Give and Receive Abundantly
*This post is not related to politics*
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Apostle Paul has written us some reasons for giving generously:
1. God has given us so much that we have more than sufficient to give;
2. God never forces us to give out of regret and compulsion, but He has promised that when we give generously, we receive generously as well;
3. Giving feeds the needs of those who are working hard for the kingdom of God. This strengthens our relationship in love and prayers and God will be glorified;
4. Giving is a way of expressing our many thanks to God.
Overall, there is no harm but multitude of benefits for us to give as much as our heart wishes.
“…‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” (Malachi 3:10)
“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.” (Psalm 37: 25-26)
My family and I lived near this large-scale Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market, classified as a historical site in Hong Kong, for a couple of years. We enjoyed fresh, delicious fruit at a wholesale price. I think of the word “abundance” when I see these colorful fruit stalls. This creates a contrast from some of my experience there. Having lived in a 150-sq ft unit in an old building, I recall observing the workers from above doing manual labor from sunset till morning. They were pushing and pulling boxes of fruits to organize them for sale. From above, they looked like the size of sesame. This is a bittersweet memory for me, so I have always wanted to create something with the Fruit Market.
© 2021 Rebecca Kwan All rights reserved
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多種的多收
「神能將各樣的恩惠、多多的加給你們．使你們凡事常常充足、能多行各樣善事．」（林後9:8）
保羅告訴我們為何要甘心奉獻：
1. 神所賜給我們的足夠生活， 甚至滿溢，並有剩餘的可作施與;
2. 神不會強迫我們奉獻亦不希望奉獻是出於勉強。 但多願意施與的，神的恩典也同樣地多， 我們所收取的超乎想像;
3. 奉獻支持努力擴展福音，為神作工的人。他們為奉獻而感恩，從而我們得到更多的代禱和祝福， 彼此關係更加扎根，以至神得到最終的榮耀;
4. 奉獻是我們向神表達感謝的渠道。 我想包括感恩衪所賜予我們在基督裡豐盛的生命。
總括而言， 樂意施與對我們有益而無害。神不是看重金錢，而是看重我們敬畏衪的心。衪希望的是我們將身體獻上給衪，保持聖潔，為衪所用， 而金錢是其中一個奉獻的渠道。
「...施比受更為有福。」(徒20：35)
「萬軍之耶和華說、你們要將當納的十分之一、全然送入倉庫、使我家有糧、以此試試我、是否為你們敞開天上的窗戶、傾福與你們、甚至無處可容。」（瑪3：10）
「我從前年幼、現在年老、卻未見過義人被棄．也未見過他的後裔討飯。他終日恩待人、借給人．他的後裔也蒙福。」（詩37:25-26 ）
先說這一篇與政治無關。對於我來說油麻地果欄是一個特別的回憶， 因為我狹小的家曾經就在果欄對面。看到這些琳瑯滿目、色彩繽紛的水果檔我腦袋浮現這個詞 「 滿足有餘（abundance）」。 想起神所賜予我一家豐盛的同時，也及發覺原來神所賜給我們的祝福不只是滿足我自己，更是讓我把祝福分享給別人！
© 2021 Rebecca Kwan 版權所有
Thank you so much for your nice comment, Carol! God bless 😊!
Rebekah, I love your pictures of the fruit market with the very appropriate verses Your reflections and memories make these images even more special. Good work.