Believers who follow the Lord Jesus Christ understand that doing and giving more to God is not considered a loss but rather an opportunity to accumulate eternal blessings for themselves.
A versatile male believer surnamed Wang, who is a carpenter, offered his services related to decoration, electrical work, and plumbing. His self-built home in the village was both built and decorated by him.
A church planned to carry out a straightforward renovation, primarily focused on replacing a few doors, repainting the exterior walls, and painting and attaching tiles in several annex rooms. Once Wang learned of this, he graciously volunteered his services, stating that these were easy tasks and that he could undertake them independently. After careful consideration, the church leader and church council members decided to entrust the renovation project to him.
Wang worked hand-in-hand with his brother-in-law, who is skilled in tile work. Over the course of a month, he worked tirelessly on the project. When it was time to settle the bill, Wang declined payment, insisting that the church only needed to pay the wages of his brother-in-law and the others. He even provided cement and sand for free. He didn't want the church to pay him at all, refusing any form of compensation or invoice. Despite losing money as a craftsman because he couldn’t do other work to earn money, Wang refused to accept any payment and regarded it as a blessing to serve the Lord and the church. He stated that he and his wife had savings, and a slight reduction in earnings would not affect their lives since his son is married and self-sufficient.
While many people make excuses for not attending church services, studying the Bible, or serving the Lord, there are those like Wang who willingly devote their efforts to the Lord. In light of this, we should be humble before God and obey His words with gratitude. Instead of complaining about things being inadequate or insufficient, we should strive to do more things for the Lord.
(The author is a pastor of a grassroots church in Jiangsu.)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
对于跟随主耶稣基督的我们来说,别人多做一点、多奉献一点不是吃亏,而是为自己积攒永恒的福分。
王弟兄是一位多样手,他以前是木匠,水电也懂,但凡涉及到装修方面的问题,他都可以解决。他农村家里的自建房就是自己建造和装修的。
原先我们教会计划要进行一次简单的小装修,主要就是把几扇门换一下,外墙重新粉刷,还有几间附属房也粉刷下并且贴上瓷砖。王弟兄知道这件事后,主动请缨,说这些事情都是小问题,他自己一个人就可以搞定。教会的负责人和堂委经过商议后,决定把此次装修交给这位弟兄。
结果,王弟兄也是不负众望,还找了他妹夫一家,他们是贴瓷砖的。为此,前后有一个月,他把各样事情做的井井有条。最后要结账的时候,王弟兄说把妹夫他们的工钱结了就可以了。他不要说工价,就连一些水泥、黄沙,还有其它的材料费用也不需要结,他压根就没想要教会给他工资,也没留任何发票和收据。本来还想再劝下他,因为他也是手艺人,耽误了他不少时间,少挣了很多钱。但他说这都没有关系,为主、为教会多做一些事情,是有福的事。他儿子已经结婚了,自己能自给自足。他们两口子还有存款,少挣一点不影响生活。
当我们还在为自己找着各样的借口和理由不去教会聚会、查经和侍奉的时候,已经有人为主付出了很多。因此,我们需要在上帝面前谦卑遵守祂的道,常怀感恩的心志。不要总是抱怨这不好、那不够,多为主做一些事情才是我们最应当去做的。(==当summary)
(本文作者系江苏一基层教会传道人。)
多做些事挺好
Believers who follow the Lord Jesus Christ understand that doing and giving more to God is not considered a loss but rather an opportunity to accumulate eternal blessings for themselves.
A versatile male believer surnamed Wang, who is a carpenter, offered his services related to decoration, electrical work, and plumbing. His self-built home in the village was both built and decorated by him.
A church planned to carry out a straightforward renovation, primarily focused on replacing a few doors, repainting the exterior walls, and painting and attaching tiles in several annex rooms. Once Wang learned of this, he graciously volunteered his services, stating that these were easy tasks and that he could undertake them independently. After careful consideration, the church leader and church council members decided to entrust the renovation project to him.
Wang worked hand-in-hand with his brother-in-law, who is skilled in tile work. Over the course of a month, he worked tirelessly on the project. When it was time to settle the bill, Wang declined payment, insisting that the church only needed to pay the wages of his brother-in-law and the others. He even provided cement and sand for free. He didn't want the church to pay him at all, refusing any form of compensation or invoice. Despite losing money as a craftsman because he couldn’t do other work to earn money, Wang refused to accept any payment and regarded it as a blessing to serve the Lord and the church. He stated that he and his wife had savings, and a slight reduction in earnings would not affect their lives since his son is married and self-sufficient.
While many people make excuses for not attending church services, studying the Bible, or serving the Lord, there are those like Wang who willingly devote their efforts to the Lord. In light of this, we should be humble before God and obey His words with gratitude. Instead of complaining about things being inadequate or insufficient, we should strive to do more things for the Lord.
(The author is a pastor of a grassroots church in Jiangsu.)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Generous Church Member Donates Materials, Labor for Renovation Project