, who receives the praise? Is it you, your colleagues or God? If it is you, that is not surprising. You are the boss, and the boss is often the For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.
你们得救是本乎恩,也因着信;这并不是出于自己,乃是神所赐的;也不是出于行为,免得有人自夸。
Ephesians以弗所书2:8-9. 为 着赞美祂的荣耀
教 导
the figurehead for the team’s success. If it is your colleagues, that is impressive. It is not easy to let others have the limelight. Hopefully, you are one of the first to sing your team’s praises when they do well. It is much harder, however, for our success to result in God getting the glory.
在 9.2 节中我们指出所有这一切都是“为了父的荣耀”。在国度企业中,上帝才是应该接受赞美和荣耀的那位。当你成功时,谁会受到赞美?是你,你的同事还是上帝?如果是你,这并不奇怪。你是老板,而老板通常是团队成功的象征。如果是你的同事,那真是令人瞩目。让他人在聚光灯下并不容易。在你的团队表现出色时,希望你是第一个赞扬他们的人。然而,要使我们成功让上帝得荣耀则要困难得多。
Discussion 讨 论
How are we to ensure that God gets the glory through our business success? Reflect on the power of testimony.
我们如何确保上帝通过我们的商业成功而获得荣耀?反思见证的力量。
If we don’t regularly praise and thank God for what He is doing in and through our business, who else will! Has your business success been for ‘the praise of His glory?
如果我们不经常赞美和感谢上帝在我们的企业中以及通过我们的企业所做的事,还会有谁赞美呢?!你企业的成功是否是为了“赞美祂的荣耀”呢?
If we are to transform our business into a fruitful ministry, it must be for the praise of His Glory.
如果我们要把我们的企业变为富有成果的事工,就必须是为了赞美祂的荣耀
Close the session with a short time of prayer. Ask God to equip you to take a stand and bring every aspect of your business under the authority of Christ.
短暂祷告后结束会议。祈求上帝装备你,让你站出来引领你企业的各个方面都归于基督的权柄之下。

10.BizMin-Course
When you commit to doing business as a ministry and are equipped to do business God’s way, we hope that your mind will turn to how your personal transformation might affect the culture of your company. At the very least, you will want to ensure that your company is a place where a Biblical approach to business is able to flourish and prosper. Importantly, this is about more than you. It is about more than being a better Christian at work. In addition to transforming the way you do business, it is about redeeming the culture of your company, which is the way you and your company do business.
当你致力于做营商事工并且装备好以上帝的方式经商,我们希望你的思想将转向如何通过你个人的转变来影响你公司的文化。最起码,你要确保你的公司能成为按圣经原则开展业务的做法可以蓬勃发展的地方。重要的是,这不仅仅只涉及你,不仅仅只涉及你在工作中成为一个更好的基督徒。这除了改变你的经商方式之外,还涉及到挽回你公司的文化,也就是你和你的公司经商的方式。
Your business is a separate legal entity with an identity, values and a culture of its own. This culture will determine how the company functions, how it is perceived and ultimately what kind of fruit it achieves in the world. Doing business as a ministry is about cultural transformation. It is this that ensures your
祷 告,教 导,更 新公司文化
company will bear spiritual fruit that will last, even when your leadership ends.
你的企业是一个独立的法律实体,具有自己的形象、价值和文化。这种文化将决定你公司的运作方式、人们对它的看法以及它在世上最终能取得什么样的成果。营商事工是关于文化的转变。只有文化的更新才能确保公司结出持久的属灵果子,甚至在你对公司的领导结束之后。
Both you and your business are called to play a part in the ministry of business. Your business needs you to mould and lead it, changing its culture from the inside. If you are successful in this task, your business will become a context that helps nurture and sustain your own walk and witness. As importantly, it will also help to transform the lives of those around you, including your colleagues, customers and even your competitors. Finally, it will help to sustain your business as a Kingdom Business long after you have gone.
你和你的企业都被呼召在营商事工中发挥应有的作用。你的企业需要你去塑造和领导,从内部改变它的文化。如果你成功完成这个任务,你的企业将成为有助于养育和维持你自己的工作和见证的环境。同样重要的是,它还有助于改变你周围的人的生活,包括你的同事,客户甚至竞争对手。最后,它还将在你离开公司很长时间之后,保持企业仍是属神国度的企业。
At BizMin we are seeking Kingdom Entrepreneurs who will make their business their ministry. A key responsibility of the Kingdom Entrepreneur is to embed a Biblical way of doing business in their company. This is the pursuit of what we call a Kingdom Culture Company.
在 BizMin,我们寻找会将经商当成他们事工的国度企业家。国度企业家的一个主要责任就是在他们的公司中植入符合圣经原则的经商方式。这就是对所谓的国度文化公司的追求。
The diagram below illustrates how you’re personal transformation can ultimately establish and sustain a Kingdom
culture in your company, such that it bears spiritual fruit and becomes resilient enough to outlast the company’s Christian founders. This is BizMin’s goal.
下图说明了你个人的改变如何可以最终在你的公司建立和维持一种国度文化,从而使它结属灵的果子,并有足够强大的生命力,对公司的影响比其基督徒创始人更持久。这就是 BizMin 的目标。
Reflection 反 思
Look at the diagram and mark where you and your company are on this journey, from Kingdom Entrepreneur to Kingdom Culture Company. In order to sustain this transformation in your own life and embed this in your company, it is helpful to regularly audit how you are doing. This is why we have created the BizMin Audit.
建立,You adopt it你采用它 你建立它,别人采用它 your company 它成为你公司的经营方式
时间,国度企业家 国度文化企业
Reinforce, celebrate & embed it in your culture
强化、赞美并将其融入公司的文化查看上图并标出你和你的公司在从国度企业家到国度文化公司这一旅途中的位置。为了在你自己的生活中维持这种转变,并将其植入你的公司,定期审核你做的怎样将很有帮助。这就是
为什么我们创建了 BizMin 审核。
Look back to the activity on Session 1.1 page 10 which explored the difference between the culture of business and the character of God and His Kingdom.
回顾第 1 课第 1 节“活动”标题下的内容,其中探讨了商业文化与上帝及其国度的品格之间的区别。
A Kingdom culture is often contrary to the prevailing business culture. We must actively swim against the tide if we are to see business transformed into a fruitful ministry and become part of a great move of God.
国度文化通常与盛行的商业文化背道而驰。如果我们想要将企业转变成富有成果的事工,并成为上帝伟大行动的一部分,就必须积极地逆流而上。
Reflection 反 思
Are you increasingly confident to swim against the tide of prevailing business culture and model a Kingdom Culture in your company?
活 动
商 业 更 新 (第 1 课) BizMin 回 顾 审 核
你是否越来越有信心对与盛行的商业文化逆流而上,并在你的公司中树立国度文化?
Is there evidence that this is influencing the behaviour of others?
是否有证据表明这正在影响他人的行为?
Pledge 1 – I recognise that business needs transformation through a great
move of God and I will seek to play my part.
誓言 1 – 我认识到商业需要通过上帝的伟大行动来更新,我将努力在其中尽我的一份力量。
Joseph was spiritually gifted for business. Once he had learnt the essential ingredient of success and walked through the gateway of humility, his spiritual gifts were able to bear much fruit and achieve the primary purpose for which they were intended. Joseph demonstrated how God can achieve His purposes through gifted business leaders.
约瑟有经商的属灵天赋。一旦他了解了成功的基本要素并走过谦卑之门,他的属灵恩赐就可以结出很多果子,并实现其初衷。约瑟展示了上帝如何通过有天赋的商业领袖来实现祂的目的。
Teaching 教 导
Gifted for a Purpose (Session 2) 有 目 的 的 恩 赐 (第 2 课)
1. Activity 活 动
The record below your abilities/ gifts and God’s purpose for your company as recorded in Session 2.1 page 23 and Session 2.4 page 35.
在下面列出你在第 2 课第 1 节和第 2 课第 4 节写下的你的才能/天赋和上帝对你公司的目的。
Your abilities/ gifts 你的才能/天赋 God’s purpose 上帝的目的

Pledge 2 – I humbly acknowledge that it is God who has gifted me for His purposes.
誓言 2 – 我谦卑地承认,我的天赋是上帝为了祂的目的赐给我的。
天赋,谦卑之门,目的
1. God has a call on your life and has prepared you for ‘good work’. In Session 3, you established whether or not that was acall to a business. We believe God is calling a new generation of Christian Entrepreneurs to do business as ministry. We hope you feel equipped to press on and take up that calling.
上帝对你的一生有个呼召,并预备你做“善工”。在第 3 课中,你已经确定了这呼召是否是经商。我们相信上帝正在呼召新一代的基督徒企业家将经商当成事工。我们希望你觉得装备好了继续前行,接收这个呼召。
Reflection 反 思
Are you called to do business as ministry?
你被呼召将经商作为你的事工吗?
Are you prepared to do business as ministry?
你准备好了将经商作为事工吗?
上帝预备好的善工 , 上帝预备你 你做善工
Called to Business (Session 3) 被 呼 召 经 商 (第 3 课)
Are you committed to doing business as a ministry?
你致力于把经商作为事工吗?
Pledge 3 – I will take up the call to do business as a ministry.
誓言 3 – 我将接受把经商作为事工的呼召。
At the core of BizMin is the idea that business should be transformed into a fruitful ministry. Our core belief is; if it is your business, it is also your ministry. A complete Christian ministry will ‘carry forth Christ’s mission in the world’ through a spirituality that balances Deed, Word and Spirit.
BizMin 的核心思想是将业务转变为富有成果的事工。 我们的核心信念是; 如果是你的业务,那也是你的事工。 完整的基督徒事工将通过一种平衡循环,即圣经的话语、精神的灵性(圣灵)和行为来“执行基督在世界上的使命”。
圣灵,神的话 行为 ,事工
A Complete Ministry (Session 4) 全 备 的 事 工 ( 第 4 课 )
Do you have examples of how you and your company are doing ministry in each area?
你能举例说明你和你的公司在各个领域都在做事工吗?
Deed 行为
Word 话语
Spirit 圣灵
How might you and your company take practical steps to become a more complete ministry?
你和你的公司将如何采取切实可行的步骤来达成更全备的事工?
Pledge 4 – I will make my business a complete ministry with equal emphasis on Deed, Word and Spirit.
誓言 4 – 我将使我的企业成为一个对行为、神的话和圣灵同等注重的全备的事工。
As Kingdom Entrepreneurs, we must balance work with care sothat our good works are sustainable. To do this successfully, we need to pursue a godly vision of prosperity.
Reflection 反 思
The Creation Mandate (Session 5) 被 造 的 使 命 (第 5 课)
做为国度企业家,我们必须在工作与看顾护理之间取得平衡,以使我们的善工可以持续。为了成功做到这一点,我们需要追求神眼中的富裕。
Reflection 反 思
Are you living within the moral limits of Biblical prosperity?
你是否生活在符合圣经富裕观的道德界限内?
Is your business trading off and promoting a way of life that is sustainable within the moral limits of Biblical prosperity?
你的企业是否是在符合圣经富裕观的道德界限内权衡并促进一种可持续的生活方式?
贫 穷 、欲 望、需 要符合圣经原则的富裕区间、知 足、富 裕 道德界限
Pledge 5 – I will sustain fruitfulness by pursuing a Biblical vision of prosperity that balances work with care.
誓言 5 – 我将通过追求保持工作与看顾护理之间平衡的、符合圣经原则的富裕观来持续结果子。
A Kingdom Business will demonstrate love for God, our business neighbours and ourselves.
国度企业将表现出对上帝、我们的商业邻居和我们自己的爱。
Activity 活 动
On the diagram below, mark how you and your company are currently expressing love. Join up the dots to reveal the current ‘shape’ of your company. Who is receiving the most love? Who might you need to love more?
在下图标记你和你的公司目前如何表达爱。把点连起来呈现你公司目前的“形状”。谁得到最多的爱?你可能需要爱谁更多?
The Great Commandment (Session 6) 大 诫 命 (第 6 课)
Pledge 6 – I will love God, my neighbours and myself, in and through my business.
誓言 6 – 我将通过我的商业经营来爱神,爱我的邻居和爱我自己。
A Kingdom Business will do good work that wins the respect of those with whom it works. It will model Christ and help both us and others to know Christ and become more Christ-like.
股东 客户
The Great Commission (Session 7) 大 使 命 (第 7 课)
国度企业将做好工作来赢得与之合作的人们的尊重。它将效仿基督,并帮助我们和其他人来认识基督并变得更像基督。
Are you modelling Christ at work?
你在工作中效法基督吗?
反 思、门徒训练过程、我们的工作、我们学习、我们应用、我们示范、我们作见证、其他人学习、其他人经历 上帝的工作、其他人相信、其他人作见证、上帝的方式
Pledge 7 – I will not be ashamed of the gospel and will respectfully model Christ at work.
誓言 7 – 我将不以福音为耻并在职场谦卑地效法基督。
If we are to prosper in business, we must master money. We must proactively pursue purpose before profit, adding value across multiple bottom lines. A generous spirit should underpin all that we do.
如果我们想要企业兴盛,就必须掌控金钱。我们必须积极主动地在追求赢利之前追求使命,在多个领域中增加价值。慷慨的精神应贯穿我们所做的一切。
Activity 活 动
On the diagram below, mark the impact you and your company is currently making in each area of value.
在下图标出你和你的公司目前在每个有价值的领域所产生的影响。
Profiting through Purpose (Session 8) 透 过 使 命 盈 利 (第 8 课)
and upheld Pledge 8 – I will profit through purpose and will be extravagantly
generous with all that I receive.
誓言 8 – 我将透过使命来盈利,并非常慷慨地对待我所得到的一切。
As Christ-like leaders, we must recognise our place in God’s hierarchy. We must remain both under Christ and in Christ. Out of this, we can serve others and prayerfully lead our companies in a spiritual battle that advances the front-line of the Kingdom 使用价值
A Fruitful Ministry (Session 9) 富 有 成 果 的 事 工 (第 9 课)
of God and, when we have done everything, stand. Then our ministry will bear spiritual fruit for the praise of His glory.
作为基督那样的领袖,我们必须认识到我们在上帝等级制度中的地位。我们必须保持既在基督之下又在基督里。由此,我们可以服务他人,并靠着祷告带领我们的企业打一场推进神国前线的属灵战争,在我们成就了一切之后,还能站立得住。这样,我们的事工就会因赞美神的荣耀而结出属灵的果子。
Are there any areas of your business that you are struggling to bring under the authority of Christ? Take a moment to pray into these issues, and stand.
在你的企业里,有没有一些领域你很难把它置于基督的权柄之下?花点时间为这些问题祷告。
我的生意、我的家庭、我的生活、属灵前线的扩展、我教会
Reflection 反 思
Pledge 9 – I will remain both in and under Christ, bearing spiritual fruit
for the praise of His glory.
誓言 9 – 我将保持在基督里和在基督的权柄之下,并为赞美祂的荣耀去结出属灵的果子。
Throughout this course, we have built a vision for how a business can become a fruitful ministry. We need to humbly recognise that the goal is not perfection but direction.
在这个课程中,我们为一个企业如何成为一个富有成果的事工建立了愿景。我们要谦卑地认识到我们的目的不是完美而是方向。
In ‘Life Together Dietrich Bonhoeffer wisely identifies the dangers for those who set their love and pursuit of a vision of something above their love of the reality of that thing. He writes; ’He who loves his dream of a community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial.’ We might rephrase this as; those who love their dream of what a Kingdom Business could be more than they love their colleagues, customers and competitors will become a destroyer of their dream. We must guard against the pursuit of an idealistic vision for our business. This is a humble
venture rooted in grace. We do not believe it is necessary or even beneficial to make our ways ‘law’. Culture is ‘the way we do things around here’ rather than ‘the things you must do around here. A healthy culture has willing participants. All we can do in light of this is what has become our mantra at BizMin.
That is; press on to take hold.
教 导、竭 力 追 求
Dietrich Bonhoeffer 在《共同的生活》一书中明智地写到,那些将自己的爱和对事物愿景的追求置于对事物真实性的热爱之上的人所面临的危险。他写到:“那些热爱自己的社区梦想比热爱基督教社区本身更多的人,将成为基督教社区的毁灭者,即使他个人的意图可能是如此诚实,认真和无私。”我们可以把这段话改写为:那些热爱他们的国度企业之梦想比热爱他们的同事、客户和竞争对手更多的人,将成为他们自己梦想的破坏者。我们必须防止追求企业的理想化愿景。这是植根于恩典的谦卑的探险。我们不认为让自己的方法成为“法律”是有必要甚至有好处的。文化是“这是我们做事的方式”,而不是“这事你必须这样做”。健康的文化有自愿的参与者。鉴于此,我们所能做的就是成为 BizMin 口头禅的:竭力追求。
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider me yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
这不是说我已经得着了,已经完全了;我乃是竭力追求,或者可以得着基督耶稣所以得着我的(或译:所要我得的)。弟兄们,我不是以为自己已经得着了;我只有一件事,就是忘记背后,努力面前的,向着标竿直跑,要得神在基督耶稣里从上面召我来得的奖赏。
Philippians腓立比书3.12-14
Pledge 10 – I will ‘press on to take hold of my ministry, upholding andrevisiting each of the BizMin pledges.
誓言 10 – 我将“竭力追求”我的事工,坚持并重温每堂 BizMin 课的誓言。
Take a moment to pray for one another. It is important to be commissioned into your new role as a Kingdom Entrepreneur.
花一点时间互相祷告。被委任到国度企业家的新角色是重要的。
Share your reflections on the course.
分享你对本课程的想法。
Write down your plans for the next month, the next year, the next 5 years and beyond.
写下下个月,明年,和未来 5 年及以后的计划。
委 任
Discussion 讨 论
Consider how you might stay connected with other Kingdom Entrepreneurs who can encourage you to press on and take hold…
考虑一下你如何与其他能鼓励你持之以恒的国度企业家保持联

Close the session with a short time of prayer.
简短祷告后结束会议。

7&8.…

company?”
他问福特:“福特公司的目标是什么?”
“To do as much as possible for everybody concerned,” responded Ford, “to make money and use it, to give employment, and send out the car where the people can use it and incidentally to make money business is a service, not a bonanza.”
“为每个相关的人尽可能多地做事,” 福特回答道,“赚钱并用它提供就业机会,制造汽车给人们使用…顺便赚些钱…,企业是为了服务,不是摇钱树。”
“Incidentally make money?” queried the attorney.
“顺便赚钱?”律师质问道。
“Yes, sir.”
“是的,先生。”
“But your controlling feature…is to employ a great army of men at high wages, to reduce the selling price of your car, so that a lot of people can buy it at a cheap price, and give everybody a car that wants one.”
“但是你的主要目的是…用高薪聘请许多工人,降低汽车的售价,
使许多人能以低价购买它,给每个想要汽车的人一辆。”
“If you give all that,” replied Ford, who must have felt that Stevenson had admirably stated his policies, “the money will fall into your hands; you can’t get out of it.”
“如果你努力这样做,”福特回答道,他肯定以为史蒂文森是以钦佩的心情陈述他的政策呢,“你就会赚钱,你不赚都不行。”
Henry Ford understood the utility of his business. When a business is a ministry, it delivers more than financial value. Its purpose is to deliver utility to society for the common good. It is therefore important to understand how your business is useful to society. This is its utility.
亨利·福特知道他的企业的功用。把做企业当成事工时,它所带来的不仅仅是经济价值,它的目的是为了社会的共同利益起作用。因此,了解你的企业对社会有什么用是很重要的。这就是它的功用。

What is the utility of your business?
你的企业的功用是什么?
A. A Kingdom Business should add value across multiple bottom lines. Listed below are a range of areas in which business can add value. Consider how your business is adding value in each of these areas. Mark on the scales the level to which your business is delivering value in each area.
国度企业应该在多个重要领域增加价值。下面列出了企业可以增加价值的一系列领域。思考你的企业如何在这每个领域中增加价值。在标尺上标出你的企业在每个领域所创造的价值的水平。
Reflection 思 考
Activity 活 动
Impact 影响力
This is a true overview of the value of your business. Overall, how profitable is your business?
这就是你的企业价值的真实概况。总体而言,你的企业盈利状况如何?
Ethical values are promoted and upheld 道德价值得以弘扬和维护
You make financial profit 你赢得财务利润
使用价值, 社会价值, 生态价值, 文化价值, 品牌价值, 精神价值,金融价值,
A Kingdom Business should profit across multiple bottom lines.
国度企业应该在多个重要领域盈利。

Is your business financially profitable?
你的企业在财务上是否有盈利?
Give examples of how your business uses its profit in the following areas:
举例说明你企业的利润如何使用在以下领域:盈 利的目的
活 动 % Examples 举例
Take a moment to reflect on the largest donation you have ever made.
花点时间回想一下你有史以来最大的一笔捐款。
T Warren Buffet reportedly pledged the largest single donation in history when he gave $37 Billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. After receiving the inaugural Forbes 400 Lifetime Achievement Award for Philanthropy he is quoted as saying:
Reflection 反 思
Teaching 教 导
开支, 保存, 分享, 播种,
据报道,历史上最大的一笔一次性捐款是沃伦·巴菲特向比尔和梅琳达·盖茨基金会捐赠的 370 亿美元。在福布斯 400 慈善终身成就奖的颁奖典礼上,他说:
Warren Buffet 沃伦·巴 菲特
“The truth is I have never given a penny away that had any utility to me,” Buffett told the 150-plus billionaires and near billionaires, who gathered at the United Nations Delegates Dining Room. “I am very grateful for this award, I accept this award. But I’d like to accept it not only for myself but for those millions of people who really give away money that’s important to them because they see somebody else where they think they can do more good.”
“事实上我从来没有捐出过对我有用的任何一分钱。”巴菲特告诉聚集在联合国代表餐厅的 150 多位亿万富翁和接近亿万富翁者。“我非常感谢这个奖,我接受这个奖。但我接受它不仅仅是为我自己,而是为那成千上万的因为看到别人而觉得自己可以做得更好的,捐出对他们很重要的金钱的人。”
Reflection 反 思
How much did your ‘largest donation’ really cost you?
你的“最大捐款”实际上让你付出了多少?
A Kingdom Business needs a mature attitude to the use of money. God challenges us to honour Him with our profit and steward our money wisely. He wants joyful givers who honour Him with their profits.
国度企业需要对金钱的使用有成熟的态度。上帝挑战我们用我们的盈利来荣耀祂,并明智地管理我们的金钱。祂想要的是用他们的盈利来荣耀祂的快乐捐献者。
‘Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, “How are we robbing you?” In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse – your whole nation – because you are robbing me. 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. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,’ says the Lord Almighty.
人岂可夺取神之物呢,你们竟夺取我的供物。你们却说:“我们在何事上夺取祢的供物呢?”就是你们在当纳的十分之一和当献的供物上。因你们通国的人都夺取我的供物,咒诅就临到你们身上。万军之耶和华说:你们要将当纳的十分之一全然送入仓库,使我家有粮,以此试试我,是否为你们敞开天上的窗户,倾福与你们,甚至无处可容。万军之耶和华说:我必为你们斥责蝗虫(原文是吞噬者),不容它毁坏你们的土产。你们田间的葡萄树在未熟之先也不掉果子。万军之耶和华说:万国必称你们为有福的,因你们的地必成为喜乐之地。
Malachi玛拉基书3:8-12
What is God asking us to test Him in?
上帝要我们用什么考验祂?
Discussion 讨 论
What does God promise the three outcomes will be if we test Him in this? Reflect on how they directly address common business concerns.
如果我们在这方面考验祂,上帝应许哪三个结果?思考这三个应许是如何直接解决经商中常见的顾虑的。
What does the passage say is the long term outcome of this behaviour?
这段经文表明这种行为的长期结果是什么?
When a Kingdom Business tithes, it has the opportunity to channel significant amounts of money to good causes through what we call ‘Power Giving’. This is illustrated below.
当国度企业缴纳十一奉献,它就有机会通过被我们称为“有力的奉献”的方式,将大量资金用于善事。如下图所示。
Power Giving
Has your business made a commitment to ‘Power Giving’? Discuss how this approach might have a positive impact on both society and the ministries of the Church.
你的企业是否承诺过做“有力的奉献”?讨论这样做会对社会和教会的事工产生怎样的积极影响。

Finally, and perhaps most significantly, the passage in Malachi promises that those who honour God through these actions will be recognised as blessed and distinct, creating the foundation for a Christian witness both at home and abroad. Malachi 3:18 says; ‘And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.’ Ultimately, this approach to the use of profit brings a blessing to all nations, ‘until there is no more need’.
最后或许也是最重要的一点,玛拉基书的经文应许那些通过这样的行为尊崇上帝的人,将被人们视为有福和不同的人,为基督徒在本地和万国做见证奠定了基础。玛拉基书 3:18 说:“将善人和恶人,事奉神的和不事奉神的,分别出来。”最终,这种使用盈利的方法为万国带来祝福,“直到不再有需要”。
Teaching 教 导
有力的奉献, 我的企业, 我的家庭, 薪金, 捐赠 我的教会, 事工, 十一奉献, 捐赠,
‘You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”’
我这两只手常供给我和同人的需用,这是你们自己知道的。我凡事给你们作榜样,叫你们知道应当这样劳苦,扶助软弱的人,又当记念主耶稣的话,说:“施比受更为有福。”
Acts使徒行传20:34-35. Mark马可福音8:36
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
人就是赚得全世界,赔上自己的生命,有什么益处呢?
To be effective in doing business as a ministry, the use of money must be right. It requires correct priorities. Above all, we must guard our souls. When we pursue good works and a God-given higher purpose before profit, we will achieve meaningful and lasting impact. The profits will likely follow. This approach and priority are essential if we are to do business as a ministry.
为了有效地将商业经营做为事工,金钱的使用必须正确,它需要正确的优先次序。首先,我们必须守护我们的灵魂。当我们把追求做善工和上帝赋予的更高的使命放在获利之先时,我们将取得有意义和持久的影响,而利润则可能随之而来。如果我们要将商业经营做为事工,这种做法和优先次序是必须的。
When we have mastered our attitude to the money we will be ready to pursue profit through purpose.
当我们掌握了我们对金钱的态度后,我们就准备好了
透过使命来盈利。
Close the session with a short time of prayer. Ask God to help you master money and help your company’s purpose so that it profits through good works.
短暂祷告后结束会议。祈求上帝帮助你掌控金钱,并赐使命给你的公司,使你的公司能透过做善工来盈利。

9.要建立信任和良…

「从前,亚比米勒的仆人霸占了一口水井,亚伯拉罕为这事指责亚比米勒。【创21: 25

亚伯拉罕一开始的旅途并不是那么顺利。有很多人在争土地,而亚伯拉罕花了很多时间找地方定居下来。最后,艰困的经济环境逼使他完全撤离,带他的家族前往埃及,那是距离神的应许之地有几百英哩之远。

亚伯拉罕的惧怕似乎让他忘记要信任神的信实。同样的,处在艰困处境之下的人,经常会说服自己,他们别无选择,只能做他们知道是错的事情。因此需要面对土地稀少带来的选择。他们需要分开,亚伯拉罕相信神,所以就让罗得离开,免得他一直为自己着急。亚伯拉罕让罗得优先选择的事实,展现出他的宽大,也让他们彼此建立互信。

要建立信任和良好的人际关系,宽大的特质也许是最好的帮助。有接待陌生人的社会责任。让接待陌生人并提供保护的人、其家人和社群可以维持良好的名声。“不可忘记用爱心接待客旅,因为曾有接待客旅的,不知不觉就接待了天使。”

乐于接待有助于人际关系的发展,而亚伯拉罕与撒拉的接待行动让我们看到,人际关系与分享食物是并行的。这些陌生人藉由分享食物与长时间的交谈,对彼此就有了更深入的了解。

亚伯拉罕放弃原本是属于他的东西,他是一个有智慧又勤奋工作之人的榜样。他公开做生意,也妥善运用法律给他的保障。对牧羊事业来说,水资源是很重要的。如果没有水,亚伯拉罕就无法继续养活牲畜、工人和他的家庭。因此,亚伯拉罕保护自己水资源权利的行为,以及他采取的方式,是很重要的。

亚伯拉罕采取决定的考虑点不只包含谁是正确的,也包含我们的人际关系会如何受到这决定的影响。在前面,亚伯拉罕跟罗得分地的时候,亚伯拉罕愿意让罗得有首选的机会。这决定是给他们长期的同工关系铺路。至于这次的事件,他根据约定的条款,坚持他有井的使用权。奉主耶稣基督的圣名祈求!阿们!

学习体会 : 如此,他确保了足够的资源,可以让他的事业顺利运转下去。不仅如此,亚伯拉罕的强硬事实上还增进了他与亚比米勒的关系。蒙主恩典!阿们!


8.神的应许成就在…

「我必叫你成为大国;我必赐福给你,叫你的名为大,你也要叫别人得福。【创12: 2

亚伯拉罕与撒拉的工作涵盖几乎所有古代近东半游牧民族工作的所有层面。每次他们都面对很重要的问题:要如何生活并工作,才是忠心顺服神的圣约。跟今天的我们一样,他们努力养家餬口、忍受社会动荡、平安拉拔孩子长大,还要在这个破碎的世界对神保持忠心。他们体会到神是信实的。虽然他们不断证明自己是不忠心的,但神依然按照祂的应许,在各样的处境祝福他们。

不过因着神的恩典,他们保留了对圣约的基要信心,而神就藉由这些不完全之人的工作来动工,把超过想象的祝福倾倒给这世界。

亚伯拉罕愿意让神带领他进入新的关系。虽然巴别塔建造者企图把自己关在戒备森严的城堡中,但亚伯拉罕相信神的应许,相信他的家庭会增长成为一个大国。

神赐给亚伯拉罕耐心,可以有远见。神的应许是成就在亚伯拉罕子孙的时代,而不是他自己的时代。为了把这些祝福带到地上,神呼召亚伯拉罕和他的后代要“在我面前作完全人”。要达到这要求需要很多工作,如敬拜、赎罪、门徒训练及其他跟信仰有关的职业。有时候我们的工作是医治破碎的心灵。所有这些种类的工作,以及从事这些工作的工人,都是在神的权柄、带领和供给之下。

这些家庭需要按季节迁移,因此住在用兽皮、毛毡、羊毛做成的帐棚里。他们的财物都是可以用驴子驮运的,或是如果财力够雄厚的话,也会用骆驼。寻找可以同时供应草和水的地方,需要很好的判断力及丰富的气候、地理知识。 因为一个家庭无法单靠牧羊来维持生活,因此他们需要在当地种植农作物,拿来跟定居在某处的社群交易。

气候的变化和牲畜繁衍的速度会影响当地的经济。比较弱小的牧羊群体很容易就会被迫他迁或被吸收掉,让位给那些需要更多土地来扩张牲畜规模的群体。牧羊得来的收入并不会存起来或拿去投资,而是分享给家族成员。

同样的,因着饥荒而导致的艰困,也会让所有人都感受到。虽然每个人都有自己的工作,也要为自己的行为负责,家庭事业的群体本质,通常跟现代崇尚个人成就及追求更多收益的文化有所区别。社会责任是日常生活的一部分,没得选择。

野地的移居生活和容易受到强盗攻击的现实光景,代表接待旅客的举动不只是一种礼貌而已。当时的文化通常会期待正派人士必须要接待旅客,并提供饮食和住宿。

牧羊与畜牧是正当的工作选择,而且可以达到不少的获利,这让亚伯拉罕的家族变得非常富有。虽然财富经常对信心有害,但亚伯拉罕的经验说明神的信实可以用财富表彰出来。奉主耶稣基督的圣名祈求!阿们!

学习体会 : 不过,我们之后会看到,这并不意味着神的子民可以期待神会持续性地赐下财富。蒙主恩典!阿们!

5&6.…

Open the session with a short time of prayer.
简短祷告后开始会议。
The first task God gave mankind is known as the Creation Mandate. It is the first objective of a complete ministry.
上帝赋予人类的第一项任务被称为创造托管。这是一个全备的事工的首要目标。
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’
神就照着自己的形象造人,乃是照着祂的形象造男造女。神就赐福给他们,又对他们说:『要生养众多,遍满地面,治理这地,也要管理海里的鱼、空中的鸟,和地上各样行动的活物。
Genesis创世记1:27-28
Discussion 讨 论
The passage establishes being fruitful as the primary mandate. Discuss what this means and how it is distinct from ‘increasing in number’.
这段经文明确指出神首要的命令就是“生养”。讨论一下“生养”是什么意思,它与“众多”有什么不同?
Prayer 祷 告
一个富有成果的事工
How does the passage suggest mankind is to provide for the needs of increasing numbers of people?
这段经文如何表明人类必须满足人口增加的需求?
Having established that we are called to be fruitful, we will now consider how this is to be achieved.
明确了神要我们生养众多后,现在来思考一下如何实现这一目标。
Teaching 教 导
Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground…
野地还没有草木,田间的菜蔬还没有长起来;因为耶和华神还没有降雨在地上,也没有人耕地…
Genesis创世记2:5
In Genesis chapter 2 we find the second account of creation. The earth is unproductive and yet to bear fruit. The reasons are twofold. The passage tells us that the Lord God had not yet sent the essential physical ingredient; rain. There was also a second equally important ingredient missing. There was no one to ‘work the ground’.
在创世记第二章,我们看到创造的第二个记述,地球还没有生长,果实尚未结出。原因是双重的,经文告诉我们,神还没有提供必不可少的成分:雨。而且还缺少另一个同样重要的成分:没有人“耕地”。
Achieving the primary goal of a fruitful creation requires two essential components; God’s part and our part. God provides the water, but He needs us to work and steward creation and maximise its fruitfulness through innovation, production and cultivation. We are half of the solution. God is looking for people to work His creation and make it fruitful.
实现被造的主要目的“生养众多”需要两方面的因素:一方面是上帝,另一方面是我们。上帝提供水,但祂需要我们做工并管理祂的创造,通过创新,生产和耕种使其成果最大化。我们是解决方案一半的因素。上帝期待人类来管理祂的创造并使之结果子。
Few of us are farmers today. Do you think business is now the primary means by which we subdue the earth and ‘work the ground’, helping to make the earth productive and mankind fruitful?
今天我们很少有人是农夫了。你认为商业是我们现在治理“耕种”这地,从而使地球多产以及人类生养众多的主要手段吗?
We are called to be productive (fruitful). The business provides the framework for mankind to be fruitful. Business is therefore an essential part of God’s plan for creation.
神要我们生养众多。商业为人类生养众多提供了构架。因此,商业是上帝创造计划的重要组成部分。
Discussion 讨 论
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
耶和华神将那人安置在伊甸园,使他修理,看守。
Genesis创世记2:15
In this passage, God adds a responsibility to care for His creation. It is the essential complement to work, if we are to be sustainably fruitful.
在这段经文中,上帝增加了看守祂的创造的责任。如果我们要持续地结果子,我们的工作必须兼顾这一责任。
Discussion 讨 论
What does it mean to work creation?
修理神的创造是什么意思?
What does it mean to care for creation?
看守神的创造是什么意思?
Teaching 教 导
One of the central concerns of modern business is sustainability. The accepted definition of sustainability provided by the 1987
持 续 结 果 子
United Nations Bruntland Commission states ‘sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’
现代商业经营关注的重点之一是可持续性。1987 年联合国布伦特兰委员会提出的被公认的“可持续性”的定义是:“可持续性发展是指在不损害子孙后代满足其自身需求的能力之情况下,满足当前需求的发展。”
Compare this to the following passage from the Bible.
将这个定义与以下圣经中的经文进行比较。
If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young.
你若路上遇见鸟窝,或在树上或在地上,里头有雏或有蛋,母鸟伏在雏上或在蛋上,你不可连母带雏一并取去。
Deut22:6申命记
This verse provides a godly pattern for consumption and establishes a succinct approach to sustainable development.
这节经文提供了一个上帝喜悦的消费模式,并为可持续发展建
立了一个简明的途径。
Discussion 讨 论
Do you feel Christians have been proactive in promoting sustainability?
你认为基督徒在促进可持续发展方面积极主动吗?
Consider the wisdom of this passage. What are the implications of this verse for Christians in business?
思考这节经文的智慧。这节经文对经商的基督徒有什么含意?
But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.
第七年,地要守圣安息,就是向耶和华守的安息,不可耕种田地,也不可修理葡萄园。
Leviticus25:4利未记
What are the wider implications of this verse for business? Consider the implications of this on both short-term and longterm productivity.
这节经文对商业有什么更广泛的含意?思考它对短期和长期生产效率的影响。
The Bible introduces the importance of care alongside work and establishes a sustainable approach to fruitfulness.
圣经提出了工作中看顾护理的重要性,并确立要用可持续的方法取得成果。
The right balance between work and rest is essential for sustaining the primary objective of fruitfulness in our lives.
工作和休息之间正确的平衡对于我们一生都要持续结果子的首
要目标来说至关重要。
By the seventh day, God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day, he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
到第七日,神造物的工已经完毕,就在第七日歇了祂一切的工,安息了。神赐福给第七日,定为圣日;因为在这日,神歇了祂一切创造的工,就安息了。
Genesis2:2-3创世记 .Exodus20:8-11 出埃及
‘Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.’
‘当记念安息日,守为圣日。六日要劳碌做你一切的工,但第七日是向耶和华——你神当守的安息日。这一日你和你的儿女、仆婢、牲畜,并你城里寄居的客旅,无论何工都不可做;因为六日之内,耶和华造天、地、海,和其中的万物,第七日便安息,所以耶和华赐福与安息日,定为圣日。’
保 持 平 衡
Work Work Work God establishes a rhythm for our work. What are the hallmarks
of this rhythm?
上帝为我们的工作确立了节奏。这种节奏的标志是什么

If we are to prosper in business we must establish the right balance between working and resting. Do you have the balance right?
如果我们想要生意兴隆,就必须在工作和休息之间建立适当的平衡。你的工作和休息平衡吗?
Never All the time Reflection 思 考
讨 论,休息,没有平衡过 一直都平衡工作
Discuss the consequences of a workplace culture where it is ‘all work and no care’.
讨论“只有工作没有看顾护理”的职场文化之恶果。
Do you have both the faith and discipline to rest?
你有休息的信念和纪律吗?
Teaching 教 导
As Kingdom Entrepreneurs, we are above all called to bear spiritual fruit. In John 15:5-8 Jesus tells us that we can only ‘bear much fruit’ by ‘remaining in Him’. He uses the analogy of remaining ‘in the vine’. He is the vine and we are the branches on which the fruit grows. As Kingdom Entrepreneurs, the fruit that grows on our particular branch will be the result of how committed we are to nurture our connection with the vine. A balanced approach to rest is essential to getting this right.
作为国度企业家,我们首要的是被呼召结属灵的果子。耶稣在约翰福音 15:5-8 中告诉我们:我们只能通过“在祂里面”来“结出很多果子”。主耶稣用了“在葡萄树上”的比喻。祂是葡萄树,我们是结果子的枝子。作为国度企业家,在我们这特定枝子上生长的果子,就是我们努力连在葡萄树上的决心所带来的结果。而要正确地做到这一点,平衡对待休息的态度是至关重要的。
Consider what the following verses show about the balance we must strike between work and care if we are to sustain fruitfulness.
请看以下几节经文如何说明我们若要持续地结果子,就必须在工作和看顾护理之间取得平衡。
I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
我经过懒惰人的田地、无知人的葡萄园,荆棘长满了地皮,刺草遮盖了田面,石墙也坍塌了。我看见就留心思想;我看着就领了训诲。再睡片时,打盹片时,抱着手躺卧片时,你的贫穷就必如强盗速来,你的缺乏仿佛拿兵器的人来到。
Proverbs24:30-34 箴 言 .2 Thess.3:10-13.帖撒罗尼迦后书
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
我们在你们那里的时候,曾吩咐你们说,若有人不肯做工,就不可吃饭。因我们听说,在你们中间有人不按规矩而行,什么工都不做,反倒专管闲事。我们靠主耶稣基督吩咐、劝戒这样的人,要安静做工,吃自己的饭。弟兄们,你们行善不可丧志。
Is your work ethic more inclined towards ‘workaholic’ or ‘sluggard’?
你的工作理念更倾向于“工作狂”还是’懒汉’?
Reflection 思 考
Sluggard Workaholic What could you do this month to improve the work-life balance either for you or your colleagues?
本月你可以做什么来改善你或同事工作与生活的平衡?
God is asking us to trust Him by recognizing that we need to balance work with care. This rhythm establishes a sustainable approach to fruitfulness.
上帝要我们通过承认我们需要工作与看顾护理的平衡来信靠祂。这种平衡确立了一个可持续结果子的途径。
It is God’s intended outcome for both His disciples and creation to ‘bear much fruit’. When mankind is sustainably fruitful, something of the kingdom of God is experienced on earth and all of society prospers. It is our perspective on prosperity that drives our approach to work and care. Those called to business
need to establish a godly perspective on prosperity. Only then can we maintain the right balance between work and care. A Godly vision for prosperity
教 导
懒汉 工作狂上帝的计划是祂的门徒和创造都“多结果子”。当人们持续性地结果子时,上帝的国度就会某种程度地在地上发生,整个社会都会富裕。我们富裕的看法决定着我们处理工作和看顾护理的方式。被呼召经商的人要建立起符合神心意的富裕观。只有这样,我们才能在工作与看顾护理之间保持适当的平衡。

Circle the zone of the graph which best describes the boundaries of your vision of a prosperous life (honestly!)
在图中圈出最能描述你的富裕生活愿景的区域(诚实地!)
Describe your own vision of a prosperous life.
描述你自己眼中的富裕生活。
Activity 活 动
Consider the different visions of prosperity in the following passages from Deuteronomy and Revelation.
思考以下《申命记》和《启示录》中的几段经文所表达的不同富裕观。
Activity 活 动
Deut.28:2-12a申命记
All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:
你若听从耶和华你神的话,这以下的福必追随你,临到你身上:
You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
你在城里必蒙福,在田间也必蒙福。
The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock – the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
你身所生的,地所产的,牲畜所下的,以及牛犊、羊羔,都必蒙福。
Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.
你的筐子和你的抟面盆都必蒙福。
You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.
你出也蒙福,入也蒙福。
The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.
仇敌起来攻击你,耶和华必使他们在你面前被你杀败;他们从一条路来攻击你,必从七条路逃跑。
The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
在你仓房里,并你手所办的一切事上,耶和华所命的福必临到
你。耶和华 你神也要在所给你的地上赐福与你。
The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him.
你若谨守耶和华你神的诫命,遵行祂的道,祂必照着向你所起的誓立,你作为自己的圣民。
Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you.
天下万民见你归在耶和华的名下,就要惧怕你。
The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity – in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground – in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.
你在耶和华向你列祖起誓应许赐你的地上,他必使你身所生
的、牲畜所下的、地所产的,都绰绰有余。
The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.
耶和华必为你开天上的府库,按时降雨在你的地上。在你手里所办的一切事上赐福与你。
Rev.启示录18:10b17a.
“Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!”
“哀哉!哀哉!巴比伦大城,坚固的城啊,一时之间你的刑罚就来到了。”
The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore – cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble;
Compare the descriptions of prosperity in these passages. What are the key differences? Reflect on whether the passages show a vision of prosperity focussed on needs or wants. cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.
地上的客商也都为她哭泣悲哀,因为没有人再买他们的货物了;这货物就是金银、宝石、珍珠、细麻布、紫色料、绸子、朱红色料、各样香木、各样象牙器皿、各样宝贵的木头和铜、铁、汉白玉的器皿,并肉桂、荳蔻、香料、香膏、乳香、酒、油、细面、麦子、牛、羊、车、马和奴仆、人口。
They will say, “The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be
recovered.” The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn and cry out:
巴比伦哪,你所贪爱的果子离开了你;你一切的珍馐美味和华美的对象也从你中间毁灭,决不能再见了。贩卖这些货物、借着她发了财的客商,因怕她的痛苦,就远远地站着哭泣悲哀,说:
“Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!”
“哀哉!哀哉!这大城啊,素常穿着细麻、紫色、朱红色的衣服,又用金子、宝石,和珍珠为妆饰。一时间这么大的富厚就归于无有了。”
Activity 活 动欲 望
比较这些经文中关于富裕的描述。它们主要的区别是什么?思考经文所显示的富裕是以需要还是以欲望为重点的。

Happiness is not having what you want but wanting what you have.
快乐不是拥有你想要的,而是珍惜你所拥有的。需 要道德界限,符合圣经原则的富裕区间,知 足,富 裕,贫 穷
Reflection 反 思
Reflect on the diagram above. Is the prosperity that you aspire to and are currently working towards between the moral limits and within the zone of Biblical prosperity?
反思上图,你所向往和正在追求的富裕是在道德界限之内,并在符合圣经原则的富裕区间吗?
Does your business promote and trade-off ‘poverty’, ‘needs’ or ‘wants’?
你的公司倡导“贫穷”,“需求”或“欲望”的折衷吗?
It is important to maintain a Biblical view of prosperity. Consider the following passages.
保持符合圣经原则的富裕观是很重要的。思考以下经文。
Ecclesiastes5:10-12传道书5:10-12
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on
them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.
贪爱银子的,不因得银子知足;贪爱丰富的,也不因得利益知足。这也是虚空。货物增添,吃的人也增添,物主得什么益处呢?不过眼看而已!劳碌的人不拘吃多吃少,睡得香甜;富足人
的丰满却不容他睡觉。
Activity 活 动
In this scripture, what is revealed as the signs that we have lost the right perspective on prosperity?
这段经文表明什么是我们失去了正确的富裕观的信号?
.
This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink, and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given them – for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil – this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them
occupied with gladness of heart.
我所见为善为美的,就是人在神赐他一生的日子吃喝,享受日光之下劳碌得来的好处,因为这是他的分。神赐人资财丰富,使他能以吃用,能取自己的分,在他劳碌中喜乐,这乃是神的恩赐。他不多思念自己一生的年日,因为神应他的心使他喜乐。
Ecclesiastes5:18-20传道书
The secret of a truly prosperous life is contentment. What does this passage from Ecclesiastes reveal about the ingredients of a truly prosperous life?
真正的富裕生活的秘诀是知足。传道书的这段经文所揭示的真正的富裕生活的要素是什么?

Having achieved a larger than expected profit, this successful entrepreneur decided to put his feet up and take life easy. He used his profit to secure his vision of a prosperous life. He failed to use God’s abundant provision to prosper others. He chose instead to walk away from a God-given opportunity to prosper in business for the commonwealth and forfeited his part in God’s plan for creation. It did not end well; ‘This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich towards God.’
就用比喻对他们说:有一个财主田产丰盛;自己心里思想说:“我的出产没有地方收藏,怎么办呢?”又说:“我要这么办:要把我的仓房拆了,另盖更大的,在那里好收藏我一切的粮食和财物。”神却对他说:“无知的人哪,今夜必要你的灵魂;你所预备的要归谁呢?”凡为自己积财,在神面前却不富足的,也是这样。
Luke12:16-21路加福音
towards God.’ This ‘rich man’ forfeited his God-given role and purpose as a fruitful farmer. With no remaining purpose or meaning in his life, he died.
有位成功的企业家在取得了超出预期的盈利后,决定好好休息过轻松的生活。他用所得的盈利过上了自己期望的富裕生活。他没有利用上帝丰富的供应来造福他人。相反地,他选择放弃上
帝给与的以经商的成功来创造共同富裕的机会,因此也丧失了上帝创造计划中原属于他的一席之地,其结局是不会好的;“凡为自己积财,在神面前却不富足的,也是这样。”这个“富翁”放弃了上帝赋予他做个有成果的“农夫”的角色和目的,在度过了没有其他目的和意义的后半生之后,他死了。
What would have been a better response to a bumper profit?
对待特大盈利更好的反应是什么?

Prosperity is like an overflowing cup. As more of God’s provision flows into our lives, we have a choice… let it overflow to others or reach for a bigger cup and store more for ourselves. We must cultivate a culture of extravagant generosity if we are to truly prosper in business.
富裕就像个满得溢出水的水杯,随着更多上帝的供应进入我们的生命,我们面临一个选择:让它溢出惠及他人,或拿个更大
Discussion 讨 论
Teaching 教 导
的杯子为自己积蓄更多。如果我们想要商业经营真正地繁荣发展,我们就必须培养一种慷慨大方的文化。
1. Business has a crucial role to play in the creation of prosperity. A Kingdom Business strives to contribute towards God’s vision of a prosperous society rather than work against it. Prosperity is a good thing but it is essential that we pursue a godly vision of prosperity if we are to make our business a fruitful ministry.
经商对创造繁荣起着至关重要的作用。国度企业要努力为上帝繁荣昌盛的社会愿景做出贡献,而不是相反。繁荣是一件好事,但如果我们要使我们的商业经营成为有成果的事工,就必须追求上帝眼中的繁荣昌盛。
The measure of true prosperity is not how much flows to us, so much as how much flows through and around us.
真正富裕的衡量标准不是我们得到了多少,而是有多少通过我们惠及了他人。
上帝、我们,其他人
1. Close the session with a short time of prayer. Ask God to cultivate in you a godly vision of prosperity and the contentment to live it out.
简短祷告后结束会议。祈求上帝在你心中培育合神心意的富裕
观以及把它活出来的满足感。

6.BizMin-Course

6.1 The centrality of love 爱 的 核 心
Prayer 祷 告
Open the session with a short time of prayer.
简短祷告后开始会议。
A key objective of a complete ministry is the New Testament’s Great Commandment to love.
一个完备事工的关键性目标是新约有关爱的大诫命。
Activity 活 动
Who are we to love?
我们该爱谁?
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no commandment
greater than these.’
有一个文士来,听见他们辩论,晓得耶稣回答的好,就问他说:“诫命中哪是第一要紧的呢?”耶稣回答说:“第一要紧的就是说:以色列啊,你要听!主我们神,是独一的主。你要尽心、尽
性、尽意、尽力,爱主你的神。” 其次就是说,“要爱人如己。”再没有比这两条诫命更大的了。
The centrality of love 爱 的 核 心
Mark马可福音12:28-31
How are we to love?
我们该如何爱?

1. Teaching 教 导
An essential hallmark of any ministry is love. Business as a ministry is about Christians in business loving God, above all. We will now consider what it means to love God in the context of business.
任何一个事工必不可少的标志就是爱。营商事工最重要的是有关经商基督徒对上帝的爱。现在我们来思考在经商的环境中爱上帝意味着什么。
Mark马可福音14:3-6
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly. ‘Leave her alone,’ said Jesus. ‘Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.’
耶稣在伯大尼长大麻风的西门家里坐席的时候,有一个女人拿着一玉瓶至贵的真哪哒香膏来,打破玉瓶,把膏浇在耶稣的头上。有几个人心中很不喜悦,说:『何用这样枉费香膏呢?这香膏可以卖三十多两银子周济穷人。』他们就向那女人生气。耶稣说:『由她吧!为什么难为她呢?她在我身上作的是一件美事。

The lady had a choice. She could use a year’s wages to bless one person or many people. Why did Jesus endorse her choice?
这女人有个决择,她可以用一年的工资来祝福一个人或很多人。
耶稣为什么支持她的选择?
.
Some oppose her choice. Consider their reasons. How do you feel about the lady’s choice?
有些人反对她的选择,思考这些人反对的原因。你对这女人的选
择有何感想?
Discussion 讨 论
.
Jesus endorsed her choice and demonstrated that He was comfortable being the focus of extravagant expressions of love. He challenged the disciples’ value judgments. We need to
share Jesus’ priorities.
耶稣赞同她的选择并表明祂很乐意成为“过度”表达爱的对象。祂挑战门徒的价值判断。我们应该采用耶稣的优先次序。
Teaching 教 导
To obey the first commandment we need to foremost discover how to love God extravagantly. This is demonstrated by the woman in the scripture. She loved Jesus more than money and before loving her neighbors. There was no doubt she loved
the Lord. Since we cannot love Jesus in this way, how might we proactively demonstrate our love for Him today? Here are two ways Jesus taught.
要遵守第一条大诫命,我们首先要明白怎样“过度地”爱上帝。经文中的这女人给我们做了榜样。她爱耶稣胜于金钱,并在她爱邻居之先。毫无疑问她爱主。由于今天我们不可能以这种方式来爱主耶稣,那么我们怎么能主动地表现出对耶稣的爱呢?下面是耶稣教导的两种方式。
Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’
耶稣回答说:“人若爱我,就必遵守我的道;我父也必爱他,并且我们要到他那里去,与他同住。”
John约翰福音14:23
We show love for God by obeying his teaching. When we do business in God’s way, in accordance with the Bible, we are loving God.
遵守上帝的道就表明我们爱上帝。当我们按照圣经的原则经商时,我们就是在爱上帝。
We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
我们爱,因为神先爱我们。人若说『我爱神』,却恨他的弟兄,就是说谎话的;不爱他所看见的弟兄,就不能爱没有看见的神(有古卷:怎能爱没有看见的神呢)。爱神的,也当爱弟兄,这是我们从神所受的命令。
1 John约翰一书4:19-21
As Kingdom Entrepreneurs, we must remember that we are loved by God. This is the only basis on which we can then proactively nurture and demonstrate love for our commercial
‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’.
作为国度企业家,我们必须牢记上帝爱我们。这是我们能积极主动地培育和表明我们对商业领域里的“兄弟姐妹”之爱的唯一基础。
We will now look more closely at what it means to love others through the activities of a business.
现在我们来更深入地研究通过商业活动来爱他人的含义是什么。
Christians in business need to discover how to use business to love God. This is the greatest commandment.
经商的基督徒要学会如何用经商来爱上帝。这是最大的诫命。
Jesus’ command to love our neighbor is a central characteristic of the Gospel and a hallmark for any Christian ministry. In order to better understand how love is expressed in business, we need to ask the question ‘who, in business, is our neighbor?’
耶稣关于爱我们的邻居的命令是福音的主要特征,也是任何一个基督教事工的标志。为了更好地理解如何在经商中表达爱,我们需要问一个问题:“在经商中,谁是我们的邻居?”
Consider who in business might be considered your neighbor. We have found it helpful to think of all those people and organizations with whom your business comes into contact.
思考在你的生意中哪些人可以是你的邻居。我们发现考虑到与
你生意有关的所有人和机构是很有帮助的。
The list below are a selection of our ‘business neighbours’.
下表是我们“商业邻居”的一些选项。
Customers Partners Public Suppliers
客户 合作伙伴 公众 供应商
Colleagues Shareholders Competitors Environment
同事 股东 竞争对手 环境
Contractors Stakeholders Family Ourselves
承包商 利益相关者 家庭 自己
Discussion 讨 论
Do any of this stand out to you? Why is that?
上面的这些人或者机构有哪些让你特别留意吗?为什么?
.
Probably the hardest ‘business neighbours’ to love are our
competitors. Discuss why this might be and how you might
practically demonstrate love for a competitor.
最难去爱的“商业邻居”可能就是我们的竞争对手了。讨论为
什么会这样,以及你会如何用实际行动表达对竞争对手的爱。
.

Discussion 讨 论
Who in business might be considered an ‘enemy’?
在经商中,什么人可能会被视为“敌人”?
.
Discuss what is means to love your enemy in business.
讨论在经商中爱你的敌人的方法。
‘You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…’
你们听见有话说:当爱你的邻舍,恨你的仇敌。只是我告诉你们,要爱你们的仇敌,为那逼迫你们的祷告。
Matthew马太福音5:43-44
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In Luke 10, Jesus illustrates what it means to love our neighbor through the parable of the Good Samaritan. The one who showed love to his neighbor was not one of the religious
leaders, but rather the Samaritan. It is interesting to consider that this loving man of means might also have been a businessman. He was traveling along the busy trade route between
Jericho and Jerusalem and he seemingly stayed regularly in the local hotel.
在路加福音第 10 章,耶稣用好撒玛利亚人的寓言来说明爱我们的邻居意味着什么。故事中向邻居表现了爱的人不是那个宗教领袖,而是那撒玛利亚人。有趣的是,这个有爱心的有钱人也可能是个商人。他正沿着耶利哥和耶路撒冷之间那繁忙的贸易路线旅行,看起来他经常住在当地的旅馆里。
Discussion 讨 论
Is love a characteristic you typically associate with business transactions?
你通常会将爱与商业交易联系起来吗?
.
Teaching 教 导
Yahoo senior executive Tim Sanders thinks love should be a key characteristic of business leaders, and we agree. He says; ‘The most powerful force in business isn’t greed, fear, or even the raw energy of unbridled competition. The most powerful force in business is love.’ He uses the philosopher Milton Mayeroff’s definition of love in his book ‘On Caring’ where he writes, ‘love is the selfless promotion of the growth of the other. When you help others grow, to become the best people that they can be, you are being loved – and as a result, you grow.’ What a great description of loving leadership.
雅虎高管蒂姆·桑德斯(Tim Sanders)认为爱应该是商业领袖的一个重要特征,我们对此表示同意。他说:“商业中最强大的力量不是贪婪,恐惧,甚至不是盲目竞争的原始能量。商业中最大的力量是爱。”他在他的《论关怀》(On Caring)书中使用哲学家弥尔顿·梅耶洛夫(Milton Mayeroff)对爱的定义,写到:“爱是对他人成长无私的促进。当你帮助他人成长,成为他们所能成为的最好的人时,你就是在爱,其结果是你自己的成长。”
Jesus demonstrated a similar approach to loving others. After a life of astonishing achievements, Jesus declares what is one of the great leadership axioms. He says to His disciples; ‘you will do greater things than these.’ There can be no more loving phrase in management than this expression by Jesus to His disciples. He genuinely wanted them to prosper. It would result in his own venture prospering. At the heart of love is the desire for others to grow. This requires the security of knowing you are yourself loved.
耶稣示范了相似的爱人的方式。在一生众多惊人的成就之后,耶稣宣布了一个伟大的领导力格言。他对门徒说;“你要做比这更大的事。”在管理学中再没有其他爱的格言可以和耶稣对门徒所说的这句话相比了。他真心希望门徒们成功,而这将使Teaching 教 导祂自己的事业蓬勃发展。爱的核心是对他人成长的渴望,这需要有知道自己本身是被爱的的安全感。
Discussion 讨 论
How do you feel about your colleagues, customers, and even your competitors, achieving greater things than you?
你的同事,客户,甚至竞争对手取得比你更大的成就,你感受如何?
.
How does helping our business neighbours to grow result in our own growth?
帮助我们的商业邻居成长如何带来我们自己的成长?
.
Business as ministry involves loving all of our ‘business neighbors’.
营商事工涉及爱我们所有的“商业邻居”。
We will now consider how our organizations can take practical steps to love some key ‘business neighbors’; firstly our employees.
我们现在来探讨我们可以采取怎样的实际措施来爱一些主要的“商业邻居”。首先来看看我们的员工。
Matthew马太福音20:1-15
‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
因为天国好像家主,清早出去雇人,进他的葡萄园做工;和工人讲定,一天一钱银子,就打发他们进葡萄园去。
‘About nine in the morning, he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, “You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing.
About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, “Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?” “Because no one
has hired us,” they answered. He said to them, “You also go and work in my vineyard.”
约在巳初出去,看见市上还有闲站的人;就对他们说:“你们也进葡萄园去,所当给的,我必给你们。”他们也进去了。约在午正和申初又出去,也是这样行。约在酉初出去,看见还有人站在那里;就问他们说:“你们为什么整天在这里闲站呢?”他们说:“因为没有人雇我们。”他说:“你们也进葡萄园去。”
‘When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, “Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.”
The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of
them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. “These who were hired last worked only one hour,” they said, “and you have
made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.” But he answered one of them, Look at how the employer acts in this story. How did his actions demonstrate love?
看看这个故事中雇主的表现, 他的行为是如何表现出爱的?
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Jesus uses this story to challenge our value judgments. The employees did not feel equally loved. Do you feel the employer’s approach was unfair?
耶稣用这个故事来挑战我们的价值判断。员工们没有感到平等被爱。你认为雇主的做法不公平吗?
.
“I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the
right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?”’
到了晚上,园主对管事的说:“叫工人都来,给他们工钱,从后来的起,到先来的为止。”约在酉初雇的人来了,各人得了一钱银子。及至那先雇的来了,他们以为必要多得;谁知也是各得一钱。他们得了,就埋怨家主说:“我们整天劳苦受热,那后来的只做了一小时,你竟叫他们和我们一样么?”家主回答其中的一人说:“朋友,我不亏负你;你与我讲定的,不是一钱银子么?拿你的走罢;我给那后来的和给你一样,这是我愿意的。我的东西难道不可随我的意思用么?因为我作好人,你就红了眼么?”
Discussion 讨 论
The employer actively sought to provide each of the labourers with employment and promptly paid a living wage at the end of the day (a denarius in Roman times was considered a day’s wages). This was an employer who did business God’s way. By
paying them in accordance with Deuteronomy 24:15 he demonstrated his love for God. The employer also chose to generously pay more than what was considered ‘fair’. These
actions showed love to both the employees and God.
这个雇主积极为每个工人提供就业机会,并在一天结束时马上支付日用的工资(在罗马时代一个第纳里 denarius 被视为一天的工资)。这是一个按照上帝的方式经营的雇主。他按照申命记 24:15 的教导支付工资,表现了他对上帝的爱。他还选择慷慨地支付比所谓的“公平”工资更多的钱,这些举动表明了他对雇员和上帝的爱。
Jewish Virtual Library
犹太虚拟图书馆
The highest form of charity is to help sustain a person before they become impoverished by offering a substantial gift in a dignified manner, or by extending a suitable loan, or by helping them find employment or establish themselves in business so as to make it unnecessary for them to become dependent on others.
慈善的最高形式,是在人变得穷困潦倒之前,通过有尊严的方式提供可观的礼物,延长合适的贷款,帮助找到工作或帮助建立生意等方式,使这些人不会变得要依赖他人。
Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise, they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
要当日给他工价,不可等到日落,因为他穷苦,把心放在工价上;恐怕他因你求告耶和华,罪便归你了。
Teaching 教 学
Deut.申 命 记24:15

It is highly motivating to realize that our businesses are expressing one of the highest forms of generosity by employing people. There are many ways in which we might love our
employees. First and foremost, it is by providing employment and combining the paying of generous salaries with the provision of satisfying work. This enables others to prosper and
grow.
认识到通过雇用员工我们的企业正在表达一种最高形式的慷慨是很激励人心的。我们有很多方式去爱我们的雇员。首要的是提供就业,将丰厚的薪水与令人满意的工作相结合,使他人得以成功和发展。
The Bible even has something to say about bonuses. There is an account in 1 Samuel 30 of how David divided the plunder.
The passage tells us that ‘this is David’s plunder’. After the battle, he and those who had fought returned to the men who had been guarding the supplies. The troublemakers among
David’s followers said, “Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered.” David’s response established an important principle for Christians in
business. It was so important that David made it a statute and ordinance for Israel. ‘David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us…The share
of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All shall share alike.”’
This is the way of love. David recognized that the plunder was the Lord’s and used it to demonstrate his love for all of his employees.
圣经甚至提到了奖金。在撒母耳记上 30 章中有一段关于大卫如何分配掠物的记载。这段经文告诉我们“这是大卫的掠物”。战斗结束后,他和那些战斗的人回到了看守器具的人那里。跟随大卫人中的恶人和匪类说:“这些人既然没有和我们同去,Teaching 教 学
我们所夺的财物就不分给他们,”大卫的回应为经商的基督徒建立了重要的原则。这一点是如此重要,以至于大卫把它立为以色列的律列典章。大卫回答说:“弟兄们,耶和华所赐给我们的,不可不分给他们 … 应当大家平分。”这就是爱的方式。大卫认识到掠物是属于上帝的,并用这些掠物表明他对所有跟随者的爱。

How might you better show love to your employees?
你可以如何更好地向员工表达爱?
.
When a business provides generous employment, it is an act of love.
当企业慷慨地提供工作时,这就是爱的举动
Reflection 反 思
Luke路加福音6:38
‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to
you.’
你们要给人,就必有给你们的,并且用十足的升斗,连摇带按,上尖下流地倒在你们怀里;因为你们用什么量器量给人,也必用什么量器量给你们。
A business shows love to its customers by transforming an economic transaction into an act of love. This is achieved by delivering more than is being paid for. This is about being
willing to go the extra mile. This well-known Biblical axiom is one of the core values of a successful Kingdom Business called Country Fare. They describe it as ‘we are willing to go the extra
mile because we believe our customers, suppliers, and coworkers deserve it’. What a great expression of commitment to love. Their customers don’t receive ‘the extra mile’ because it
is being paid for but because they are loved.
商业经营通过将经济交易转化为爱的行动来向客户表达爱。这是通过提交比所支付的更多来实现的。这就是圣经所说的愿意多走一里路的原则。这个众所周知的圣经原则是一个名为 “乡村集市(Country Fare)”的成功国度企业的核心价值之一。他们将其描述为“我们愿意多走一里路,因为我们相信我们的客户,供应商和同事值得我们这样做”。这是对爱的承诺多么伟大的表达啊。他们的客户收到“这多出的一里路” 并不是因为付了钱,而是因为他们被爱。
To better understand what love might look like in the workplace, it might be helpful to observe what it looks like when love is absent in a business transaction.
为了更好地了解在职场中的爱是怎样的,观察商业交易中没有爱的情形会很有帮助。
Teaching 教 导
Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, saying, ‘When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may
market wheat?’– skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, buying the poor with silverand the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepingswith the wheat.’
Luke路加福音 6:38
This passage illustrates the corruption and exploitation that can all too often characterise business transactions. Love will challenge the business status quo.
这段经文表明腐败和剥削往往是商业交易的特征。爱将挑战商业经营的现状。
Discussion
Either end of the spectrum illustrated above is inappropriate. Where on the spectrum is the win-win zone where both you and your customers prosper? Discuss the consequences of
being either too generous or too frugal on you, your business and your customers.
你们这些要吞吃穷乏人、使困苦人衰败的,当听我的话!你们说:月朔几时过去,我们好卖粮;安息日几时过去,我们好摆开麦子;卖出用小升斗,收银用大戥子,用诡诈的天平欺哄人,好用银子买贫寒人,用一双鞋换穷乏人,将坏了的麦子卖给人。
Discussion 讨 论
更多价值 公平价值 较少价值、你输了 他们输了上图的任何一端都是失宜的。在哪个区域你和你的客户能够双赢?讨论过于慷慨或过于省俭对你,你的企业以及你的客户的影响。
.
Do you agree that ‘going the extra mile’ and delivering more than is being paid for results in a win-win for you and your
customers?
你是否同意“多走一里路”,提交比所支付的更多会为你和你的客户带来双赢?
.
The Bible tells us that we have achieved nothing if all our hard work is without love. Love is shown in many ways but above all it is an attitude of the heart. The Bible clearly defines what love entails. It is summarised in the scripture below.
圣经告诉我们,我们所有的努力如果没有爱,都将一无益处。爱的表现方式很多,但最重要的是内心的态度。圣经清楚地定义了爱的含义,正如下面的经文所说的。
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
我若将所有的周济穷人,又舍己身叫人焚烧,却没有爱,仍然与我无益。爱是恒久忍耐,又有恩慈;爱是不嫉妒;爱是不自夸,不张狂,不做害羞的事,不求自己的益处,不轻易发怒,不计算人的恶,不喜欢不义,只喜欢真理;凡事包容,凡事相信,凡事盼望,凡事忍耐。
Reflection 反 思
1 Cor.哥林多前书13:3-7
How well is your business demonstrating love? Place a score of 0-5 next to each Biblical characteristic of love. Consider how you might commit to improving a score that is lower than 3 and proactively seek to cultivate an attitude of love rather then exploitation towards your colleagues and customers.
你的生意表现出的爱的程度如何?在以下圣经定义的爱的每个特征旁写下 0-5 的分数。思考你将如何致力于提高低于 3 的分数,并主动地培养爱的态度,而不是剥削同事和客户。
Patient 耐心.
Kind 恩慈.
Not envious 不嫉妒.
Not boastful 不自夸.
Not proud 不张狂.
Not dishonoring 不做害羞的事.
Not self-seeking 不求自己的益处.
Not easily angered 不轻易发怒.
Keeps no record of wrongs 不计算人的恶.
Rejoices in the truth 喜欢真理.
Protects 包容.
Trusts 相信.
Hopes 盼望.
Perseveres 忍耐.
Total score: 总分./70
We finish this section on the Great Commandment with a final word from Yahoo’s Tim Sanders; ‘And one last point: Behave this way not because you expect something in return — a quid pro quo — but because it’s the right way to behave. The less you expect in return for acts of professional generosity, the more you will receive.’ That, of course, is the great mystery of love. It is as we give that we will, in turn, receive. The best way for us to love God and love ourselves is to love others. When we actively seek to love our work, our colleagues, our customers, and even our competitors, we can be sure to benefit as well. After all, we reap what we sow. It is when we lay our own lives down for others, putting their interests above our own, that we are acting in love. All too often business leadership is seen as an opportunity to love ourselves. Business becomes a ministry when business leaders commit to love their neighbors as they love themselves. More than this, it is when we learn to demonstrate our love for God, in and through the way we do business, that we will have discovered how to fulfill the Great Commandment. When we do, we will see our business transformed into a fruitful ministry.
Ultimately, it is those activities that are carried out in an attitude of love which will define our business as a ministry.
After all, God is love, and the presence of love is a necessary hallmark in all of His ventures. Love is therefore an essential hallmark of every Christian ministry. We have seen that
business is rich in opportunities to love. It, therefore, has the potential to become a complete ministry.
我们将引用雅虎 Tim Sanders 的几句话当作大诫命这一课的结束语。“还有最后一点:这样做并不是因为你期望得到回报  – 一种交换条件 — 而是因为这样做是对的。你对专业的慷慨行
为的回报期望越少,你所获得的就越多。”这当然就是爱的巨大奥秘,也就是当我们给予的时候,我们反而会得到。爱上帝Teaching 教 导和爱自己的最好方法就是爱别人。当我们积极主动地去爱我们的工作,我们的同事,我们的客户,甚至我们的竞争对手时,我们也一定会从中受益。最终,我们将收获自己所播的种。当我们为他人放下自己的生命,将别人的利益置于自己的利益之上时,我们就是在爱。太多的时候,我们看到商业领导权被当成爱自己的机会。当商业领袖致力于像爱自己一样爱他们的邻居时,商业经营就成为一个事工。不仅如此,当我们学会以经
商的方式来表达我们对上帝的爱时,我们将会了解如何实践大诫命。当我们这样做时,我们将看到我们的生意变成了富有成果的事工。最终,正是那些以爱的态度所做的事才能把我们的
生意界定为一个事工。毕竟,上帝就是爱,而爱的存在,在祂所有事业中是必不可少的标志。爱也因此是每一个基督教事工必不可少的标志。我们已经看到,经商中充满了爱的机会。因
而它有可能成为一个完备的事工。
The business provides many opportunities to fulfill the Great Commandment to love.
经商提供了许多实践爱的大诫命的机会。

Close the session with a short time of prayer. Ask God to make your business a place that is characterized by love.
短暂祷告后结束会议。求上帝使你的企业成为一个充满爱的地方。

3&4.…

Have you ever found the decision about what to do with your life a difficult one? Take a moment to reflect on how you ended up in your current role. How would you describe God’s hand in this? Write down the highlights and, if you can, share a key moment with the group.
你是否曾感到很难决定你的一生该干什么?花点时间来思考你是怎么走到今天的岗位的。你如何描述上帝在其中的作为?写下重点内容。如果可能,与小组分享其中的关键时刻。
Have you ever felt pressure to go into some form of full-time
church ministry?
你是否曾觉得很想以某种形式全职做教会事工?
反 思 祷 告 你知道你的呼召吗?
Open the session with a short time of prayer.
在简短的祷告后开始开始会议。
If ‘yes, is this having an effect on your commitment to your current role?
如果是,这是否会影响你全身心投入目前的岗位?

You may have found yourself wondering if the time you are spending at work could be better spent in a church ministry. You may even have felt guilty about your passion for your work and the limited time you seem to be able to give to the ‘work of the church’. You are not alone.
也许你已经发现自己在考虑把目前用在工作上的时间用在教会的事工上是否会更好。你甚至可能为自己对工作的热情以及能够用在“教会工作”上的时间有限而感到内疚。不是只有你一人有这样的感受.
There is a powerful moment in the early years of William Wilberforce, one of the great political reformers who is famous for his role in the abolition of the slave trade. He, like many believers, was deliberating over his calling and what path he should follow. He questioned whether his renewed awareness of God should lead him away from an emerging career in politics and into a church ministry. His great friend and soon-to-be Prime Minister, William Pitt, arranged for abolitionists to come to his home and encourage him to recognise that his calling, even his ministry, was in fact best achieved in and through a career in politics. The meeting is recorded in the film ‘Amazing Grace’ and closes with the powerful and life-changing remark; “We understand you are having problems choosing
Teaching 教 导
whether to do the work of God or the work of a political activist. We humbly suggest that you can do both.”
因在废除奴隶贩卖运动中所扮演的角色而闻名的伟大的政治改革家威廉·威尔伯福斯(William Wilberforce),年轻时曾有个对他一生影响重大的时刻。像许多信徒一样,他曾郑重思考自己的呼召以及他应该走的路。他问自己是否应该藉着他对上帝的重新认识离开他正在显现的政治生涯,转而进入教会事工。他的好朋友,即将成为总理的威廉·皮特(William Pitt)安排废奴主义者们到他家去鼓励他认清,实事上他的呼召甚至他的事工只有在他的政治生涯中并通过他的政治生涯才能取得最大的成就。这一会面记录在电影《奇异恩典》中,电影以有力而改变人生的评论结束:“我们知道你目前难于抉择是做上帝的工作还是做政治活动家的工作,我们诚恳地指出你两者可以同时做到。”
Do you believe that a career in politics was Wilberforce’s ministry?
你相信威尔伯福斯的政治生涯是他的事工吗?
BizMin believes that a career in business and a fruitful Christian ministry are not mutually exclusive. You can in fact do both! This course is designed to reveal how.
BizMin 认为经商生涯和富有成果的基督事工并非互相排斥。实事上,你可以两者兼顾!本课程旨在揭示如何做到这一点。
We believe:if it’s your business, it’s your ministry.
我们相信; 如果这是你的商业经营,那它就是你的事工。
Discussion 讨 论
Teaching 教 导
life-changing Wilberforce’s God-given passion for the abolition of the slave trade was best served through a dedicated career in politics. That was where his God-given role and responsibility lay. Some fifteen painful years later, his tireless campaign in the House of Commons resulted in the abolition of the slave trade
across the British Empire; possibly the greatest moment in one of the great ministries of the nineteenth century. If you are having similar problems choosing whether to do the work of God or the work of a business leader, we would also humbly suggest that you should do both. Great things may yet depend on it.
上帝赋予威尔伯福斯废除奴隶贩卖的热情在他全情投入的政治生涯中得到最好的实现。上帝给予他的岗位和责任正是在那里。大约经过痛苦的十五年之后,他在下议院不懈的努力最终使整个大英帝国废除了奴隶贩卖。这可能是十九世纪伟大事工之一的这个事工最光辉的时刻。如果你同样面临做上帝的工作还是做商业领袖工作这一选择难题,我们也同样诚恳地指出你应该两样都做。伟大的事情也许会因此展开。
Discussion 讨 论
Wilberforce found it hard to see how a career in politics could be the work of God. Do you struggle to see how a career in business can be the work of God?
威尔伯福斯难以明白政治生涯如何能成为上帝的工作。你是否也难以明白一个人的经商生涯如何能成为上帝的工作?
Teaching 讨 论
Throughout history people have struggled to see how work and ministry can combine. Even Jesus had to struggle against this prejudice. His peers could not see how someone from the marketplace could possibly be spiritual.
纵观历史,人们一直难以明白工作和事工如何能够结合,甚至耶稣也得和这种偏见做斗争,他同时代的人不明白一个职场人士怎么可能属灵。
When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his home town, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?’ they asked. ‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?Where then did this man get all these things?’ And they took offence at him.
耶稣说完了这些比喻,就离开那里,来到自己的家乡,在会堂里教训人,甚至他们都希奇说,这人从哪里有这等智慧,和异能呢?这不是木匠的儿子吗?……这人从哪里有这一切的事呢?他们就厌弃他。
Matthew马太福音13:53-57a
The Apostle Paul was famously a tentmaker and an apostle. He clearly moved quite seamlessly between work and witness. It would be interesting to know if the early church saw him more as a tentmaker who preached or a preacher who made tents. We are not sure that he would care much for the distinction. His work was fully integrated with his ministry and he was never ashamed of his work.
使徒保罗以织帐篷和做使徒而闻名,显然他把工作和见证耶稣完美衔接。有意思的是,不知道早期教会更多地将他看成个会讲道的织帐篷的人,还是个会织帐篷的传道人。我们不知道保罗是不是在意两者之间的区别。他的工作与他的事工完全融合在一起,他从未为自己的工作感到羞耻。
Do you think that Paul was working equally for the Lord in both activities?
你认为保罗在这两项活动中都同样在为主作工吗?
What Paul himself made clear is that we all have to work and, whatever you do, you should ‘work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters’ (Colossians 3:23).
保罗本人明确表示,我们每个人都必须工作,而且无论做什么,你都应“从心里做,像是给主做的,不是给人做的”(歌罗西书 3:23)。
Reflection 反 思
Would you consider yourself to be currently working ‘for the Lord’ or ‘for human masters’?
你认为自己目前在“为主做“还是在“为人做”?
Discussion 讨 论
Are you doing it with ‘all your heart’? If not, what is holding youback?
你是否完全是“从心里做”的?如果没有,什么使你不能那样做?
After the 1666 ‘Great Fire of London’, the world famous architect Christopher Wren was commissioned to rebuild St
Paul’s Cathedral. One day in 1671, Wren observed three bricklayers on a scaffold. He asked each of them “what are you doing?” The first bricklayer, the least productive of the three, replied “I am laying bricks.” The second bricklayer replied, “I am building a wall.” The third bricklayer, the most productive of the three, replied, “I am building a great cathedral for The Almighty.”
1666 年的“伦敦大火”之后,世界著名的建筑师克里斯托弗·雷恩(Christopher Wren)受委托重建圣保罗大教堂。
1671 年的一天,雷恩在脚手架上观察三个瓦工。他问他们每个人“你在做什么?”第一个瓦工,三个瓦工中效率最低的,回答说“我在铺砖”。第二个瓦工回答说“我在筑墙。” 第三位瓦工,三个瓦工中效率最高的,回答说:“我正在为全能者建
造一座大教堂。”
Teaching 教 导
Are you aware that your work is ‘for The Almighty’?
你是否认识到你的工作是为了全能者?
The third bricklayer had a greater awareness that he was working for the Lord. How might this awareness effect our
attitude to work?
第三位瓦工非常清楚地认识到他在为上帝工作。这种认识将怎样影响我们的工作态度?
Discussion 讨 论
铺砖 筑墙为全能者建造
Do you see a connection between how you have been created,as God’s handiwork, and your work?
你是否看到上帝亲手造你的方式和你的工作之间的联系?
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to dogood works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
我们原是祂的工作,在基督耶稣里造成的,为要叫我们行善,就是神所预备叫我们行的。
Ephesians以弗所书2:10
Works. 圣经清楚地表明我们被造都是为了行善。
上 帝预 备我们做善工 上帝完美的创造 上帝预备你你做善工
Do you see your current work as a ‘good work’?
你认为你当前的工作是“善工”吗?
Do you recognize that your work was prepared in advance for you to do?
你是否意识到你的工作是事先准备好让你做的?
Luke路加福音19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’ But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’
耶稣进了耶利哥,正经过的时候,有一个人名叫撒该,作税吏长,是个财主。他要看看耶稣是怎样的人;只因人多,他
的身量又矮,所以不得看见。就跑到前头,爬上桑树,要看耶稣,因为耶稣必从那里经过。耶稣到了那里,抬头一看,
对他说:“撒该,快下来!今天我必住在你家里。”他就急忙下来,欢欢喜喜的接待耶稣。众人看见,都私下议论说:
“祂竟到罪人家里去住宿。”撒该站着对主说:“主啊,我把所有的一半给穷人;我若讹诈了谁,就还他四倍。”耶稣
说:“今天救恩到了这家,因为他也是亚伯拉罕的子孙。人子来,为要寻找、拯救失丧的人。”
Discuss the difference in this passage between Jesus’ attitude to a man from the marketplace and that of ‘all the people’.
讨论这段经文中耶稣对这个职场男人的态度以及“众人”对他的态度之间的区别。
What was the impact of Jesus’ attitude on Zacchaeus and on his approach to his work?
耶稣的态度对撒该以及撒该对待工作的方式会有什么影响?
Discussion 讨 论
Jesus was comfortable being in the company of business people. Encountering Jesus transformed Zacchaeus’ attitude to the way he did business. He went from self-centred to servant, and miser to minister, overnight. Why do you think Jesus didn’t ask him to leave his work and ‘follow me as he had done with the twelve disciples?
耶稣愿意与商人在一起,遇见耶稣改变了撒该的经商态度,一夜之间,他从以自我为中心的人变为仆人,从守财奴变为传道人。你认为耶稣为什么没有像他对十二个门徒所做的那样,要求撒该离开他的工作而“跟随我”?
Do you think collecting taxes is a ‘good work’? Could this have been Zaccheus’ God-given calling; a work prepared in advance for him? It may help to consider what the consequences for society would be if taxes were not collected and by a Godfearing Christian.
你认为收税是一项“善工”吗?这有可能是上帝对撒该的呼召,一个上帝提前为他预备好的工作吗?思考下面的问题也许会有帮助,如果没人收税,或者不是由敬虔的基督徒来收取,这会给社会带来什么后果?
Teaching 教 导
Jesus had a broad view of what constitutes a ‘good work’. Here is a good example.
耶稣对什么是“善工”有广泛的看法。下面就是一个很好的例子。
Eric Liddell was one of Britain’s greatest sprinters and an unashamedly fearless man of God. He also knew well the
tension between wanting to be active in both a church ministry and the world of sport. He famously ran for Britain in the 1924 Olympics in Paris. It was not easy for everyone to accept that Eric’s ability to run was a gift from God, let alone his calling.

There is a wonderful line in the film made about his story called ‘Chariots of Fire’ that illustrates this. Eric is talking with his Christian sister. She is deeply concerned with his growing commitment to running and seeks to convince him to go into the mission field in China; a place to which he later went and died young.
埃里克·利德尔(Eric Liddell)是英国最优秀的短跑运动员之一,也是个坦然无惧的属神的人。他也很清楚地知道积极参
加教会事工并同时活跃在体育界两者之间的张力。他因为在1924 年巴黎奥运会上为英国那次赛跑而出名。并不是每个人都能接受埃里克的奔跑能力是上帝的恩赐,更不用说是上帝对他的呼召了。以他的故事为蓝本的电影《烈火战车》中一个精彩的情节表现了这一点,埃里克在与他是基督徒的妹妹交谈,他妹妹对他在跑步上不断增加的投入深感担忧,并试图说服他去中国传教,一个他后来去了并很年轻就死在那里的地方。
On one occasion they are walking on the hills above Edinburgh. Eric’s response to her pleas is delightful. He says to his sister; “Jenny, I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast,” and he pauses as if lost in the memories of those moments on the race track, ”and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” Eric had discovered that running was a gift and one, like all gifts, that revealed God’s call on his life. He knew that running was a ‘good work’ and felt God’s affirmation when he did it.
有一个场景是他们在爱丁堡的山上行走。埃里克对她恳求的反应非常有趣。他对他妹妹说;“珍妮,我相信上帝造我是有目的的,但祂也使我跑得快。”他停顿下来,好像迷失在跑道上那些瞬间的记忆中,“当我奔跑时,我感受到祂的喜悦。” 埃里克发现跑步是个恩赐,并且像所有的恩赐一样,揭示了上帝对他生命的呼召。他知道跑步是一项“善工”,并且当他做这善工时,他感受到上帝的肯定。
At the 1924 Olympics, Eric got into the squad and was to run in the 100m race. Much to Eric’s disappointment, the final of the 100m race was to be held on a Sunday. Eric was not willing to run on the Sabbath and was even prepared to resist the pleas from the Royal Family for him to run. Despite their attempts to persuade him otherwise he did not run and his stance on the Sabbath became a media sensation. His story and witness did not end there though. A place was found for him to run in the 400m final. It was a race that was to cement his witness in
history. Running, clutching the scripture ‘He that honours me,I will honor,’ which had been given to him by a fellow Christian competitor, he famously went on to win the gold medal in style.
在 1924 年奥运会上,埃里克被选中参加 100 米比赛。令埃里克失望的是,100 米决赛将在周日举行。埃里克不愿意在安息日跑步,他甚至准备抵制王室对他参加决赛的请求。尽管王室试图说服他,然而他还是没有参赛,他对安息日的立场引起了媒体的轰动。不过他的故事和见证并没有到此为止,400 米决赛给了他一个参赛的机会,而这场比赛巩固了他的历史见证。奔跑着,手持一位基督徒竞争对手给他的经文“尊重我的,我必重看他”,他最终广为人知地成功赢得了金牌。
His decision not to race on the Sabbath, in obedience to God, gained international exposure and was still being remembered when the Olympics were held in London in 2012 through a specially commissioned theatre production of the film ‘Chariots of Fire’. There was even an article in an Indian newspaper that same year, focused, not on his winning, but on his stance on the Sabbath. In that one stand for Christ, a stand facilitated by his God-given gift for running, Eric achieved lasting fruit for the Kingdom of God. Even athletics is a ‘good work’ if that is what you were created for!
他顺服神不在安息日参加比赛的决定让世界瞩目,并为人们所纪念,2012 年伦敦奥运会还特别委托制作了电影《烈火战车》的舞台剧。同年,印度一家报纸甚至还发表了一篇文章,文章的重点不是他的获胜,而是他对安息日的立场。在为着基督的立场上,这个有上帝赐予的擅长奔跑的恩赐为支持的立场上,埃里克为上帝的国度取得了持久的成果。如果你为此被造,那么即使是体育运动也是一项“善工”!
You are uniquely made as God’s handiwork for a specific purpose; this is your ‘good work’.
你是上帝为特定的目的亲手而造;这就是你的“善工”。
Are you clear on what you are called to? If you are a Christian, God has a purpose for your life, a ‘good work’ for your gifts, and ultimately, a contribution you are called to make towards achieving His purposes in our generation.
你清楚你的呼召在哪儿吗?如果你是基督徒,那么上帝对你的一生有个目的,并有个“善工”恩赐给你,最终,你被呼召为实现祂在我们这代人身上的目的做出贡献。
If you are a Christian and in business, especially a Christian who owns or leads a business, it follows that one of these three options is true for you:
如果你是一名从事商业活动的基督徒,尤其是拥有或领导一个企业的基督徒,那么以下三种选择之一对你来说会是真的:
A fruitful role in business is God’s calling on my life
经商颇有成果是上帝对我生命的呼召
I am called to be fruitful in something other than business
我被呼召在经商之外的事情上有成果
I am not called to be fruitful
我没有被呼召有成果

Which of these three statements best describes you?
这三个陈述中哪一个最符合你?
你被呼 召经商 吗?
Reflection 反 思
If you are a Christian, option C cannot be true.
如果你是基督徒,选项 C 不能为真。C

‘This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.’
“你们多结果子,我父就因此得荣耀,你们也就是我的门徒了。”
There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
功用也有分别,神却是一位,在众人里面运行一切的事。
John约翰福音15:8  1Corint 林 前12:6

If you are not sure whether A or B is true for you then here are four questions that may help.
如果你不能确定 A 或是 B 符合你,那么以下四个问题会有所帮助。
1. Are you gifted at business? Do ventures prosper when you’re involved?
你有经商的天赋吗?你参与其中的企业繁荣发展吗?
Genesis创世记39:3,5a
When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did the Lord
blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph.
他主人见耶和华与他同在,又见耶和华使他手里所办的尽都顺利 ,耶和华就因约瑟的缘故赐福与那埃及人的家。
2. Does business excite you? Do you have a business idea and a passion to run a business?
经商会让你激动不已吗?你有经营理念和管理一个企业的热情吗?
Howard Thurman
霍华德瑟曼
Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is
people who have come alive.
不要问世界需要什么。问什么使你活着,然后去做。因为世界需要的是活着的人。恩赐 热情
Reflection 反 思
3. Are you a generous and joyful giver?
你是一个慷慨和乐于给与的人吗?
R.G.LeTourneau
The question is not how much of my money I give to God, but rather how much of God’s money I keep for myself.
问题不是我把多少我的钱捐给了上帝,问题是我把多少上帝的钱留给了自己。
4. Do you have the essential ingredient for success; humility?
你是否具有成功的基本要素:谦卑?
RickWarren
华理克
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.
谦卑不是小看自己,而是少想自己。
Break into small groups of 3 or 4. Consider the categories below. Within your group, each share which category
you think you fall into.
分成 3 或 4 个小组,思考下面的分类。每人在组内分享你自己所属的类别。 慷慨 谦卑
Activity 活 动
You answered ‘yes’ You answered ‘yes’ to You answered ‘no’ to to all 4 questions question 1 and 2, but question 1 and/or 2 ‘no’ to question 3 and/or 4
你对所有四个问题 你对问题 1 和 2 回答了 你对问题 1 和/或 2都回答了“是” “是”,但对问题 3 都回答了“否”和/或 4 回答了“否”
As a group, take time to pray for the people in each category:
每小组花些时间为每个类别的人祷告:
Called & clear 清楚自己被呼召
Affirm and encourage those who are clear in their calling. Pray that they continue to press on to take hold of their calling.
肯定并鼓励那些清楚自己被呼召的人。祈祷他们继续努力抓住他们的呼召。
Called but challenged 被呼召但有挑战
For each person in this group, identify the particular area they find challenging (generosity or humility). They will
need both in order to make their business a fruitful
清楚自己被呼召 被呼召但有挑战 可能未被呼召经商
ministry. Support them in prayer, seeking God’s help in resolving issues.
对于这个类别的每个人,找出他们认为有挑战的具体因素(慷慨或谦卑)。他们需要两者兼具才能使自己的商业经
营成为富有成果的事工。用祷告支持他们,寻求神的帮助以解决问题。
Not called to business leadership 未被呼召做商业领袖
There may be people in your group who are not called to be in business. For some, this will not be an issue (e.g.
church leaders or anyone with a general interest in the course). For others, this may be an unexpected outcome.
Pray that they would receive the courage they will need to discover and pursue their true calling.
你的小组中可能有些人没有被呼召经商。对于一些人来说,这不会是个问题(例如教会领袖或只是对本课程感兴趣的
人)。而对其他一些人,这也许是个出乎意外的结论。祈祷他们得到所需的勇气去发现和追求自己真正的呼召。
Regardless of which category you fall into, you will need support going forward. Consider sharing your findings
with a spiritual friend. As you take up your calling, you are going to need their prayers and encouragement in
the adventure that lies ahead. We hope that you feel endorsed by both God and your church in your calling.
We hope that you feel called to business.
无论你属于哪个类别,你都需要支持来继续前进。可以考虑与属灵的朋友分享你的发现。当你接受你的呼召,踏
上你面前的冒险之旅时,你会需要他们的祷告和鼓励。
Teaching 教 导
我们希望你感受到你的呼召同时得到了上帝和你的教会的认可。我们希望你感受到你是被呼召去经商的。
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for
which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
这不是说我已经得着了,已经完全了;我乃是竭力追求,或者可以得着基督耶稣所要我得的。
Philippians腓立比书3:12
The Apostle Paul recognised that he had not yet arrived at his goal. We must, like him, proactively press on to
take hold of this calling if we are to make business a fruitful ministry.
使徒保罗意识到他尚未达到他的目标。如果我们要使经商成为一个富有成果的事工,我们必须像他一样竭力追求这
一呼召。
We hope you feel inspired to make your business your ministry. The rest of this course will help in that task. We
want you to be established and robust in your calling. It is time to press on and take hold of the good works that
God has prepared you for. Both the world of business and the Kingdom of God need people like you to take up
this calling into business.
我们希望你被激励把经商作为你的事工。本课程的其余部分将帮助你完成这一任务。我们希望你在你的呼召上被建
造并且强壮有力。现在是时候竭力追求上帝预备你要做的“善工”了。商业界和神的国度都需要像你这样的人来接
受这一呼召。
We hope you feel clear in your calling, ready to press on and take hold of your ministry. We hope that it is
a calling to do business as a ministry.
我们希望你清楚你的呼召,竭力追求你的事工。我们希望把经商做为事工是一个呼召。

Close the session with a short time of prayer. Ask God to affirm you in your calling and give you the courage to take
hold of that ‘for which Christ Jesus took hold of’ you.
简短的祷告后结束会议。祈求上帝确认对你的呼召并给你勇气去“得着基督耶稣所要你得的”

4.BizMin-Course

Open the session with a short time of prayer.
简短祷告后开始会议。
At the core of BizMin is the idea that business can be transformed into a Christian ministry. This session will explore
the nature of Christian ministry and how your business can systematically become a fruitful ministry. We believe that if it is your business, it is also your ministry.
BizMin 课程的核心思想是商业经营可以变成一个主内事工。 本课将探讨主内事工的性质,以及如何系统性地将你的商业经营转变成一个富有成果的事工。我们相信,如果这是你的商业经营,那么它就是你的事工。
Reflection 反 思
Imagine serving God faithfully every day, becoming a person who walks by faith, practicing what you preach and trusting God for your daily provision. You are confident in God’s calling, free from worry, and clear in purpose. You know you are engaged in a good work to which you have been called, and others support and endorse you in this. At the end of your days, when it is all done, you will look back with satisfaction and look forward with anticipation of treasure stored in heaven and the words “Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master’s happiness!” You will have lived a truly prosperous and satisfying life; one lived to the full. Wow, it sounds amazing! It sounds like what all Christians long for. It sounds like a life spent in fruitful ministry.
的定义
想象一下每天都忠诚地事奉上帝,成为一个靠信仰而行的人,怎么教导别人自己就怎么做,并相信上帝将供给你每日所需。你对上帝的呼召充满信心,没有忧虑,也目标清晰。你知道自己所做的正是上帝呼召你去做的善工,而其他人也对此表示支持和认可。在你生命的终点,一切行将结束之时,你将心满意足地回顾过去,并期待天上的财宝和“做得好,你这又良善又忠心的仆人!…进来享受你主人的快乐吧!”这句话。你会过真正兴旺和令人满意的生活,一个丰盛的人生。哇,这听起来真棒!正像所有基督徒都渴望的生活,就是在富有成果的事工中度过一生。
Does this describe your life?
这描述的是你的生活吗?
Always 总是 A
Sometimes 有时是
Maybe someday 可能将来某一天是 C
The Encyclopaedia of Christianity Online defines ministry as ‘carrying forth Christ’s mission in the world’ and states that this is ‘fundamentally the task of the church, the whole people of God, and is conferred on each Christian in baptism.’
基督教在线百科全书将事工定义为“在世上宣扬基督的使命”,并指出这“从根本上讲,是教会,所有上帝子民的整体,的任务,而这一任务被授予每位受洗的基督徒。”
Discuss whether you agree with this definition of ministry. Write your own definition.
讨论你是否同意这个关于事工的定义。写下你自己的定义。
Discussion 讨 论
Do you think business can become a Christian ministry?
你认为经商可以成为主内的事工吗?
The term that we translate as ‘ministry’ is from the Greek word ‘Diakonia, meaning, ‘to serve.’ Discuss how an attitude of service, rather than self-interest, might transform the prevailing culture of business.
我们翻译为“事工”的术语来自希腊语“diakoneo”,意思是“服务”。讨论以“服务”的心态,而非追求自身利益的心态会
如何改变盛行的商业文化。
1.What are the primary activities and purposes of a business?
商业经营的主要活动和目的是什么?
Activity 活动
Purpose 目的
2.Take a moment to consider some of the more fruitful church ministries that you are aware of. What are the primary activities and purposes of these traditional Christian ministries?
花点时间思考你所知道的一些有成效的教会事工。这些传统主内事工的主要活动和目的是什么?
Activity 活动
Purpose 目的
Discuss the similarities and differences, identifying potential areas of overlap and conflict, between the activities of a business and those of a church ministry.
讨论经商和教会事工之间的异同,识别两者潜在重叠和冲突的部分。
Consider how church and business have complementary roles and can work in partnership to achieve God’s purposes for the wellbeing of society.
思考教会和经商如何发挥互补作用,相互合作实现上帝为社会谋福利的旨意。
Discussion 讨 论
Consider how business might remove or reduce the demand for many church ministries, enabling the Church to focus its resources on its primary ministries of preaching the gospel and equipping the saints for works of service.
思考经商如何能省去或减少教会事工的许多需求,使教会能将其资源集中在传讲福音和训练圣徒服事的主要事工上。
We believe that church and business are two complementary elements in God’s plan for society.
我们认为教会和经商是上帝对社会的计划中两个互补的要素。
Consider what the passages below tell us about the relationship between business and ministry.
关于经商与事工之间关系,思考下面经文告诉我们什么。
Activity 活 动
Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters…to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: you should mind your own
business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
但我劝弟兄们要更加勉励。又要立志作安静人,办自己的事,亲手做工,正如我们从前所吩咐你们的,叫你们可以向外人行事端正,自己也就没有什么缺乏了。
1 Thess.帖前4:10b-12 , Colossians歌罗西书3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
无论做什么,都要从心里做,像是给主做的,不是给人做的,因你们知道从主那里必得着基业为赏赐;你们所事奉的乃是主基督。
A business can become a fruitful Christian ministry. The business could be an essential partner to the Church in
carrying forth Christ’s mission in the world.
经商可以成为一个富有成果的主内事工。商业经营可以是教会在世上宣扬基督使命的重要伙伴。
Business as a ministry is about the outworking of our faith and Business as a ministry is about the outworking of our faith and Christ’s mission in the context of our business. The Bible encourages God’s people to express the work of Christ in a balanced manner. Different streams and traditions within the Christian community can be prone to place the emphasis of this outworking quite differently. The diagram below illustrates the three broad areas of emphasis by which God’s people ‘carry forth Christ’s mission in the world’. These are Spirit, Word and Deeds.
营商事工就是在我们经营的过程中把我们的信仰和基督的使命传扬出去。圣经鼓励上帝的子民以均衡方式来表达基督的工作。基督徒群体内部不同流派和传统之间传扬基督信仰的侧重点可能很不同。下图说明了上帝子民“在世上传扬基督使命”的三个主要侧重点。它们是圣灵、圣经话语和行为。

行为, 圣灵, 事工, 神的话,
Throughout history Christians have struggled to maintain a well-balanced approach to all three, tending towards a spirituality that favors one or two, but rarely all three. Our goal is for your business to be a complete ministry. This requires actively balancing all three.
纵观历史,基督徒一直难于保持三者之间的均衡,往往倾向于偏重其中一或两个方面,很少三者并重。我们的目标是使你的商业经营成为一个完整的事工。这需要积极平衡全部三个方面。
The following pages contain stories of Kingdom Entrepreneurs who have demonstrated how each has been outworked in their business.
下面是一些国度企业家的故事,讲述了每个侧重点怎样在他们的商业经营中发挥作用。
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
身体没有灵魂是死的,信心没有行为也是死的。
James雅各书2:26
Teaching 教 导、行为
SIR TITUS SALT 泰特斯∙索特爵士 (1803-1876)

Titus Salt was more than a gifted businessman. What made him unique to many other industrialists of the Industrial Revolution was his compassion for his employees and the practical manner by which he demonstrated his faith. Moved by the squalid conditions, his workers were living in, he decided to do something about it. With over two hundred factory chimneys continually churning out black, sulfurous smoke, the northern England town of Bradford had gained a reputation for being the most polluted town in England. Salt was one of the few employers in the town who showed any concern for the problem. After much experimentation, he discovered a burner that produced very little pollution and in 1842 he arranged for these burners to be used in all his factories. When he realised other factory owners and the council were unwilling to take action over the pollution, he decided to move his operations out of Bradford.
泰特斯·索特(Titus Salt)不仅仅是个有天赋的商人。使他在工业革命时期众多的实业家中独树一帜的是他对员工的同情,以及他用实际行动展现他信仰的方式。有感于他的员工肮脏的生活环境,他决定为此做点事。随着 200 多个工厂烟囱不断发出黑色的含硫烟雾,英格兰北部城镇布拉德福德(Bradford)成为英格兰污染最严重的城镇。索特是镇上少数几个对这个问题表示担忧的雇主之一。经过大量的实验,他发现了一种产生污染极小的燃烧器,并于 1842 年将这些燃烧器用于所有他自己的工厂。当意识到其他工厂老板和议会不愿对污染采取行动时,他决定将他的工厂搬出布拉德福德。
Salt consolidated his factories into one large factory and called the new complex Saltaire. Built-in 1853, ‘Saltaire was so bold in its conception, so extensive in its design, so complete in its execution, that it placed the owner on a pinnacle of fame, without a rival’. Suffice to say, it was a special and well-respected new community. The factory complex was located on the banks of the River Aire and included a village for Salt’s employees. He not only pioneered cleaner production; he also provided his workers with good quality homes in a healthy environment.
索特将他的工厂合并为一个大工厂,并称新的综合性厂区为索尔泰尔(Saltaire)。建于 1853 年的索尔泰尔,“其构思如此大胆,设计如此深入,执行如此完善,以至于使它的拥有者名声大震,毫无对手”。不夸张地说,这是一个特别且非常受人尊敬的新社区。综合厂区位于艾尔(Aire)河沿岸,其中还包括一个供索特的员工居住的村落。他不仅开创了清洁生产的先河,还为他的员工在健康的环境中提供了优质的家。
His village included shops, a church, and schools for both adults and children. The community of Saltaire was seen as an example of a village ‘which embraced architectural comfort and at the same time moral order in a paternalistic community.’ Salt proved that it was possible to be highly successful in the textiles industry without exploiting his workers. He took practical steps which demonstrated that a successful business could care for its employees. His Christian compassion was demonstrated by his deeds.
他的村落有商店,教堂,和供成人和孩子们学习的学校。索尔泰尔社区被视为‘既拥有舒适的建筑,又拥有家长式社区之道德秩序’的村落典范。索特证明了在纺织行业,即取得高度成功同时又不剥削工人是可能的。他用实际行动证明成功的企业也可以关心照顾其员工。他的行为证明了他基督徒的同情心。
Salt was a generous man and a great philanthropist of the Victorian age. He helped his workers achieve unprecedented living standards for the time. He had a reputation for generously rewarding his employees and in 1857 he hired three trains to transport around 2,500 workers to the Exhibition of the Art Treasures of
the United Kingdom. When he died in 1876, although he had been an extremely rich man, his family was horrified that his fortune was gone. It has been estimated that during his life he had given away over £500,000 to good causes, a huge sum in the mid 19th century.
索特是一位慷慨的人,是维多利亚时代的伟大慈善家。他帮助他的员工达到了那个时代从未有过的生活水平。他享有慷慨奖励员工的声誉,1857 年,他租用了三列火车运送大约 2500 名工人参加英国艺术珍品展。当他于 1876 年去世时,尽管他曾是个非常富有的人,他的家人震惊地发现他的财富全没了。据估计,他一生中捐出了超过 500,000 英镑用于公益事业,这在 19 世纪中叶是一个巨大的数目。
Salt believed that by helping his employees to live healthier life he was doing God’s work. He was a devout Christian and his coat of arms read, ‘what not by the help of God?’ He was committed to applying his faith through practical action that showed God’s love and compassion holistically for those in his care.
索特认为,通过帮助他的员工过上更健康的生活,他正在做上帝的工。他是一位虔诚的基督徒,他的纹章上写着:“有什么不是由于上帝的帮助呢?”他致力于通过实际行动来实践自己的信仰,就是对他所照管的那些人全面地表达上帝的爱与怜悯。
Titus Salt showed his faith by his deeds.
泰特斯·索特用自己的行为表明了自己的信仰。
How did Salt’s approach to business demonstrate faith through deeds?
索特的经营方式是如何通过行为表明信仰的?
Is your approach to business revealing your faith through your
deeds?
你的经营方式是否通过你的行为表明了你的信仰?
Discussion 讨 论
Reflection 反 思
Teaching 教 导
神的话
1 Corinth.哥林多前1:23a
but we preach Christ crucified…
我们却是传钉十字架的基督
SIR JOHN LAING 约翰·莱因爵士(1879-1978)
John Laing was a successful construction entrepreneur, creating one of the largest construction companies in the UK. The Laing family belonged to a thriving Brethren church in Carlisle, where John Laing learned to rely heavily on the wisdom of the Bible. He was committed to his evangelical beliefs and sought to apply God’s Word to his business.
约翰·莱因(John Laing)是一位成功的建筑企业家,创建了英国最大的建筑公司之一。莱因家族属于卡莱尔(Carlisle)一个蓬勃发展的弟兄会教会,在那里约翰·莱因学会了全心依赖圣经的智慧。他投身于他的福音信仰,并努力将上帝的话
运用到他的商业经营中。
Laing became a Christian at the age of seven and was passionate about sharing the gospel. On one occasion, when he was waiting to receive an honor from the Queen, he asked the person standing next to him whether he was ready to be received in the court of heaven. He sought to never miss an opportunity to preach Christ, whatever the context.
莱因在七岁那年成为一名基督徒,并热衷于分享福音。有一次,当他在等待女王授予他一项荣誉时,他问站在他旁边的人是否准备好了被天堂接收。无论环境如何,他都力求从不错过传扬基督的机会。
Laing had high standards and could be tough on staff, but he was also generous and took a very personal interest in his employees. On one occasion he found a man looking tired on-site and asked what the matter was. The man told him he was having to do the housework and look after his children before starting work at 7am, because his wife was ill. Laing disappeared, only to return and give the man two weeks off with full pay. On getting home, the man discovered that Laing had been and checked out his story, leaving £5 on the kitchen table; a generous
gift at the time.
莱因有高的标准,对员工严格,但他也很慷慨,亲自关心他的员工。有一次,他在现场发现一个人看着很疲倦,便问他怎么回事。这人告诉他,他的妻子病了,所以他得在早上 7 点上班前做家务并照顾孩子。莱因离开了一会儿又回来,给了这人两周的全薪假。这人到家后才知道莱因到过他家查看情况,并在厨房的桌子上留下了5 英镑,这在当时是一份慷慨的礼物。
Laing was also a pioneer of professional cost estimating. In his day clients would often only discover that their budget was going to be exceeded as the project neared completion, with resulting losses and disputes. He revolutionized his industry by taking Jesus at His word. In Luke 14.28 Jesus says; “Suppose one of
you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” Laing made sure that his company did just that. This is a good example of how he explicitly applied the Word to his work. Today, the whole industry is doing this particular aspect of business God’s way!
莱因还是专业成本估算的先驱。在那个时代,客户通常只会在项目快完成时才发现他们的预算将被超出,从而造成损失和纠纷。他信靠耶稣用祂的话革命性地改变了他所在的行业。路加福音 14 章 28 节耶稣说:“你们哪一个要盖一座楼,不先坐下算计花费,能盖成不能呢?”莱因要他的公司设法这样做。这是一个很好的例子,说明他如何在工作中明确地运用神的话。如今,整个行业在这个方面都在按照上帝的方式做!
Laing’s commitment to God’s Word led him to begin practices like sick pay, pension schemes, and pay during poor weather lay-offs, long before these practices were required by law. Laing also used his business to quite literally build God’s Kingdom. On completing the building of Coventry Cathedral, he returned the profit to the church. He also built many churches at a cost price and when the company built houses, they would build extra houses for missionaries at the same time. As his business prospered, he also went on to become a significant funder of various Bible colleges and student outreach organizations. Whenever he called by, his question was the same; ‘How many students have become Christians thisweek?’
莱因对上帝话语的忠诚使他开始采取诸如病假工资,退休金计划,和恶劣天气下岗工资之类的做法,远远早于法律开始要求这么做。莱恩还用自己的企业来真正地建造上帝的国度。在完成考文垂大教堂的建造后,他将收益返还给教堂。他还以成本价建造了许多教堂。当他的公司建造房屋时,还同时为传教士建造额外的房屋。随着业务的蓬勃发展,他更进一步成为各种圣经学校和学生外展组织的重要资助者。每当他顺便拜访这些组织时,他的问题都是一样的:“这周有多少学生成为基督
徒?”
Laing sought to practice what he preached. He was a man committed to applying the Word of God and his evangelical fervor to and through his business activities and the other ministries it helped enable.
莱因努力践行他所传扬的。他是一个致力于将神的话和自己的福音热情贯彻到自己的商业活动以及其企业所资助的其他事工上的人。

How did God’s word influence Laing’s business practice?
神的话如何影响莱因的商业实践?

Reflection 思 考
Are you able to ‘practice what you preach’? Are you allowing
God’s word to influence the policies and practices of your
company?
你是否能够“践行你所传扬的”? 你是否让神的话来影响你公
司的政策和实践?
Discussion 讨 论
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s
power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
我说的话、讲的道,不是用智慧委婉的言语,乃是用圣灵和大能的明证,叫你们的信不在乎人的智慧,只在乎神的大能。
1 Corinth.哥林多前2:4-5
LOWELL ‘BUD’ PAXSON 洛威尔·巴德·帕克森(1935-2015)
Bud Paxson founded the Home Shopping Network in the US and later became an evangelical Christian who pioneered PAX TV, the largest family-friendly television network. This is his story. In 1986, four years after he founded the Home Shopping Network, it was experiencing meteoric growth. Paxson was traveling all over the
world and was away from home 260 days a year. His financial position exploded, but so too did his marriage. On Christmas Day 1986, Paxson’s wife broke the news that she was leaving him. He considered this the lowest point of his life. “I was absolutely and completely bankrupt. I was a millionaire, yet all of my success was worthless because I had lost my wife and wasn’t close to my kids” recalls Paxson. His Christmas gift to the family for 1986 had already been arranged; a trip to Las Vegas. His adult children urged him to go, despite the news from his wife, so
Paxson headed to Vegas. On New Year’s Eve, after all the festivities had ended, he remained unable to sleep. At 4am, he felt an urge to read the Bible, something he
Teaching 教 导
圣灵
hadn’t done since he was a child at Sunday school. Locating one in a drawer next to the bed, he read Romans 5:8; ‘But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ and gave his heart to Christ. It was the turning point in his life. Paxson had an insatiable appetite for learning the Bible and with the help of a local pastor, he began to truly understand how to live a life committed to Jesus Christ.
巴德·帕克森(Bud Paxson)在美国创建了家庭购物网,他后来成为一名福音派基督徒,是他率先开发了最大的适合家庭的 PAX TV 电视网。下面是他的故事。1986年,在帕克森创建家庭购物网四年后,它正经历着飞速的发展。帕克森在全世界旅行,一年内 260 天都不在家。他的经济状况爆炸性发展,但同时他的婚姻也破裂了。
1986 年圣诞节那天,帕克森的妻子发布消息说她要离开他。他认为这是他一生中的最低谷。“我绝对彻底地破产了。我曾经是百万富翁,但我所有的成功都一文不值,因为我失去了妻子,和孩子们也不亲近。”帕克森回忆说。他给家人 1986 年的圣诞节礼物已经安排好了:去拉斯维加斯旅行。尽管有他妻子已发布的消息,他已成年的子女还是劝他去,所以帕克森去了拉斯维加斯。除夕之夜,在所有庆祝活动结束后,他无法入睡。凌晨 4 点,他感到非常想读圣经,这是他从小时候主日学之后就从未做过的事情。他在床边的抽屉里找到一本圣经,读到了罗马书 5:8“惟有基督在我们还作罪人的时候为我们死,神的爱就在此向我们显明了。”这是他一生的转折点。自此帕克森如饥似渴地学习圣经,在当地牧师的帮助下,他开始真正地明白了如何过一个委身耶稣基督的生活。
His business practices began to change too and the Home Shopping Network flourished. When he sold the company, his take was $118M. At this point, Paxson could have retired and/or given the money to charity. Instead, he used the money to buy local television stations at a time when many were selling. Although the plan to purchase these apparently failing television stations seemed illogical, the Lord had given Paxson peace about the plan. It paid off when, soon after, a Supreme Court decision imposed a ‘must-carry rule mandating that cable operators include all broadcast stations in a given market on their channel offerings. This greatly increased the value of the supposedly worthless stations he had just purchased. He then parlayed these acquisitions into the creation of the
television network PAX TV which he used to combat what he called ‘the moral manure’ found on television. He pledged that Pax (the Roman word for peace) would not air gratuitous sex, violence, or bad language. “I want it to be parables and storytelling, which is what Jesus did”.
他的经商方式也开始发生变化,而家庭购物网也蓬勃发展。后来他以 1.18 亿美元卖掉了公司。此时,帕克森本可以退休或将钱捐给慈善机构。但趁着当时许多无线电视台在出售,他用这笔钱购买了当地的无线电视台。尽管购买这些已然衰败的无线电视台似乎不合逻辑,但上帝给了帕克森执行这个计划的平安。不久之后,最高法院的裁决通过了一项“强制令”,要求新兴的有线电视运营商在其所提供的频道中必须包括给定市场中所有的无线电视台,帕克森的投资获得了回报。强制令大大增加了他刚刚买来的本该一文不值的无线电台的价值。之后,他成功地用这些收购来的电视台创建了 PAX TV 电视网,并以此来对抗电视上被他称为“道德大粪”的不良节目。他保证 Pax(罗马语的“和平”)不会播放无端的性行为,暴力或污秽语言。“我希望它用比喻和讲故事,正如耶稣所做的” 。
J. GUNNAR OLSON 詹纳·奥尔森
Gunnar Olson is a Swedish entrepreneur and founder of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce. He is the owner and Chairman of Alfapac, a high-tech plastic film manufacturing company. He often teaches about ‘a release under the Lordship of Christ and actively believes that a business, reconciled to Christ, has a place in the Kingdom of God, making the Kingdom manifest ‘through spirit, by faith.’
詹纳·奥尔森(Gunnar Olson)是个瑞典企业家,也是国际基督教商会的创始人。他是高科技塑料薄膜制造公司 Alfapac 的所有人和董事长。他经常教导“在基督王权下的释放”,并坚信一个与基督和好的生意在神国占有一席之地,可以“通过圣灵凭着信心”彰显神的国。
He tells of a wonderful example. His company was coming to the end of a significant production run and had produced several million pounds of silage bags that were ready for shipment. Just a few days before they were due to be shipped, the production manager came to Gunnar looking troubled. ‘I think we’ve come to the end of the road at Alfapac,’ he said. It turned out that all of the bags were faulty. The fault had not been identified during production and over one thousand pallets of stock, ready to be shipped, could not be used. The business was facing bankruptcy. This is how Gunnar responded; ‘I assembled the family and shared the news. Then we decided how we would deal with the problem in prayer. We would simply present the situation to the Lord and then listen to the Holy Spirit because we had given the company to Him. While they were praying a man rang and said, ”I don’t know what’s going on, but I have a word for you. You must speak to the invisible.” That word of encouragement was enough. Our faith was sealed.’ It is worth quoting what they did next in full, from his excellent book, Business Unlimited.
他讲述了一个很好的例子。他的公司即将完成一个重要的生产流程,已生产出几百万磅的青贮袋准备装运。就在即将装运的前几天,生产经理忧心忡忡地来见詹纳。他说:“我想 Alfapac 要完蛋了。”原来所有的青贮袋都有问题。这些问题在生产过程中未被及时发现,导致已经准备装运的上千货盘青贮袋都不能用。企业面临破产。詹纳是这样回应的:“我召集了家人,告诉他们这个消息。然后我们讨论如何用祷告来处理这个问题。我们决定只是将情况告诉主,然后听圣灵的带领,因为我们已经将公司交托给祂了。就在我们祷告的时候,一个人按门铃进来说:‘我不知道发生了什么,但我有话对你们说:你们必须对看不见的那位诉说。’有了这鼓励的话语就足够了,我们的信仰已被封印。”在这里完整引述詹纳优秀的著作《无限的商业》中讲述他们接下来所做的一切是值得的。
‘He had told me the bad news on Friday, and the first opportunity we had to visit the factory and see all the pallets were on Sunday evening. Driving out, we agreed that we would not allow even the tiniest piece of sealed plastic to remain after we had prayed. As we stood holding hands in the yard, I was glad I hadn’t seen all the pallets before. They were everywhere! To the natural eye, it was overwhelming. For a while, we stood and praised the Lord for his faithfulness and mercy. Then I yelled at the top of my voice, “Listen heaven and earth! Who is the Lord over Alfapac? His name is Jesus! In the name of Jesus, I commanded all those plastic molecules to come back into line!”
“他是在星期五告诉我这个坏消息的,直到周日晚上我们才有机会去工厂察看那些货盘。开车去的时候,我们决定祷告祈求神连最微小的不能用的密封的塑料都不允许留下。当我们站在院子里牵着手时,我庆幸以前没有看到过所有这些货盘。它们到处都是!从人眼看来,它们实在太多了。我们站着用了一些时间赞美主的信实和怜悯。然后我用尽全力大声喊到:‘ 天啊地啊,请听!谁是 Alfapac 的主?祂的名字是耶稣!我奉耶稣的名,命令所有这些塑料分子恢复原来的样子!’
Praying in tongues, we laid hands on each pallet and after three hours we had finished. We went home. The job was done. On Monday morning, my brother ordered the whole factory staff to open all the boxes and check their content. To the glory of God, no bag was sealed! What a mighty God we serve! This is the glory
element that becomes visible as we submit every aspect of our lives to Him. There is a joy which carries us through as we work with him, and He is excellent in everything He does. That is the difference between a secular business and one that is given over to the Lord. His glory and His life is manifest in the workplace.’
我们用方言祷告,按手在每个货盘上,三个小时后我们全部完成。我们回家了,大功告成。星期一早上,我兄弟命令全厂员工打开所有的包装盒检查。荣耀归于上帝,被密封而不能用的袋子一个也没有了!我们服事的上帝是多么伟大!当我们将生命的方方面面都交托给祂,我们就能看见祂的荣耀。当我们与祂同工,就有一种喜乐带我们前行,而祂所做的一切都那么完美。这就是世俗的生意与交托给主的生意之间的区别。祂的荣耀和祂的生命在职场被彰显。”
The examples of Paxson and Gunnar illustrate how it is possible to lead a modern business in both the peace and the power of the Holy Spirit.
帕克森和詹纳的故事说明了如何能在圣灵的平安与大能中领导一个现代企业。

How were their businesses led by the Spirit?
他们的企业是怎样被圣灵带领的?
Reflection 反 思
Do you prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to guide your business decisions? Do you act in the power of the Holy Spirit at work?
你以祷告祈求圣灵来带领你的商业决策吗?在工作中你以圣灵
的力量来行事吗

These business leaders made their business their ministry. We hope their testimony inspires you to do likewise.
这些商业领袖把他们的商业经营当成他们的事工。我们希望他
们的见证能激励你也这样做。
Discussion 讨 论
Reflection 反 思
Take a moment to reflect on your approach to business. Which area, if any, do you emphasize?
花点时间思考一下你的经营方式。你比较强调这三个方面的哪个方面?

What practical steps might you take to achieve a spiritual balance in your business? If time permits, consider the
significance of 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 and Ephesians 4:11-13.
你可以采取哪些实际的做法在你的商业经营中达到属灵的平衡?如果时间允许,思考哥林多前书 12:12-14 和以弗所书 4:11-13的意义。

We must strive to ensure that our businessis a complete ministry.
我们必须努力确保我们的商业经营是个完整的事工
圣灵、神的话 行为、事工
Close the session with a short time of prayer. Ask God to help you live out a complete ministry in and through your business.
短暂祷告后结束会议。祈求上帝帮助你通过你的商业经营活出一个完整的事工。

1&2.…

资本主义危机低收入 高收入穷人和中产阶层曾看到最大的收入增长但现在,最富裕的阶层看到最大的收入增长
What are your thoughts on Leonhard’s claim that it is the economy that is ‘broken’?
你对莱昂哈德经济“崩溃”的主张有何看法?

What in particular do you think is broken? Share an example from your sector.
你认为具体是什么崩溃了?分享一个你所在行业的例子。

In 2019, The Edelman Trust Barometer (a survey of over 33,000 people from 28 countries) indicated that only 20% of the interviewees felt that the current economic system was
working for them. 76% believed that business leaders should take the lead on change rather than waiting for governments to impose it.
2019 年,爱德曼信任晴雨表(一项对来自 28 个国家的 33,000多人的调查)表明,只有 20%的受访者认为当前的经济体系在为他们服务。76%的受访者认为商业领袖应带头进行变革,而
不是等待政府来推动。
Teaching 教 导
Discussion 讨 论

Do you believe the ‘economic system’ needs to change? If so, what do you believe needs to change?
你是否认为“经济体系”需要改变? 如果是,你认为需要改变什么?

 

Do you believe that the responsibility to ‘fix the economy lies with business leaders and owners?
你是否认为“修复”经济的责任在于商业领袖和企业主?

“商业领袖应带头进行变革”
Discussion 讨 论
Write seven words that you feel describe the prevailing culture of business today in the left-hand column below. Write down the opposite of these words in the right-hand column.
在下面左栏中写出你认为能描述当今盛行商业文化的七个单词。
在下面右栏中写下这些单词的反义词。
Business culture 商业文化 Opposite 对立面

Which column best reflects the character of God and His Kingdom? How godly is today’s business culture?
哪一栏最能反映上帝及其国度的品格?当今的商业文化有多敬虔?

Activity 活 动
The business has forgotten its true role as the creator of collective prosperity through just means. The prevailing culture of business needs to change.
商业已经忘记了其通过正义手段实现共同富裕的初创者之角色。流行的商业文化需要改变。
If there was a ‘great move of God’ in the workplace, how might this change the culture of the business?
如果在职场有“上帝伟大的行动”,它将如何改变商业文化?

葛培理
Abraham
Do you think all Christians in business are called to take a proactive role in this ‘great move of God’?
你是否认为所有经商的基督徒都被呼召在“上帝伟大的行动”中发挥积极主动的作用?

Do you think Christian entrepreneurs, business owners and leaders have a special role to play?
你是否认为基督徒企业家,企业主和领导者应扮演特殊的角色?

Which of the four options below best describes what the term ‘Christian company’ means to you?
以下四个选项中哪一个最能说明“基督徒企业”一词对你的意
义?
A Founded by a Christian 由基督徒创立
B Led by a Christian 由基督徒领导
C Christian ethos 基督教精神
D Christian workforce 基督徒职工
Can C be achieved without A or r B ?
Discussion 讨 论
Reflection 反 思
无需 A 或 B 能实现 C 吗?

These are some of the world’s leading companies. They cover all sectors of the economy. It may surprise you to know that all of these companies had Christian founders.
这些都是世界领先的公司。它们涵盖了经济的所有领域。你也许会感到惊讶,所有这些公司的创始人都是基督徒。
The way these Christian entrepreneurs did business changed the culture of the workplace. These godly entrepreneurs achieved a great deal of good in society. They created companies that have prospered their workers for over a century, transformed workers’ rights, built many loved communities, and championed an ethical and sustainable approach to business. Many also contributed much to the mission of the Church.

Long before it was commonplace for companies to have a corporate social responsibility department, they were doing ministry in and through the way they did business. Perhaps most significantly, these companies had a Christian witness that was both bold and bright.
这些基督徒企业家经商的方式改变了职场文化。这些敬虔的企业家为社会做了很大的贡献。一个多世纪以来他们创建的公司使他们的工人富裕,他们改变了工人的权利,建立了备受喜爱的社区,并倡导以道德和可持续的方式经商。许多人还为教会的使命做出了很大贡献。在公司普遍设立社会责任部门很早以前,他们就已经在通过他们的经商方式来开展事工。也许最重要的是这些公司大胆又闪亮的基督徒见证。
These Christian entrepreneurs did not stand on the sidelines and pass judgment. Instead, they rolled up their sleeves, set up companies, and got stuck into doing business God’s way. There is little doubt that the religious beliefs and business
Teaching 教 导
The creeds of these Christian entrepreneurs were aligned. Their founding values created cultures within their companies that lasted long after their founders stood down.

They were not perfect but there is no doubt that theirs is a powerful legacy and a model which should inspire our generation of Christian entrepreneurs. It is a heritage on which today’s saints can build.
这些基督徒企业家没有站在一边进行论断。相反地,他们卷起袖子,成立公司,坚持以上帝的方式经商。毫无疑问这些基督徒企业家的宗教信仰和商业信条是一致的。他们的基本价值观所建造的公司内部文化,在公司创始人离开后很久都还保持着。
他们并不是完人,但毫无疑问,他们的所作所为是强有力的遗产和典范,应当激发我们这一代基督徒企业家。当今的圣徒可
以在这一传承上继续建造。
Few, if any, of these companies are today led by Christians. Their Christian witness is sadly growing dim. We need a new generation of Christian entrepreneurs to pick up the baton and lead the culture of business again.
今天,这些公司中几乎没有由基督徒领导的了。他们的基督徒见证不幸地暗淡下来。我们需要新一代的基督徒企业家来捡起
指挥棒再次引领商业文化。
What is it about the way these Christian leaders and their companies contributed to the commonwealth that is different from the prevailing way in which business is being done today?
这些基督徒领袖和他们的企业为共同财富做出贡献的做法与今天盛行的经商方式有何不同?
Discussion 讨论

Below is a clip from an article in Christianity Today from 2005; just a few years prior to the credit crunch:
下面是 2005 年《今日基督教》上一篇文章的片段;就在信贷危机前几年:
‘The trials of high-profile Christian businessmen this year have sent a clear signal: Many believers have little idea how their faith relates to their work. After the July sentencing of World Com CEO Bernard Ebbers for his part in the largest corporate fraud case in American history, commentators had a field day.

They pointed to the disconnect between the professed faith of this ‘good Christian man’ and the way he led his management team in the paths of deception. The convictedEbbers and Kenneth Lay, the Enron executive, and the acquitted HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy are all known as active churchgoing believers.’
‘今年几个高级别基督徒商人的庭审发出了一个明确的信号:许多信徒完全不知道他们的信仰与其工作的关系。今年 7 月在WorldCom 首席执行官伯纳德·埃伯斯(Bernard Ebbers)因他在美国历史上最大的公司欺诈案中所扮演的角色被宣判之后,舆论界把火力对准了他。

他们指出,这个“好基督徒”自称的信仰与他领导管理团队走上欺骗道路的行为之间存在脱节。被判有罪的埃伯斯和安然高管肯尼思·莱(Kenneth Lay),以及被宣判无罪的 HealthSouth 首席执行官理查德·斯克鲁西(Richard Scrushy),都是已知的积极去教会的信徒。

It is commendable that these ‘good Christian men’ took on the responsibilities of leadership in a significant company. This is not an easy undertaking. It is disappointing that no one appears to have equipped them to prosper the Kingdom, and ultimately themselves, in and through their significant roles.
这些“好基督徒”在一家重要的公司承担了领导职责,这值得赞赏。这不是一项容易的工作。但令人失望的是,似乎没有人来装备他们去通过自己重要的职位使神的国度兴盛,最终也带来他们自己的成功。
In your experience, do Christians in business have a clear connection between their ‘professed faith’ and the way they do business?
根据你的经验,经商的基督徒在他们“自称的信仰”和他们的经商方式之间,是否有明确的联系?
.
Discussion 讨 论
What do you imagine would be the outcome if Christian business leaders successfully combined business practice with the Christian faith?
如果基督徒商业领袖成功地将商业实践与基督信仰相结合,你能想象的结果是什么?For them 对于他们.
For their company 对于他们的公司.
For the culture of business 对于商业文化
.
On a score of 1 to 5, how connected do you feel your business practice is to your faith?
在 1 到 5 分之间,你觉得你的商业实践与你的信仰之间的联系有多紧密?
Not at all Fully integrated

There is no guarantee, just because we are believers and happen to be leaders in the workplace, even successful ones, that we will automatically be effective in playing our part in a  great move of God.

Like any other area of Christian discipleship, believers in the workplace need to be equipped to do businessGod’s way.
仅仅因为我们是信徒又碰巧是职场的领导者,甚至是成功的领导者,并不能保证我们可以自动有效地在上帝伟大的行动中发挥自己的作用。就像任何其他领域的基督徒门徒训练一样,职场的信徒也需要被装备以上帝的方式经商。
Do you agree with this statement?
你是否同意这种说法?
.
Reflection 反 思
完全无关 完全结合
Discussion 讨 论

What is the primary influence on the way you currently do
business?
对你目前经商方式产生主要影响的是什么?
.
Do you regularly look to the wisdom of the Bible on business?
在经商中,你是否定期从圣经寻求智慧?
.
If we are to see a great move of God in the workplace, we need to look to God for His vision for the business.

Most of us have read a host of secular books on business but we would have little to say in answer to the questions ‘If Jesus was leading my company, what would Jesus do?’ and ‘What would Jesus not do?’
如果我们要在职场看到上帝的伟大行动,我们需要向上帝寻求

2.BizMin-Course

Genesis创世纪(39:20-23)

Would you agree that Joseph had a God-given gift for business administration that blossomed, whatever the context?
你是否同意,无论在什么情况下,约瑟都拥有上帝赐予的卓有成效的商业管理天赋?

.At this point, is there anything obviously spiritual about any of the activities that Joseph is undertaking?
此时,约瑟所从事的某些活动是否明显与上帝有关?

Reflection 反 思
Joseph was clearly gifted at business, whatever the circumstances. Everywhere he went, his God-given abilities bore fruit.

Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness ness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warder.

So the warder put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warder paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care because the
Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
约瑟的主人把约瑟下在监里,就是王的囚犯被囚的地方。于是约瑟在那里坐监。但耶和华与约瑟同在,向他施恩,使他在司狱的眼前蒙恩。司狱就把监里所有的囚犯都交在约瑟手下。他们在那里所办的事都是经他的手。凡在约瑟手下的事、司狱一概不察、因为耶和华与约瑟同在;耶和华使他所作的尽都顺利。
The Lord was with Joseph. Whatever the context, his gift of business administration bore fruit.
耶和华与约瑟同在。无论在什么情形下,他的 商业管理天赋都取得了成果。无论在何种情形下,约瑟显然有经商的天赋。他所到之处,上帝赋予他的才能都取得了成果。
Do you know what your abilities are? List them here.
你知道你的才能是什么吗?把他们列在下面。
1 . Are your abilities bearing fruit in business?
你的才能在经商中有成果吗?. Do you recognize your abilities in business as God-given gifts?
你是否认识到你在商业中的才能是上帝的恩赐?. Can you recall when these gifts were given?
你能回忆起是什么时候你被赋予这些恩赐?.
During the early years in Egypt, Joseph was being prepared for the role that lay ahead. We have seen that long before his gift of interpreting dreams would begin its work, the gift of administration was blossoming, developing and being
refined. This was a gift that could not be repressed by circumstances. As long as there was opportunity, and people to
recognize his gift, it prospered. We too need to recognize that, whatever our circumstances, God’s gifts long to bear fruit in our lives. Whenever we see consistent fruitfulness, we can be sure that God is at work.

However, our gifts will never achieve a great work of God, bearing spiritual fruit, unless we complement our gifting with an equal measure of humility. If we are to be truly successful, we must learn to acknowledge God as the source of our gifts. Humbly relying on God is the essential ingredient of spiritual success. Joseph learned this the hard way. We will now see how.
在埃及的早期岁月里,上帝就一直在为将来的角色预备约瑟。我们已经看到,早在他解梦的天赋开始发挥作用之前,他的管理天赋就已经开花结果、发展并完善。这是一种无法被环境所抑制的天赋。只要有机会,只要有人意识到他的天赋,它就蓬勃发展。我们也要认识到,无论我们的环境如何,上帝的恩赐渴望在我们的生活中结出果实。每当我们看到持续的成效,我们就可以确信神正在做工。

然而,我们的恩赐永远不会成就神的伟大工作结出属灵的果子,除非我们以同样程度的谦卑来伴随我们的恩赐。如果我们想要真正的成功,我们必须学习承认上帝是我们天赋的来源。谦卑地倚靠上帝是属灵成功的基本要素。约瑟好不容易学到这个功课。现在我们来看如何做到这一
点。
Teaching 教 导
2.2 The essential ingredient for success
成 功 的 基 本 要 素
During his time in prison, Joseph’s more widely recognized giftemerged…the gift of interpreting dreams.
在他服刑期间,约瑟另一个大家更熟悉的天赋出现了……解梦的天赋。
Teaching 教 导
An essential attribute, if we are to see God working through us, is to genuinely desire to serve God and others with our gifts. On first impressions, it would seem that Joseph had this desire. He showed clear compassion towards his fellow prisoners and offered to interpret their dreams as an act of kindness. On this occasion, both the cupbearer and the baker
Genesis创世纪& 14
After they had been in custody for some time, each of the two men- the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison- had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected.

So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, ‘Why do you look so sad today?’ ‘We both had dreams,’ they answered, ‘but there is no one to interpret them.’

Then Joseph said to them, ‘Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams…But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.’
他们有些日子在监里。被囚在监之埃及王的酒政和膳长二人同夜各做一梦,各梦都有讲解。到了早晨,约瑟进到他们那里,见他们有愁闷的样子。他便问法老的二臣,就是与他同囚在他主人府里的,说:“你们今日为什么面带愁容呢?”他们对他说:“我们各人做了一梦,没有人能解。”

约瑟说:“解梦不是出于神吗?请你们将梦告诉我。” ……但你得好处的时候,求你记念我,施恩于我,在法老面前提说我,救我出这监牢。
of the king of Egypt were troubled by dreams and desired an interpretation. We don’t know how, but Joseph clearly believed that he could interpret their dreams and offered to do so for both men. It must have felt like quite a risk. This suggests that Joseph already had a strong sense of confidence in his second
gifting.
如果我们要看到上帝通过我们做工,一个基本的品质就是真诚地渴望用我们的天赋来服侍神和他人。猛地一看,约瑟像是有这个愿望。他对狱友们表现出明显的同情,并好心地表示愿意为他们解梦。

那时,埃及王的酒政和膳长因梦愁烦,求梦的讲解。我们不知道他是怎么做到的,但是约瑟确信他能解梦,并表示可以为这两人解梦。这令人感觉太冒险了,它说明当时约瑟对自己的第二个天赋有着强大的信心。
Joseph began by acknowledging that only God can interpret dreams. The passage says; ‘Then Joseph said to them, ‘Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.’‘ (Note the emphasis is on ‘me’).

There is a subtle but significant hint of arrogance in his statement which, as we will see, revealed that he was not yet fully reconciled to the principle that all good gifts come from God and it is God that should receive the glory for their use. It reveals that he was not yet fully submitted to God.
约瑟先是承认只有上帝才能解梦。经文写道:约瑟对他们说“解梦不是出于神吗? 告诉我你的梦。”(注意这里强调的是
‘我’)。在他的话里有一丝微妙但意味深长的傲慢,正像我们将会看到的,这表明他还没有完全顺应所有天赋都来自上帝,
由这些天赋所带来的荣耀应归给上帝的原则,也就是说他还没有完全顺服神。
Discussion 讨 论
Do you think these men might have thought it was Joseph rather than God who was able to interpret the dream?
你认为这些人会不会以为是约瑟而不是上帝能解梦呢? 
Once Joseph knew the dream’s interpretation, he sought to use it for his own benefit. Do you think this self-interest was a significant mistake?
当约瑟知道了梦的解释后,他就用它为自己谋利。你认为他为自己谋利是个重大错误吗? .

Teaching 教 导
In interpreting the cupbearer and bakers’ dreams, Joseph fails to draw a clear distinction between God and himself. This may sound harsh but, as we will see, two years later, this is a distinction he made very clear when he eventually stands before Pharaoh. It is an essential distinction.
在给酒政和膳长解梦时,约瑟没有明确区分上帝和他自己。这听起来可能很苛刻,但是,我们将会看到,两年后,当他最终站在法老面前时,他把上帝和自己做了很明确的区分。这样的区分是非常必要的。
Genesis创世纪(41:15-16)
Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.’ ‘I cannot do it,’ Joseph replied to Pharaoh,‘but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.’
法老对约瑟说:“我做了一梦,没有人能解。我听见人说,你听了梦就能解。”约瑟回答法老说:“这不在乎我,神必将平
安的话回答法老。”
When Pharaoh demands that Joseph interprets his dream, his reputation has preceded him and Pharaoh attributes the gift of interpreting dreams, not to God, but to Joseph.

This suggests that the cupbearer had missed God’s hand in Joseph’s gifting. However, Joseph’s response to Pharaoh is fundamentally different from two years earlier in the
dungeon. This time he does what every servant of God must do in each new relationship if it is to bear fruit for the
King dom of God, and the earlier the better.

He makes it clear that God is the one who interprets dreams and that he is merely His agent; ‘‘I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.’’ Joseph recognizes God’s hand in his ability and makes it clear that his ability to interpret dreams is a gift of God.
法老要约瑟解梦时早知道他的名声,他没有把解梦的天赋归给上帝,而是归给了约瑟。这表明酒政没有认为约瑟的天赋
来自神。然而,约瑟对法老的回答与两年前在地牢里时的完全不同。这次他做了每个要为神国结出果实的神的仆人,在
每个新关系中必须做的事,而且这事越早做越好。他清楚地表明上帝才是解梦的那位,他只是上帝的代理人:“这不在
乎我,神必将平安的话回答法老。”约瑟认识到他的能力是借上帝之手,并清楚地表明他解梦的能力是上帝的恩赐。
This is one of those seminal moments in any believer’s life, particularly if we want our work to be our ministry. This is the moment we come out for God, acknowledging His power and, in humility, our dependency on Him. This is the moment God is fully let in and the moment our ministry truly begins. From this moment, the glory will go to God.
这是信徒一生中决定性的时刻之一,尤其是当我们希望把我们的工作当成我们的事工时。这是我们为神站出来的时刻,谦卑地承认他的大能和我们对祂的依赖。这是我们让神完全进到我们里面的时刻,也是我们的事工真正开始的时刻。从这一刻起,荣耀将归于上帝。
Discussion 讨 论
How had Joseph’s attitude to the source of his gift changed by the time he saw Pharaoh? What is the key distinction?
当约瑟见到法老时,他对自己天赋来源的态度有了什么改变?关键的区别是什么? 

1.Real humility leads a person to be curious about and concerned for others, not fixated on how others can lead to one’s own enrichment.
真正的谦卑使人对他人感到好奇和关心,而不是只关注他人如何使自己得利。
2. Humility is about true service, not self-congratulation.
谦卑是有关真正服务他人,而不是自我陶醉。
3.In admitting an error or acknowledging that one is wrong, the humble person not only apologizes but also changes course.
通过承认错误或承认自己不对,谦卑的人不只是道歉,而
且也着手改变。 4. Real humility builds up; false humility tears down.
真正的谦卑建造;虚伪的谦卑拆毁。
5. The more responsibility or power one has, the more humility one need.
一个人的责任或权力越大,就越需要谦卑。
Reflect on Joseph’s story up to this point. Do you think he had learned real humility?
约瑟的故事发展到这儿,你认为他学会了真正的谦卑吗? 
Why is it so essential for those who are gifted to have real humility?
为什么对那些有天赋的人来说,真正的谦卑如此重要?

Reflection 反 思
Joseph’s life seemed to go through a series of ups and downs. His early life was like a discipleship course; each time his gifts resulted in promotion, he received a lesson in humility.
However, regardless of his circumstances, his gifts bore fruit. They could not be held down. He learned to be both gifted and humble; the essential ingredients of success.
约瑟的一生似乎经历了一连串的起起落落。他早期的生活就像是门徒训练课程; 他的天赋为他带来的每一次提升,都给他上了谦卑的一课。然而,不管他的环境如何,他的天赋都结出果实,无法被压制。他学会了既有恩赐又谦卑这一成功的基本要素。
HUMILITY GATEWAY
Reflect on how the events of Joseph’s early life nurtured his gifts and shaped his character. How has God used the events of your life to nurture and shape you? Describe a little of your journey into business.
思考约瑟早年生活中发生的事是怎样培养他的天赋和塑造他的性格的。神是怎样用你生命中发生的事来培养和塑造你的? 描述一下你从商的经历.
Joseph’s God-given gifts could not be fully fruitful until, in complete humility, he gave all the glory to God. Then Joseph was not only released from prison but also into his ministry.
Having passed through the gateway of humility, it was all onwards and upwards with his life’s work. He was ready to
fulfill God’s purposes in his generation.
约瑟的“门徒训练课程”父亲的家 波提乏的家 监狱 法老的王宫谦卑之门神给约瑟的恩赐不能全然地结果子,直到他完全谦卑地把所有的荣耀归给神。之后约瑟不但被放出了监狱,而且开始了他的事工。通过了谦卑之门后,他一生的工作都是向前和向上的。他已准备好在他的世代成就神的目的。
Reflection 反 思
Are you humble with your God-given gifts?
拥有上帝赐予的天赋你仍谦卑吗? Are you able to publicly acknowledge God as the source of
your gifts?
你能公开承认上帝是你天赋的来源吗?
Never 从来没有 Always 一直是
Acknowledging God as the source of our gifts is essential if God is to be glorified through a significant leadership role.
如果要通过重要的领导角色来荣耀上帝,承认上帝是我们天赋的来源是至关重要的,
‘Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.’
“凡在人面前认我的,我在我天上的父面前也必认他;凡在人面前不认我的,我在我天上的父面前也必不认他。”
Matthew马太福音(10:32-33)
If we hope to succeed in business, we need to allow God to nurture humility within us. It is the essential
complement to our God-given gifts.
如果我们希望在商业上取得成功,我们就要让上帝在我们里面 孕育谦卑。它是上帝赐予我们的天赋之必要补充。
Discussion 讨 论
How might you take a practical step this week to acknowledge God before others?
这个星期你会如何采取实际行动在别人面前承认神呢? .
有天赋/准备好了/愿意被使用愿景
2.3 Achieving God’s purposes through business
通过商业实现神的目的 Prepared VISION
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘In my dream, I was standing on the bank of the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows came up—scrawny and very ugly and lean.

I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up.
法老对约瑟说,我梦见我站在河边,有七只母牛从河里上来,又肥壮又美好,在芦荻中吃草。随后又有七只母牛上来,又软弱又丑陋又干瘦。在埃及遍地,我从来没有见过这样丑陋的母牛。这又乾瘦又丑陋的母牛吃尽了那以先的七只肥母牛。可是,他们吃了以后,谁也看不出来是吃了什么。它们看起来和以前一样丑陋。然后我醒了。
‘In my dream I saw seven ears of corn, full and good, growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other ears sprouted—withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin ears of corn swallowed up the seven good ears. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me.’
我梦见一棵麦子长了七个穗子,又饱满,又佳美。随后又长了七个穗子,枯干细弱,被东风吹焦了。这细弱的穗子,吞了那七个好穗子。我将这事告诉了术士,他们却没有一个能给我讲解。
Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, ‘The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears of corn are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless ears of corn scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.
约瑟对法老说,法老的梦乃是一个。神已将所要作的事显明给法老了。七只好母牛是七年,七个好穗子也是七年。这是同一个梦想。那随后上来的七只又乾瘦又丑陋的母牛是七年,那七个被东风吹焦的穗子也是七年,都是七个荒年。
Genesis创世纪(41:17-31)
‘It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. Seven years of great abundance are
coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the
a famine that follows it will be so severe.’
这就是我对法老所说,神已将所要作的事显明给法老了。埃及遍地要来七个大丰年,随后又要来七个荒年。这样,埃及地就全然忘记先前的丰收,全地必被饥荒所灭。因为后来的饥荒甚大,就不记念那地的丰裕了。

Teaching 教 导
Pharaoh’s dream was prophetic and revealed both a challenge and an opportunity. Joseph used his gift of interpretation and described what was about to happen. Together, Joseph and Pharaoh declared God’s word to their generation.
法老的梦是先知性的,同时带来了挑战和机会。约瑟用他解梦的天赋描述了将要发生的事情。约瑟和法老一起向他们的
世代宣告了神的话。
Joseph could have stopped after interpreting the dream, but then his other gift came into action. Joseph’s gift of business the administration could not be contained and he immediately Prepared
有天赋/准备好了/愿意被使用 计划
responded to the prophetic dream and set out a business plan that would leverage the situation and realise the opportunity.
约瑟本可以在解梦之后停下来,但他的另一个天赋却开始发挥作用。约瑟在商业管理方面的天赋无法被抑制,他立即对
这个先知性的梦做出反应,制定了一个商业计划,利用当时的情况抓住机会。
Pharaoh and his officials would have been full of fear at the prospect of approaching famine. Joseph’s response was clear and succinct. It was the plan of a God-gifted business person. It was God’s plan. It was also a business plan which would itself enable the fulfillment of the prophecy and God’s purposes.
法老和他的官员们一定对即将到来的饥荒充满了恐惧。约瑟的回答清楚而简洁。这是一个拥有上帝恩赐的商人的计划,这是上帝的计划。这个商业计划本身就是来实现预言和上帝的目的的。
Genesis创世纪(41:33-36)
‘And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.

They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon  Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.’
法老当拣选一个有聪明有智慧的人,派他治理埃及地。法老当这样行,又派官员管理这地,当七个丰年的时候,征收埃及地的五分之一,叫他们把将来丰年一切的粮食聚敛起来,积蓄五谷,收存在各城里做食物,归于法老的手下。所积蓄的粮食可以防备埃及地将来的七个荒年,免得这地被饥荒所灭。”
Activity 行 动
Joseph’s gifts were central, not only to the interpretation but also to the fulfillment of Pharaoh’s dream. Once appointed to deliver his plan, Joseph proactively set out to ensure the dream was fulfilled.

Genesis describes Joseph’s key action plan for fulfilling the dream. Look at the following scriptures and come up with relevant modern business terms that might describe what Joseph is doing.
约瑟的天赋是关键,不仅是对法老梦的解释,也是对法老梦想的实现。一旦被任命实施他的计划,约瑟就积极行动,确保梦想得到实现。创世纪讲述了约瑟实现梦想的主要行动计划。看看下面几段经文,想出能描述与约瑟所做之事相关的现代商业用语。
Prepared Genesis创世纪(41:48-49a)
Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city, he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea.
约瑟聚敛埃及地七个丰年一切的粮食,把粮食积存在各城里,各城周围田地的粮食都积存在本城里。约瑟积蓄五谷甚多,如同海边的沙…
Genesis创世纪(41:46b)
Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled
throughout Egypt
约瑟从法老面前出去,遍行埃及全地。有天赋/准备好了/愿意被使用 行动.
Genesis创世纪(41:56-57a)
When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph…
当时饥荒遍满天下,约瑟开了各处的仓,粜粮给埃及人。在埃及地饥荒甚大。各地的人都往埃及去,到约瑟那里籴粮瑟买粮.
Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people.
那时治理埃及地的是约瑟,粜粮给那地众民的就是他。
Genesi创世纪
‘But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you may keep as seed for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children.So Joseph established it as a law concerning land in Egypt – still in force today – that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh.
后来打粮食的时候,你们要把五分之一纳给法老,四分可以归你们做地里的种子,也做你们和你们家口孩童的食物。是约瑟为埃及地定下常例,直到今日,法老必得五分之一。
47:24,26a Joseph’s 5-point action plan 约瑟的5点行动计划 Fruit that will last Perpetuate a sustainable 5 SYSTEMS system God-inspired RESEARCH TO ENSURE A LEGACY Business plan God-given vision 2 PREPARATION
4 OVERSIGHT & GOVERNANCE 3 TRADE 1
持续性的成果保证传承的体系监督和管理 贸易准备调查研究来自上帝的愿景上帝赋予灵感的商业计划行动

Discussion 讨 论
By the end of his life, Joseph finally came to understand God’s purposes in all that had happened. What did Joseph believe was the primary purpose of his life’s work?
在他生命的最后,约瑟终于明白了上帝在这一切事情上的目的。约瑟认为他一生工作的主要目的是什么?

How did Joseph’s 5-point action plan combine to achieve the purposes of God in his generation?
约瑟的5点行动计划是如何结合起来实现神在他那个世代的目
的的? .
实现上帝的目的
2.4 Prepared
上 帝 的 目 的
Genesis创世纪50:19-20
有天赋/准备好了/愿意被使用愿景 计划
But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’
约瑟对他们说:不要害怕,我岂能代替神呢?从前你们的意思是要害我,但神的意思原是好的,要保全许多人的性命,成就今日的光景。
Which of Joseph’s spiritual gifts contributed most to achieving God’s purpose, and why?
约瑟的哪一项属灵恩赐对实现神的目的贡献最大,为什么?

Reflect on the relationship between Joseph’s practical actions and their spiritual outcomes. What does this suggest about the God-given role of business in society?
思考约瑟的实际行动与这些行动的属灵成果之间的关系。这
表明上帝赋予商业在社会中的角色是什么? 

Reflection 反 思
At the end of his life, Joseph was aware that he had achieved what God intended, and it was good… his work had saved many lives. In the prophetic, his father, Jacob, also foresaw that far greater fruit was to come through the line of Judah, whose life had been saved from the famine by Joseph’s actions.
在他生命的尽头,约瑟知道他完成了神的计划,而这计划是好的.他的工作拯救了许多人的性命。在约瑟父亲雅各的先知性预言中,他也预见更大的果子将由犹大的后裔而来,而犹大的性命是借着约瑟的行动从饥荒中拯救出来的。
The record below the purpose of your company.
在下面写下你的公司存在的目的。 1 2  3.
Are these God’s purposes for your company?
这些是上帝对你的公司的目的吗? 

Joseph only struggled to interpret his own childhood dreams. As a young man, his prophetic dreams led only to the arrogance that ironically led to the beginning of their fulfillment.

Things did not work out the way he or his brothers could ever have imagined when Joseph’s brothers jealously led them to sell Joseph as a slave. It was more than Joseph could ‘ask or imagine’. Are you able to rest,
Genesis创世纪49:10
‘The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.’
圭必不离犹大,杖必不离他两脚之间,直等这杖所属的人来到,万民都必归顺。
Matthew马太福音2:6
‘But you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah…out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’
犹大地的伯利恒阿,将来有一位君王,要从你那里出来,牧养我民以色列。
secure in the knowledge that God can achieve more than you ask or imagine?
约瑟只是努力去解释他自己童年的梦。作为一个年轻人,他有预言性质的梦只导致了傲慢,说来好笑,这竟导致梦中预
言真正实现的开始。当约瑟兄弟们的嫉妒让他们把他卖为奴隶时,他们怎么也想象不到事情会这样发展。结果比约瑟能
“要求或想象”的更好。你能放松下来,因知道神能成就比你所要或所想的更好而安心吗? 

Teaching 教 导
At the heart of this story is a key moment. It is essential in every Christian’s life. Because Joseph gave the glory to God, acknowledging God as the source of his gifts, God is recognized by others as the source of his abilities and wisdom.
这个故事的核心是一个关键的时刻。这个时刻在每个基督徒的生活中都是必不可少的。因为约瑟将荣耀归给神,承认神
是他天赋的来源,别人才能认识到神是他能力和智慧的来源。

Genesis创世纪41:37-40
The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.’
法老和他一切臣仆都以这事为妙。法老对他们说,像这样的人,有神的灵在他里头,我们岂能找得着呢? 法老对约瑟说,神既将这事都指示你,可见没有人像你这样有聪明有智慧。你可以管理我的家。我的民也都听从你的话。只是在宝座上我比你大。
At the heart of this passage is one of the greatest compliments that a Christian can ever receive; ‘‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’’ Pharaoh recognized the inspiration behind Joseph’s interpretation and subsequent business plan. He saw that the hand of God was at work in Joseph.

This is so important. If the gifts and achievements of Christians in business are never recognized as the work of God’s spirit then there is little, if any, discernible difference between us and our non-Christian peers. As Christian entrepreneurs, we need to be known as those ‘in who is the Spirit of God.’ This is the essential hallmark of a Kingdom Entrepreneur.
这段经文的中心是一个基督徒所能得到的最大的赞美之一:“像这样的人,有神的灵在他里头,我们岂能找得着呢?”。法老认出约瑟解梦和随后的商业计划背后的力量。他看出神的手在约瑟身上做工。这非常重要。如果基督徒在商业上的天赋和成就从来没有被认为是神的灵的工作,那么我们和非基督徒同行之间就没有什么明显的区别了。作为基督徒企业家,我们需要被人知道是“有神的灵在里头的人”。这是一个国度企业家的基本特征。

Discussion 讨 论
Do you recognise that you are ‘one in whom is the Spirit of God’?
你是否认识到你是“有神的灵在里面”的人? 

Do other people?
其他的人也这样认为吗? 
Teaching 教 导
Joseph was spiritually gifted for business. Once he learned the essential ingredient of success and walked through the gateway of humility, his spiritual gifts were able to bear much fruit and achieve the real purpose for which they were intended; the saving of many lives.

Joseph can be considered a great Kingdom Entrepreneur. His career in business
demonstrates how God can build His Kingdom through gifted business leaders. For Joseph, business was a ministry.
约瑟有神的恩赐善于经商。一旦他明白成功的基本要素并走过谦卑之门,他的属灵恩赐就能结出许多果实,并成就神赐给他这些天赋的真正目的,即拯救许多人的性命。约瑟可以说是一个伟大的国度企业家。他的商业生涯显示了神如何通过有恩赐的商业领袖来建立祂的国度。对约瑟来说,经商就是事工。
At the end of his life, Joseph came to recognize that he has achieved God’s purposes through his God-given gifts. The same can be true for us.
在他生命的最后,约瑟认识到他已经通过上帝赐予的天赋实现了上帝的目的。我们也可以这样。
恩赐 目的谦卑之门
Prayer 祷 告
Close the session with a short time of prayer. Thank God foryour spiritual gifts and ask Him for the opportunity to humbly use them to pursue His purposes in this generation.
以简短的祷告来结束。为你的属灵恩赐感谢神,祈求神给你机会,谦卑地使用这些恩赐,来完成祂在这世代的计划

7.从神接受了工作…

人类一切问题的根源之一| 自由微信| FreeWeChat

「他们说,来罢,我们要建造一座城,和一座塔,塔顶通天,为要传扬我们的名,免得我们分散在全地上。【创11: 4

虽然神打散人类看起来可能像是惩罚,但它事实上也是救赎的方法。从一开始,神的意思是要人分散在世界:“要生养众多,遍满地面”。在巴别塔倒塌、人们被分散后,神把人导回遍满地面的道路上,结果是各地发产出形形色色的民族和文化,直到今日。“如果没有神,也没有来生,这代表所有的行为都是被允许的。” 有时候神没有给我们想要的,是因为祂对我们的恩慈太坚强。

他们聚集在一处,不只是从地理来看,也从文化、语言和制度来看。他们同有野心要做一件事情,他们扼杀了神所赐给他们的各种恩赐、服务、活动和功能所带来的广度。

虽然神希望人们可以一同为了大众的利益同工,但是祂创造我们不是要我们用人口集中和堆积权力的方式达成。祂警告以色列人要避免把权力都集中在一位王身上。神已经为我们预备了一位有神身分的君王,我们的主基督。在祂底下,不能有过度集中的权力放在个人、机构或政府之上。

在这样的模式之下,基督教教育家跟权威式的教育家一样,尽量不鼓励思想上的自由,只不过他们的动机是要求道德的表现、仁慈及正统的教义。

在连基督徒都跟罪搏斗的世界,神眼中的良好治理似乎是分散人民、权力、权势和能力,而不是把这些都集中在一个人、机构、组织或运动上面。

神比起我们以为的更经常呼召我们要分散、指派、授权及训练别人,而不是全部都自己来?这样做会很麻烦、没有效率、难以测量、有风险、也引发焦虑,但这也许正是神呼召许多机构的基督徒负责人要做的事情。

人类的始祖选择违反了神的命令,对我们造成持久性的伤害,而人们直到今天或多或少依然选择不顺服。结果我们的工作变得生产力低迷、更加辛苦、更难满足我们,而我们的关系和工作进而萎缩,有时甚至成为有害。尽管如此,神依然呼召我们工作,赐给我们能力、供给我们所需。许多人有机会做良好、有创意、能满足人的工作,供给他们自己的需要,也对小区的发展做出贡献。

那些从神接受了工作为恩赐、按照祂的指示尽力完成工作的人,与挪亚一样,能在工作中找到祝福与效益。有些人像建造巴别塔的人那样,尝试按照自己的想法抓取权力与成功,结果他们只会经历暴力与挫折,如果他们的工作是去伤害别人的话,更是如此。奉主耶稣基督的圣名祈求!阿们!

学习体会 : 我们如同所有角色,都面临选择是要与神同工,或是与祂作对。我们知道,神最终会恢复祂造的生物原本工作的目的。蒙主恩典!阿们!

 

6. 人再次的堕落

勝過內心的巨人:驕傲雅4:6;彼前5:5. - ppt download

「骄傲在败坏以先;狂心在跌倒之前。」【箴16: 18

神用彩虹作为应许的记号。虽然地球再次经历翻天覆地的改变,然而神对工作的旨意始终如一。祂再次祝福和应许挪亚,他和他子孙“要生养众多,遍满了地”。祂确立祂的应许,人藉由工作可以得到温饱。现在转变为神与人和好的标志。”​

挪亚为了人类做出英勇之事后,挪亚喝醉了,他就在自己的帐棚中裸体昏睡。当挪亚醒来后,了解发生了事情,他的反应彻底摧毁家庭和睦。挪亚咒诅含的儿子迦南,宣告他的后代要服事其他两个儿子的后代。这咒诅挑起了挪亚家族之间长达数千年之久的敌对、战争和暴行。挪亚也许是第一个有名望之人,最后落得不光彩的结局,但他不会是最后一个。“名气愈大,摔得愈惨。”

挪亚是圣经中一个伟大的人物,我们不去论断挪亚,而是求神赐我们恩典。如果我们发现自己在追求成为伟大的人,我们最好先追求谦卑。成为伟大的人后,我们最好求神给我们恩典,逃脱挪亚的命运。如果我们跟挪亚一样跌倒了,我们要尽快认罪,请求我们周围的人阻止我们用自我辩解的回应,使情况恶化成灾难。

“列国表”中,雅弗的后代、接下来是含的后代,最后是闪的后代。在这些人当中,含的孙子宁录特别突出,对工作神学有其贡献。宁录在巴比伦打造了一个全然暴力的帝国。他是一个暴君、宁录的城市建造巴别塔。巴别是一个四围有墙的大型神庙,有一个用泥砖梯堆栈起来的塔,为的是要让塔顶通天,到诸神的领域。

用这座塔,人们可以上到诸神那里去,诸神也可以降到地上。虽然神并没有谴责人们想要到达天庭的渴望,但我们看到的是人自我膨胀的野心,以及日渐严重的骄傲之罪,是这些人开始建造这座雄伟之塔的动机:出名

他们怕分散在全地,没有带来的安全感。期望要盖的塔,对他们来说非常伟大,但神一边笑一边告诉我们,它小到神需要“降临,要看看世人所建造的城和塔”创11:5

巴别塔如同在他们之前的亚当、夏娃,他们想利用自己身为神形象之器皿所拥有的创造力,来行出违背神旨意的事情。他们计划做出跟神吩咐的文化使命相反的事情。他们不要遍满地面,而要把自己集中在一个地区。他们要立下自己的名望。

神见他们的狂妄和野心已经越线,所以说:“我们下去,在那里变乱他们的口音,使他们的言语彼此不通。”创11:7】.

接着:“耶和华使他们从那里分散在全地上,他们就停工不造那城了。因为耶和华在那里变乱天下人的言语,使众人分散在全地上,所以那城名叫巴别。”【创11:8-9

这些人原本都有一样的血缘,都是挪亚三个儿子的后代。然而,自从神毁了巴别塔之后,这三个儿子的后代就各自移居到中东的不同区域:从创世记的三份家谱,我们得知古代近东的城邦是如何划分的。奉主耶稣基督的圣名祈求!阿们!

学习体会 : “城市”的概念本身不是邪恶的,我们因着城市而产生的骄傲才是不讨神喜悦的。当我们执着于社会的成功和文化,而不是神,即我们意义和方向的根源,我们就犯罪了。蒙主恩典!阿们!