【双语灵修】谦卑地行使权力Exercise Authority with Humility

“因为晓得各人所行的善事，不论是为奴的，是自主的，都必按所行的得主的赏赐。” - 弗 6:8

我生活的非洲大陆对殖民主义并不陌生。几个世纪以来，许多非洲国家都被外来势力统治。我们经历过暴政、剥削和奴役。不幸的是，独立并没有自动使我们成为更好的统治者。拥有权力往往会导致支配、恐吓、利用甚至欺凌弱者。

对我们所有人来说，权力都是一件棘手的事。自从人类堕落，我们就对权力产生了疑问。一旦我们拥有了权力，我们几乎总是会受到诱惑而滥用权力，从而损害他人的利益。这并不是一个新问题。诗篇中充满了对不公正和滥用权力的控诉，圣经也见证了神对这种邪恶的愤怒。

相反，神召唤我们采取不同的方式使用权力。如果神给了我们更多的特权、能力或资源，祂就会呼召我们用这些东西去关爱他人，保护弱者。如果你是一名基督徒，在生活中拥有特权或能力，请明智地使用它们。也许你身居高位，或者只是出生在一个资源丰富的国家。无论如何，请思考如何通过有智慧地使用你的影响力和资源来表达对神的感恩。

每个人都是按照神的形像被造的。我们珍视每一个人，就是尊重我们的造物主。我们被呼召以谦卑的态度行使权力，以服务的精神管理我们的资源。

祷告

主耶稣，请帮助我们跟随你，谦卑地使用权力和影响力，使他人蒙福。阿们。

创世记 1:26-31；以弗所书 6:7-9

26神说：“我们要照着我们的形象，按着我们的样式造人，使他们管理海里的鱼、空中的鸟、地上的牲畜和全地，并地上所爬的一切昆虫。”
27神就照着自己的形象造人，乃是照着他的形象，造男造女。
28神就赐福给他们，又对他们说：“要生养众多，遍满地面，治理这地，也要管理海里的鱼、空中的鸟和地上各样行动的活物。”
29神说：“看哪，我将遍地上一切结种子的菜蔬和一切树上所结有核的果子，全赐给你们做食物。
30至于地上的走兽和空中的飞鸟，并各样爬在地上有生命的物，我将青草赐给它们做食物。”事就这样成了。
31神看着一切所造的都甚好。有晚上，有早晨，是第六日。
7甘心侍奉，好像服侍主，不像服侍人。
8因为晓得各人所行的善事，不论是为奴的，是自主的，都必按所行的得主的赏赐。
9你们做主人的，待仆人也是一理，不要威吓他们。因为知道，他们和你们同有一位主在天上，他并不偏待人。

Exercise Authority with Humility

"You know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free." - Ephesians 6:8

I live on a continent that is familiar with colonialism. For centuries, many African countries were ruled by outside powers. We have experienced tyranny, exploitation, and slavery. Unfortunately, independence has not automatically made us better rulers. Too often, having power has led to dominating, intimidating, taking advantage of, and even abusing the weak.

Power is a tricky thing for us all. Since the fall into sin, we have had a problem with power. Once we have power, we are almost always tempted to abuse it to the detriment of others. This is not a new problem. The Psalms are filled with complaints over injustice and abuse of power, and the Bible bears witness to how fiercely God responds to such evil.

Instead, God calls us to a different way. If God gives us more privilege, power, or resources, he calls us to use these things to care for others and to protect the weak. If you are a Christian and have power or privilege in your life, use it wisely. Maybe you have been placed in a high position or have simply been born in a country with ample resources. Whatever the case, think about how you can show gratitude to God by using your influence and resources wisely.

Everyone is created in God’s image. By valuing everyone, we honor our Creator. We are called to exercise authority with humility and to steward our resources with a spirit of service.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us to follow you, humbly using power and influence for the flourishing of others. Amen.

诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳