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应许之地就在约旦河的对岸，然而，在河这岸看来也很适合牧放牲畜；于是，吕便和迦得支派的人，便要求摩西准许他们在那里住下来。他们这样做，因为他们受到试探，就是他们根据他们的财富而不是耶和华的应许，来决定去留。当摩西挑战他们的想法时，吕便和迦得支派的人便同意与其他人一起渡过约旦河，一同攻占那地。

过安定的生活、仅仅满足于我们周围的事物，是一个很大的试探。我们拥有的越多，我们便越容易单单着眼今生，不去仰望神的应许，反而倾向于只看重周围的事物，并以此感到满足。

基督徒信仰的特征，就是感受到神圣的不满足，他们不以今生的财宝为终极满足；在逆境中我们自然便会感到不满足的，但是，作为基督徒，纵然是在顺境中，我们仍然需要渴慕基督和祂的国度，因为我们知道，耶稣才是最宝贵的财富。

我们能否做到一方面为我们所拥有的感恩，同时也更深渴慕基督呢？可以的，我们只要记着，耶稣已经拥有天上一切的荣耀——但祂却为我们倒空自己。耶稣舍弃了天上的荣华成为一无所有，好叫我们在祂里面得到富足。（参腓 2:1-11）赞美神！

The promised land was just across the Jordan River, but the land on the near side of the ­river looked good for grazing. So the tribes of Reuben and Gad petitioned Moses to let them settle in that area. In doing so, they faced the temptation of settling in a place determined by their possessions rather than by the Lord's promise. When Moses challenged them, the tribes of Reuben and Gad agreed to go with the others across the Jordan to conquer the land.

Settling down and being fulfilled merely with the things around us is so tempting. The more we have, the easier it is to focus solely on this life. Rather than keeping our eyes on the promises of God, we tend to see the things around us and be satisfied with them.

Christian faith is marked by a holy discontent with earthly treasures. That's easy when things are difficult. But as Chris­tians, we need to long for Christ and his kingdom even when things are good, because we know Jesus is the greatest treasure.

Can we be thankful for what we have while also longing for Christ? Yes, by remembering that Jesus had all the glories of heaven—and yet he emptied himself for us. He gave up the riches of heaven and became poor so that we might be rich in him. (Philippians 2:1-11)Praise God!