根據未來而看待現在Regarding the Present in Lightof the Future
[每日靈修] 11/4/2018, 駱鴻銘編譯
對美國社會經濟階層的分析，側重在一些可觀察到的差異上，這些差異表現在各種價值體系、行為模式和存在於階級之間的習慣上。研究結果中最有趣的一個面向，是關於人們如何根據未來而看待現在的問題。
在這個階層分類中較高階的人，比起在較低階的人，往往更看重未來，更加以未來為導向。下層階級的趨勢是朝向即時性。對商品消費、如何花錢和其他決定，是根據短期滿足感來下的。規劃未來，犧牲現有的衝動以儲備未來，為遠程利益進行資本投資，並制定目標，都是在社會中這一階層的人所不具備的。
這種社會現象為基督徒提供了一個重要的教訓：一個人的未來取向，往往會對一個人現在的行為模式產生重大的影響，並且對我們作為基督徒的成長產生巨大的影響。
每個人都有某種末世論觀點或期望。這個觀點可能沒有被有意識地加以發展或仔細制定，但是每個人都會對未來做出一些假設。這是避免不了的。作為屬於時間和空間的生物，我們不僅被過去所束縛，而且也被未來所束縛。因此，我們說，「當下永遠都是有價值的（Right now counts
forever）」。
活在神的面光中（在神面前禱告）：
你今天做出了哪些會影響你的未來的決定？記住，當下永遠都是有價值的。
進一步研讀：
太廿四14 這天國的福音要傳遍天下，對萬民作見證，然後末期才來到。
太廿四30-31 那時，人子的兆頭要顯在天上，地上的萬族都要哀哭。他們要看見人子，有能力，有大榮耀，駕著天上的雲降臨。 祂要差遣使者，用號筒的大聲，將祂的選民，從四方（方：原文作風），從天這邊到天那邊，都招聚了來。」
Regarding
the Present in Light of the Future
An
analysis of socioeconomic classes in America focused on the observable
differences evident in value systems, behavioral patterns, and customs that
exist between the classes. One of the most interesting dimensions of the
findings was with respect to the question of how people regard the present in
light of the future.
People
in the upper levels of the class register tend to be much more future-oriented
than those in the lower range. The trend in the lower classes is in the
direction of immediacy. Consumption of goods, spending money, and other
decisions are made with a view to short-range gratification. Planning for the
future, sacrificing present impulses for future reserve, capital investment for
long-range benefits, and the setting of goals are endeavors not often found in
this segment of society.
The
societal phenomenon illustrates an important lesson for the Christian: one’s
future orientation often has a significant impact on one’s present patterns of
behavior and an enormous impact on our growth as Christians.
Everybody
has some kind of eschatological viewpoint or expectation. The viewpoint may not
be consciously developed or carefully worked out, but some assumption about the
future is made by everyone. It is unavoidable. As creatures of time and space,
we are tethered not only to the past, but also to the future. Hence we say,
“Right now counts forever.”
Coram
Deo
What
decisions are you making today that will affect your future? Remember, right
now counts forever.
Passages
for Further Study
Matthew
24:14
Matthew
24:30–31