Out of the Trap / 远离陷阱

[Dexu Xia]

Out of the Trap

I have learned the secret of being content. Philippians 4:12

The Venus flytrap was first discovered in a small area of sandy wetlands not far from our home in North Carolina. These plants are fascinating to watch because they’re carnivorous.

Venus flytraps release a sweet-smelling nectar into colorful traps that resemble open flowers. When an insect crawls inside, triggering sensors along the outer rim, the trap clamps shut in less than a second—capturing its victim. The trap then closes further and emits enzymes that consume its prey over time, giving the plant nutrients not provided by the sandy soil.

God’s Word tells of another trap that can capture unexpectedly. The apostle Paul warned his protégé Timothy: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” And “some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:9–10).

Money and material things may promise happiness, but when they take first place in our lives, we walk on dangerous ground. We avoid this trap by living with thankful, humble hearts focused on God’s goodness to us through Jesus: “godliness with contentment is great gain” (v. 6).

The temporary things of this world never satisfy like God can. True, lasting contentment is found only through our relationship with Him.

远离陷阱

随事随在，我都得了秘诀。-腓立比书4章12节

捕蝇草第一次被人们发现的地方，就是在北卡罗莱纳州离我家不远的一小片沙土湿地上。由于这是少有的食虫植物，所以格外引人注目。

捕蝇草艳丽的叶子如同盛开的花朵，释放芳香的花蜜，引诱昆虫进入陷阱。只要昆虫爬进叶子中，就会触动外缘的刺毛，两瓣叶片就瞬间合起来，把昆虫牢困在陷阱中。接着叶片紧紧闭合，并开始分泌酵素，慢慢将昆虫分解，使植物得到沙土无法供应的养分。

上帝的话也提到另一种让人不易察觉的陷阱。使徒保罗警告他的门徒提摩太，说：“但那些想要发财的人，就陷在迷惑、落在网罗和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。……有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。”（提摩太前书6章9-10节）

金钱和物质享受或许能令人感到快乐，但我们若将其视为生命中的首要目标，处境便岌岌可危了。我们都当远离这种陷阱，要以谦卑和感恩的心，将目光放在上帝藉着耶稣所赐给我们的各样恩典上，因为“敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了”（6节）。

世上事物瞬息即逝，不能满足人心。惟独与上帝建立关系，我们才能得到真正、永恒的满足。

亲爱的主，祢是我生命中最大的福分！
今日求祢赐我知足的心，让我能以祢为满足。

你比较关注金钱或是你与上帝的关系呢？
今天你要如何让上帝居首位？