Bulletin Article for TPIBC on September 3rd

Our Transition Reviewed

In my earlier article (12 Feb.,06), I talked about our transition. Specifically, I pointed out then that you should be seeing me much less frequently than before. At the same time, I am open and ready for whatever consultation or assistance as may be required by our congregation since I am still an interim minister of our church. Time really flies, another 6 months have past ever since and my service has been reviewed by our CMC members recently as my service agreement is renewed on a 6-month basis.

There is some fine tuning in my modes of service with our church. They are only minor adjustments. For instance, I shall attend Sunday services more often – not less than 3 Sundays per month. Joanne will continue to serve us in her interim role as our minister. We shall cooperate to serve our congregation and the needs of our church. As you might have noticed, there is some sort of division of responsibilities between us. Joanne will be the best person of contact regarding the needs of our sisters while I shall be looking after the needs of our brothers. Obviously, there is no harm if any brother wishes to talk to Joanne direct or any sister to me. We will be most happy to help out.

I would like to thank our CMC for giving me a bit more of the flexibility to try out my endeavors as an independent evangelist. You could learn more of them by clicking onto my blog. A web link to My Articles is also provided therein. It is a collection of my articles basically written for our church's purposes. For example, I shall be supplementing my sermons with the articles so written. I am trying to post up daily devotionals on a weekly basis (3–6 devotionals per week) there. Hopefully, it will provide a meeting point for our brothers who are facing an increasing demand to work in China or other parts of the world. Let's remain in touch with one another through facilities such as emails or web writings. Let me also emphasize that any body among us is welcome to surf and comment on my articles as a way of communication and exchange.

Joanne and I shall be visiting newcomers to our church in order to promote their connection with us. If your home is available to ministers like us, please do not hesitate to invite us to visit you. A good understanding and communication among our members is essential in keeping us connected and concerned. May God the Father and Jesus our Lord help and guide us along while we are seeking His view and blessings for our congregation.

Devotional for September 1st

The Wisdom of Investment

There are a lot of investments in the world. Some of them would generate substantial and even phenomenal returns. For instance, Warren Buffett (a very famous American investor) has amassed an enormous fortune from astute investments, particularly through his company Berkshire Hathaway. Starting from $100 in 1956, he established Buffett Associates Limited as his first investment partnership. From such a humble beginning, Buffet eventually becomes the 2nd richest man of the world in 2006 according to the Forbes' list.

On the other hand, failures in investment are generally more numerous than successes. For instance, there were 3071 local bankruptcy cases in 1999, 4606 cases in 2000 and 9151 cases in 2001 in Hong Kong. Such a trend still exists and 2500 bankruptcies have been filed in the first quarter of 2006. All these figures reveal an undeniable fact ─ investing is a risky business!

What does the Bible teach us about “investment”? Matthew 25:14-29 unambiguously talks about the burden of servants to make profits on behalf of their master. As a result, the one who received one talent was condemned because of his inaction and his fear of taking risk! Thus, we have to be very cautious in terms of spiritual investments if we do consider our Saviour to be our Lord. In another parable of the dishonest steward (Luke 16: 1-9), the master commended the dishonest steward for his shrewdness for the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. The Lord Jesus went on to tell us to make friends for ourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive us into the eternal habitations.

Beloved, have you thought about the question of investment seriously? What is your lesson or illumination from reading the aforesaid parables? The billionaires are certainly to be envied in this world. Nonetheless, have you ever envy the Apostles in the spiritual realm with a view to the new heaven and earth to come as promised in the Bible? Let's use our freedom and gifts today in investing for our eternal future. Indeed, it is our responsibility to invest wisely and properly for the Kingdom of God. More importantly, our Lord's promises and assurance of our eternal destinies are too great a reward to be ignored! Let's therefore encourage and stimulate one another with the example of the poor widow in Luke 21:2 who put in two copper coins into the temple treasury.