牧者心聲

一位牧者朋友分享他最近一次經歷，他意外掉失了他常用的背包，突然間失去許多日常用品，就如他喜愛的電話充電線，但幸好寶貴的手機及銀包沒有放在背包內，因此沒有失去。

人生常會經歷許多得與失。當失去某些物品或是失去某些成就，我們的情緒就會被牽動，但最要緊的，還是重要的東西得到長久保存。我想起聖經的話：「各人的工程必將顯露，因為那日子要將它顯明，有火把它暴露出來，這火要試煉各人的工程怎樣。人在那根基上所建造的工程若能保得住，他將要得賞賜。人的工程若被燒了，他將損失，雖然他自己將得救，卻要像從火裡經過一樣。」（林前三 13-15，和修版）

人總有一天會離開世界，並且往往是在自己意料之外的時刻離開，離開的時候總盼望在地上所擁有的珍寶與成就可以一起帶走，但現實是我們一樣都不能帶走。亞歷山大大帝的故事，我們永遠不會忘記。這位歷史上的偉大君王，曾經征服歐、亞、非三大洲，30多歲便擁有極雄厚的財富、權力及多國的臣民，但他突然病重，將要離世。離世前他要求他的臣子，在他的棺木兩側鑽兩個洞，在殯葬的過程中把他的雙手從兩個洞左右伸出，好告訴世人他是空手離開、一無所有！

對於屬神的人來說，我們離開時是可以帶著很多東西離開的，這些東西更是永遠可保存的珍寶。「這世界和世上的情慾都要消逝，惟獨那遵行神旨意的人永遠常存。」（約壹二 17）我們在地上按著神旨意所作所行的事，原來是永存的，是不會失去的！我們為主及為祂福音所建造的一切工程將會保存，而我們更會得著榮耀的賞賜。雖然地上所擁有的一切都過去了，但在神所賜的榮耀中，我們卻可以心滿意足。然而有些屬主的人，人生只為這世界奔波，在地上建造了偉大、但卻是草木禾稭的工程，當試煉的火出現時，便顯明出他們只在地上富足、但卻在天上貧窮。回到天家的時候，他們會發覺自己好像是從火裡經過的一根柴，僅僅得救，卻失去本可以得到的賞賜。

宣教士 Jim Elliot 與他的四位同工冒險進入厄瓜多爾的奧卡族人中見證福音，最後被土人刺殺殉道，死前他留下名句，說明他人生的價值觀：捨棄無法保留之物以換取無法失去之物的人絕非傻瓜（He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose）。

A pastor friend of mine shared his recent experience. He accidentally lost his backpack that he often used. Many daily items were suddenly gone, including his favorite phone charging cable. Thankfully, his mobile phone and wallet were not in the backpack and so were not lost.

In life, we experience a lot of gains and losses. Our emotions would be affected when we lose something or when some accomplishment cannot be sustained. Yet, what really matters is we can keep the important things for a long time. This reminds me of Scripture: “…their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).

A day will come for everybody to leave this world, often at an unexpected time. When it happens, we would hope we could bring our treasures and accomplishments along. The truth is there is absolutely nothing that we can take with us. We will never forget the story of Alexander the Great. This great emperor in history conquered the three big continents of Europe, Asia and Africa. In his thirties, he already held immense wealth, power, and ruled over many nations. Then he suddenly fell seriously ill and was dying. Before he died, he asked his officials to make two holes in his coffin and have both his hands stretch out from the two holes during his funeral and burial. He wanted to tell the world that he left empty-handed, with nothing at all!

For those who belong to God, we can take many things with us when we leave. They are treasures that last forever. The Scripture says: “The world and its desires pass sway, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17). What we do on earth in accordance with the will of God will last forever. It will not be lost! All that we build for the Lord and for His gospel will remain. We will also receive a glorious reward. Even though everything we own on earth will pass away, yet in the glory God gives, we can be fully satisfied. Still, some who belong to the Lord only spend their lives chasing this world. They build great works on earth which are only wood, hay and straw. When the fire of testing comes, they will find that they are only rich on earth but are poor in heaven. When they return to the Heavenly home, they will find themselves like a stick pulled from the fire. They are saved, but only just. They lose the reward they could have had.

Missionary Jim Elliot and his four co-workers risked their lives to bring the gospel to the Auca people in Ecuador. In the end, they were killed by the indigenous people and became martyrs. Before his death, he left behind a famous saying that reflects his values: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”