Blessed to Be a Blessing 成为祝福的祝福
Dexu Xia
They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 2 Kings 4:5
Today’s Scripture2 Kings 4:1-7
Today's Insights Elisha was the disciple of the great prophet Elijah during the ninth century bc (853-798). He was plowing when Elijah “threw his cloak around him” (1 Kings 19:19)—a sign that God was calling him to continue Elijah’s ministry. Before Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2), Elisha asked, “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit” (v. 9), a request to be his successor or heir. God granted Elisha’s request (vv. 10-12), likely because He knew his motive and that he longed to be used by Him. Like Elijah, Elisha prophesied in Israel against the idolatry and injustice of the nation. And like his predecessor, Elisha performed many miracles, including multiplying a widow’s oil (2 Kings 4:1-7), raising a woman’s son from the dead (vv. 8-37), and healing Naaman of leprosy (5:1-14). Elisha faithfully served as a prophet for more than fifty years.
Today's Devotional During my years as a journalist, I enjoyed telling other people’s stories, but I was trained to not share my own opinions. So years after I had felt God call me out of my journalism career, when I increasingly felt God directing me to write a blog and speak about Him, I was a little nervous about sharing my thoughts, especially about my faith. As I started blogging, I was afraid I’d run out of things to say. But week after week, I found encouraging words and insights to share. The more I wrote, the more ideas flowed. The same is still true now.
I have witnessed in my own life how God has filled me with more joy and inspiration when I’ve poured out my gifts and talents to serve others.
In 2 Kings, we read about a poor widow who went to the prophet Elisha for help. Her late husband’s creditor wanted to seize her two sons. All she had at home was a small jar of olive oil. The prophet instructed her to collect empty jars from her neighbors and to keep pouring oil into the containers. “They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring” (4:5). She kept pouring until all the jars were miraculously filled. She could pay her family’s debts with the extra oil.
God is faithful and always provides. He’s blessed us with gifts and talents and resources to be a blessing to others. Let’s not hide or dismiss our gifts but use them for His glory.
Reflect & Pray What gifts and talents has God given you? How are you using your gifts to serve others?
Dear God, thank You for blessing me and making me a blessing.
他们把罐子拿给她，她继续倒水。列王纪下 4:5
今日经文列王纪下 4:1-7
今日心得 以利沙是公元前九世纪（853-798）伟大先知以利亚的门徒。以利亚“用外衣裹住他”时（列王纪上 19:19），他正在耕地，这是上帝呼召他继续以利亚的事工的标志。在以利亚被旋风带到天堂之前（列王纪下 2），以利沙请求“求你加倍地承受你的灵”（9节），请求成为他的继承人。上帝应允了以利沙的请求（10-12节），可能是因为祂知道以利沙的动机，也知道他渴望被上帝使用。像以利亚一样，以利沙在以色列传达上帝的预言，反对偶像崇拜和国内的不公平。和他的前任一样，以利沙行了许多神迹，包括使寡妇的油多起来（列王纪下 4:1-7），使一个女人的儿子从死里复活（8-37节），以及治愈患麻风病的乃缦（5:1-14）。以利沙忠实地担任先知超过五十年。
今日灵修 在我当记者的那些年里，我喜欢讲述别人的故事，但我被训练不要分享自己的观点。所以，多年后，当我感觉到上帝召唤我离开新闻事业时，当我越来越感觉到上帝指引我写博客谈论他时，我有点紧张，不敢分享自己的想法，尤其是关于我的信仰。当我开始写博客时，我担心我会无话可说。但一周又一周，我找到了鼓舞人心的话语和见解来分享。我写得越多，想法就越多。现在也是如此。我在自己的生活中见证了当我倾尽我的天赋和才能为他人服务时，上帝如何让我充满了更多的快乐和灵感。
在《列王纪下》中，我们读到了一个可怜的寡妇向先知以利沙寻求帮助的故事。她已故丈夫的债权人想夺走她的两个儿子。她家里只有一小罐橄榄油。先知指示她从邻居那里收集空罐子，并不断地往容器里倒油。“他们把罐子拿给她，她就不断地倒油”（4:5）。她不断地倒油，直到所有的罐子都奇迹般地装满了。她可以用多余的油来偿还家人的债务。上帝是信实的，总是提供。他赐予我们天赋、才能和资源，让我们成为他人的祝福。让我们不要隐藏或忽视我们的天赋，而是用它们来荣耀他。
反思和祈祷 上帝给了你什么天赋和才能？你是如何用你的天赋来服侍他人的？
亲爱的上帝，谢谢你祝福我，并让我成为一个祝福。