第50章 十分之一与乐意捐
§1
第50章 十分之一与乐意捐
§2
Chap. 50 - Tithes and Offerings
§3
照着希伯来人的制度，百姓收入的十分之一要分别出来，专作维持公共礼拜上帝之用的。摩西这样向以色列人宣布说：“地上所有的，无论是地上的种子，是树上的果子，十分之一是耶和华的，是归给耶和华为圣的。”“凡牛群羊群中，……每第十只要归给耶和华为圣。”（利27:30-32）[1]{PP 525.1}
§4
In the Hebrew economy one tenth of the income of the people was set apart to support the public worship of God. Thus Moses declared to Israel: All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lords: it is holy unto the Lord. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, . . . the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord. Leviticus 27:30, 32.{PP 525.1}[1]
§5
十分之一的制度，并不是希伯来人所创始的。从最早的时候，耶和华就声明十分之一是属于他的；而且这声明也为人所承认，所尊重。亚伯拉罕曾将十分之一付给至高上帝的祭司麦基洗德。（创14:20）逃亡飘流在外的雅各，曾在伯特利向上帝许愿说：“凡你所赐给我的，我必将十分之一献给你。”（创28:22）当以色列人行将建国的时候，十分之一的制度，重新被宣布为上帝所设立的典章之一，他们的兴盛乃是在于遵行这个法令。[2]{PP 525.2}
§6
But the tithing system did not originate with the Hebrews. From the earliest times the Lord claimed a tithe as His, and this claim was recognized and honored. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God. Genesis 14:20. Jacob, when at Bethel, an exile and a wanderer, promised the Lord, Of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee. Genesis 28:22. As the Israelites were about to be established as a nation, the law of tithing was reaffirmed as one of the divinely ordained statutes upon obedience to which their prosperity depended.{PP 525.2}[2]
§7
上帝规定十分之一和乐意捐的目的，是要将一个重要的真理铭刻在世人心中，上帝是他所造之物的福惠源头，人类因他为他们所预备美好的恩赐，应当向他表示感谢。[3]{PP 525.3}
§8
The system of tithes and offerings was intended to impress the minds of men with a great truth--that God is the source of every blessing to His creatures, and that to Him mans gratitude is due for the good gifts of His providence.{PP 525.3}[3]
§9
上帝“将生命、气息、万物，赐给万人。”（徒17:25）耶和华说：“树林中的百兽是我的，千山上的牲畜也是我的。”“银子是我的，金子也是我的。”“得货财的力量是他给你的。”（诗50:10；该2:8；申8:18）耶和华要世人承认万物都是从他而来的，所以他指示世人，要他们把从他所赐丰富的福惠中，拿出一分作为礼物和供物归还给他，专为维持他的崇事之用。[4]{PP 525.4}
§10
He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. Acts 17:25. The Lord declares, Every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10. The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine. Haggai 2:8. And it is God who gives men power to get wealth. Deuteronomy 8:18. As an acknowledgment that all things came from Him, the Lord directed that a portion of His bounty should be returned to Him in gifts and offerings to sustain His worship.{PP 525.4}[4]
§11
“十分之一是耶和华的。”这里所用的口气，与安息日的律法相同。“第七日是向耶和华你上帝当守的安息日。”（出20:10）上帝在世人的光阴和财产之中，指定为他自己保留了一部分；无论何人若将它拿来为自己私用，决不能算他为无罪。[5]{PP 525.5}
§12
The tithe . . . is the Lords. Here the same form of expression is employed as in the law of the Sabbath. The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. Exodus 20:10. God reserved to Himself a specified portion of mans time and of his means, and no man could, without guilt, appropriate either for his own interests.{PP 525.5}[5]
§13
十分之一是要专供利未支派用的，因为这个支派的人已分别为圣，要在圣所中服务。但是以色列人为侍奉上帝所作的奉献，却不限于这一项。会幕以及后来的圣殿，都是完全由乐意的奉献而建造成功的；并为准备必要的修理以及其他的费用起见，摩西曾指示每次核点民数的时候，每人要拿银子半舍客勒作为“会幕的使用。”在尼希米的时代，每年也有一次献捐，作圣殿的使用。（出30:12-16；王下12:4-5；代下24:4-13；尼10:32-33）此外，还有时常奉献与上帝的赎罪祭和感恩祭，而且在每年过节的时候，这样的奉献尤其可观。至于专作周济穷人的捐款，其数目也相当可观。[6]{PP 526.1}
§14
The tithe was to be exclusively devoted to the use of the Levites, the tribe that had been set apart for the service of the sanctuary. But this was by no means the limit of the contributions for religious purposes. The tabernacle, as afterward the temple, was erected wholly by freewill offerings; and to provide for necessary repairs and other expenses, Moses directed that as often as the people were numbered, each should contribute a half shekel for the service of the tabernacle. In the time of Nehemiah a contribution was made yearly for this purpose. See Exodus 30:12-16; 2 Kings 12:4, 5; 2 Chronicles 24:4-13; Nehemiah 10:32, 33. From time to time sin offerings and thank offerings were brought to God. These were presented in great numbers at the annual feasts. And the most liberal provision was made for the poor.{PP 526.1}[6]
§15
（在提取十分之一以前，还有一个承认上帝主权的表示）。凡地上初熟的果子都是要献给上帝的。初剪下的羊毛，初打下的麦子，初榨的油，初造的酒，都要分别出来献给上帝。初生的牲畜也是如此，至于头生的儿子则必须付价赎回。这些初熟的果子都要在圣所里献在耶和华面前，以后归祭司使用。[7]{PP 526.2}
§16
Even before the tithe could be reserved there had been an acknowledgment of the claims of God. The first that ripened of every product of the land was consecrated to Him. The first of the wool when the sheep were shorn, of the grain when the wheat was threshed, the first of the oil and the wine, was set apart for God. So also were the first-born of all animals; and a redemption price was paid for the first-born son. The first fruits were to be presented before the Lord at the sanctuary, and were then devoted to the use of the priests.{PP 526.2}[7]
§17
这样，百姓就经常记得上帝是他们田园、羊群、牛群的真主人；不忘记上帝曾在他们播种和收割的时候，赐给他们阳光和雨露；他们也要记得，他们一切所有的都是上帝所造的，他们不过是受上帝委托，代管这些物资而已。[8]{PP 526.3}
§18
Thus the people were constantly reminded that God was the true proprietor of their fields, their flocks, and their herds; that He sent them sunshine and rain for their seedtime and harvest, and that everything they possessed was of His creation, and He had made them stewards of His goods.{PP 526.3}[8]
§19
当以色列人带着田间、果木园和葡萄园里所有初熟的果子，在会幕前聚集的时候，就是对上帝的仁慈作了公开的感谢。当祭司接受这些礼物时，奉献的人好像当面向耶和华讲话一样，说：“我祖原是一个将亡的亚兰人；”于是他叙述以色列人在埃及寄居，并上帝怎样拯救他们脱离苦难。以后他接着说：“他就用大能的手和伸出来的膀臂，并大而可畏的事，与神迹，奇事，领我们出了埃及；将我们领进这地方，把这流奶与蜜之地赐给我们。耶和华啊，现在我把你所赐给我地上初熟的土产奉了来。”（申26:8-10）[9]{PP 526.4}
§20
As the men of Israel, laden with the first fruits of field and orchard and vineyard, gathered at the tabernacle, there was made a public acknowledgment of Gods goodness. When the priest accepted the gift, the offerer, speaking as in the presence of Jehovah, said, A Syrian ready to perish was my father; and he described the sojourn in Egypt and the affliction from which God had delivered Israel with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders. And he said, He hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey. And now, behold, I have brought the first fruits of the land, which Thou, Jehovah, hast given me. Deuteronomy 26:5, 8-11.{PP 526.4}[9]
§21
希伯来人为侍奉上帝和慈善的用途所要捐献的款项，足足的占了他们收入的四分之一。有人以为这么重的负担，必使百姓陷于贫穷的境地；但相反地，他们忠心遵守这些条例，却是他们兴盛的条件之一。上帝曾以他们的顺从为条件，应许他们说：“我必为你们斥责蝗虫，不容它毁坏你们的土产；你们田间的葡萄树在未熟之先，也不掉果子。万军之耶和华说，万国必称你们为有福的，因你们的地必成为喜乐之地。”（玛3:11-12）[10]{PP 527.1}
§22
The contributions required of the Hebrews for religious and charitable purposes amounted to fully one fourth of their income. So heavy a tax upon the resources of the people might be expected to reduce them to poverty; but, on the contrary, the faithful observance of these regulations was one of the conditions of their prosperity. On condition of their obedience God made them this promise: I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field. . . . And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:11.{PP 527.1}[10]
§23
在先知哈该的日子，曾有一个显著的实例，足以说明人若私自地不奉献给上帝工作的乐意捐，其结果将要如何。犹太人从被掳之地巴比伦回来以后，他们就从事重建耶和华的圣殿。但他们一遇到仇敌坚决的反对，就停止工作了；同时那地遭遇到一次严重的旱灾，使他们陷于贫困缺乏的境地，于是他们就认为自己不能完成重建圣殿的工作了。他们说：“建造耶和华殿的时候尚未来到。”但耶和华的先知却传给他们一个信息说：“这殿仍然荒凉，你们自己还住天花板的房屋吗？现在万军之耶和华如此说：你们要省察自己的行为。你们撒的种多，收的却少。你们吃，却不得饱；喝，却不得足；穿衣服，却不得暖；得工钱的，将工钱装在破漏的囊中。”上帝解释其中的原因说：“你们盼望多得，所得的却少；你们收到家中，我就吹去，这是为什么呢？因为我的殿荒凉，你们各人却顾自己的房屋。这是万军之耶和华说的。所以为你们的缘故，天就不降甘露，地也不出土产。我命干旱临到地土、山冈、五谷、新酒和油，并地上的出产、人民、牲畜，以及人手一切劳碌得来的。”（见该1:9-11）“有人来到谷堆，想得二十斗，只得了十斗；有人来到酒池，想得五十桶，只得了二十桶。在你们手下的各样工作上，我以旱风、霉烂、冰雹攻击你们。”（该2:16-17）[11]{PP 527.2}
§24
A striking illustration of the results of selfishly withholding even freewill offerings from the cause of God was given in the days of the prophet Haggai. After their return from the captivity in Babylon, the Jews undertook to rebuild the temple of the Lord; but meeting determined opposition from their enemies, they discontinued the work; and a severe drought, by which they were reduced to actual want, convinced them that it was impossible to complete the building of the temple. The time is not come, they said, the time that the Lords house should be built. But a message was sent them by the Lords prophet: Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Haggai 1:2-6. And then the reason is given: Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of Mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labor of the hands. Verses 9-11. When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty. I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labors of your hands. Haggai 2:16, 17.{PP 527.2}[11]
§25
百姓因这些警告的话振奋起来，就着手建造上帝的殿了。于是上帝的话又临到他们说：“你们要追想此日以前，就是从这九月二十四日起，追想到立耶和华殿根基的日子。……从今日起，我必赐福与你们。”（该2:18-19）[12]{PP 528.1}
§26
Roused by these warnings, the people set themselves to build the house of God. Then the word of the Lord came to them: Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the Lords temple was laid, . . . from this day will I bless you. Verses 18, 19.{PP 528.1}[12]
§27
智慧人说：“有施散的，却更增添，有吝惜过度的，反致穷乏。”（箴11:24）新约《圣经》也有这相同的教训，使徒保罗说：“少种的少收，多种的多收。”“上帝能将各样的恩惠，多多的加给你们，使你们凡事常常充足，能多行各样善事。”（林后9:6,8）[13]{PP 528.2}
§28
Says the wise man, There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. Proverbs 11:24. And the same lesson is taught in the New Testament by the apostle Paul: He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6, 8.{PP 528.2}[13]
§29
上帝的旨意是要以色列人把真光传给一切住在地上的人。他们既能维持对上帝的公共崇拜，就是为永生上帝的存在和主权作了见证。他们能维持这种敬拜，也是他们的特权，作为他们忠爱上帝的表现。耶和华已经命定，真光和真理在地上的传布，是要靠着那些分享上天恩惠之人的努力和捐献。他很可以派天使作他真理的使者；他也可以像从前在西奈山颁布律法一样，亲口宣明他的旨意；但他凭着无限的慈爱和智慧，竟叫世人从事这工，使他们得以成为他的同工者。[14]{PP 528.3}
§30
God intended that His people Israel should be light bearers to all the inhabitants of the earth. In maintaining His public worship they were bearing a testimony to the existence and sovereignty of the living God. And this worship it was their privilege to sustain, as an expression of their loyalty and their love to Him. The Lord has ordained that the diffusion of light and truth in the earth shall be dependent upon the efforts and offerings of those who are partakers of the heavenly gift. He might have made angels the ambassadors of His truth; He might have made known His will, as He proclaimed the law from Sinai, with His own voice; but in His infinite love and wisdom He called men to become colaborers with Himself, by choosing them to do this work.{PP 528.3}[14]
§31
在以色列人的时代，十分之一和乐意捐乃是维持圣幕中供奉之需的。今日上帝的子民能比他们奉献的更少吗？基督所定下的原则乃是：我们奉献与上帝的捐款，应当与我们所享受的真光和特权相称。“多给谁，就向谁多取。”（路12:48）救主差遣门徒出去的时候对他们说：“你们白白的得来，也要白白的舍去。”（太10:8）当我们所享受的福惠和特权加增的时候，尤其是那荣耀上帝的儿子无可比拟的牺牲显在我们面前的时候，我们岂不应该以更多的奉献，把救恩的信息传给他人，借以表示我们的感恩吗？福音的工作既逐渐推广，就比古时需要更多的经费，可见十分之一和乐意捐的制度，现今比在旧约时代更有遵守的必要。如果上帝的子民能慷慨地以乐意捐来维持他的工作，而不借助于非基督化及不圣洁的方法来充实经济，那么，上帝就可以得尊荣，而且必有更多的人归向基督了。[15]{PP 528.4}
§32
In the days of Israel the tithe and freewill offerings were needed to maintain the ordinances of divine service. Should the people of God give less in this age? The principle laid down by Christ is that our offerings to God should be in proportion to the light and privileges enjoyed. Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required. Luke 12:48. Said the Saviour to His disciples as He sent them forth, Freely ye have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8. As our blessings and privileges are increased--above all, as we have before us the unparalleled sacrifice of the glorious Son of God--should not our gratitude find expression in more abundant gifts to extend to others the message of salvation? The work of the gospel, as it widens, requires greater provision to sustain it than was called for anciently; and this makes the law of tithes and offerings of even more urgent necessity now than under the Hebrew economy. If His people were liberally to sustain His cause by their voluntary gifts, instead of resorting to unchristian and unhallowed methods to fill the treasury, God would be honored, and many more souls would be won to Christ.{PP 528.4}[15]
§33
古时摩西为建造会幕而筹备经济的办法是非常成功的。他没有用勉强的方法，也没有用现代教会所常用的一些办法。他没有开盛大的宴会，也没有请人来参加游艺、跳舞和一般娱乐的集会；更没有发售彩票，或用这一类的世俗化方法，来筹募建造上帝会幕的经费。耶和华指示摩西，劝勉以色列人把他们的礼物送来。凡出于甘心乐意奉献的礼物，他必收纳。结果百姓献上的礼物绰有余裕，以致摩西必须宣告不要再送，因为他们所送来的礼物已经超过所需用的了。[16]{PP 529.1}
§34
The plan of Moses to raise means for the building of the tabernacle was highly successful. No urging was necessary. Nor did he employ any of the devices to which churches in our day so often resort. He made no grand feast. He did not invite the people to scenes of gaiety, dancing, and general amusement; neither did he institute lotteries, nor anything of this profane order, to obtain means to erect the tabernacle for God. The Lord directed Moses to invite the children of Israel to bring their offerings. He was to accept gifts from everyone that gave willingly, from his heart. And the offerings came in so great abundance that Moses bade the people cease bringing, for they had supplied more than could be used.{PP 529.1}[16]
§35
上帝已经立世人作他的管家。他所交在他们手中的财产，乃是他预备作传福音的经费。凡以行动证明自己为忠心管家的人，必要受到更大的委托。耶和华说：“尊重我的，我必重看他。”（撒上2:30）“因为捐得乐意的人，是上帝所喜爱的。”（林后9:7）当上帝的子民以感恩的心情，“不要作难，不要勉强，”带礼物和供物奉献给他时，他的福气必要随着他们，正如他所应许的：“万军之耶和华说，你们要将当纳的十分之一，全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。”（玛3:10）[17]{PP 529.2}
§36
God has made men His stewards. The property which He has placed in their hands is the means that He has provided for the spread of the gospel. To those who prove themselves faithful stewards He will commit greater trusts. Saith the Lord, Them that honor Me I will honor. 1 Samuel 2:30. God loveth a cheerful giver, and when His people, with grateful hearts, bring their gifts and offerings to Him, not grudgingly, or of necessity, His blessing will attend them, as He has promised. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10.{PP 529.2}[17]