9月21日
标 题：工具
经 节：斧岂可向用斧砍木的自夸呢？锯岂可向用锯的自大呢？好比棍抡起那举棍的，好比杖举起那非木的人。（以赛亚书十章15节）
基督徒生活的其中一个危机，是窃取神的荣耀。这是亚述人的问题。他们本来是非常软弱的国家，直到神选择去祝福他们，使用他们成为管教以色列人的工具。然而，神愈加祝福他们，他们愈加自恃自己的能力。当农夫有好收成时，他们认为是自己耕种技巧的功劳，与神无关。当他们的军队得到一场大胜利时，他们归功于领军的将领。当整个国家繁荣兴盛时，亚述人归功于自己的军事与政治力量。最后，神指出他们怪诞的结论（以赛亚书十：5～19）。
有时候，管理贫穷与软弱的问题，比起管理财富与刚强要容易得多。贫穷使我们看到自己对神的需要，繁荣昌盛则容易让我们自以为不需要神。圣经中包含许多例子，有些人自以为靠自己就够了，却不了解自己远离神乃是极度贫穷。参孙是最强壮的人，然而，他忘记自己的力量是从神而来。一旦神除去了他的力量，参孙沦落成一个可怜的奴隶。扫罗是以色列第一个国王，当神从这骄傲的统治者身上，除去自己圣灵的同在，他就变成一个心胸狭窄的偏执狂，甚至去求教交鬼的妇人。
当你经历神所赐予的胜利时，要小心自处！当你在家庭、工作或事工上享受祂的祝福时，要铭记在心，自己只不过是主手中的工具。
Instruments
Shall
the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt
itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against
those who lift it up, Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!
(Isaiah 10:15)
One
of the dangers in the Christian life is to take credit for what God does. This
was the Assyrians’ problem. They were a weak nation until God chose to bless
them in order to use them as an instrument to punish the Israelites. However,
the more God blessed them, the more confident they became in their own
strength. When the farmers had good crops, they credited their farming skills
rather than God. When their army won a victory, their generals took the credit.
When the nation experienced prosperity, the Assyrians attributed it to their
military and political might. Finally, God pointed out the absurdity of their
conclusions (Isa. 10:5–19).
It
is sometimes easier to handle poverty or weakness than wealth or strength.
Poverty causes us to recognize our need for God. Prosperity persuades us that
we no longer require Him. Scripture holds several examples of those who assumed
they were self-sufficient, only to realize their dire poverty apart from God.
Samson was the strongest person alive, but he forgot that his strength came
from God. Once God removed his strength, Samson was reduced to a pitiful slave.
Saul was the first king of Israel, yet when God removed His Spirit from this
proud monarch, he became a paranoid, petty man, seeking counsel from the
occult.
Be
careful how you handle the success God gives you! As you enjoy His blessings in
your family, your business, or your ministry, keep in mind that you are an
instrument in the hands of the Master.
