阅读经文 

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。（参路 10:29-37）

今天我们能以怎样的方式为别人倒空自己呢？

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?