• 提摩太前书 6:17-19

17至于那些今世富足的人，你要嘱咐他们不要自高，也不要倚赖靠不住的钱财；要倚靠那厚赐万物给我们享受的上帝。 18又要嘱咐他们行善，在好事上富足，甘心施舍，乐意分享， 19为自己积存财富，而为将来打美好的根基，好使他们能把握那真正的生命。

• 罗马书 6:21-23

21那么，你们现在所看为羞耻的事，当时有什么果子呢？那些事的结局就是死。 22但如今，你们既从罪里得了释放，作了上帝的奴仆，就结出果子，以至于成圣，那结局就是永生。 23因为罪的工价乃是死；惟有上帝的恩赐，在我们的主基督耶稣里，乃是永生。

每次看新闻的时候（最近可能还真不该看新闻），就会发现又多一位名人新冠病毒测试为阳性。无论他们多么有名望、权力、财富和影响力，依然避免不了这样令人心碎的消息。看来，新冠病毒竟然对所有人都一视同仁呢，这可真是一种羞辱，不是吗？

在保罗最后的几封书信里，他曾写信给他的朋友提摩太：“你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，也不要倚靠无定的钱财”（提摩太前书6:17）。金钱——大多数智能手机使用者都拥有的这样东西，会让人忘记自己原本多么可悲脆弱。发达国家中的“富”人——按照全球标准来看，我和你们当中的99%都能算得上是富人——忙于在Instagram上吸引粉丝、创建生意、培养成功的孩子，飘飘然觉得日子很美好。然而这一切可能转眼之间就会烟消云散，而且我们根本无力阻止。

这个病毒向人类发出了一个令人自感卑微的提醒——金钱、美貌、影响力都救不了你的性命，更别提救你的灵魂了。你支票账户和退休福利计划里的钱或许让你多买到几卷厕纸，却无法保护你的免疫系统免受当下疾病和死亡的威胁。这就是为什么保罗不希望你把你的盼望放在你的财富、成就、事业，甚至学习成绩上。

保罗要你把盼望放在上帝的身上：“你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人……只要倚靠那厚赐百物给我们享受的上帝”（提摩太前书6:17）。我们当恭敬谦卑地盼望上帝，就是那位在我们保持社交距离时与我们同在的上帝，那位在我们失败与惧怕中帮助我们的上帝，那位在我们里面、借着圣灵做工，好安慰我们，用敬拜取代我们各样忧虑的上帝。

上帝若照着我们应得的报偿我们，那么我们恐怕立刻都会死了，永远不能再见他的面（罗马书6:23）。感谢主，上帝满有怜悯，容我们多存活片刻，还赐我们与他度过永生的福分。

所以，今天，我请你把盼望放在上帝的身上，将明日之喜乐多多交托在上帝的同在里。我向你保证，借着耶稣，你明日一觉醒来将会看到上帝微笑的面庞。

这再一次证明，基督＞新冠病毒。

• 花点时间向神献上感恩与祈求

• 1 Timothy 6:17

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

• Romans 6:23

21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Every time I read the news (which might be a mistake these days), I find another story of a celebrity who tested positive for Coronavirus. Despite their fame, power, wealth, and influence, they couldn’t avoid the heartbreaking news. Apparently, Corona is no respecter of persons. That’s humbling, isn’t it?

In one of his final letters, Paul wrote to his friend Timothy: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,” (1 Timothy 6:17) Money, like most modern smartphone users possess, can make us forget how pathetically vulnerable we are. First world “rich” people (like me and, by global standards, 99% of you) add Instagram followers, build businesses, and raise successful children, quickly thinking we are pretty good at life. Yet all of it can disappear in an instant. And we can’t stop it.

This virus has been a humbling reminder that money, beauty, and influence can’t save your life, nor can it ever save your soul. Your checking account and 401(k) might get you some extra toilet paper, but it can’t shield your system from the imminent threat of sickness and death. This is why Paul doesn’t want you to put your hope in your wealth or your achievements or your career or your GPA.

Paul wants your hope to be placed in God: “Command those who are rich . . . to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17) We humbly hope in God. The God who is with us during our social distancing. The God who is for us despite our fears and failures. The God who is in us, working through his Spirit to comfort us and replace our worries with worship.

If God gave us what we deserve, we would all die instantly and never see his face again (Romans 6:23). Thankfully, God is merciful enough to give us another breath and the blessing of eternal life with him.

So, today, I ask you to put your hope in God. Put as much of tomorrow’s joy into God’s presence. I guarantee you, through Jesus, you will wake up tomorrow morning to his smiling face.

Proof, once again, that Christ > Corona.

• Take a moment to give thanks and prayers to God