2008-08-31 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 如何面對困難 粵語 國語 第31天 讀經：   尼希米記五章1至13節 我們在這一章看見了一件可悲的事。原來應該合力建造城牆的人，如今竟互相爭吵和指責，而且，他們當中有些人還剝削同胞，從中牟利。 第一班人說他們的家人沒有足夠的糧食；第二班人說他們已典當了田地來換取糧食；第三班人則說他們是靠借錢來購買糧食，更要為此而付出極高的利息。這些彼此抱怨的人，都是猶太人；因此，當尼希米聽見同胞這樣互相爭吵，就令他感到最悲憤和心痛了。同樣地，教會中的信徒出現紛爭，不單對整體教會的傷害最大，對教外的人也是最壞的見證。 互相抱怨還會帶來甚麼影響呢？就是停止了修建城牆的工作。當人出現不和的時候，就難有合作的可能，做任何工作也難有進展。 對於他們當中的有錢人這樣欺壓同胞，尼希米感到非常氣忿。他如何處理呢？他首先坐下來，深入去剖析整個問題。有些問題他知道自己無法解決，但有些事情他卻可以去干涉。例如，那些欺壓同胞的方式，是違背神的律法的，他可以去斥責做這事的人。我們在第10至11節，便看見尼希米如何義正詞嚴地指出他們的錯誤。 被指責的人自知理虧，所以便無言以對，但他們卻願意悔改，將本息歸還。他們雖然為此而付出代價，卻因著尼希米的訓斥而遵從了神的教導。 尼希米為何敢於直言呢？其中一個原因，是因為他本身的正直清廉，絕不會剝削百姓。 我們可以從這件事例中學到一個功課，就是當問題出現的時候，我們一定要撫心自問，看清楚自己在神面前有沒有過犯。我們必須先正身，然後才能正人和解決問題。 尼希米因為凡事向神說「是」，所以才能向罪說「不」。這豈不是我們的最佳榜樣嗎？ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HOW DO YOU FACE PROBLEMS? Day 31 Bible Reading:   Nehemiah 5:1-13 This is a sad chapter. It tells about trouble between the people who were supposed to be building the walls of the city. Instead of building, they were quarrelling with each other and taking advantage of each other. The first group said they didn't have enough food. The second group said they had to give away their land in order to get food. The third group said they had to borrow money to buy food and were paying too high a rate of interest for it. It was all between members of the Jewish Community-the' people of God and that is what hurt Nehemiah the most. Trouble inside a church always hurts the whole church and gives a poor witness to those outside. What other result was, there? The work on the walls stopped. There could be no progress, no co-operation while this trouble was going on. Nehemiah was angry inside, over what some of the rich people were doing to the poorer people: What did he do? He sat down and thought about the problem. There were some things he couldn't do much about, but there were some things that he could. There were men who were breaking God's laws for his people and that was what Nehemiah could speak against. Nehemiah said bluntly, 'It's got to stop' (v.10-11). The men concerned knew they were wrong. They had no answer for Nehemiah. But they did make a great response. It cost them something, but they were obedient to God's word through Nehemiah. How could Nehemiah speak like this? One reason was his own integrity. He was not involved in any way with what the others were doing. One of the most important things we can do when problems arise is to make sure that we ourselves are right before God-that we are living as he would have us live. That kind of example is hard to speak against. Nehemiah said 'No' to sin because he said 'Yes' to God. Can we do anything less?

2008-08-30 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 如何克服灰心 粵語 國語 第30天 讀經：   尼希米記四章8至14節 我們無論做甚麼事情，最容易出現的負面情緒就是灰心。尼希米記第四章正是要處理這個問題。 百姓之所以出現灰心，是有幾個客觀的原因的。請看第10節：他們力氣衰敗。他們已經做了一段很長的時間，但工作似乎做不完，他們已筋疲力竭，非常疲累。這是他們出現灰心的原因之一。 讓我們反問自己：我們甚麼時候最容易感到灰心？豈不是最疲累的時候嗎？豈不是忙完一整天，感到太累而無法再繼續下去的時候嗎？留意當時的百姓已專心修建了城牆一半，所以出現勞累也很正常(6節)。同樣地，當我們把工作做了一半，感到疲累的時候，卻發現還有一半未做，便會覺得無法堅持下去，於是便會出現灰心。 而且，我們還得留意，百姓只看見眼前的灰土，還需很多時日去清理(10節)。他們失去了遠象，只看見眼前的殘垣斷壁，無法憧憬修畢的城牆。我們為神工作的時候，都會有一個遠象。這是神給你的遠象，千萬不要因為注目於眼前的境況，而令你忘記了遠象，否則就只會感到灰心，而失去達成這遠象的決心。 接著，百姓還感到害怕和憂慮。他們只記著誰人的話？請看第12節：「我們的敵人且說……」，敵人的話一定是負面的攻擊或批評，我們若只記著他們的話，就當然會失去安全感，只有灰心和恐懼了。 尼希米如何幫助百姓克服灰心呢？他按照百姓的宗族將他們組織起來，安排每組輪流分工：這組修建城牆的時候，那組就拿著兵器防守，同時，也讓他們有休息的機會。而最重要的，是他鼓勵士氣，使眾人的目光專注在神的身上。留意第14節，他說：「當紀念主！」我們如何能叫自己從灰心失望中，重新站立起來呢？就是要紀念主過往為我們成就的一切，以及緊握祂給我們的應許。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DISCOURAGEMENT-ITS CAUSE AND CURE Day 30 Bible Reading:   Nehemiah 4:8-14 There is one problem which faces all of us from time to time. It is discouragement. In Nehemiah all of chapter 4 deals with this subject. Here we are given several reasons why the people became discouraged. Look at verse 10. The people's strength was failing. They were tired. They had been working a long time at the seemingly endless task and they had become exhausted. That is one of the first reasons for discouragement. Ask yourself-when do I feel most discouraged? Isn't it when you are most tired? When you have had a hard day and you feel too tired to go on? Then notice these people became tired half way through the job (v.6). When we are half way through, don't we begin to think the job is taking too long and we will never get finished? The result-discouragement. Then notice, all that the people could see was rubbish (v.10). They had lost their vision of the finished wall and could only see the present situation. So you have a vision for the work of God where you are? Never lose it. It has been given to you by God. Don't let the present circumstances discourage you from seeing the fulfilment of that vision. Then they became afraid. Fear took over. Who did they start quoting? Look at verse 12. 'Our enemies say.' Have you ever heard the phrase 'They say'? It is always something negative isn't it? When you listen to that, you lose your sense of security. Fear and discouragement take its place. What is the cure for discouragement? Nehemiah grouped the people together more-into families. Then he allowed half of them to stand watch while the others worked. He gave some of them a rest. Most of all he directed their attention to the Lord. Look at verse 14. What did he say? 'Remember the Lord.' How do you do that? By remembering what he has done in the past and what he has promised to do for you now.

2008-08-29 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 尼希米的隊工 粵語 國語 第29天 讀經：   尼希米記三章1至6節 我們在這章經文裡面，讀到48個人名或組別的名稱。首先提及的祭司是負責建立羊門，獻祭的人便是帶著用作祭牲的羊羔經過這門往聖殿獻祭。祭司將所建的一切都分別為聖獻給主。他們的工作為百姓立下了美好的榜樣。 接著的名單，只列出了父輩的名字，因此我們並不知道實際參與工程者是誰。信徒參與神的工作豈不一樣？當我們將來進入榮耀的天家，便會看見許多忠僕的名字，他們都曾默默的為主作工，只是不為人所知罷了！ 接著那長長的名單，便列出了參與工程者的不同背景，和各自所從事的職業。當中有銀匠和作香的；也有婦女；有負責管理聖殿的。無論他們從事甚麼工作，如今都同樣有事奉神的機會。 有些人修建城牆的那一部分，就是在自己房屋的旁邊(10節)。有許多房子可能是屬於舊有城牆的一部分，如今修建的新城牆便可同時保護他們的房子。這節經文提醒我們去反思一個問題：「我們會做些甚麼去保護自己的家，使它免受敵人的侵優？」許多時候，我們都將家庭的需要放得太後，但其實它需要我們更多的重視和關注。 當中有些人不用負責任何工作(5節)。經文沒有告訴我們是甚麼原因，但那些貴冑本身顯然是不想參與。他們是來自耶路撒冷以南的提哥亞，那正是先知阿摩司的家鄉。他們可能是富裕的牧羊人，因此，他們來到耶路撒冷，可能只是為了做買賣，他們對它並沒有深厚的感情。他們沒有參與神的工作，但同時卻失去了神的祝福。 禱告： 「主啊，求你讓我知道，我在你的工作中有何位份，求你助我能盡獻所能地為你工作。」 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NEHEMIAH'S WORKING BEE Day 29 Bible Reading:   Nehemiah 3:1-6 Did you ever see such a long list of unpronounceable names? Why are they given? There are 48 names or groups mentioned in this chapter, and it begins with the priests. They built the sheep gate area. That was where the lambs, were brought in for the sacrifices in the temple. They consecrated what they did to the Lord. What an example those priests gave to the rest of the people. Then there are men and women here whose names we don't know. In verse 3 for example the father is mentioned, but not the names of the sons who did the work. Isn't this true in the Lord's work? When we get home to glory we will find out the names of many, many people who have worked for Christ, but whose names we never knew. There is a long list of men from all kinds of backgrounds and various occupations. There were men who worked with jewels. There were chemists. There were women. There were the servants from the temple. You could call them deacons and deaconesses. Whatever their occupation they found opportunity in the work of God. There were those too who built the wall nearest their own homes (v.10). Many houses were actually built as part of the old walls and now the new wall would protect their homes. A I good question to stop and think about would be, 'What are we doing to protect our homes from the attack of the enemy?'. The family needs to have a much larger place in our priorities than most of us give to it. There were those who did not help in any way (v.5). Why? We aren't told, but obviously they didn't want to get involved. They came from the hills of Tekoa south of Jerusalem, the country where Amos the prophet came from. They were probably rich shepherds, so weren't interested in the city of Jerusalem except as a place to sell their sheep. They missed out on the work, but they missed out on the blessing too. A PRAYER FOR TODAY: 'Lord help me see what part is mine in your work today, and help me to do it.'

2008-08-28 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 萬事起頭難 粵語 國語 第28天 讀經：   尼希米記二章11至20節 當尼希米第一眼看見耶路撒冷的時候，你猜他有甚麼感覺呢？他當然會很興奮，但同時又十分震驚。他逼切想開展計劃，卻又被逼要先安靜下來。他第一個感覺，是知道自己還沒準備好去迎接面前的挑戰。他該從何入手呢？ 他靜靜地思考了三天──我們可以相信，他必然也在神面前安靜祈禱。未來的日子將有很多工作；現在正是計劃和禱告的時刻。接著，他便要親自視察毀壞的城牆。他要安排人去把殘垣斷壁移走、把蔓生的植物清除、找回原來的石頭，將它們安回原位。他需要計劃人手的分配，和構思怎樣鼓勵民眾，去開展這項龐大的重建工程。 然後，他便去到百姓中間，與他們講解他的計劃。他並不是開口便說：「你們應該自覺羞慚！你們已經回來定居多年，卻對損毀的城牆無動於衷！」不，他沒有責備他們，他反而向他們表示自己也有責任，他們要共同承擔此職責。他對他們說：「我們都看見城牆毀了，我們必須合力重建它。我相信神必幫助我們。神必與我們同在。王也支持我們。我們需要共同承擔此工作，讓我們開始吧！」 尼希米沒有承諾工程會很容易完成；但百姓的反應卻令人鼓舞。他們說：「讓我們起來建造吧！」他們便一起投入工作，我們在第三章將看見他們如何分工合作。 當他們一開始工作，便有人給他們潑冷水。請看第19節。我們在本書的餘下部分，將不斷看見這類人。他們會想盡辦法去阻撓重建的工程；但尼希米總是以同一句說話來作出回應：「我們是照著神的旨意去做。如果你們妨礙我們，我得警告你們，要小心神的責罰。」 我們也許會有同樣的經歷：當我們知道自己是照著神的旨意去行，卻遇到反對的聲音。我們會怎樣做呢？我們要聽清楚別人的批評，反省神為何讓這些批評出現。別人的讚賞未必使我們有很大得益，但別人的批評卻往往令我們有所醒悟。當我們認定我們的行動是合乎神的心意，我們就要定睛仰望主，相信祂呼召我們去做的工作，祂定必成全。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GETTING STARTED-HARDEST JOB OF ALL Day 28 Bible Reading:   Nehemiah 2:11-20 Can you imagine Nehemiah's feelings as he saw Jerusalem for the first time? He was thrilled, but he was also shocked. He was eager, but he was silent. He knew he was not quite ready for the great task ahead of him. Wherever would he start? For three days he sat quietly thinking about it all-we could add praying too. There will be plenty of action in the days ahead. Now was the time for planning and prayer. The next step was to have a look for himself at the ruins of the walls. There would be rubbish to remove, vines to be pulled down, stones to be found and put back in place. He needed to plan how to use the people and how to get them started on the big job of rebuilding. Then he talked with the 'people. He did not say,. 'You people ought to be ashamed of yourselves. You've lived here all these years and have done nothing.' Instead he identified himself with them in the task. He said, 'We have a problem; we need to db something. I believe God will help us. God is with us. The king is behind us. The job is in front of us. Let's get started.' Nehemiah did not promise an easy future. But the people responded wonderfully. They said, 'Let us rise up and build'. They put their hands to the work and in chapter three we will hear about their first working bee. But the moment they decided to begin, opposition started. Look at verse 19. We will meet these men time and time again in the book of Nehemiah. They will try in every way possible to hinder the work. But Nehemiah always had the, same answer. 'I stand-we stand-in-the will of God. If you stand against us, I warn you, God will deal with you.' There will be times when we will know the will of God for our lives, and then opposition will come. What will we do? Our refuge will be the will of God. Look at the criticism and see why God has allowed it. We never learn much from compliments, but we can sometimes learn from criticism. At that time, above all, let us never take our eyes off the Lord who has called us to his work.

2008-08-27 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 如何與上司相處 粵語 國語 第27天 讀經：   尼希米記二章1至11節 你若有事要向王提出請求，但你明知王如果不高興，他甚至可以下令把你斬首，你會怎樣做呢？尼希米向王提出請求之前，他用了四個月的時間在神面前祈禱。他曾經求神使他「現今亨通」(一11)，卻發現仍不是時機，所以，他便唯有繼續禱告，靜候合適的時間。 尼希米雖然記掛著耶路撒冷的境況而心中悲傷，但他卻一直不讓自己面帶愁容地侍候王。但終於在某一天，他可能已無法壓抑，所以露出了愁容，引來王對他關心的詢問：「你是否有甚麼憂愁的事？你今天看來十分愁煩。」經這一問，尼希米的傷痛便仿如崩堤般難以壓抑，他便把實情清清楚楚地告訴王。 王再詢問他說：「你打算怎樣做呢？你有甚麼計劃呢？」尼希米在第4節的反應是：「於是我默禱天上的神」。王可能鑑於尼希米的優秀工作表現，不想他離開皇宮太久。這是給每位基督徒的重要提醒。所有上司都肯定會善待忠心能幹的下屬。 尼希米已經仔細構思了重建城牆的計劃，算出了工程所需的時間、所需的材料和施工的程序。對神的信靠並沒有排除慎重的計劃。我們在禱告的當兒，可同時作出計劃。然後，當神的時間到了，我們就知道該如何踏出第一步。 王同意了尼希米的要求，批准他回去。尼希米在啟程之前，再向王提出了兩個請求：第一是賜他詔書，讓地方官員准許他在他們管轄的地方經過；第二是求王讓他使用國家的林木。神可以使用異教的王來供應用尼希米所需用的一切。 可是，來到第10節，我們卻聽到另一種聲音。每當神的僕人要為神工作的時候，就總會遇到反對的人。因此，遇到反對的聲音，未必表示你所做的事情不合乎神的旨意。但你或許應該先停下來，重新檢視自己是否走在神的旨意中。如果你肯定的話，就該下定決心，勇往直前，專心做神的工作，像尼希米一樣。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HOW TO GET ALONG WITH THE BOSS Day 27 Bible Reading:   Nehemiah 2:1-11 How do you approach a king who might cut off your head if he does not like what you are asking for? Nehemiah spent about four months in prayer before he made his first request to the king. He had said, 'Today', in 1:11 but the opportunity had not come for all that time. In the meantime Nehemiah kept praying. Now the time to speak suddenly arrived. Nehemiah had tried not to allow his sadness about Jerusalem to show on his face, but one day it just broke through. The king asked, 'What's the matter with you? You look really sad today?'. Then all the emotions of the past few months flooded out as Nehemiah told his story. The king said, 'What do you want to do? What have you got in mind?'. Notice again what Nehemiah did (v.4). 'So I prayed.' It would seem that the king did not want him to be gone too long because Nehemiah had a good testimony as a worker. That is very important for any Christian. Certainly a boss will do more for a good worker. Nehemiah had been planning and working out how long it would take, what he would need and how the job could be done. Faith never shuts out planning. We can plan as well as pray. Then when the Lord moves, we will know what to do next. The king agreed to all that Nehemiah asked for. Nehemiah then added two more requests. He would need letters to the various governors along the borders of each country. Also he would need timber out of the king's forests. God saw that all that Nehemiah needed was supplied by the heathen king. But a different note is heard in verse 10. Whenever a servant of God tries to move ahead, there will always be someone who will oppose him. Opposition does not necessarily mean that you are out of the will of God. It may throw you back on God to make sure you are in his will. When that is affirmed, you must go on with the job God has given you to do, just as Nehemiah did.

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踏入八月份，無論你是否熱衷運動，你總得承認奧運是這些日子各地華人的焦點，也是近代中國人的一件大事。中國健兒能否在運動場上吐氣揚眉，彷彿就和自己的孩子能否高考成功一樣，牽動著萬千人的心靈。縱然我不覺得奧運的成就等於國家的地位，卻肯定會為中國運動員的努力和成就而激動，即使如中美籃球比賽一樣落敗了，也希望輸得有尊嚴。那些歡呼、那些激情，雖然來得膚淺，但卻是久違了的朋友，帶來陣陣驚喜。 但我最高興的是自己的中國心，不再只為災難而悸動，而是為歡欣而跳躍。更慶幸的是，即使在開幕的慶典中，大家仍沒有忘記那些受苦的災民。姚明的大手，拖著四川的小孩；高大的身影，成了小個子的背景。那再一次提醒我，人的價值，不在乎他的成就，而是沿於人的本身。一個身價千萬的運動員，和一個身無長物的小子，同樣值得我們注目。我不禁在猜想，神會注目在那一個身上多一些呢？ 點聖火的安排，是另一個觸動我的環節。這不是因為李寧的英姿，也不是程小東的技巧，而是副選者熊倪的付出。在明知自己機會不多，郤仍是一樣努力，同樣付出的時候，他心中所想所感的，到底是如何的呢？如果正如張藝謀所說的，他是出於無私的奉獻，這不是很值得我們學習嗎？在機構的事奉中，特別是像國證網絡這樣隱藏在網絡背後的機構，說句實話，做主角、出風頭的機會絕無僅有。要大受讚賞、甚至萬人稱頌的機會，更是微乎其微。但熊倪為地上的事尚且願意付出，我們為天上的大業豈不是更應努力嗎？ 所以我感恩的是，當健兒們頂著烈日，流著汗水比拼時，我們同工也沒有閒著，繼續分擔多出來的工作，又積極聯絡義工協助，日常運作總算重歸正常。再來就是部署下年度的工作，尋找更多的事奉機會，和更多的機構合作。我們的事奉不會如金牌選手一樣萬眾觸目，但也不會成為我們躲懶的藉口。 運動場上勝利的只有一人，但我們的主卻有更大的能力和智慧。深信祂能看到我們的努力，並賜下美好的恩典。願神祝福那些勇士能發揮自己的力量，在場上作出美好的比拼。也請你為我們禱告，讓我們能在這個天國的比賽中得勝。 黃偉 附筆：國證網絡已申請了自動轉賬戶口，期望你能定期支持我們，以幫助我們能更專心事工的發展。若想下載表格，請按這裡。

2008-08-21 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 信徒的責任 粵語  國語 第21天 讀經：   哥林多前書十六章1至4節 我們已一連四天研讀第十五章，從中學到一些非常重要的福音真理。保羅分別將復活的憑據、信徒何時復活和怎樣復活的有關真理告訴我們。我們可能已開始想念基督再來的那一天。可是，保羅卻突然轉變了話題，談到為聖徒收集捐獻的事。可想而知，保羅雖然心繫天堂，但他仍是腳踏實地，關懷身邊有需要的人。 這次收集捐獻的目的，是為了幫助耶路撒冷那些有缺乏的聖徒。當時的耶路撒冷出現飢荒，保羅發起這捐輸的運動，除了幫助有需要的信徒外，可能還希望藉此化解某些人對他的誤解和攻擊。 哥林多的信徒未必可以親自前往耶路撒冷，去幫助那裡的信徒；可是，他們卻可以透過捐助來幫助他們。捐助是一種切實分享和關懷的途徑。經文沒有指定哥林多信徒要捐助的款額，卻提出一個非常重要的原則：「各人要照自己的進項抽出來留著」；換言之，信徒每週從主所賜的收入中，抽取一個數額來作出捐獻。 按照舊約的規定，各人要將所得的十分一奉獻給神。倘若在律法之下的猶太人，也能夠作出這樣的奉獻；我們這活在恩典之下的信徒，就更應該當仁不讓了。 保羅給哥林多信徒的原則，同樣適用於我們今天。我們必須培養定時奉獻的習慣，藉此來支持神的工作。我們必須知道，我們所得著的一切收入，都是從神而來的，所以，奉獻給神便是我們的本分。我們應該按照收入，定出固定的奉獻金額；並且，要像繳付其他賬單一樣的按時奉獻。要記著，捐得樂意的人，是神所祝福的；反之，我們若將應該奉獻的金錢留為己用，就等於剝奪神繼續祝福自己的機會，白白失去神的更多祝福。 反思： 神將各好處賜給我，我可以拿甚麼來回報神呢？ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RESURRECTION RESPONSIBILITIES Day 21 Bible Reading:   1 Corinthians 16:1-4 We have had several readings in the 15th chapter of this epistle. We have seen some wonderful truths of the Gospel. We have seen the proof of the resurrection, and spoken of how and when this will happen. We have had our eyes turned to the time when Christ comes again. Now suddenly Paul introduces a new note altogether 'the collection for the saints'. Paul had his head in heaven, but his feet were well and truly on the ground down here. This collection was for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Paul had started the collection possibly with the hope that somehow it might overcome some of the opposition which seemed to face him everywhere. There had been a famine in Jerusalem and Paul wanted to help those in very real need. The Corinthians might not be able to go to Jerusalem; but they could send their money. When we give our money, in one way we are giving part of ourselves. The exact amount that the Corinthians were to give is not stated, but there is a wonderful principle laid down here. 'As the Lord has prospered you.' An amount was to be given every week according to what the Lord had given them the previous week. In the Old Testament, that amount was always one tenth. If the Jews under the law had to give that amount, surely we who are under grace should give at least that much. What Paul said to the Corinthians still holds good today. We should give regularly to the Lord's work. We should do it recognizing that what we have has come from the Lord. We should determine what amount we should give week by week and be as faithful in giving that as we are in paying other bills or accounts. It is something we owe to God and if we hold it, back from him there will be lost blessing in our lives. A THOUGHT: What can I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me?