God provides for His people through His people.

上帝藉祂儿女，供应其他子民。

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Proverbs 3:27

你手若有行善的力量，不可推辞，就当向那应得的人施行。-箴言3章27节

Hurricane Harvey brought catastrophic flooding to eastern Texas in 2017. The onslaught of rain stranded thousands of people in their homes, unable to escape the floodwaters. In what was dubbed the “Texas Navy,” many private citizens brought boats from other parts of the state and nation to help evacuate stranded people.

在2017年，哈维飓风造成美国德州东部洪水泛滥。暴雨导致数千人的家园惨遭洪水肆虐，灾民们坐困愁城无力脱险。当时，美国其他地区的民众纷纷驾驶自家的船只，前来协助疏散受困的灾民，人们称这些热心人士为“德州海军”。

The actions of these valiant, generous men and women call to mind the encouragement of Proverbs 3:27, which instructs us to help others whenever we are able. They had the power to act on behalf of those in need by bringing their boats. And so they did. Their actions demonstrate a willingness to use whatever resources they had at their disposal for the benefit of others.

这些勇敢、慷慨的民众，不分男女积极投入救灾，让我想起箴言3章27节也激励我们：“若有行善的力量，不可推辞。”他们驾驶自己的船只，前来救助那些需要帮助的人，贡献一己之力。他们用行动证明，他们愿意动用自己的一切资源，造福他人。

We may not always feel adequate for the task at hand; often we become paralyzed by thinking we don’t have the skills, experience, resources, or time to help others. In such instances, we’re quick to sideline ourselves, discounting what we do have that might be of assistance to someone else. The Texas Navy couldn’t stop the floodwaters from rising, nor could they legislate government aid. But they used what they had within their power—their boats—to come alongside the deep needs of their fellow man. May we all bring our “boats”—whatever they may be—to take the people in our paths to higher ground.

可能有时我们觉得自己办不到，我们常常会觉得自己缺乏技术、经验、资源，或时间来帮助他人，结果不敢采取行动。在这种情况下，我们很容易会退缩，轻看自己的能力，认为自己仅有棉薄之力，无法对人有所助益。那群“德州海军”不能阻止洪水上涨，也无力促使政府立法救灾，但是他们愿意以他们所拥有的船只，前去救助深陷困境的灾民。唯愿你我都能用我们的“船”（或任何其他资源），去帮助那些我们所遇到的人脱离困境，到更高之处。

Lord, all that I have is from You. Help me to always use what You’ve given me to help others.

主啊，我一切所有的，都是祢所赏赐的。求祢帮助我，能继续用祢赐给我的一切，去帮助别人。

Proverbs 3:21-31    NIV

3 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared. 27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—  when you already have it with you. 29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. 30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason— when they have done you no harm. 31 Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.

箴言 3:21-31 

3 我儿，要谨守真智慧和谋略，不可使他离开你的眼目。 22 这样，他必做你的生命，颈项的美饰。 23 你就坦然行路，不致碰脚。 24 你躺下，必不惧怕；你躺卧，睡得香甜。 25 忽然来的惊恐，不要害怕；恶人遭毁灭，也不要恐惧。 26 因为耶和华是你所倚靠的，他必保守你的脚不陷入网罗。27 你手若有行善的力量，不可推辞，就当向那应得的人施行。 28 你那里若有现成的，不可对邻舍说：“去吧，明天再来，我必给你。” 29 你的邻舍既在你附近安居，你不可设计害他。 30 人未曾加害于你，不可无故与他相争。 31 不可嫉妒强暴的人，也不可选择他所行的路。

INSIGHT

灵粮透视

Helping others by doing good when it’s in our power to act (Proverbs 3:27–28) is also the focus of Paul’s instructions to believers. Encouraging us to live meaningful and purposeful lives before a watching, non-believing world, Paul tells us to “be very careful, then, how [we] live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:15–16). Careful living means we are to live godly lives as “children of light” pleasing to the Lord (vv. 8, 10). Paul expects “those who have trusted in God [to] devote themselves to doing what is good” (Titus 3:8). We are to adopt a never-give-up attitude when it comes to serving others: “Let us not become weary in doing good . . . . As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:9–10).

箴言告诉我们，若有行善的能力，就当尽力去帮助别人（3章27-28节），这也是保罗对信徒的重要教导。在这个不信的世代，许多人会关注基督徒的一举一动，因此，保罗鼓励我们要活出有意义、有目标的人生，他提醒我们：“要谨慎行事，不要像愚昧人，当像智慧人。要爱惜光阴”（以弗所书5章15-16节）。“谨慎行事”意味着，我们要活出敬虔的生活，如同“光明的子女”，讨主的喜悦（8、10节）。保罗期待“那些已信上帝的人留心行善”（提多书3章8节，和合本修订版），并要我们以永不放弃的态度去服事人，就像保罗所说：“我们行善，不可丧志； ……所以，有了机会，就当向众人行善，向信徒一家的人更当这样。”（加拉太书6章9-10节）

What can you do this week to serve someone?

本周你会做些什么事来服事人呢？

整理：于姊妹