5月4日 地上的事不能使人满足
地上的事不能使人满足
那些竭尽全力想从地上的财物中寻得满足的人，最终发现从其中所得的满足感最少。
一个人的财富常常滋生出愁苦，却从未能带来真正的知足。若以为财富能带来知足，那是何等的愚昧！我们的灵是非物质的，断不能被肉体那转瞬即逝的快乐所填满。我们竭力追求的地上奖赏，其本质远低于人的本性；因此，若要得福，我们必须将目光投向更高之处——仰望神自己，就是那众灵之父。
神允许我们拥有的财物，原是供我们使用的，而非作为我们终极的享受。若试图从这些事物中榨取它们本不具备的满足感，这注定是徒劳的。正如同母牛的乳房，温柔挤压会流出甘甜滋养的奶水；但若过度用力，并不能增加产量。我们之所以失去物质带来的益处，正是因为对它们寄予了过高的期望。那些竭尽全力想从地上的财物中寻得满足的人，最终发现从其中所得的满足感最少。
若我们转离这些事物，单单仰望基督得喜乐，许多愁苦便可迎刃而解。当你如此行时，你将经历：
第一，罪的罪咎感的全然除去：罪咎感如同一根刺，不断刺痛我们的喜乐。当基督除去你的罪，祂也同时除去罪咎。
第二，本性的更新与成圣： 所谓圣洁，就是受造之人恢复到神起初设定的健康状态。人何时最安然呢？岂不是在健康之时吗？
第三，被收纳为神的儿女： 成为如此伟大之王的儿女，这难道不叫人欢喜快乐吗？
第四，与基督同得永恒的产业： 我们甚至无法想象这永远的喜乐究竟意味着什么。我们现今对天堂的构想，远不及天堂真相的万分之一，正如画笔之下的太阳远不及天上的真日。
麦琴（麦克谦）读经计划进度
家庭敬拜：民11章，诗48章，
个人灵修：赛1章，来9章
MAY 4, MONDAY
EARTHLY THINGS ARE UNSATISFYING
Those who try hardest to please themselves with earthly goods find the least satisfaction in them.
A man’s wealth often breeds misery, but never contentment. How foolish to suppose it ever could! Our spirits are immaterial; they will not be satisfied with the perishable delights of flesh and blood. The earthly prizes we strive to win are far inferior to the nature of man. Therefore, we must look far beyond them if we want to be blessed—even to God Himself, who is the Father of spirits.
The possessions God allows us to have are intended for our use, not our enjoyment. Trying to squeeze something out of them that was never in them in the first place is a futile endeavor. A cow’s udders, gently pressed, will yield sweet milk, nourishing and refreshing. Applying more and more pressure will not produce greater quantities of milk. We lose the good of material things by expecting too much from them. Those who try hardest to please themselves with earthly goods find the least satisfaction in them.
All our frustrations could be easily avoided if we would turn away from things and look to Christ for happiness. Here is what you can expect when you do:
First, the guilt of your sins all gone. Guilt is the pin that constantly pricks our joy. When Christ takes away your sins, He also takes the guilt.
Second, your nature renewed and sanctified. Holiness is simply the creature restored to the state of health which God intended when He created him. And when is a man more at ease than when he is healthy?
Third, adoption into the family of God. Surely this cannot help but make you happy—to be the son or daughter of so great a King.
Fourth, an eternal inheritance with Christ. We cannot begin to comprehend what this means in terms of everlasting joy. Our present conceptions of heaven are no more like heaven itself than an artist’s painting of the sun is like the orb in the sky.