美國牧師柯里．布魯克斯（Corey Brooks）被人稱為「屋頂牧師」。因他曾在他芝加哥南區的教會屋頂上，住了343天，目的是要激勵所在的社區有所改變。布魯克斯在網路上發布一則貼文，大力讚揚他的小學老師喬．史托克斯（Joe Stokes）教了他四個難忘的功課：堅忍的力量、誠信的重要性、社區參與的價值，以及教育的影響力。

同樣地，當我們領受箴言第3章所羅門論述的智慧時，我們也能努力活出對社區有影響力的生活。對於那些想倚靠上帝發揮正面影響力的人，正需要所羅門教導的這四個功課：「專心仰賴耶和華」（5節）；「要敬畏耶和華，遠離惡事」（7節）；「要以財物……尊榮耶和華」（9節）；「不可輕看耶和華的管教」（11節）。這樣的智慧促使我們專注於上帝，也教導我們如何處事待人。

在馬太福音5章3-12節，這位智慧的完美體現者耶穌，精闢地描述了基督徒的內在特質。祂還提醒門徒，他們都具有高度的影響力，祂說：「你們是世上的鹽」（13節）、「你們是世上的光」（14節）。因此，我們都被賦予了使命，正如耶穌說：「你們的光也當這樣照在人前，叫他們看見你們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父。」（16節）

Corey Brooks—“The Rooftop Pastor”—spent 343 days living on the rooftop of his church on Chicago’s south side to inspire community transformation. Online, Brooks posted a “shout-out” to his elementary school teacher Joe Stokes, who taught him four unforgettable lessons: the power of perseverance, the importance of integrity, the value of community engagement, and the impact of education.

By embracing Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs 3, we likewise can strive to live in ways that have community impact. Solomon taught four lessons that are just right for those who trust in God and are called to be a positive force: “Trust in the Lord” (v. 5); “fear the Lord and shun evil” (v. 7); “honor the Lord with your wealth” (v. 9); “do not despise the Lord’s discipline” (v. 11). Such wisdom compels us to be God-focused, but there are people-touching dimensions to our faith too.

In Matthew 5:3-12, Jesus, the ultimate embodiment of wisdom, eloquently described the internal disposition of believers in Jesus. Furthermore, He reminded them that they were high-impact people. “You are the salt of the earth” (v. 13). “You are the light of the world” (v. 14). As such, we are honored to “Let [our] light shine . . . that they may see [our] good deeds and glorify [our] Father in heaven” (v. 16).