神給我們能應用的原則
By Robert J. Tamasy
最近我有一個機會跟亞伯接觸，他是一個在CBMC服事多年的領袖。他是我們退修會的講員，講題是「應用聖經的原則在職場和個人的生活裡」。
亞伯提到一個改變他人生的經驗是－神不會給你不能應用的原則，當你遵守聖經的原則時，你永遠不會出錯。
這不是一個空泛的宣告。亞伯繼續舉出幾個例子，告訴我們，即便有時這些原則和我們天然人的認知是相反的，選擇遵照聖經的原則，事情的發展也如同神應許的一樣。亞伯並沒有說遵守聖經的原則是一件容易的事情，或是結果總是會和我們預期的一樣，但是他說：「一個慈愛的父親，不會要你去做對你有害的事，而上帝正是我們的天父。」
這讓我開始思考一件事:聖經裡有哪些神給我們的原則，是為我們的好處設立的呢?真的要討論，可能可以寫一本書了。以下舉幾個例子:
我們不是僅僅為自己工作而已。我們開始自己的事業時，會用「這是我的工作或是職業」來看待它。但是聖經教導，工作是神給我們呼召的一部份，也是我們使用自己的天賦、才能和機會的地方。「我們原是他的工作，在基督耶穌裏造成的，為要叫我們行善，就是神所預備叫我們行的。」 (以弗所書2章10節)
等待無害。我們很多人都是行動派，當目標和願望要等待才能實現時，我們的耐心會受到極度的挑戰。如果我們發現事情成就需要等待，那就要相信神有祂的理由。「你當默然倚靠耶和華，耐性等候他；不要因那道路通達的和那惡謀成就的心懷不平」 (詩篇37篇7節)。「你們要休息，要知道我是神！我必在外邦中被尊崇，在遍地上也被尊崇」(詩篇46篇10節) 。
生活中的困難能成為靈性成長的墊腳石。當我們遇到困難的時候，會想找方法逃避。但是困境的試煉經常會讓我們學到更多從神而來的功課和促成靈性的成長。「不但如此，就是在患難中也能歡歡喜喜的；因為知道患難生忍耐， 忍耐生老練，老練生盼望；盼望不至於羞恥，因為所賜給我們的聖靈將神的愛澆灌在我們心裏。」 (羅馬書5章3-5節)
你付出的不會比神給你的更多。慷慨不是我們的天性。我們會緊緊捉住自己的錢財和利益。即便是慈善的捐贈，我們也表現出「給人，我就會減少」的姿態。但是哥林多後書9章7節告訴我們: 「」捐得樂意的人是神所喜愛的。」耶穌也教導我們不要擔心不足。「你們要給人，就必有給你們的，並且用十足的升斗，連搖帶按，上尖下流地倒在你們懷裏；因為你們用甚麼量器量給人，也必用甚麼量器量給你們。」(路加福音6章38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）
省思與問題討論
從你的經驗來看，你對「神不會給你一個無法應用的原則」有甚麼看法？你可以想出一個無法應用的反例嗎？ 你同意「遵守神的法則時，你不會走偏」這個原則嗎？你還能想出其他幫助你工作更有效率、可實際應用的原則嗎？ 文章中提到「等待無害」，你覺得為什麼很多人無法耐心等待時機成熟或是最後的結果？ 你是否親身經歷過神使用困境或是困難來教導我們，模塑我們成為祂期待的樣子？如果有，請舉一個例子，並且分享在這過程當中，你學到了甚麼？
備註: 如果你手上有聖經，希望能閱讀更多關於神給我們的原則，請參考：箴言11章23節、11章25節、12章1節、14章29節、15章22節、17章14節、21章5節、23章19-21節、26章10節、27章17節、28章20節
NOT PROVIDING PRINCIPLES WE CANNOT IMPLEMENT
By Robert J. Tamasy
Recently I had the opportunity to spend time with Albert, a longtime friend who served as a leader in CBMC for many years. He was guest speaker at a retreat, and discussed about some of the things he has learned about applying biblical principles in his businesses, as well as his personal life.
One of the life-changing insights Albert said experience has taught him is, “God will never give you a principle in His Word that you cannot implement.” He added, “When you follow biblical principles, you can never go wrong.”
This was not an empty declaration. My friend proceeded to cite example after example of times when, even if it seemed counter-intuitive, he chose to follow guidelines from the Scriptures and discovered to his delight that they worked as promised. Albert was not saying that heeding biblical principles is always easy, or that outcomes will always be as we hoped. But as he commented, “A loving father will never ask you to do something that is not good for you – and the Lord is our loving Father.”
This started me thinking: What are some of these principles from the Bible that God gives, assuring us He has established them with our best interests at heart? Books could be written about this topic, but here are some examples that came to mind:
We do not work just for ourselves. We start our careers typically thinking in terms of “my work,” “my job.” The Bible teaches, however, the work we perform is part of our divine calling, and the talents and giftedness we possess, and even opportunities that come our way, are from God. “For we are God”s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
There is no harm in having to wait. Many of us are action-oriented people, and having to wait for goals and desires to be realized tests our patience to the limit. But if we find ourselves having to wait, God has a good reason for it. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Difficulties in life can be stepping stones for spiritual growth. When we encounter hardships, we are prone to explore alternatives for escaping the circumstances. But it is often the crucible of adversity that teaches us the greatest lessons from God and leads to spiritual maturity. “…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:3-5).
You cannot out-give God. Generosity does not come naturally for many of us. We cling to our paychecks and profits, reasoning, “It”s mine. I earned it.” We act as if giving to others, even worthwhile charitable causes, could result in our running out of resources for ourselves. But 2 Corinthians 9:7 states, “God loves a cheerful giver.” Jesus also taught we need not worry about not having enough: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).
© 2017. Robert J. Tamasy has written Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace; Tufting Legacies; coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring, and edited numerous other books, including Advancing Through Adversity by Mike Landry. Bob”s website is www.bobtamasy-readywriterink.com, and his biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
From your own experience, how do you react to the statement, “God will never give you a principle in His Word that you cannot implement”? Can you think of any times when that did not hold true in your life? If you agree with the following statement, “When you follow God”s principles, you can never go wrong,” what are some other principles that come to mind that you have found working effectively when put into practice? Looking at one of the principles cited, why is it so difficult for most of us to have to wait before seeing something come to fruition? Have you experienced firsthand how God can use adversity or hardship to teach us, as well as to shape us into the people He wants us to be? If so, give an example – and explain what you learned through the process.
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about principles it presents, consider the following passages taken from the book of Proverbs alone: Proverbs 11:23, 11:25, 12:1, 14:29, 15:22, 17:14, 21:5, 23:19-21, 26:10, 27:17, 28:20
