Introduction

Good day to you all! Let us turn to 1 Samuel, chapter 20. It seems like we have covered quite a number of chapters in the blink of an eye. I must say, David is an exceptionally astute man, with a keen judgment of matters. I have always aspired to emulate David, to become as discerning as he. David possessed an accurate judgment of people, and he himself was both formidable and astute, precisely because the Spirit of God descended upon him. The same Spirit had also once descended upon Saul, yet Saul remained, shall we say, less than impressive.

In this chapter, I intend to share a crucial concept with you. The Bible consistently presents us with two distinct types of individuals: those like David, who are as sharp as tacks, veritable human dynamos. Some people become increasingly shrewd with age, while others, despite their advancing years and elevated status, become more akin to demons. This boils down to the fundamental principle that core interests dictate behavioral patterns.

Core interests are incredibly significant, and they offer a vital key to developing astute judgment. To cultivate shrewdness, one must assess the core interests of everyone one interacts with. For instance, if someone's core interest is money, you must exercise caution. Before you know it, your funds might find their way into their possession. If someone's core interest is saving face, it is possible that they might evolve into a Saul, while you become the David. In essence, one's core interests determine one's behavioral patterns.

Let us put this into practice immediately by examining the core interests of those around you. Some people have rather intriguing core interests, desiring to love God while simultaneously loving the world. I have a less-than-flattering term for them: hypocrites. Can one claim piety while engaging in immoral behavior? Of course, we should not pride ourselves on isolating ourselves from others. Rather, we must ponder our own core interests.

Some have commented that I am excessively shrewd. They perceive that such shrewdness could be perilous if employed for nefarious purposes. However, if my core interest is God, and I were to engage in wrongdoing under the guise of serving God, the issue would not be God's judgment, but my descent into foolishness. Therefore, from the bottom of my heart, I can say that my core interest truly is God. I yearn to be as astute as David, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph—these are my aspirations. At times, my zeal verges on frustration, and I feel compelled to strive harder. Whenever Joseph is mentioned, my heart is filled with longing. Do not console me by suggesting that I should not strive; I would gladly strive towards the examples of Joseph and David. Even if I strive with all my might, I will not become a demon.

It is advantageous to be astute, for upon encountering someone, one can immediately discern their core interests. Generally, within three to ten sentences, they will revert to their core interests. If I perceive their core interest, I can playfully set a trap, though I am only joking. However, even if I do not set a trap, the devil certainly will, as their core interest has already determined their behavioral pattern. People can be quite foolish, as evidenced by Saul, whose core interest was solely the kingship. What, then, are you? Whether you are something or nothing, your core interest truly defines you. This is the theme of this chapter: one's core interests dictate one's behavioral patterns.

Let me provide an example. Consider someone seeking companionship in old age, who encounters another with similar aspirations. Both envision the possibility of needing someone to push a wheelchair in the event of paralysis. They conclude that a companion in old age would be ideal, someone to provide company and, when needed, assist with mobility. However, they discover that the other person's core interest is identical: neither is willing to push the other in a wheelchair. A couple in a twilight romance flourished until the woman required a wheelchair, at which point the man departed.

The woman lamented to me about the man's treachery. I thought to myself that she would likely have done the same had the situation been reversed. Yet, she righteously believed that it was her due. Is it not foolish for people to think only of their own benefit? The devil will surely trap them. If the person merely leaves, it is one thing. However, if they abscond with your funds while you are confined to a wheelchair, to whom can you turn for justice? I tell you, in this era, even the relationship between parents and children is often transactional, which is truly tragic.

David's Core Interest

David's behavior is often difficult to comprehend. He achieved merit, for which Saul should have been grateful. David acknowledged Saul as his superior and served him diligently and successfully. Yet, Saul sought to kill David. In the minds of most, David would have been heartbroken. However, this was not David's core interest. Because David was anointed, he knew that one day he would govern Israel according to God's will. Once one's core interest is God, one becomes unshakable and formidable.

You may not know this, but whenever I contemplate money, my head begins to throb, and I make foolish decisions the following day. I later realized that I was born into this world to serve as a priest of the Lord God. The blessings of a priest of the Lord God come from God, not from scrounging for funds here and there. Nor is it about thinking, If a wealthy businessman comes, I will serve him well, so that he may donate more; if I encounter someone with no money, I need not serve him well. Never think in this way, for the blessings of a priest of the Lord God do not come from man.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” (Psalm 16:2)

David's core interest was to govern Israel in the future, so he strived to excel in every task he undertook. As a fugitive, even when people sought to kill him, he sought to perform his duties well. As an exorcist, even when people threatened him with spears, he sought to excel. He was remarkably skilled. David was merely a youth of seventeen or eighteen at the time. At that age, I was foolish and ignorant of everything. Of course, today's children are far more sophisticated and worldly than those of my time.

However, the era is of little consequence. The key lies in one's core interest. My core interest did not begin on the day I was born into this world. Rather, from that day onward, I felt that life was meaningless, merely a commotion, and that seeking death was not quite right. David, a young man, understood that his core interest was to govern Israel. We must view him with admiration. His strength lay in his understanding that to govern Israel, he must set an example of faith in God, and those who followed David were also well-trained by him.

Returning to myself, the first question I ask job applicants is about their core interests. If their core interest is growth, I will assist them in their growth. If you encounter such a boss, you will not consider leaving. Similarly, the church will thrive if you encounter a pastor who acts in this way. You will not readily leave, unless you are foolish or lacking in sense. Where else can you find a pastor who ministers to you daily? I constantly ponder how to enable my staff to grow most rapidly, to increase their value, so that they may become CEOs, CIOs, or even hold more O positions in the future. Just be careful not to mix one or two “O” positions and end up “Over”, gone.

I harbor such hopes. Do you believe that my staff would leave? Therefore, regardless of how unskilled you may be upon joining our team, even if you are worth only one dollar, I will increase your value to one thousand dollars. Then, I will pay you five hundred dollars, holding the remaining five hundred dollars. It is not that I covet those five hundred dollars, but rather that I enable you to earn an additional four hundred and ninety-nine dollars. If you are worth one thousand dollars upon joining, I will increase your value to ten thousand dollars in the future providing you with five thousand while holding the remaining five thousand. Do not think that I covet your five thousand dollars; you willingly give it to me, and I do not keep it for myself. For it is not my core interest. My core interest, like David's, is to govern God's people and shepherd God's flock according to His will. One day, I will stand before my God and receive His reward. That is my core interest. These are sincere words; do not think that I am deceiving you.

Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to kill me?”“Never!” Jonathan replied. “You are not going to die! Look, my father doesn’t do anything, great or small, without letting me know. Why would my father hide this from me? It’s not so!” But David took an oath and said, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself, ‘Jonathan must not know this, or he will be grieved.’ But as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.” (1 Samuel 20:1-3)

I often guide people to establish their core interests in God. To remain faithful, David risked his life to return and see Jonathan. He was not preoccupied with his own escape but rather with the concern that his sudden disappearance would grieve his friend Jonathan. Some people act without regard for others, which is to say they are inconsiderate. David, however, was considerate and thorough, even when facing imminent death, he sought a meeting with Jonathan, even if it was only a step away from death. While my language may be somewhat coarse, my core interest is certainly not. Precisely because my core interest is God, you will never see me concerned with saving face.

Those who interact with me closely will find that I enjoy sharing jokes, unafraid of embarrassment and without airs. I do not stand with one hand in my pocket, flailing the other while trying to appear cool, oblivious to those around me and acting as if beneath notice. Such individuals are irritating. David was not concerned with saving face. To be astute, one must abandon the need to save face. Those who prioritize saving face are foolish. Later, we will discuss Jonathan's father, Saul, who was excessively concerned with saving face. I have given him the nickname Lolo. If he heard it, he would likely brandish his spear. My point is that I am not concerned with saving face, nor do I wish others to be. For in prioritizing saving face, one may easily become Lolo.

Speaking of David, he was truly remarkable. If you aspire to be like David, adjust your core interest, and your behavior will follow suit. Some come to me and say, Teacher, that person is dying. After observing the situation, I feel at ease, with nothing to worry about. They ask, Teacher, why do you react in this way? I reply, Death is good, for it brings an end to troubles. After death, there are no more electricity or medication bills to pay. You will bear those expenses on their behalf. In our religious terms, they have found rest. They do not understand, thinking that I am heartless. Actually, I am unconcerned with my own death or yours; rest is a welcome prospect.

The reason is simple: it is not that I am unfeeling, but rather that I am compassionate while you are alive. Once death occurs, it is over; there is no use in clinging to a corpse. I am unconcerned with such matters, for my core interest is God. I minister to the living, not the dead. You may not understand, but when someone's parents are near death, the first thing I do is not to try to prolong their life but rather to provide counsel to the living. I must encourage them to let go, for eighty years is a sufficient lifespan, sixty years is all that matters and it is not worth it. Some time ago, I mentioned someone to one of my colleagues but I perceived that the person had already died. I advised him to be happy and unconcerned. However, he replied that the person had not yet died; I had made a mistake. My point is that one must see through things.

David's core interest was to govern Israel according to God's will. You will find that David was a valiant warrior on the battlefield and an exceptionally skilled economic manager. He was also a capable general in managing the army, and he governed the nation with order and efficiency. David never coveted anything. You cannot govern a group of people without emotion. Therefore, once you make God's will your core interest, you will undoubtedly be formidable. Do you realize what someone whose core interest is God values most? Like David, who risked his life to bid farewell to Jonathan, even though Jonathan’s father sought to kill him, David still returned to inform his friend.

Jonathan, however, did not believe that his father intended to kill David, assuming that Saul would have informed him if this were the case. Actually, Saul concealed the matter from Jonathan, fearing a leak. From Jonathan's reaction to David, it is evident that he did not fully comprehend many things, but he recognized David's strength. Jonathan believed that his father was possessed demonically and that the being trying to kill David was a demon. In reality, it was Saul himself. That is, once one's core interest is firmly established, one knows whether they will ultimately unite with demons or with God. David's astuteness stemmed from his union with God, while Saul's foolishness arose from his union with demons.

Saul's Core Interests

Saul, though tall, had a mind like a walnut and a heart like a peanut. Apart from his size, he was lacking in other aspects. David, though not as large or muscular and appearing refined, had a broad mind and a sharp intellect. All this is reflected in a person's core interests. Saul's core interest was his throne.

Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.” Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. (1 Samuel 20:30-33)

Jonathan now realised that his father wanted to kill David. In fact, you don't need to bother too much. Core interests are like your and my discerning eyes. A glance at your core interests tells you what you want to do, more accurate than any fortune teller. Once Saul's core interest was his throne, he felt like a king, something great. But he was nothing, weighing only a hundred-odd pounds of flesh. Even if he were bigger, at most two hundred pounds, but you are not selling meat, so what's the point of comparing weights? If you were selling pork, the price difference between two hundred and three hundred pounds would be quite significant.

Think of the person sitting on the throne as sitting in the Hall of Supreme Harmony or the Hall of Preserving Harmony in the Forbidden City. Foreign envoys walking from the Golden Stream Bridge to the Hall of Supreme Harmony might need to walk a kilometer. Soldiers standing in rows on both sides holding gleaming spears, their legs would be weak before they even arrived. Not because they were intimidated by the majesty of the hundred-odd pounds of flesh sitting on the throne. In fact, people saw through it all; it's just that the person with a walnut-sized brain and a peanut-sized heart became the emperor because his father was the emperor. The pomp and circumstance were grand, but the ending was also quite good. Actually, all that pomp was useless, just for show.

Once a person has their core interests, even if they are the chairman of Alibaba or Tesla, managing a commercial empire of a hundred billion, a trillion, or even ten trillion, what does it matter? An emperor is just a hundred-odd pounds of flesh, the same no matter what he wears, just rich. Once you see through a person's core interests, you have seen through the person.

The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. (1 Corinthians 2:15)

Our hope is in heaven. I hope that my brothers and sisters who hear my sharing will all become heavenly citizens.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (John 6:63)

That hundred-odd pounds of flesh is nothing. If you lose weight, you'll be down to eighty-odd pounds. You are proud that you successfully went from a hundred-odd pounds to eighty-odd pounds, but that's just a piece of meat. If you go to the gym and build muscle, it’s still nothing much. Saul was ruined by his love of face. That's why I never give people face. It's already good enough if I don't step on you. Because giving face and caring about face attract ghosts. When have you ever seen me giving anyone face? Of course, if it's someone I have no connection with, I'll give him face. If he wants to attract ghosts, that's his business. But for those connected with me, those I shepherd, I don't care how much you love face.

It's best to think of yourself as a pile of dog poop, because I think of myself as a pile of dog poop. Of course, you can think of yourself as a dog, but I think of myself as dog poop. I came into this world to serve. I myself act as Saul, Jacob, and Peter. I am nothing. You don't need to give me face. I often mock myself. After a football game, I didn't touch the ball, and people laughed when they heard that. When I sing out of tune, people laugh so hard when they hear my stories about my singing. I am happy if I can bring some joy to everyone.

Saul loved face. Because of one sentence, Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands, he didn't care how much work David did, how many projects he completed, how much benefit he created for the company, the enterprise, and the country. If you touch my core interests, I will have you killed. You must be careful in judging people. As long as you threaten my throne, affect my image as king, as long as you touch these things, I will have you killed. In fact, if they really fought in the arena, Saul might not be David's opponent. So what's the point of showing off? Wasn't it the truth that David killed tens of thousands, and Saul killed thousands? He really created so much value and solved so many problems. Saul was trembling at the sight of Goliath. What was there to be unhappy about with David? But Saul felt that it wouldn't do. He was the king of Israel, and no one could be better than him.

At first, the demon had not completely taken over Saul. In the beginning, half was Saul himself, and half was the demon. But at this point, it was all demon. There was no need to deliver him or do anything. He was very united with the demon. You will find that at first, it was a hundred percent Saul. Then it became ninety percent Saul, ten percent demon. Then eighty percent, twenty percent; then sixty percent, forty percent. At this point, he was completely united with the demon. The essence of a person already carries the essence of the devil, not being dominated but united with the demon. The demon doesn't dominate him at this point. It's his turn to dominate others.

If a person's core interest is anything in the world, they will become Saul and want to kill people. In the Bible, Jesus' brother James hated Paul with gnashing teeth, just like Saul hated David to the point of frenzy. What exactly is a person's core interest? Even if you kneel until your knees are calloused, you can't change what's in your bones. Brothers and sisters, listen to my advice. Even if you want to live, you may not be able to. Sooner or later, you will die. Maybe you can live to be seventy or eighty years old. Maybe you will be gone at thirty or forty. It's not up to you. But there is one thing you can decide: what your core interest is.

If your core interest is Germany before World War II, you will become Hitler. If your core interest is territory, you will grab territory at all costs, and it doesn't matter if a few people die. If your core interest is the kingdom of God, you will lay down your life for it. If your core interest is your small shop, everything about that shop is in your heart. If your core interest is your work, your work is all in your heart. If your core interest is the enterprise you manage, that enterprise is your control. Whatever is your core interest is your control. If you see through it, you won't become Saul. If all the choices of the demon and man become the same, that's the problem.

Shepherding According to God's Heart

So now you know that my shepherding style is that I have to touch people's core interests. If I don't destroy your core interests, there is no way to shepherd and bless you. Not only touch them, but after touching them, I will step on them with billions of feet, so that your human core interests will never be able to recover. Because this is the only way I can bless you. Start to imitate David, not Saul. Although I offend you, I will also measure to what extent I offend you, whether this is accurate or not, I know clearly in my heart. Although I understand, there is one thing you must bear with me. According to my fleshly desires, I am annoyed to death, but according to God's heart, I must go on like this. Because the purpose of my coming into this world is to serve God.

According to my fleshly desires, I really don't want to do it. Because offending people is not fun, everyone is uncomfortable, I can't sleep, I worry that you will really fall, I shed tears in my heart, but I have to be strong on the surface. This shepherding work is not easy to do. How to touch people's core interests? I thank God! Until today, God has led me step by step to overcome, to overcome myself. I no longer walk according to my own desires, but I know that you will still walk according to your own desires.

Some people even tell me, pastor, you should shepherd me like this. Okay, I will shepherd you according to people's wishes. If we shepherd according to God's heart, one day we brothers and sisters can trample the devil under our feet and become a group of victorious people in God's kingdom, and God's heart will be satisfied. But as long as we walk according to people's original appearance, we are following Satan, because being considerate of people's wishes is Satan, that is a very powerful demon. Demons walk according to people's wishes.

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but on man's.” (Matthew 16:23)

If people are less self-righteous and less concerned about face, they will grow quickly. If people really grow quickly and become very shrewd, then that little job can be done with just a flick of the little finger. A godly person's little finger is thicker than the waist of a worldly person. I thank God that until today I dare to offend the traditional theological system, dare to offend Peter. Some people say, teacher, how will you explain when you see Peter in heaven in the future? I tell you, if Peter is really there, he will definitely give me a thumbs up. Because he has seen clearly in the kingdom of God that his original appearance was not very good. If Gaga is in heaven, he will also give me a thumbs up. Because I seek the satisfaction of God's heart, although it is tiring and hard, I have to do it this way.

If you want to shepherd people, you must establish a shepherding relationship with them. You can't establish a relationship with people without effort. Sometimes you need to do a lot of things to be able to do it. Yesterday, I had a meeting with a sister in the middle of the night to try to motivate and encourage her. In fact, I have been laying the groundwork for the past three years. Until today, the things she is running into many challenges, and I let people go to solve her challenges. Finally, yesterday she began to believe me, and I told her to start changing and be a shrewd person. It's a lie to say that I'm not tired, but on the surface, I still tell her that it doesn't matter, my finger is thicker than her waist, and a little time is enough for me. Sometimes my colleagues come over and look at me and ask, teacher, are you worried about that project? I have to say no, this is called shepherding.

Those who do shepherding must shepherd according to God's heart. Don't shepherd people into a face-loving Lolo or Dede, let alone shepherd people into a religious Gaga, but shepherd people into the Apostle Paul of this generation. Each of you is the Apostle Paul of this generation, who can trample the devil and the enemy, and take God's heart as your heart and God's kingdom as your own kingdom. No longer care about being tired and bitter, because this is my job. May God have mercy on me and remember me. One day, we will all stand before God and receive His reward. Let this world have nothing in us, because God is our core interest.

I also thank God that brothers and sisters must know for sure that when God is our core interest, we will never lack money. Our God is so rich, our God's little finger is thicker than the waist of this world tied up. Not just millions of dollars, our God can take out a little from the vaults of heaven, which are hundreds of tons of gold. So until now I still practice a basic principle of a priest, which is to constantly give out. Then people say, can you live? I can live, because God can keep me alive, so great! When I think of enjoying the glory of God's kingdom with Jesus Christ in eternity, what is this little thing?

If every brother and sister is Paul on this earth, not Lolo, Paul and Lolo are very different, we will become the ceiling of the church, but today's ceiling will become our floor tomorrow, constantly climbing up, never satisfied, it will be very powerful. Be a problem solver, not a problem maker. Sometimes, although Saul wanted to kill David, David still led the army to fight. Do you know that? That's my reward. My head is very clear. Over the past few years, I have become more and more clear about the logical system of priests, the logical system of businessmen, and the logical system of officials. I thank God! May God make me a shrewd person, like David, imitate David, and do what is right in God's eyes. Amen!

God bless you all!