要如何才能成為真正富有的人？
By Robert J. Tamasy
要如何才能成為真正富有的人？
前些時候，我和妻子去一家餐廳用餐，並填寫了顧客意見調查表。在完成問卷後，店家就主動把我們加入他們舉辦的抽獎活動。令人驚訝的是，店家通知我們贏得了獎項，而且幾週後我們真的收到一張支票。金額雖然不大，但我們還是把這筆意外之財捐作慈善用途。
這讓我想到要如何才能真正覺得富有。如果你在樂透中得了大獎會如何？或者你發現自己是一位有錢親戚的繼承人，那位親人留給你一大筆遺產？又或者是某人意外地出現在你面前，告訴你贏得了一項大獎？這些是否會讓你覺得富有？
許多人相信若他們能得到一大筆錢，他們就是真正的富有，而且他們一切的問題都可以完全解決。我們還記得新聞報導一些有名又富有的人，雖然有許多錢，但還是經歷生命中極大的困難。世界上一些富有的國家儘管有財富，却仍然為巨大的社會問題所苦惱。如此看來金錢似乎不一定能解決所有的問題。
有人說，若在有錢與沒錢之間作選擇，他們絕對選擇要有錢。我想我們都會同意。但金錢、資產或鉅額投資等等是真正財富的來源嗎？又或者是別的東西？我們要如何才能獲得真正的財富？聖經提供了一些觀察：
擁有－－以及缺乏物質財富－－都可能會是絆腳石。在金錢和物質財富方面，我們可能因為缺乏而努力想獲得更多。但擁有太多也可能造成問題：「使我也不貧窮也不富足；賜給我需用的飲食，恐怕我飽足不認你，說：耶和華是誰呢﹖又恐怕我貧窮就偷竊，以致褻瀆我神的名」（箴言30章8-9節）。
在追求有形財富時，永遠沒有「足夠」。財富無法說服我們相信自己已經足夠了－－即使最有錢的人也會告訴你，還有「增加一點」的空間。「貪愛銀子的，不因得銀子知足；貪愛豐富的，也不因得利益知足。這也是虛空」（傳道書5章10節）。「螞蟥有兩個女兒，常說：給呀，給呀！」（箴言30章15節）。
認識真理並照著真理而行就是得到真正財富的途徑。擁抱上帝在聖經中所提供的真理比物質世界所能提供的財富更多。「我喜悅你的法度，如同喜悅一切的財物」（詩篇119篇14節）。
我們如何使用物質資源可以是一個考驗。我們對財富的態度，和我們如何運用自己所擁有的財物，可以作為我們品格的強大指標，也可以看出對於上帝託付我們照顧的財物，我們是否是可靠的管家。「倘若你們在不義的錢財上不忠心，誰還把那真實的錢財託付你們呢﹖」（路加福音16章11節）。
勞勃．泰默西是領袖資產協會的傳播部副部長，這是一個總部在美國喬治亞州亞特蘭大的非營利組織。他寫過一本書「最佳狀態的商業：箴言給今日職場的歷久彌新智慧」（Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace）；他也與David A. Stoddard合著一本書「導師之心」（The Heart of Mentoring），以及其他書籍。他的雙週部落格網址是：www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
省思／討論題目
依照你的觀點，要如何才能成為真正富有的人？ 誰是你認識的人中最富有的？他們對於自己財富的態度是甚麼？你認為他們的富裕是否讓他們獲得真正的快樂和滿足？為什麼？ 為何擁有太多錢對某些人會成為絆腳石或煩惱的來源？ 信靠並遵循上帝的真理是最大的財富之源。你對於這種觀點有何看法？請解釋
註：若你有聖經且想看更多有關此主題的其他經文，請參考以下經節：箴言11章28節，13章7節，15章6節，16章8節；傳道書2章1-11節，12章13-14節；馬太福音6章25-34節
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE TRULY RICH?
By Robert J. Tamasy
A while back, my wife and I visited a restaurant and later filled out a survey about our experience there. In completing the questionnaire, we were automatically entered in a contest with a monetary reward. To our surprise, we were notified we had won and weeks later received a check in the mail. It was not for a huge amount, but we put the unanticipated money to good use.
This prompted me to wonder what it would take to truly feel rich. What if you won a huge prize in the lottery? Or if you discovered you were an heir to a wealthy relative, and that person had left you a large inheritance? Or if someone unexpectedly showed up at your door and announced you had won a major sweepstakes? Would any of those make you feel rich?
Many people believe that if somehow they were to come into a huge amount of money, they would become truly rich and all their problems would suddenly be resolved. But would they? We can all recall news accounts about famous, extremely wealthy people who have experienced great difficulties in life despite their riches. Some of the wealthiest nations in the world are beset by great societal problems, despite their affluence. It seems that money is not necessarily the cure-all for serious struggles.
Someone has said if given a choice between having money or not having money, they would definitely opt for having money. I think we all would agree. But is money, property, or a hefty investment portfolio the source of true riches – or is it something else? And how can we succeed in acquiring these riches? The Bible offers some observations:
Material wealth – as well as the lack of it – can be stumbling blocks. In terms of money and material possessions, we may struggle with not having what we need. But having too much can also create problems: “…give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the Lord?”Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8-9).
In the pursuit of tangible wealth, there never is “enough.” There is something about wealth that fails to convince us that we have enough of it – even the richest people will tell you there is always room for “just a little bit more.” “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). “The leech as two daughters. “Give! Give!” they cry” (Proverbs 30:15).
Knowing and acting upon the truth is a path to true wealth. Embracing the truth God provides in the Scriptures can enrich more than anything the physical world can offer. “I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches” (Psalm 119:14).
Our use of material resources can be a test. Perhaps our attitude toward wealth and how we use what we have can serve as a strong indicator of our character, as well as our reliability as stewards of what has been entrusted to our care. “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:11).
© 2017. Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. Bob has written Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace; Tufting Legacies; and coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring, as well as other books. His biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
From your perspective, what does it require to be truly rich? Who is the wealthiest person you know? What is their attitude toward their wealth – and do you believe their affluence has resulted in achieving real happiness and fulfillment? Why or why not? Why can having too much money become a stumbling block and source of trouble for someone? What do you think of the idea of trusting and acting upon the truths of God as being the source of the greatest riches? Explain your answer.
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Proverbs 11:28, 13:7, 15:6, 16:8: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, 12:13-14; Matthew 6:25-34
