我最近听到有人说：“现今世代最需要的是品格好的人。” 怎样才算是有好品格？有好的道德？是握手有力又能眼睛直视别人吗？Tina是个品格好的人。
虽然她有点粗犷 － 她吸烟，有纹身，甚至会说出令水手也害臊的粗言秽语。
最近社区中有一位年轻母亲离世，留下三个小男孩，由他们年仅十八岁的姐姐照顾。这些男孩子在很多方面都尽量学会自理。Tina留意到他们的困境，便开始送食物和衣服给他们。她又带他们参加教会开展的一个针对少年男子进行辅导的计划。每逢她自己家中有生日聚会或外出游玩，Tina都会带这三个男孩同去，她对他们视如己出。我相信为别人倒空自己便是良好品格的开始。
David Brooks曾写过一本有关品格的书，他也在一次接受采访时这样说：“真正有品格的人，会与超越他自己以外的一些人事物建立深入和牢固的关系。”品格包含委身去服侍自己以外的需求。在耶稣所讲的好撒玛利亚人的比喻中，这种服侍的对象甚至还包括敌人（路加福音 10:29-37）。
今天我们能以怎样的方式为别人倒空自己呢？
主啊，你为我们倒空了自己。求你以你的灵充满我们，叫我们效法你活出一个谦卑服侍他人的生命。阿们。
腓立比书 2:1-11
1所以，在基督里若有什么劝勉，爱心有什么安慰，圣灵有什么交通，心中有什么慈悲怜悯，
2你们就要意念相同，爱心相同，有一样的心思，有一样的意念，使我的喜乐可以满足。
3凡事不可结党，不可贪图虚浮的荣耀，只要存心谦卑，各人看别人比自己强。
4各人不要单顾自己的事，也要顾别人的事。
5你们当以基督耶稣的心为心。
6他本有神的形象，不以自己与神同等为强夺的，
7反倒虚己，取了奴仆的形象，成为人的样式；
8既有人的样子，就自己卑微，存心顺服以至于死，且死在十字架上。
9所以神将他升为至高，又赐给他那超乎万名之上的名，
10叫一切在天上的、地上的和地底下的，因耶稣的名无不屈膝，
11无不口称耶稣基督为主，使荣耀归于父神。
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. . . ." - Philippians 2:3-4
I heard someone say recently, "What we need nowadays is people with good character."
What is good character? Good morals? A firm handshake and a steady look in the eye?
Tina has good character. She's a little rough around the edges —smokes Newport cigarettes, has faded tattoos, and can slip into colorful combinations of language that would make a sailor blush. But she lives a life committed to using every resource and gift at her disposal for the good of others.
Recently a young mom in the community died, leaving behind three young boys in the custody of their 18-year-old sister. These boys are fending for themselves in so many ways. Tina noticed them and began bringing them food and clothing. She takes the boys to a young men's mentoring program at church, and when her immediate family has a birthday party or somewhere fun to go, she includes the boys as if they are her own. I think character begins with emptying oneself for others.
David Brooks, who wrote a book on character, said in an interview: "People who really have character make deep, unshakable connections to something outside of themselves." Character involves a commitment to service and community, outside of oneself. In Jesus' parable of the good Samaritan, for example, that is extended to include enemies (Luke 10:29-37).
How might we empty ourselves for others today?
Lord, you emptied yourself for us all. Fill us with your Spirit to live in humble service of others for your sake. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
