Posts
Tuesday
The obligation to give cash gifts causes financial stress for families in the small towns in China. Births, weddings, or deaths can make people very concerned financially. Let us pray that every birthday, funeral, or wedding celebration in every church will be not only a celebration but also a good opportunity to reach out to unbelievers with the gospel.
Wednesday
An invitation to the banquet for special occasions in China calls for a cash gift of at least one hundred yuan (US$16.) which is about the equivalent of three days' wages. It is not impolite not to go so long as the money arrives. Usually in the small or rural churches financial giving is very small. Unfortunately, pastors hesitate to preach the truth of tithing. May the Lord have mercy on us so believers will not have so little faith they will miss out on the abundant blessings God wants to pour out on us.
Thursday
Today in addition to the big ceremonies like weddings and funerals there is a whole range of occasions that call for a banquet such as: birth of a baby, 12th, 36th, 50th, 60th, and 70th birthdays, moving into a new house, or even re-decorating one's house. There are many celebrations among believers as well but some come with an invitation and some do not. This tends to lead to favoritism and loss of unity. We pray for unity among believers and that they will avoid any cause of stumbling among those who are weaker.
Friday
Parents throw parties when their child joins the military or is admitted to a university. A few decades ago admission to an elite university warranted a banquet, but now some parents have begun sending out invitations to a party for a child entering senior high school. It is not easy for believers to stay true to their faith in Jesus in the military in China or even in college since there are many temptations there. We pray for the families whose children are in the military or in college. May the Lord protect them from the evil one.
Saturday
In China's traditionally rural society, the custom of giving a gift of money was supposed to help fellow villagers, relatives, or clan members through the difficulty of starting a new family or caring for a newborn child. Now, however, some argue that the custom is out of control and that these celebrations are merely times to get financial profit. Chinese people value reciprocity but Christ wants us to treat each other with love, not recount the evil deeds of others. May the Lord remind us that we should do what is good in the eyes of men gladly and willingly because it is all of the grace of God.
Sunday
Inevitably, the obligation to send out cash gifts hits low-income families harder than anyone else – the acceptable sum of gift money is based on the closeness of relations between the inviter and the invitee, regardless of the latter’s economic status. Let us pray about the way each church treats the poor in their midst. May God's Spirit convict us not to judge people because the poor are chosen to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of heaven which God has promised to those who love Him.
Monday
Very few people dare to decline invitations to special occasions in China since doing so would bring the family into potentially irreversible disrepute. It is also damaging to one's social standing to give a sum of money that is lower than the going rate even though that figure is never expressly given. Chinese people put great value on "face" but sadly this is one big reason why they tend to be superficial and not transparent. Believers (preachers included) are unwilling to share their weaknesses and failings, hence their preaching and sharing lacks sincerity. Oh, may the Lord break our hypocrisy.
The obligation to give cash gifts causes financial stress for families in the small towns in China. Births, weddings, or deaths can make people very concerned financially. Let us pray that every birthday, funeral, or wedding celebration in every church will be not only a celebration but also a good opportunity to reach out to unbelievers with the gospel.
Wednesday
An invitation to the banquet for special occasions in China calls for a cash gift of at least one hundred yuan (US$16.) which is about the equivalent of three days' wages. It is not impolite not to go so long as the money arrives. Usually in the small or rural churches financial giving is very small. Unfortunately, pastors hesitate to preach the truth of tithing. May the Lord have mercy on us so believers will not have so little faith they will miss out on the abundant blessings God wants to pour out on us.
Thursday
Today in addition to the big ceremonies like weddings and funerals there is a whole range of occasions that call for a banquet such as: birth of a baby, 12th, 36th, 50th, 60th, and 70th birthdays, moving into a new house, or even re-decorating one's house. There are many celebrations among believers as well but some come with an invitation and some do not. This tends to lead to favoritism and loss of unity. We pray for unity among believers and that they will avoid any cause of stumbling among those who are weaker.
Friday
Parents throw parties when their child joins the military or is admitted to a university. A few decades ago admission to an elite university warranted a banquet, but now some parents have begun sending out invitations to a party for a child entering senior high school. It is not easy for believers to stay true to their faith in Jesus in the military in China or even in college since there are many temptations there. We pray for the families whose children are in the military or in college. May the Lord protect them from the evil one.
Saturday
In China's traditionally rural society, the custom of giving a gift of money was supposed to help fellow villagers, relatives, or clan members through the difficulty of starting a new family or caring for a newborn child. Now, however, some argue that the custom is out of control and that these celebrations are merely times to get financial profit. Chinese people value reciprocity but Christ wants us to treat each other with love, not recount the evil deeds of others. May the Lord remind us that we should do what is good in the eyes of men gladly and willingly because it is all of the grace of God.
Sunday
Inevitably, the obligation to send out cash gifts hits low-income families harder than anyone else – the acceptable sum of gift money is based on the closeness of relations between the inviter and the invitee, regardless of the latter’s economic status. Let us pray about the way each church treats the poor in their midst. May God's Spirit convict us not to judge people because the poor are chosen to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of heaven which God has promised to those who love Him.
Monday
Very few people dare to decline invitations to special occasions in China since doing so would bring the family into potentially irreversible disrepute. It is also damaging to one's social standing to give a sum of money that is lower than the going rate even though that figure is never expressly given. Chinese people put great value on "face" but sadly this is one big reason why they tend to be superficial and not transparent. Believers (preachers included) are unwilling to share their weaknesses and failings, hence their preaching and sharing lacks sincerity. Oh, may the Lord break our hypocrisy.
星期二
對中國小城鎮的家庭而言，在婚喪喜慶包禮金的人情義務，是個極大的經濟壓力。不論是出生，死亡，或是結婚，每封請帖都是傷腰包的。我們為教會中舉辦的生日慶祝，喪禮和婚禮來禱告。求主使用這些場合，藉著牧者的分享和信徒的交談，不單單有動人的場合，也能成為吸引更多人來認識耶穌的美好機會。
星期三
在中國小城鎮，參加宴席的最低禮金是人民幣100元（16美元），約等於普通人3天的工資，如果低於100元是不禮貌的。一般而言，婚喪喜慶的宴請，人可以不到，但禮數一定得到。小教會與農村教會的奉獻一般都不多，很可惜傳道人也不敢教導十一奉獻的真理。求主憐憫，不叫信徒因著沒有信心奉獻，而失去神想藉此來傾倒給我們更深更大的祝福。
星期四
近幾年，除了婚喪嫁娶所謂正規的慶祝外，生日請吃飯也挺常見。此外，生孩子、滿月，12歲、36歲、50歲、60和70大壽的慶祝也都非常流行。至於喬遷，甚至重新裝潢，也有豪華的晚宴活動。教會中也有許多這樣慶祝的飯局，然而有人會被邀請，有些人卻沒有，這樣的情形讓人誤以為教會中似乎有小團體的出現，重此輕彼，使得教會失去合一。我們願會眾彼此相愛，不叫任何軟弱的肢體跌倒。
星期五
除正規慶祝外，其他需送禮的場合還包括孩子從軍，進大學。幾十年前，孩子進入一流大學，家長才會慶祝，現在連進高中就讀，部份家長也會大發請帖請吃飯。在軍中和在大學，年輕人的信仰很不容易堅持，因為面臨環境裡許多的引誘。我們為有孩子在軍隊和外地讀大學的信徒祈求，願神保守年輕人的信仰，不落入惡者试探的網羅。
星期六
傳統中國農村，送禮金是幫助短缺的老鄉，親戚或家族，特別是成立新家庭或孩子的出生。但是越來越多人認為，送禮的精神已經被扭曲，有些人甚至利用它成為撈錢的機會。中國人講究禮尚往來，而主耶穌卻要求我們，不計算人的惡且要以善報惡。求主提醒我們，我們行世人以為善的事是應該的，內心也要樂意，因為我們擁有的一切，皆是神的恩典。讓恩典與神的愛流通來體貼主的心意。
星期日
禮尚往來，對低收入的家庭是非常艱難的。一般來說，禮金的多少是基於邀請者與被邀者之間的關係親密程度，而不是受邀者的經濟狀況。我們為每個教會能以恩慈善待他們當中貧困（資源缺乏）的會友來禱告。願神的靈提醒我們不偏心待人，也不用惡意論斷人。因為神揀選了世上的貧窮人，叫他們在信上富足，並因愛神而得以承受所應許的國。
星期一
在中國很少有人敢拒絕邀請，因為這樣做會讓家人沒有面子。紅包太少會影響自己的社會地位，但是紅包要包多少卻又不是個定數，而是要看行情及關係。中國人講究面子，可惜這樣的文化使得教會中肢體間無法坦白、真誠的分享。信徒，包括傳道人自己，都不願開誠布公地承認自己也有軟弱及失敗，使得教會於表面化，信息八股，分享客套。求主破碎我們的虛假，讓我們在愛中能彼此接納，真誠相待，互相建立。
對中國小城鎮的家庭而言，在婚喪喜慶包禮金的人情義務，是個極大的經濟壓力。不論是出生，死亡，或是結婚，每封請帖都是傷腰包的。我們為教會中舉辦的生日慶祝，喪禮和婚禮來禱告。求主使用這些場合，藉著牧者的分享和信徒的交談，不單單有動人的場合，也能成為吸引更多人來認識耶穌的美好機會。
星期三
在中國小城鎮，參加宴席的最低禮金是人民幣100元（16美元），約等於普通人3天的工資，如果低於100元是不禮貌的。一般而言，婚喪喜慶的宴請，人可以不到，但禮數一定得到。小教會與農村教會的奉獻一般都不多，很可惜傳道人也不敢教導十一奉獻的真理。求主憐憫，不叫信徒因著沒有信心奉獻，而失去神想藉此來傾倒給我們更深更大的祝福。
星期四
近幾年，除了婚喪嫁娶所謂正規的慶祝外，生日請吃飯也挺常見。此外，生孩子、滿月，12歲、36歲、50歲、60和70大壽的慶祝也都非常流行。至於喬遷，甚至重新裝潢，也有豪華的晚宴活動。教會中也有許多這樣慶祝的飯局，然而有人會被邀請，有些人卻沒有，這樣的情形讓人誤以為教會中似乎有小團體的出現，重此輕彼，使得教會失去合一。我們願會眾彼此相愛，不叫任何軟弱的肢體跌倒。
星期五
除正規慶祝外，其他需送禮的場合還包括孩子從軍，進大學。幾十年前，孩子進入一流大學，家長才會慶祝，現在連進高中就讀，部份家長也會大發請帖請吃飯。在軍中和在大學，年輕人的信仰很不容易堅持，因為面臨環境裡許多的引誘。我們為有孩子在軍隊和外地讀大學的信徒祈求，願神保守年輕人的信仰，不落入惡者试探的網羅。
星期六
傳統中國農村，送禮金是幫助短缺的老鄉，親戚或家族，特別是成立新家庭或孩子的出生。但是越來越多人認為，送禮的精神已經被扭曲，有些人甚至利用它成為撈錢的機會。中國人講究禮尚往來，而主耶穌卻要求我們，不計算人的惡且要以善報惡。求主提醒我們，我們行世人以為善的事是應該的，內心也要樂意，因為我們擁有的一切，皆是神的恩典。讓恩典與神的愛流通來體貼主的心意。
星期日
禮尚往來，對低收入的家庭是非常艱難的。一般來說，禮金的多少是基於邀請者與被邀者之間的關係親密程度，而不是受邀者的經濟狀況。我們為每個教會能以恩慈善待他們當中貧困（資源缺乏）的會友來禱告。願神的靈提醒我們不偏心待人，也不用惡意論斷人。因為神揀選了世上的貧窮人，叫他們在信上富足，並因愛神而得以承受所應許的國。
星期一
在中國很少有人敢拒絕邀請，因為這樣做會讓家人沒有面子。紅包太少會影響自己的社會地位，但是紅包要包多少卻又不是個定數，而是要看行情及關係。中國人講究面子，可惜這樣的文化使得教會中肢體間無法坦白、真誠的分享。信徒，包括傳道人自己，都不願開誠布公地承認自己也有軟弱及失敗，使得教會於表面化，信息八股，分享客套。求主破碎我們的虛假，讓我們在愛中能彼此接納，真誠相待，互相建立。
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