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We Christians always ignore Jesus’ dictum on giving: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
Gradually, I realize giving is a grace from God. Because the more I give the more I am conscious of God’s work and the more I am aware of my spending too. In turn, it helps me to reduce unnecessary spending. As a result of giving, I gain both spiritual blessings and material abundance.
It is indeed a biblical concept that we have to exercise and receive blessings from God. In II Corinthians 8:1-15, Paul points out this concept: the Grace of Giving.
First, we can observe from the example of the Macedonian Church (verses 1-5).
Secondly, let’s observe the greatest example of giving in our Lord Jesus Christ (verse 9):
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich “.
Thirdly, let’s focus on the principle of equality (verses 13-15):
“Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little”
My prayer is that brothers and sisters of the Lord’s Grace Christian Church will learn this lesson: Grace of Giving, such that we together will enjoy the abundance of our Lord. My hope is that in missionary ministry you and I would be able to offer more to support God’s work, so that more people will share with us God’s blessings and grace.
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今日信徒很多時忽略了主在捐獻上的教導：「施比受更為有福。」（徒二十：35)
從家父個人見証及很多愛主的弟兄姊妹的經歷分享中，越來越發覺奉獻是神的恩典。因為當我越多奉獻就越感受到神的作工。而且也同時越小心自己的用錢方式和支出。因此而減少了很多不必要的花費。故此，因著捐獻，我竟然更享受屬靈的恩典及物質上的豐富。
事實上，聖經確是這樣教訓我們，正如保羅在林後八：1-15指出這個真理—樂捐的厚恩。
我們可以從馬其頓教會的弟兄姊妹身上學習這真理（林後八：1-5）
讓我們從最偉大的榜樣上—耶穌基督身上，學這真理：「你們知道我們主耶穌基督的恩典。祂本來富足，卻為你們成了貧窮，叫你們因祂的貧窮，可以成為富足。」（林後八：9）
讓我們專注均平的原則：「我原不是要別人輕省，你們受累，乃要均平，就是要你們的富餘，現在可以補他們的不足，使他們的富餘，將來也可以補你們的不足，這就均平了。如經上所記：多收的也沒有餘；少收的也沒有缺。」（林後八：13-15）
我的祈禱就是主恩基督教會弟兄姊妹都學習這個樂捐的功課，以致各人都共得主恩豐盛！盼望在宣教事工上，你和我都能多多奉獻支持聖工，叫多人同得主的恩！
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