【双语灵修】两个蜂巢的故事A TALE OF TWO HIVES

哥林多后书 8:1-15

1 弟兄们，我把神赐给马其顿众教会的恩告诉你们， 2 就是他们在患难中受大试炼的时候，仍有满足的快乐，在极穷之间还格外显出他们乐捐的厚恩。 3 我可以证明他们是按着力量，而且也过了力量，自己甘心乐意地捐助， 4 再三地求我们，准他们在这供给圣徒的恩情上有份。 5 并且他们所做的，不但照我们所想望的，更照神的旨意，先把自己献给主，又归附了我们。 6 因此我劝提多，既然在你们中间开办这慈惠的事，就当办成了。 7 你们既然在信心、口才、知识、热心和待我们的爱心上，都格外显出满足来，就当在这慈惠的事上也格外显出满足来。 8 我说这话，不是吩咐你们，乃是藉着别人的热心试验你们爱心的实在。 9 你们知道我们主耶稣基督的恩典：他本来富足，却为你们成了贫穷，叫你们因他的贫穷可以成为富足。 10 我在这事上把我的意见告诉你们，是于你们有益；因为你们下手办这事，而且起此心意已经有一年了， 11 如今就当办成这事。既有愿做的心，也当照你们所有的去办成。 12 因为人若有愿做的心，必蒙悦纳，乃是照他所有的，并不是照他所无的。 13 我原不是要别人轻省、你们受累， 14 乃要均平。就是要你们的富余现在可以补他们的不足，使他们的富余将来也可以补你们的不足，这就均平了， 15 如经上所记：“多收的也没有余，少收的也没有缺。”

2026-07-03

两个蜂巢的故事

“你们……都格外显出满足来，就当在这慈惠的事上，也格外显出满足来。” - 哥林多后书 8:7

去年春天，我们把两个新的“蜂群”安放在蜂巢箱后，两个蜂群看起来都准备好茁壮成长了。过了几个星期，其中一个蜂巢似乎比另一个成长得比较好，但我们不担心，因为它们都仍然在成长和进步中。

夏天是蜜蜂积累和增加它们贮藏的蜂蜜的时间，我们不断把蜂箱加在那个较为强壮的巢里。相比之下，那个较弱的巢似乎失去活力了。夏天快要完结时，经过细心的视察，我们发觉那个较弱的巢的蜂后不见了！没有蜂后的蜂巢是不能生存下去的，因为她是唯一能够产卵来传宗接代的。这个巢死亡了，是因为我们疏忽、没有好好照顾它。

宣教牧者保罗留意到他服事的教会的长处和弱点。哥林多教会里跟随基督的人，有没有被保罗在今天这段经文中所说的比较刺伤呢？他们在许多方而都有好的表现，然而保罗却指出，他们在慈惠的事上，可以做得更好。忽略了慷慨供应主内弟兄姊妹的需要，是一个严重的错误，这样做会促使教会衰微的。

在今天，基督徒关心教会的衰微和解散，是一件好事。冷漠和吝啬极具破坏性。好消息是，当神的子民受到感动，“在这慈惠的事上，也格外显出满足来”时，信徒的群体便能茁壮成长的了。

祷告

主耶稣，你为了我们成为贫乏，好让我们能在你的恩典中得以富足。求你住在我们里面并使用我们，叫我们遵从你的教导，乐意去行慈惠的事。阿们。

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

FRIDAY, JULY 3

A TALE OF TWO HIVES

Since you excel in everything . . . see that you also excel in this grace of giving. —2 Corinthians 8:7

When we installed two new “nucs” of bees in our hive boxes last spring, both seemed ready to become strong colonies. After a few weeks, one hive seemed to be doing better than the other, but we were not worried. Both were still growing and improving.

During summer—when bees build up and increase their honey stores—we kept adding boxes to the stronger hive. By comparison, the weaker hive seemed to languish. A more careful inspection toward the end of summer revealed that the queen of the weaker hive was gone! A hive cannot survive without its queen, since she is the only bee that lays eggs to produce offspring. So our neglect in watching over that hive led to its death.

The missionary pastor Paul noticed strengths and weaknesses in the churches he served. Were the Christ-followers in Corinth somewhat stung by the comparison Paul made in today’s passage? They excelled in many things, but Paul had to point out that they could be more gracious in giving. Failing to give generously for the needs of brothers and sisters in Christ was a serious flaw that could lead to their decline.

Christians today do well to be concerned about the decline and disbanding of churches. Apathy and stinginess can be destructive. The good news is that when God’s people are stirred to “excel in the grace of giving,” the community of believers can thrive.

Lord Jesus, you became poor for our sake so that we might become rich in your grace. Live in and through us so that we may give graciously, as you have taught us. Amen.