1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NKJV) Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they are rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Christians should have a paradigm shift from the secular worldview of success to the Christian worldview of success. The Christian worldview on success is not solely about money and corporate positions. Rather, it has to do with acknowledging that God is the source of all our blessings. God’s blessings are holistic and include being blessed spiritually and emotionally in our souls, having good interpersonal relationships and physical health. The Christian worldview is rooted in the belief that promotion comes neither from the east nor the west but from the Lord (Psalm 75:6-7). In contrast, the secular worldview leaves God out of the equation, and is rooted in the belief that everything comes from on our own merits.
When things go well, it is easy to subconsciously think that we don’t need God. Instead of trusting God for our finances or seeing Him as the source of all our blessings, we trust in our company and corporate positions. However, when something unforeseen happens and we struggle with the faith level that’s needed to see us through financially, it is revealed to us whether we have trusted in God or in uncertain riches.
We should have the same attitude as Abraham. According to Genesis 14:20-23, he refused to take any material goods from the King of Sodom so that the latter could not boast that he had made Abraham rich, because Abraham knew that God was the source of all his blessings due to his covenant relationship with God. Also, Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, a High Priest with similar attributes to Christ. Abraham was not enslaved by money because he was happy that Lot was blessed, and he was willing to part with his resources when he met Melchizedek.
The real test of whether we are held in bondage of fear of not having enough is whether we can act in obedience through tithe and freewill offering. We must practise what Abraham did when he tithed, and gave of his possessions freely because He acknowledged God as the source of His blessings. We can never fully say that we trust in God for our finances until we have no problem tithing and giving freewill offering sacrificially. The act of our love for God is in giving—through serving and our finances when there is a need—in addition to tithing. As you make God the source of your supply, and honour Him with your tithes and offerings, you are storing up for yourselves a good foundation for the time to come, that you may lay hold on eternal life.
Sermon Series: Freely Received and Freely Give
持定那永恒的生命
提摩太前书6:17-19 你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，也不要倚靠无定的钱财，只要倚靠那厚赐百物给我们享受的神。 又要嘱咐他们行善，在好事上富足，甘心施舍，乐意供给人，为自己积成美好的根基，预备将来，叫他们持定那真正的生命。
基督徒的思维模式应该从世界的成功观转变成为基督徒的成功世界观。基督徒看一个人是否成功，不仅仅取决于他是不是有钱，或者在企业界是否地位显赫。反之，基督徒认为上帝才是我们一切祝福的源头。上帝的祝福是全面性的，包括我们在精神上、情感上和灵魂上都受到祝福，拥有良好的人际关系和健康的身体。基督徒的世界观是扎根于这样的一种信念,认为高举非从东，非从西而来,而是来自主(诗篇75:6-7)。相比之下，世俗的观点不把上帝放在考量范围内, 并植根于相信一切都是因为我们很优秀。
当一帆风顺的时候，我们很容易潜意识地认为我们不需要上帝。我们没有在财务上信靠主或把上帝看为我们所有祝福的源泉，而是把盼望放在我们的公司和所担任的职位上。然而，当一些不可预见的事情发生，并且我们的信心在面对经济难关而挣扎时, 才会显露我们依靠的是上帝还是无定的钱财。
我们应该和亚伯拉罕的态度一样。根据创世纪14:20-23，亚伯拉罕拒绝接受所多玛王给的财物，使得后者没法夸耀是他使亚伯拉罕富有，因为亚伯拉罕知道那与他立约的上帝是他一切祝福的源头。此外，亚伯拉罕也将十分之一献给麦基洗德，麦基洗德是与基督有相似属性的大祭司。亚伯拉罕并不被金钱所奴役，因为他开心看到罗得蒙福，而且在遇到麦基洗德时他也愿意割舍他的资源。
我们有时有一种恐惧，怕钱不够，真正能够检验我们是否是被这种恐惧所奴役的方式，是我们是否愿意在十一奉献和自由奉献上顺服神。我们必须效法亚伯拉罕在十一奉献时所做的，他白白地捐出他的财产，因为他承认上帝才是他祝福的源头。除非我们在十一奉献和有牺牲性质的自由奉献上不作难，我们永远不能完全说我们在财务上是相信上帝的。我们爱上帝的方式是奉献—在有需要的时候服事和将金钱献上—在十一奉献之外。当你让上帝成为你供应的源头，用你的十一奉献和给与来荣耀上帝，你是在为自己积成美好的根基，预备将来，叫你能持定那真正的生命。
讲章系列: 白白的得来，白白的舍去
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