0130-Pierced with Many Sorrows 被许多愁苦刺透

1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV) For the LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (emphasis added)It is the DESIRE TO BE RICH AND THE LOVE OF MONEY that is the root of ALL KINDS OF EVIL! Some people have a seared conscience and are void of emotions when they are pursuing money and a higher status in life.

There is now a new trend in society that when someone gets married, it is more for money and status than for genuine love. A need to marry up and despising the poor. This is one of the ways and desires to get rich quickly. It is established and built on a conditional love that comes with its rights, privileges and conditions. This kind of marriage will not last during challenging times, especially when there is a loss in wealth, status or class. Nowadays, the woman or man might even find a way to “jump ship” when the one he/she is on is sinking especially during this pandemic! There is also a tendency to commit adultery when the marriage is not established on genuine love and commitment. This is a betrayal regardless whether it comes as a result of a loss in wealth, status or class or just purely the lust of the flesh to have someone else in life in order to have a better financial security. It is like a trade! There will be emotional scars and sorrows. Therefore, if you are single, you might want to take time to figure out what you really want out of a marriage relationship.

The social media is also a huge influence in our lives especially on the young people of today. Some have made millions of dollars if they have a huge following, but it has also brought sorrows in their pursuit to be recognized. We live in a culture where we crave affirmation, attention and love through the number of ‘likes’, ‘loves’, roses and good comments left on our social media. It has developed a stronghold in our lives regardless whether we believe it or not. Some people say that the social media platform is an avenue for us to boast about our lifestyles, achievements, possessions, associations and the class we belong to in society. We are never content unless we have new and better things to post in order to attract more friends, admirers and supporters! It has become like an idol worship in our lives. Some desire to be an internet star or sensation! Young people have committed suicide or gone into depression because of the lack of affirmation, ‘likes’ and ‘loves’ on their social media and of course it doesn’t help when there are internet bullies.

In order not to live a life of sorrow during the course of our lives, on our deathbeds or at worst case in eternity, we need to make a conscious decision to live our lives very differently now. Our identity should be grounded in Christ and not possessed by the world.

Sermon Series – Balancing Godliness and Riches (Part 2)


被许多愁苦刺透

提摩太前书 6:10 贪财是万恶之根。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。

想发财的欲望和对钱财的贪恋才是万恶之根!有些人在生活中追求财富和更高的社会地位时,他们的良心被烙得麻木无感觉了。

现在社会上出现了一种新趋势,当一个人结婚,更多的时候是为了金钱和地位,而不是为了真爱,追寻高攀的婚姻并鄙视穷人。这是快速致富的途径和愿望之一。它建立在有条件的爱的基础上,并伴随着权利、特殊利益和附加条件。这种婚姻在困难时期不会持久,尤其是在丧失财富、社会地位或阶层的情况下。如今,女方或男方甚至会在所乘坐的婚姻之船下沉时,找到一个“跳船逃生”的方法,尤其在这新冠病毒疫情大流行期间!当婚姻不是建立在真爱与委身的基础上时,也会出现犯奸淫罪的倾向。无论是否由于财富、社会地位或阶层的丧失,为要使自己有更好的经济保障而与他人私通,还是纯粹因肉体的欲望,这都是个背叛。就像是一种交易!这将必造成情感上的创伤与愁苦。因此,如果你是单身,你可能需要花点时间弄清楚,你到底想从一个婚姻关系中真正得到什么。

社交媒体在我们生活中也产生了巨大影响,尤其对当今的年轻人。有些人因在互联网上拥有大量的追随者而已赚了几百万美元,但在追求受众认可时也带来了许多愁苦。我们生活在这样的一个文化之中,人们渴望通过在社交媒体上留下的 “点赞”、“喜爱”、“玫瑰”和好评的数量,来获得肯定与认可。无论我们相信与否,它在我们生命中已形成坚固的营垒。有人说,社交媒体平台是让我们炫耀自己的生活方式、成就、财富、社群以及所属社会阶层的一个途径。除非我们一直都有新的和更好的东西可以发布在网上,以吸引更多的朋友,崇拜者和支持者, 否者我们永远都不会满足!这在我们生命中已成为一种拜偶像。有些人渴望成为一名网红明星或在网上引起轰动! 由于个人社交媒体上缺乏受众认可度、“点赞“ 和 “喜爱”,再加上网络欺凌者的存在,导致不少年轻人走上轻生之路或陷入了抑郁。

为了不让愁苦充满我们的一生,伴随我们至临终病榻上或最糟糕的是在永恒之中,我们要有意识地做出一个决定,现在就要活出一个完全不同的生命。我们的自我认同应该稳固建立在基督里,而不是被世界所控制。

讲章系列 – 平衡敬虔和富足 (第二部分)