“‘叫饥饿的得饱美食,叫富足的空手回去。’” - 路 1:53
马利亚的颂歌中所说的是一个极大的颠覆和搅动!狂傲的人降卑,卑贱的人升高。饥饿的得饱,富足的空手回去。你听了之后有没有被吓了一跳呢?
有些人会感到好奇。这是否意味着神有所偏爱?难道神爱穷人多过爱富人?神岂不是爱每一个人的吗?
神清楚表明,衪爱穷人并非常关心他们。圣经中有数以百计段的经文,证明神关心贫穷和受欺压的人、以及衪计划要去扶助他们。
事实上,神既爱穷人也爱富人-但不是因为他们贫穷或富足。神爱他们,是因为他们都是衪的儿女,祂希望每一个人都活出丰盛生命。
神希望穷人能够充份地活出他们的身份和使命。衪专注在他们身上,就像消防员专注扑灭正在吞噬房子的火焰那样。神应许必定帮助穷人和致力消除他们的痛苦。
神也呼召富人完完全全地活出他们理想的人格。衪警告他们要避开贪婪的危机、即过份积存财富的试探,和漠视或苦待穷人的罪。这些恶行妨碍他们跟随神和加剧了穷人的贫困。这些警告其实表明了神对他们的恩典。
神爱我们每一个人,衪呼召我们按祂至高圣善的治理生活。这就是我们通往平安(shalom)的途径。
祷告
神啊,感谢你,你看顾我们和供应我们的需要,又赐我们恩典去效法为拯救我们每一个人而甘心成为贫穷的耶稣。阿们。
路加福音 1:46-56
46马利亚说:“我心尊主为大,
47我灵以神我的救主为乐,
48因为他顾念他使女的卑微。从今以后,万代要称我有福,
49那有权能的为我成就了大事,他的名为圣!
50他怜悯敬畏他的人,直到世世代代。
51他用膀臂施展大能,那狂傲的人正心里妄想就被他赶散了。
52他叫有权柄的失位,叫卑贱的升高;
53叫饥饿的得饱美食,叫富足的空手回去。
54他扶助了他的仆人以色列,
55为要记念亚伯拉罕和他的后裔,施怜悯直到永远,正如从前对我们列祖所说的话。”
56马利亚和伊利莎白同住约有三个月,就回家去了。
Good News Or Bad?
"He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty." - Luke 1:53
Mary’s song speaks of a great reversal and disruption! The proud are brought low, and the humble poor are lifted up. Hungry folks are filled, and the rich are emptied. Does that scare you?
Some people have wondered, Does this mean that God has favorites? Does God love the poor more than the rich? God loves everyone, right?
God makes clear that he loves the poor and is deeply concerned about them. Hundreds of Scripture passages testify to God’s concern for the poor and oppressed and his intentions to uphold their cause.
Actually, God loves both the poorandthe rich—but not because they are poor or rich. God loves them because they are his children and he wants everyone to flourish.
God wants the poor to be able to live into the fullness of their identity and vocation. He focuses on them like a firefighter on a burning house. God promises to help the poor and relieve their suffering.
God calls the rich to the fullness of their humanity too. He warns them against the dangers of greed, the temptations of excessive wealth, and the sins of ignoring or abusing the poor. These vices interfere with discipleship and contribute to poverty. These warnings are expressions of grace.
God loves all of us and calls us to live in obedience to his sovereign rule. That’s how we get to shalom.
Prayer
God, thank you for your care and provisions, and give us the grace to live like Jesus, who became poor for the sake of us all. Amen.