在萬人眼前的智慧聰明
2024年12月16日陳定川 著
在萬人眼前的智慧聰明
WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING FOR THE WORKPLACE
我很早就開始進入職場，十四歲便進入中華化學工作。當時身體較為虛弱，曾因體力不足而自卑。但是我的老闆提醒我，商業的成功靠的不是體力，而是智慧。摩西教導以色列人，如何在所要進入的應許之地上，成為智慧和聰明的人。他說，關鍵在於遵行神的律例典章：「所以你們要謹守遵行；這就是你們在萬民眼前的智慧、聰明…」(申命記4章6節)。每日讀聖經才能明白，進而遵行神的話，成為有智慧的人。
我年輕時，曾有位加拿大的女宣教士，來台灣分享耶利米書17章7-8節：「倚靠耶和華、以耶和華為可靠的，那人有福了！他必像樹栽於水旁，在河邊扎根，炎熱來到，並不懼怕，葉子仍必青翠，在乾旱之年毫無掛慮，而且結果不止」，啟發我倚靠神來經營事業。我也受到大衛憑信心倚靠神，面對獅子、熊、巨人等威脅的故事，深刻的啟發。
我年輕時任職的公司，曾經因為工廠人事糾紛，有人揚言，要對接手工廠業務的我不利，沒想到後來去拜訪此人時，他一見到我們就說，有人已經告知他不可傷害我，讓我深深感受到神的暗中護衛。
三十年前，我開始經營永光化學，並將申命記的教導，作為經營哲學的一部分。加入CBMC後，我背讀以下經文，提醒自己要讓主來帶領：「你要專心仰賴耶和華，不可倚靠自己的聰明，在你一切所行的事上都要認定他，他必指引你的路。」(箴言3章5-6節)
遵行神的話語不但是智慧的來源，也讓事業基礎堅固、持續成長。經營永光化學的過程中，兩段經文對我幫助很大。其一是列王紀上12章，講述羅波安因聽從年輕而不明智的建議，最終遭致以色列人背叛；其二則是撒母耳記下23章，描述大衛的三位勇士為他冒死打水，然而大衛將水獻上給神，不敢輕易飲用。這教導了我，身為領導者，不僅要有智慧，更要具備僕人的心態：服務員工，並以正直的方式經營事業。
三十年前永光只有二十名員工，而如今已發展到擁有上千名員工，年營業額也從五百萬，增長至超過四十億。在這段過程中，我倚靠的是神的靈和祂的智慧。神感動了世界各地的專業人士來協助我們，這些資源的到來，並非出於我的計劃，而是神的恩典。如同我很喜歡的詩歌，「向高處行」的歌詞，一直仰望高處而行，站在屬靈高原上，就能精準做決策，昂首無懼。
願我們的事業根基建立在神的話語上，倚靠上帝昂首無懼地面對競爭，靠著聖靈逐漸成熟，朝見天父時能夠得到神的讚賞－忠心、良善、有見識的僕人。
（註：本文取自作者於2002年10月在泰國舉行的CBMC亞洲年會講稿，現今永光化學公司年營業額已超過八十億元）
陳定川 D.C. Chen，永光化學公司創辦人，台灣上市的先進染料及高科技化學品公司，該公司目前在全球6個國家有分公司，員工超過1,800人。著有《永仰榮光》、《往高處行》等作品。是CBMC超過50年的長期會員，為CBMC台灣榮譽理事長，曾任CBMC台灣及亞太理事長，且擔任過CBMC國際理事。
反省與問題討論
第一、你認為在職場中，學習並應用神的話語，如何能夠成為智慧的來源呢？
第二、你曾經在職場中遇到過挑戰，但靠著信仰得勝嗎？如果有的話，請分享這段經歷。
第三、在職場上面對挑戰或困難時，你通常會選擇倚靠什麼對象或事物？你是否曾經考慮過更倚靠神呢？請解釋你的答案。
第四、你可以如何在日常生活和工作中，讓靈命成長，並經歷神更多的恩典與同在呢？
挑戰思考
本週，請思考如何在生活與工作中，實踐神的話語，讓它成為你行事為人的指南。試著在面對挑戰時，花時間禱告，並尋求神的引導。若你發現自己傾向於，倚靠自己的智慧和經驗，挑戰自己，先將這些交託給神，並等候祂的帶領。若你發現有人，在面對競爭或困難時需要幫助，請為他們禱告，並鼓勵他們倚靠神的智慧，而不是自己的力量。本週，讓我們都以信心和順服的態度，走在被神的話語指引的路上。
備註：如果你有聖經，想閱讀更多相關的內容，請參考以下的經文 :
撒母耳記上17章34-37節
17:34 大衛對掃羅說：「你僕人為父親放羊，有時來了獅子，有時來了熊，從群中啣一隻羊羔去。
17:35 我就追趕牠，擊打牠，將羊羔從牠口中救出來。牠起來要害我，我就揪着牠的鬍子，將牠打死。
17:36 你僕人曾打死獅子和熊，這未受割禮的非利士人向永生 神的軍隊罵陣，也必像獅子和熊一般。」
17:37 大衛又說：「耶和華救我脫離獅子和熊的爪，也必救我脫離這非利士人的手。」掃羅對大衛說：「你可以去吧！耶和華必與你同在。」
列王記上12章13-15節
12:13 王用嚴厲的話回答百姓，不用老年人給他所出的主意，
12:14 照着少年人所出的主意對民說：「我父親使你們負重軛，我必使你們負更重的軛！我父親用鞭子責打你們，我要用蠍子（鞭）責打你們！」
12:15 王不肯依從百姓，這事乃出於耶和華，為要應驗他藉示羅人亞希雅對尼八的兒子耶羅波安所說的話。
撒母耳記下23章15-17節
23:15 大衛渴想，說：「甚願有人將伯利恆城門旁、井裏的水打來給我喝。」
23:16 這三個勇士就闖過非利士人的營盤，從伯利恆城門旁的井裏打水，拿來奉給大衛。他卻不肯喝，將水奠在耶和華面前，
23:17 說：「耶和華啊，這三個人冒死（去打水）；（這水）好像他們的血一般，我斷不敢喝。」如此，大衛不肯喝。這是三個勇士所做的事。
彼得後書1章5-8節
1:5 正因這緣故，你們要分外地殷勤；有了信心，又要加上德行；有了德行，又要加上知識；
1:6 有了知識，又要加上節制；有了節制，又要加上忍耐；有了忍耐，又要加上虔敬；
1:7 有了虔敬，又要加上愛弟兄的心；有了愛弟兄的心，又要加上愛（眾人的心）。
1:8 你們若充充足足地有這幾樣，就必使你們在認識我們的主耶穌基督上不至於閒懶不結果子了。
| 下載 |
WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING FOR THE WORKPLACE
MONDAY MANNADec 16, 2024
WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING FOR THE WORKPLACE
By D. C. Chen
I began my working career at an early age, at Chung Hwa Chemical Industrial Works when I was 14 years old. At that time, I was physically weak and often felt inferior due to my lack of strength. However, my boss reminded me success in business relies not on physical strength but on wisdom. Moses taught the Israelites how to become wise and discerning people as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The key, he said, was in obeying God's laws and commandments: "Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations" (Deuteronomy 4:6). Through daily Bible reading we can understand and learn to follow God's Word, becoming wise.
When I was young, a female Canadian missionary came to Taiwan and introduced me to Jeremiah 17:7, "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." This verse inspired me to rely on God in my business endeavors. I also was greatly inspired by the story of David, who with unwavering faith in God faced and overcame threats from lions, bears, and giants.
In the company where I worked there was a personnel dispute. Someone threatened to harm me as I was taking over the factory's operations. However, when I interacted with this individual, he said someone had informed him not to harm me. This experience deeply reinforced my belief in God's unseen protection.
Thirty years ago, I began managing Everlight Chemical. From the start I incorporated the teachings of Deuteronomy as part of my business philosophy. After joining CBMC, I memorized the following verses to remind myself to let the Lord lead me: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Obeying God's Word not only provides wisdom but also strengthens the foundation of a business and fosters continuous growth. Throughout my journey in managing Everlight Chemical, two passages from the Bible have been particularly impactful for me. The first is 1 Kings 12, which recounts how Rehoboam, by listening to unwise advice, faced betrayal from the Israelites. The second, 2 Samuel 23, describes how three of David's mighty warriors risked their lives to fetch water for him. However, David offered the water to God instead of drinking it himself. This has taught me that a leader must not only possess wisdom but also embody a servant's heart – serving employees and conducting business with integrity.
Thirty years ago, Everlight Chemical had only 20 employees. Today it has grown to more than 1,000. Our annual revenue has increased from five million to over four billion. Throughout this journey, I have relied on God's Spirit and wisdom. He has moved professionals from around the world to assist us. These resources were not a result of my planning but a result of God's grace. As "Higher Ground," one of my favorite songs teaches, by continually looking upward and standing on a spiritual plateau, we can make important decisions and confront challenges without fear.
May the foundation of our business be built upon God's Word, allowing us to face competition with confidence and reliance on Him. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, let us mature so when we stand before our Heavenly Father, we may receive His commendation as faithful, good, and wise servants.
Ding-Chuan Chen – D.C. Chen – is the founder of Everlight Chemical, a publicly listed advanced dye and high-tech chemical company in Taiwan. The company currently operates subsidiaries in six countries worldwide and has more than 1,800 employees. He is the author of "Ever Admire the Light" and "Higher Ground," a member of CBMC for more than 50 years, serves as the Honorary Chairman of CBMC Taiwan, and has held the positions of Chairman for both CBMC Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the International Director of CBMC.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. How do you believe that seeking to learn and apply God's Word in the workplace can serve as a source of wisdom?
2. Have you ever faced challenges in the workplace that you were able to overcome through your faith? If so, what was that like for you?
3. When facing adversity or difficulties in the workplace, on whom or what do you typically choose to rely? Have you ever considered relying more on God instead? Why or why not?
4. How do you think you could cultivate more spiritual growth in your daily life and work, and experience more of God's grace and presence in your life?
Challenge for This Week
This week, take time to reflect on how to practice the teachings of God's Word in your daily life and work more consistently, allowing them to serve as your guiding principle. When faced with challenges, try spending time in prayer and seeking the Lord’s guidance. If you find yourself tending to rely primarily on your own understanding and experience, challenge yourself to first entrust these matters to God and wait for His direction.
If you notice someone in need of help in dealing with competition or difficulties, pray and consider encouraging them to rely on God's wisdom rather than their own strength. This week, let us all strive to walk in faith and obedience, following the path guided by God's Word.
NOTE:
For more about what the Bible says, consider the following passages:
1 Samuel 17:34-37; 1 Kings 12:13-15; 2 Samuel 23:15-17; 2 Peter 1:5-8
| Download |