our daily bread

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Dexu Xia

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Apr 5, 2018, 2:18:15 AM4/5/18

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The Point of Being Alive

Lately, as I’ve been skimming financial advice books, I’ve noticed an interesting trend. While almost all such books have good advice, many imply that the primary reason to cut costs is to live like millionaires later. But one book offered a refreshingly different perspective, arguing that living simply is essential for a rich life. If you need more or fancier stuff to feel joy, the book suggested, “You’re missing the point of being alive.”

Those insightful words brought to mind Jesus’s response when a man asked Him to urge his brother to divide an inheritance with him. Instead of sympathizing, Jesus dismissed him abruptly before warning sternly about “all kinds of greed”—because “life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:14–15). He then described a wealthy person’s plans to store his crops and enjoy a luxurious lifestyle—the first-century version of retirement planning—with a blistering conclusion. His wealth did him no good, since he died that night (vv. 16–20).

Our hearts should be focused on pursuing God's kingdom.

Although we are responsible to use our resources wisely, Jesus’s words remind us to check our motivation. Our hearts should be focused on pursuing God’s kingdom—knowing Him and serving others—not on securing our own futures (vv. 29–31). As we live for Him and freely share with others, we can fully enjoy a rich life with Him now—in the kingdom that gives meaning to all of life (vv. 32–34).

Lord, thank You for all You’ve so generously provided. Teach us how to enjoy what You’ve given and to share it with others. Help us to rest in You.

We don’t need to wait to enjoy a rich life in God’s kingdom.

活着的真义

你们要谨慎自守，免去一切的贪心，因为人的生命不在乎家道丰富。-路加福音12章15节

最近，我浏览了一些财务指南的书，发现一个有趣的现象。虽然这些书大多有好的建议，但都暗示节省开支的主要目的是为了以后能有富裕的生活。然而，有一本书提供了令人耳目一新的见解，认为生活简朴是富足生活的要素。若你需要更多或更好的物资才能感到快乐，便如书中所说：“你错失了活着的真义。”

这番真知灼见令我想起，有一个人求耶稣吩咐他的兄长和他分家产时，耶稣没有同情那人，还驳回他的请求，并且严厉地警诫众人要免去“一切的贪心，因为人的生命不在乎家道丰富”（路加福音12章14-15节）。随后，耶稣讲述一个财主如何计划积蓄他的庄稼，好享受奢华的生活。这是典型的第一世纪退休计划，但结局令人震惊。当夜财主就去世了，他的万贯家财对他根本毫无意义（16-20节）。

虽然我们要有智慧地使用所拥有的，但耶稣的话语提醒我们应省察自己的动机。我们要专心寻求上帝的国，更认识祂，乐意服事人，而不是专为自己的未来打算（29-31节）。当我们为祂而活并无私地与人分享，我们此刻就能与祂同在，享受富足的人生，活在生命充满意义的国度中（32-34节）。

主，感谢祢一切丰富的供应，求祢教导我们，
懂得如何享受祢所赏赐的一切，
并与他人分享。
求祢帮助我们能完全倚靠祢。