1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NKJV) Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 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.
The love of money has caused people to have many sorrows. Our souls are hurt because we have not cared for them well, and they could be blinded by the pursuit of riches.
The soul of man is the unrenewed part of us even though we are born-again Christians. The soul consists of the mind – part of the brain, intellect, thinking, and evaluation; the emotions – feelings, desires, and mood; and the will – decision and volition.
We are the keepers of our soul. How we think, manage our emotions, and the decisions we make based on our priorities will affect our souls. Therefore, we need wisdom to ensure we make the right decisions and renew our minds with the Word so we can prosper in our souls. Our Christian values should be: God first, family second, and career third, in this order of priority and decision-making.
Dallas Willard was quoted saying, “What matters is not the accomplishments you achieve; what matters is the person you become.” *
The opening Scripture clearly warns us that there will be a snare, a trap, and many foolish and harmful lusts that will drown those people who love money in destruction and perdition—it will bring about much sorrow.
New jobs often carry the unspoken expectation that we must sacrifice time with our family and loved ones. With increased pay comes pressure. If you do not stand firm on what is important to you, you will succumb to their demands and sacrifice time with the Lord and your family. We may argue and complain about our lives while still clinging to the lifestyle. Sorrow, resentment, and anger will infiltrate our lives. Our soul may not prosper, even if our finances are thriving.
Godliness with contentment means making adjustments to ensure our lives align with the values and priorities we have established.
Reflection: Are you being a good keeper of your soul as you climb the corporate ladder or build your business? What kind of person will you become by the end of this pursuit?
*Soul Keeping – Caring For The Most Important Part Of You by John Ortberg
Sermon Series: Is Money Evil
作属灵的好管家
提摩太前书 6:6–10 然而，敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了。因为我们没有带什么到世上来，也不能带什么去。只要有衣有食，就当知足。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。 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。
贪爱钱财使人承受许多愁苦。许多时候，我们的灵魂受伤，并非因为环境本身，而是因为我们没有好好看顾它；在追逐财富的过程中，我们的心眼可能渐渐被蒙蔽。
即便我们已经重生得救，人的“魂”仍是需要不断更新的部分。魂包括思想（理性、思考与判断）、情感（感觉、欲望与情绪），以及意志（决定与选择）。
我们是自己灵魂的看守者。我们如何思想、如何管理情绪、以及根据怎样的优先次序作决定，都会影响我们灵魂的光景。因此，我们需要从神而来的智慧，确保自己作出正确的选择；也要用神的话语更新心思意念，使我们的灵魂兴盛。基督徒的价值排序应当是：神第一，家庭第二，事业第三——并且在一切决策中持守这样的次序。
正如 达拉斯·威拉德（Dallas Willard）所说：“重要的不是你取得了多少成就，而是你最终成为什么样的人。”
开头的经文清楚提醒我们：当人贪爱钱财时，必会落入网罗与陷阱，并陷入许多无知有害的私欲之中，最终带来败坏、灭亡与许多愁苦。
新的工作机会往往伴随着一种无形的期待——要牺牲陪伴家人与挚爱的时间。薪资增加的同时，也带来更大的压力。若你不坚定持守自己真正看重的价值，就容易顺从外在的要求，牺牲与主亲近的时间以及与家人相处的时光。我们或许一边抱怨生活的重担，一边却仍紧抓着那种生活方式不放。忧愁、怨恨与愤怒便会慢慢渗入生命。即使财务状况兴盛，我们的灵魂却未必兴盛。
“敬虔加上知足”意味着我们愿意作出调整，使自己的生活与所确立的价值观和优先次序对齐。
反思：
当你在职场晋升或建立事业的过程中，是否真正成为一个善于看守自己灵魂的人？在这条追求成功的道路尽头，你将成为怎样的人？
参考书籍：Soul Keeping — John Ortberg
讲章系列：金钱是邪恶的吗？