“But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

“然而，敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了；因为我们没有带什么到世上来，也不能带什么去。只要有衣有食，就当知足。”提摩太前书6：6-8

With all the attention modern society gives to money, what it can buy, and the dividends it can earn, Christians are continually challenged to view it properly. But Scripture provides us with much help and guidance in this area. It is replete with warnings and admonitions about how we are to act and think concerning money and wealth.

随着现代社会对金钱的重视，它所能买到的东西，所能赚到的红利，都使基督徒不断地受到挑战去正确地看待它。圣经在这方面给我们提供了很多帮助和指导。圣经中对如何思考和使用金钱及财富满了警告和劝戒。

There are at least eight basic, biblical guidelines that when believed and followed will give us a God-centered view of money. 

First, having money in itself is not wrong (1 Sam. 2:7). 

Second, we ought to recognize that money is a gift from God and comes to us through His providence (Deut. 8:11-18). 

Third, we must be willing to lose our money, if that’s God’s will for us. Job said, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

以上帝为中心的金钱观中，至少有八个圣经的准则需要相信并遵守。

首先，拥有金钱本身并不是错误（撒母耳记上2：7）。

第二，我们应该意识到金钱是上帝所赐予的，是祂供应给我们的（申命记8：11-18）。

第三，若是上帝的旨意，我们也当乐意失去金钱。约伯说：“赏赐的是耶和华，收取的也是耶和华。耶和华的名是应当称颂的。”（约伯记1：21）

Fourth, we must not be partial toward those who have lots of money (James 2:1-10). 

Fifth, we must not arrogantly seek security from money (Prov. 11:28; 1 Tim. 6:17). 

Sixth, money-making pursuits should never be our highest priorities in life (Matt. 6:33). 

Seventh, we ought to use money for eternal purposes, namely, leading others to the Lord (Luke 16:9). 

Finally, we must not selfishly hoard or foolishly spend money. On the contrary, true generosity should characterize every believer (Prov. 11:24-25; Luke 6:38).

第四，我们不应该对很有钱的人持有偏见（雅各书2：1-10）。

第五，我们不应该以金钱为傲慢的保障（箴言11：28；提摩太前书6：17）。

第六，不当把追求金钱当作生活的首要目标（马太福音6：33）。

第七，我们应该把金钱花费在永恒的事情上，即领人归主上（路加福音16：9）。

最后，我们不当自私地囤财或是愚蠢地消费。相反，真正的慷慨应该是每个基督徒都该有的特质（箴言11：24-25；路加福音6：38）。

Just like a firearm, money can be used for good purposes and evil purposes, which means there is nothing inherently wrong with it. Therefore, the real issue does not concern money itself, but what our attitude is toward it. The Lord wants us to view money as He did and be content with what we have.

正如手枪，金钱可以用来做善事也可以做恶事，也就是说金钱本身并无对错之分。因此，真正的问题不在乎金钱，而是我们的态度。上帝希望我们我们有和祂一样的态度对待金钱，并且因所有的而知足。

Suggestions for Prayer

祷告建议

Confess your sinful attitude in one or more of the eight areas mentioned today. Pray that God would replace those sinful attitudes toward money with His righteous attitudes.

承认我们违反了上述八条准则中的一条或是多条。求上帝以祂的义的态度来替代我们对金钱的罪性态度。

For Further Study

进深研究

Read Deuteronomy 8:11-18.

阅读申命记8：11-18

?What divine favors does God remind the Israelites of?

上帝提醒以色列人不可忘记祂的哪些恩典？

?What sin is sure to befall any believer who forgets that God is the One who makes wealth possible?

若信徒忘记了上帝才是赐予财富的那位，会犯什么罪？