“我以你們的信心為供獻的祭物，我……喜樂”

有時候，只有當我們能開眼看到愛我們的人為我們的付出，我們才能明白，原來所得到的一切都不是理所當然，而是那些人付出、奉獻、甚至犧牲的結果。是他們付出了代價。想到他們所付的代價，會讓我們憂愁嗎？

今天的經文中，我們看到保羅為腓立比教會付上了代價，他愿意自己被澆奠，好使腓立比教會得著無偽且活潑的信心。盡管保羅為福音的緣故失去自由（約公元64年，保羅和提摩太在羅馬監獄寫信給腓立比教會），他仍與所愛的教會分享他的喜樂——看到腓立比教會在信心中健康成長，保羅十分喜樂。同樣的，教會也與牧者經歷同樣的喜樂。信徒感恩保羅的奉獻，他們在信心中的回應成了保羅的鼓勵。

生命中最美的祝福和喜樂就是認識主耶穌，并作為神的兒女成長起來。我們每個人的生命中都有一個或者幾個保羅，他們把我們帶到主耶穌面前，幫助我們在主里面成長。如果你的生命因為有主而變得越來越完整，越來越健康，你就知道你的保羅們的付出乃至犧牲都是值得的。如果你為此感恩他們的付出，你也當曉得他們會因此而滿有喜樂。如果可能的話，鼓勵你今天就告訴你的保羅們你對他們的感謝，并且為他們獻上禱告，為他們在你生命中所扮演的角色而感謝神。

---

Philippians 2:17-18

Offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy...

Sometimes when we see what those who love us have given up for us, we can finally understand that what we previously took for granted as ours was actually given to us by their sacrifice. They paid a price. Should this cause us pain and dismay?

But Today in this reading, we see Paul has paid a price for the Philippian church, he willingly poured out his life as a sacrifice and service so that they may come to a living faith. Paul shares his joy with the church despite the simple fact that he is in prison for sharing the gospel. Seeing the health of the Philippian church fills him with joy. In the same way, the church experiences the joy of their shepherd because they appreciate the sacrifices and have responded in a way that encourages Paul.

The greatest blessing and joy in life is to know Jesus and to grow as a child of God. We all have Pauls in our lives and whether they knew it or not, the opportunities they gave you brought you to Jesus. If you are becoming whole and healthier because of Jesus's love in your life, then you know that their sacrifice was worth it. If you are thankful for their sacrifice, then know that they are filled with joy. Therefore if it is possible, let them know how you appreciate them and are thankful for their sacrifice. For those who are faraway, say a prayer for them tonight, and thank God for their role in your live.

（圖片取自網絡）