不虛空的人生 (傳十一)中英bilingual
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A Life not in Vain (Ecclesiastes 11, NASB)
April 13, 2026
Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.(Ecclesiastes 11:1-2, NASB)
This article discusses a life that is not in vain, focusing on three aspects: “doing good is not in vain, “diligently doing the Lord’s work is not in vain,”, and “living in Christ is not in vain.” - these three detailed description:
A life not in vain - doing good is not in vain:
When food is spread on water, it seems wasted, which makes us feel confused. But when we think about the painting “gleaning” - which is known by many, we naturally understand. When God commanded the Israelites to harvest crops, to not cut off the corners of the field, to not pick up what has been dropped; but to leave it for poor people and those who are sojourners. The remaining corners of the fields and abandoned crops are for charity. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your charitable giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:3-4, NASB) When we have the ability to give, that means we are prosperous and have a surplus. Then, when we see other people who need help, we have the ability to share what we have with them. Because of our quiet contribution, God will then help us through others when we need it, and He will remember our good deeds.
Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether one or the other will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. (Ecclesiastes 11:6, NASB)
A life not in vain - diligently doing the Lord’s work:
Diligent work will surely be rewarded; finding joy in hard work is a good thing. The fruits of ordinary diligence and labor under the sun ultimately vanish after life ends, but Paul encourages us to have a kind of diligence and labor that is not in vain: which is working for the Lord.
Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58, NASB) Relying on Lord Jesus having eternal hope for the future, every effort that we put in for Christ, in the eyes of Lord Jesus Christ has eternal value, just as wealth is stored up in heaven, never to perish, so too is the fruit of diligently doing the Lord’s work not in vain.
Indeed, if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility. (Ecclesiastes 11:8, NASB)
A life not in vain - living in Christ:
Though there are joyful days in life, there are often more days of hardship and worry than days of happiness. There is nothing new under the sun, and day after day it is the same. What we do is empty, striving after the wind. But Jesus Christ wants to transform our lives, reshape us, and make us new creations under the sun, entering into Christ and walking with God, living in Christ. Only then will our lives be truly meaningful, have eternal value and hope.
For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26, NASB)
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17, NASB)
For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every person according to his deeds. (Matthew 16:26-27, NASB)
By Li Wei Hsiung
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