A Balanced Life
I.
Three aspects of life (Gen 26:25)
A.
Build an altar—spiritual life
B.
Pitch a tent—family life
1.
Live a blameless life in the family (Ps 101:2)
·
Build ourselves in love (Eph )
·
Maintain order
·
Fulfill each one’s duty
2.
Build a spiritual bond
·
God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Mt 22:32)
3.
A place to share, care and enjoy together
C.
Dig a well—career life or school life
II.
A Balanced life
A.
Set priorities
1.
Concept of value (Deut 6:4-9)
·
Awareness of identity
·
Realign the value concept
2.
Treasure opportunities
·
Loving God (Lk 24:1-3;
Jn 12:8)
·
Loving family (Gen.23:2)
·
Acquiring knowledge
B.
God created a balanced world (Gen 1)
1.
Soul & body (Mt 4:4; Amos )
2.
Spiritual needs & material needs
C.
Not mutually exclusive:
1.
This life and life to come (2 Cor -18)
2.
Bodily training and discipline of godliness
(1Tim 4:8)
3.
Kingdom of God and daily necessities (Mt 6:31-33)
4.
Life and food (Mt 6:25)
III.
Balance between faith and family
A.
Do not be overly righteous (Ecc
7:6)
1.
Alienate family members (Mt )
2.
Decline of descendant’s faith (1 Sam 8:1-5)
B.
Balance the two aspects of life
1.
Love family members (1 Tim 5:3; 3:4, 5, 12)
2.
Do not love the family over the Lord (Mt 10:7)
·
When conflicts arise
3.
Offering and caring for parents (Mk 7:11-13)
·
Do not overdo it (2 Cor
9:6, 7)
IV.
Balance between career and family
A.
Workaholic
1.
Bring work home—working even at home
2.
Discuss work at home—still in the office
3.
Only focus on work—no place for the family
B.
Work at home
1.
No rest—easily angered
2.
Silence—no interpersonal relationship
3.
Break the marriage and harm the children
C.
Correct attitude
1.
At office—work first
2.
At home—family first
3.
Difficulties at work?
·
Ask God for wisdom (1King 3:9)
·
Trust the Lord (Ps 37:5; 4:7,8; Mt 14:25-31)
D.
Lay aside the burden
1.
Relax
2.
Rest (Mk 6:31)
3.
Recreation
·
Family reunion
·
Elevate the quality of life
