Wise Christians 明智的基督徒
Dexu Xia
The people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. Luke 16:8
The coronavirus pandemic resulted in canceled schools around the world. In China, teachers responded with DingTalk, a digital app that enabled class to be held online. Then their students figured out that if DingTalk’s rating fell too low, it might be removed from the App Store. Overnight, thousands of one-star reviews dropped DingTalk’s score.
Jesus wouldn’t be impressed with the students shirking their responsibilities, but He might admire their ingenuity. He told an unusual story about a fired manager who on his final day slashed the bills of his master’s debtors. Jesus didn’t praise the manager’s dishonesty. Rather He commended his cleverness and wished His followers would be equally shrewd: “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).
When it comes to money, most people look at how much they might lose. Wise people look for what they can use. Jesus said giving to others “gain[s] friends,” which provides safety and influence. Who is the leader in any group? The one who pays. Giving also gains “eternal dwellings,” for our willingness to part with our cash shows our trust is in Jesus.
Even if we don’t have money, we do have time, skills, or a listening ear. Let’s ask God to show us how to creatively serve others for Jesus.
Who does Jesus want you to serve today? How might you creatively use your skills, money, or time to bless this person?
Jesus, I want to give to others for You.
今世之子，在世事之上，较比光明之子更加聪明。—路加福音16章8节
冠状病毒疫情导致全球各地有许多学校停课。为了应对这样的情况，在中国的教师们便使用应用程式“钉钉”进行线上教学。后来，他们的学生发现，如果钉钉在应用程式商店的评分过低，可能会被强制下架。因此，一夜之间成千上万的一星评论使钉钉的评分严重下跌。
耶稣不会称赞那些逃避责任的学生，但祂或许会欣赏他们的机灵。祂说了一个特别的故事，是关于一个将被解雇的管家，在受雇的最后一天，免除许多人先前积欠他主人的债务。耶稣并非称赞管家的不诚实，而是夸奖他的聪明才智，并期望祂的门徒也能同样精明：“我又告诉你们：要藉着那不义的钱财结交朋友，到了钱财无用的时候，他们可以接你们到永存的帐幕里去。”（路加福音16章9节）
谈及钱财，大部分人都很在意会有多少损失，但智者却会留意当如何使用。耶稣说，慷慨给予能“结交朋友”，这能带来保障和影响力。在任何群体中谁是带领者呢？通常是主动付钱的人。给予也能让我们在“永存的帐幕”受欢迎，因为我们不紧抓着钱财，表明我们信靠耶稣。
即使我们没有钱财，却仍拥有时间、才干或愿意听人倾诉的双耳。让我们祈求上帝赐我们灵巧机智，为耶稣服事他人。
今天耶稣要你服事谁呢？你如何发挥创意，
使用你的才干、钱财或时间帮助这个人？
耶稣，我愿意为祢而慷慨给予。