Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 1 月【上帝的幽默感】世界首富的窮兒子

【上帝的幽默感】世界首富的窮兒子

 

Buffeet 1沃倫・愛德華・巴菲特 Warren Edward Buffett 是全球知名的投資家、企業家、及慈善家,一般人稱他為"股神"。他擁有龐大的財富,2008 年超越比爾·蓋茲,成為全球首富。但是他卻以儉樸生活出名,他的兒子彼得稱自己是 "世界首富的窮兒子"。因為自從五十幾年前,他父親用三萬美元買了一棟建於廿世紀初、連圍牆都沒有的老房子,直到現在,巴菲特和他的妻子一直沒有搬過家。不管外面的人對巴菲特有怎樣的看法,他們的電視機、冰箱和沙發用了多年,就跟普通人家一樣。他的孩子們從小就為了賺錢而搶著在家裡做事:掃地、擦窗戶、為花草施肥澆水,等等。

當彼得想要從事他所喜歡的音樂創作時,巴菲特鼓勵他,卻不給他生活費,因為他已經十九歲了。幸好彼得的祖父曾給他九萬美元,雖然被父親拿去買股票,他卻把那些股票全都賣了,去租了一個小房子,成立自己的音樂工作室。彼得在報紙上登廣告,提供錄音服務,每小時 35 美元。顧客很少,生活非常艱苦。後來鄰居把他介紹給自己製作動畫的女婿,作了一個 10 秒鐘的插播廣告,報酬為 1000 美元。那就是 MTV 音樂頻道的開始。

Buffeet 2彼得結婚後有了兩個女兒,想換大房子,要跟父親借錢。巴菲特搖頭:"金錢會將我們純潔的父子關係變得複雜。你應該像其他美國人一樣貸款買房,然後憑自己的能力還貸款。"父親拒絕借錢,讓彼得十分生氣,一氣之下買了間大房子,每個月要還幾萬美元的貸款。幾年之後,因為受不了貸款的壓力,又換了套小公寓。那時他才明白,父親要他去經歷和懂得生活,父親的愛不是吝嗇而是信任。

彼得的分享讓我感到很訝異,世界首富的兒子竟然曾經活得如此貧窮。但是他活得非常有信心,事業也很成功。他不靠父親的錢財,打出了自己的天下,因此活得很自在。我們有時奇怪,為何神不讓祂的兒女要什麼有什麼,彼得和巴菲特的關係把父神對我們的愛解釋得很好。因為神一直在那裡看顧我們,但是我們若想要守株待兔地,仰望父神為我們成就一切,好讓我們吃懶飯吃閒飯,那絕不可能。上帝並不是溺愛兒女的父親,祂把宇宙賜給人類管理享受,我們做得好不好,都要承受那個後果。

耶穌說,"我來了,是要叫羊(人)得生命,並且得的更豐盛。(約10:10)"有的人把生命的豐盛局限在金錢和物質的豐盛之上,而忘了生命的豐盛,除了金錢之外,還有許多方面。巴菲特知道金錢不代表什麼,也不能改變他什麼,因此他賺的錢絕大部份都做在慈善事工上,他不打算把大量財富留給兒女,他說:"我想給子女的,是足以讓他們能夠一展抱負,而不是多到讓他們最後一事無成"。

2011 年初,當彼得的新書《做你自己》即將出中文版時,巴菲特自動提出為他寫序,序言非常簡短:"彼得的人生全憑他自己打造。他衡量成功的標準,不是個人財富或榮耀,而是對廣闊世界所做的貢獻。" 短短幾句話道出他為彼得感到驕傲。

當我們向神禱告,卻得不到想要的東西時,我們要記得,神也要我們藉著祂賜給我們的一切去努力,去成就祂造我們的目的。唯有當我們努力時,神會把機會賜給我們;我們若不努力,即使機會來到,也抓不住。彼得曾經是世界首富的窮兒子,現在他已經不窮了。我們是宇宙之神的兒女,不要活得像是首富的窮兒子,可憐兮兮,整天仰望天父答應我們請求。反而要藉著祂已經給我們的一切去把該做的事做好。錢財來得快,去得也快,反而是自己努力得來的,才能成為自己真正的財富。

這個月是今年之首,當我們在期望有一個新的開始時,求神讓我們都能在祂的恩典裡,充充實實地使用祂給我們的時間,好好地思想怎樣活得對這個世界或人群更有貢獻。不要像長不大的孩子,總是怨天尤人,覺得自己先天不足,後天失調。其實在人比人的時候,真正不足的是我們的努力,失調的是自己偏激的想法。耶穌來了,是要讓我們得的更豐盛。神有祝福,有應許,我們只要肯倚靠祂去努力,必能嚐到天恩的滋味,過一個真正豐盛的生活。

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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