Better Together 携手更好
Dexu Xia
One can help the other up. Ecclesiastes 4:10
Today's Scripture Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Today's Insights Ecclesiastes portrays the sobering realism about life on earth “under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:3; 4:1)—that is, life experienced within the limits of our humanity. “The Teacher” (1:1) exposes the futility of “chasing after the wind” (4:4, 6, 16)—the vapor of what we often assume will bring fulfillment—work, wealth, power, prestige, pleasure, learning, and more. He’s resigned to our powerlessness in the face of oppression, poverty, illness, and death. In today’s passage, the Teacher contrasts the harsh reality of those who are utterly alone in this “meaningless” existence with those who have a helpful companion on life’s journey (4:9-12). On this side of eternity, a true friend can make all the difference. From end to end, the Bible instructs us to care for our neighbor as ourselves, even if that neighbor is someone we don’t know or one we might view as unworthy of our help (Deuteronomy 22:1-3; Luke 10:25-37).
Today's Devotional
Meggie’s ten years of drug use kept her in and out of jail. Without a life change, she’d soon return. Then she met Hans, a former addict who almost lost his hand when a vein ruptured due to his substance abuse. “That was the first time I cried out to God,” Hans said. God’s answer prepared him to be a peer specialist for an organization that coordinates recovery for jailed addicts. Called Stone Soup, the program is helping an American jail provide formerly imprisoned people with support to reenter their communities. Through the plan, Meggie moved into a sober-living house and has stayed sober. Hans now helps her and others with job placement, educational options, treatment, and family resources—a coordinated approach.
The Bible describes the strength of wise partnering: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). However, “pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (v. 10).
Like the “Stone Soup” folktale, where a hungry traveler invites townspeople to each share one ingredient to make a delicious soup for all, the Bible confirms we’re stronger and better together (v. 12). God’s plan is for us to live in community, helping others and receiving help in return. That’s no fairy tale; it’s truth for life.
Reflect & Pray
How can pooling our resources help us serve people better? What can you give to make a “stone soup” for your community?
Please bless me, dear God, to join others to help well.
By Patrice Raybon
“这人可以扶起他的同伴”。（传道书 4:10 ）
今日经文：传道书 4:9-12
今日心得：传道书描绘了“日光之下”（传道书 1:3；4:1）人生的严峻现实，即在人性的局限内所经历的人生。“传道者”（1:1）揭示了“捕风”（4:4、6、16）的徒劳，工作、财富、权力、声望、享乐、学识等等，那些我们常常以为会带来满足感的事物，都是虚空的。面对我们在压迫、贫穷、疾病和死亡面前的无能为力，传道人放弃挣扎。在今日经文中，传道者把那些在“毫无意义”的人生中孤独的人，和在人生旅途中有良伴的人作了对比（4:9-12）。在永恒的这一边，一位良伴会带来改变。圣经自始至终教导我们要爱人如己，即使那位邻居是我们素不相识的人，或者我们认为不值得帮助的人（申命记 22:1-3；路加福音 10:25-37）。
今日灵修 梅吉已经有十年吸毒的经历，这使她屡次入狱。如果生活没有改变，她很快就会再次入狱。后来，她遇到了汉斯，一位曾经的瘾君子，由于吸毒导致静脉破裂，差点失去一只手。“那是我第一次向上帝呼求，”汉斯说。上帝回应他，使他成为一个协调服刑的吸毒者康复项目的同伴专家。这个名为“石头汤”（Stone Soup）的项目，正在帮助一所美国监狱，为曾经的囚犯提供支持，帮助他们重返社区。通过这个项目，梅吉搬进了一所戒毒之家，并一直保持着清醒的头脑。汉斯现在帮助她和其他人找工作、选择教育、治疗和家庭资源——这是一种协调一致的工作方式。
圣经描述了明智合作的力量：“两个人总比一个人好，因为二人劳碌同得美好的果效。若是跌倒，这人可以扶起他的同伴”（传道书 4:9-10）。然而，“那跌倒无人扶起的人真可怜”（10 节）。 就像民间故事“石头汤”中讲述的，一个饥饿的旅人邀请镇上的人每个人分享一种食材，为大家做一道美味的汤那样，圣经也证实了我们在一起会更强大、更好（12 节）。上帝的计划是让我们生活在群体中，帮助他人，并得到回报。这不是童话故事，而是人生的真理。
反思与祈祷 如何汇集我们的资源来更好地为他人服务？你能为你的社区贡献出什么，好让大家一起来做一道“石头汤”？
亲爱的上帝，请祝福我，让我能与他人携手，共创美好。
作者： 帕特里斯·雷邦