12月17日

標　　題：分恩賜

經　　節：因為我切切地想見你們，要把些屬靈的恩賜分給你們，使你們可以堅固。（羅馬書一章11節）

不管有意或無意，你的生命會影響周圍每一個人。這可能是正面的影響，也可能是負面的影響，但是你的生命絕對會影響其他人。

保羅想要把屬靈的福氣分給其它的信徒。他曾聽說在羅馬的基督徒，並且渴望去羅馬看望他們，好能建立他們的信心。保羅總是在禱告中為他們祈求，雖然他從未見過他們（羅馬書一：10）。在他等候機會去羅馬的同時，他寫了封信給這個教會。他寫給羅馬的信是新約中最珍貴、最富挑戰性的一本書。

我們應該要效法保羅，把屬靈恩賜分給身邊的人。我們有機會加添力量給我們的父母、兒女、朋友、同工和基督徒夥伴。屬靈的祝福並非事出偶然，而是出於選擇。自我中心可能會讓我們只想由其他人身上得到屬靈福氣，而不是將福氣分給他們。只有當你決心要給予，而不是汲取的時候，才能得到神賜給保羅的事奉品質。

你可能尚未領悟到，你的生命具有祝福周遭人的潛力。是否有人因為你的緣故，信心增長及被鼓舞？你平常是否期待別人為你付出，還是想著自己可以為人做什麼？在你每日所遇到的人身上，你要努力成為他們的正面影響！

Imparting Gifts

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established. (Romans 1:11)

Your life affects those you have contact with, whether you intend it or not. It may be a positive experience for them or a negative one, but your life will affect others. Paul wanted to leave a spiritual blessing with other believers. He had heard of the Christians in Rome, and he longed to go to them to build them up in their faith. Paul always mentioned the Roman believers in his prayers, even though he had never met them (Rom. 1:10). While he waited for an opportunity to visit Rome, Paul wrote a letter to the church. His letter to the Romans is one of the most cherished and challenging books in the New Testament.

We should share Paul’s goal of leaving a spiritual blessing with everyone around us. We have opportunities to strengthen our parents, our children, our friends, our coworkers, and our fellow Christians. Spiritual blessings are not given haphazardly, but by choice. Our self-centeredness may cause us only to seek blessings from others rather than to impart them. Only when we are determined to focus on giving a blessing rather than receiving a blessing will we have the quality of ministry to others that God gave to Paul.

You may not realize it, but your life has the potential to bless everyone you encounter. Are others strengthened and encouraged in their faith because of their relationship with you? Do you usually look at others in terms of what they can do for you or in terms of how you can encourage them? As you go about your day, strive to be a positive influence on everyone you encounter!