The Differences Between Samson And Samuel (1)

‘Time would fail me to tell of…Samson…and Samuel.’ Hebrews 11:32 NKJV

Samson and Samuel are mentioned in the same Scripture, but there are big differences between them. You ask, ‘Why should I be interested?’ Because as a Christian, you are like them. Each had a miraculous birth, so they’re a picture of those who’ve been born again and called to serve God. Paul writes, ‘These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition… Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.’ (1 Corinthians 10:11–12 NKJV) Difference one: finances. Samson was greedy and manipulating, whereas Samuel practised integrity. One day Samson bet thirty Philistine princes that they couldn’t solve his riddle, saying, ‘If you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing.’ (Judges 14:13 NKJV) Quite a wardrobe, eh? Samson’s emphasis was ‘you shall give me.’ He’s an example of Christians in business who discredit the cause of Christ by unethical practices, and those in ministry who twist the Scriptures and resort to emotional manipulation to raise money.

The world is watching, so let’s heed the Scripture: ‘Provide things honest in the sight of all men.’ (Romans 12:17 KJV) Samuel was totally different. After forty years of his exemplary leadership, the people paid this tribute to him: ‘You have not cheated or oppressed us.’ (1 Samuel 12:4 NIV) When others can say that about you, you did it right! Jesus said, ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (Matthew 6:21 NIV) The condition of your heart is revealed in how you handle finances. https://vision.org.au/the-word-for-today/

参孙与撒母耳的区别

我还要再说下去吗？我没有时间一一细说……参孙……撒母耳的事了。 (希伯来书 11:32 当代译本)

参孙和撒母耳在同一节经文里被提到，但他们之间却有很大的区别。你会问，“这跟我有什么关系呢？” 因为作为一个基督徒，你常常也会像他们一样。参孙和撒母耳都有着奇迹般的出生，所以他们就是那些被重生并呼召来事奉上帝的人的画像。保罗写到：“发生在他们身上的这些事都是鉴戒，之所以记录下来是为了警戒我们这活在末世的人。所以，自以为站得稳的人要小心，免得跌倒。” (哥林多前书 10:11-12 当代译本)

他们之间的第一个区别是关于财务的。参孙贪得无厌，撒母耳却诚实正直。有一天，参孙和三十个非利士人的首领打赌说他们猜不出他的谜语，“如果猜不中，你们就要给我三十件细麻衣和三十件外袍。”(士师记 14:13 当代译本) 衣橱应该挺大的吧？参孙强调的是“你们就要给我”。参孙是一个反面的例子，他代表着那些在经商时使用不道德的行为来诋毁基督事业的基督徒，和那些在服侍主的时候歪曲圣经并通过操纵情绪来圈钱的人。

世人都在观看，所以我们要留心圣经所说的：“你们当以诚实待人。”（罗马书12：17 KJV）撒母耳则完全不同。在他出色地领导以色列人四十年之后，以色列人向他表示敬意：“你没有欺骗、压迫过我们。” (撒母耳记上 12:4 当代译本) 当别人能这么评价你的时候，你就做对了！耶稣说：“你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在哪里。” (马太福音 6:21 当代译本) 你如何对待财务可以反映出你内心的状况。