第49章 基督徒对待贫困和受苦的态度
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第49章 基督徒对待贫困和受苦的态度
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Chap. 49—The Christian Attitude Toward Want and Suffering
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今日上帝给人机会表明他们是否爱他们的邻舍。真正爱上帝和同胞的，就是那向穷困，痛苦，受伤，垂死者显示怜悯的人。上帝呼召每一个人要负起那久已忽视的工作，去努力在人类的身上恢复创造者的道德形像。（WM 49）?{CCh 283.1}[1]
§4
Today God gives men opportunity to show whether they love their neighbor. He who truly loves God and his fellow man is he who shows mercy to the destitute, the suffering, the wounded, those who are ready to die. God calls upon every man to take up his neglected work, to seek to restore the moral image of the Creator in humanity.{CCh 283.1}[1]
§5
这种为别人的工作，会需要舍己、自我牺牲的努力。然而我们所作的牺牲，若与上帝将祂的独生子赐给我们为我们所作的牺牲相比较，那真是何等微小呢？（6T 283）{CCh 283.2}[2]
§6
Work for others will require effort, self-denial, and self-sacrifice. But what is the little sacrifice that we can make in comparison with the sacrifice which God has made for us in the gift of His only-begotten Son?{CCh 283.2}[2]
§7
我们的救主在这里以最简单的方式清楚说明了承受永生的条件。那个受伤遭劫的人代表那些应该得到我们关心、同情与慈爱的人。那些穷乏的和不幸的人，无论他们是谁，我们若看见了当没看见，听说了当没听说，就必不能确保自己承受永生。因为我们没有回应上帝对我们的要求。我们对人类没有怀存同情怜悯的心，因为他们可能不是我们的亲戚朋友。你已违背第二条大诫命，因为它是十诫后六条的总纲。无论是谁，只在一条上跌倒，就是犯了众条。那些对人类的需要和痛苦不开心门的人，也不会对上帝在十诫前四条中的要求敞开心门。偶像占据了心与爱情，上帝没有得到尊荣，也没有居于最高的统治地位。（3T 524）?{CCh 283.3}[3]
§8
The conditions of inheriting eternal life are plainly stated by our Saviour in the most simple manner. The man who was wounded and robbed,?Luke 10:30-37?represents those who are subjects of our interest, sympathy, and charity. If we neglect the cases of the needy and the unfortunate that are brought under our notice, no matter who they may be, we have no assurance of eternal life; for we do not answer the claims that God has upon us. We are not compassionate and pitiful to humanity, because they may not be kith or kin to us. You have been found transgressors of the second great commandment, upon which the last six commandments depend. Whosoever offendeth in one point, is guilty of all. Those who do not open their hearts to the wants and sufferings of humanity will not open their hearts to the claims of God as stated in the first four precepts of the Decalogue. Idols claim the heart and affections, and God is not honored and does not reign supreme.{CCh 283.3}[3]
§9
好像铁笔在磐石上刻字一样，我们也当在良心上写下，人若漠视慈悲，怜悯，及公义，若忽略穷人，若不顾受难之人的需要，若无仁慈和礼貌，他就是使上帝不能在培养品格上与他合作。当我们对别人感觉有这种慈怜同情之心，以致用自己的利益及特权去救助他们的需要时，我们心思与意念的培育就更易成全。我们若为自己积聚把持一切，就趋向于灵性贫乏。但是那些愿意承担上帝所派之任务，照基督的方式去作的，就可接受基督的一切属性。（6T 262）{CCh 283.4}[4]
§10
It should be written upon the conscience as with a pen of iron upon a rock, that he who disregards mercy, compassion, and righteousness, he who neglects the poor, who ignores the needs of suffering humanity, who is not kind and courteous, is so conducting himself that God cannot co-operate with him in the development of character. The culture of the mind and heart is more easily accomplished when we feel such tender sympathy for others that we bestow our benefits and privileges to relieve their necessities. Getting and holding all that we can for ourselves tends to poverty of soul. But all the attributes of Christ await the reception of those who will do the very work that God has appointed them to do, working in Christ’s lines.{CCh 283.4}[4]
§11
救主不顾阶级与地位，也不理属世的荣誉与富足；祂所重看的是品格与专一的心志。祂并偏袒强盛及受世俗拥戴的那一边。祂是永生上帝之子，却屈身来救拔堕落的人类。祂用誓约及保证的话，来争取沉沦迷亡的人归向自己。上帝的天使正在观察祂的门徒中有谁愿实行慈怜及同情之心。他们正在观察上帝的子民，有谁愿彰显耶稣的爱。（6T 268）{CCh 283.5}[5]
§12
The Saviour ignores both rank and caste, worldly honor and riches. It is character and devotedness of purpose that are of high value with?Him. He does not take sides with the strong and worldly favored. He, the Son of the living God, stoops to uplift the fallen. By pledges and words of assurance He seeks to win to Himself the lost, perishing soul. Angels of God are watching to see who of His followers will exercise tender pity and sympathy. They are watching to see who of God’s people will manifest the love of Jesus.{CCh 283.5}[5]
§13
上帝不但要你行善事，也要你有喜乐的容颜，说希望的话语，并与人握手。当你去拜望信主的受苦之人时，你会发现有许多人已经断绝了希望；务要使他们重见光明。有些人需要生命之粮；要向他们读上帝的话。还有些人是心灵患病的，药石无灵，群医束手；应当为他们祈祷，领他们到耶稣面前。?（6T 277）{CCh 284.1}[6]
§14
God calls not only for your benevolence, but for your cheerful countenance, your hopeful words, the grasp of your hand. As you visit the Lord’s afflicted ones, you will find some from whom hope has departed; bring back the sunshine to them. There are those who need the bread of life; read to them from the word of God. Upon others there is a soul sickness that no earthly balm can reach or physician heal; pray for these, and bring them to Jesus.{CCh 284.1}[6]
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【我们对教会里穷人的责任】
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在我们的范围之内，常见有两等的穷人──一等是藉着独立行动和继续犯罪，自取败坏的；另一等却为真理的缘故陷于窘迫之境。我们是应当爱邻舍如同自己的，但对于这两等人，我们却当根据纯正智慧的指导与忠告而行，才能合乎正理。{CCh 284.2}[7]
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【Our Duty to the Poor in the Church】
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There are two classes of poor whom we have always within our borders—those who ruin themselves by their own independent course of action and continue in their transgression, and those who for the truth’s sake have been brought into straitened circumstances. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves, and then toward both these classes we shall do the right thing under the guidance and counsel of sound wisdom.?{CCh 284.2}[7]
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当照顾主的穷人，这一点是毫无疑问的。只要是对他们有益的，便应当从各方面帮助他们。?{CCh 284.3}[8]
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There is no question in regard to the Lord’s poor. They are to be helped in every case where it will be for their benefit.?{CCh 284.3}[8]
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上帝希望祂的子民向这个犯罪的世界表明祂并没有撇下他们，任其灭亡。对于那些因为真理之故遭家人弃绝，被迫受苦者，我们应当特别用心努力照顾他们。在将来，越来越需要有宽大，开明，慷慨心肠的人，那些愿意克己自制的人，必负起照料主所爱的这些人的责任。在上帝子民中的穷人，我们不可遗弃他们，不供应他们的需要。一定要设法使他们可以谋生度日。对于有些人，我们要教导他们去作工。另有些人，已经尽力操劳，只因负担太重，无力供应家人生活，我们便当予以特别的援助。我们应当特别关心这等人，帮助他们得到谋生的工作。应当筹一笔款，资助这等爱上帝，守祂诫命，可敬的穷困家庭。?{CCh 284.4}[9]
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God wants His people to reveal to a sinful world that He has not left them to perish. Special pains should be taken to help those who for the truth’s sake are cast out from their homes and are obliged to suffer. More and more there will be need of large, open, generous hearts, those who will deny self and will take hold of the cases of these very ones whom the Lord loves. The poor among God’s people must not be left without provision for their wants. Some way must be found whereby they may obtain a livelihood. Some will need to be taught to work. Others who work hard and are taxed to the utmost of their ability to support their families will need special assistance. We should take an interest in these cases and help them to secure employment. There should be a fund to aid such worthy poor families who love God and keep His commandments.?{CCh 284.4}[9]
§23
环境会使有些爱上帝而顺从祂的人变成穷苦。有些人是不谨慎的；不懂得如何管理。有些人因为疾病及遭遇不幸的事而成为贫穷。无论是何原因，他们既有需要，就当予以援助，这乃是布道工作的一个重要方面。?{CCh 284.5}[10]
§24
Through circumstances some who love and obey God become poor. Some are not careful; they do not know how to manage. Others are poor through sickness and misfortune. Whatever the cause, they are in need, and to help them is an important line of missionary work.?{CCh 284.5}[10]
§25
无论何处，若设立了教会，信徒们就当为穷苦的信徒作一番忠实的工作。但他们的工作却不止此而已，他们也当帮助别的人，不问他们的信仰如何。这种努力的后果，就可使其中有些人会接受现代的特别真理。（6T 269-271）?{CCh 284.6}[11]
§26
Wherever a church is established, its members are to do a faithful work for the needy believers. But they are not to stop here. They are also to aid others, irrespective of their faith. As the result of such effort, some of these will receive the special truths for this time.{CCh 284.6}[11]
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【如何帮助穷困的人】
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应当先谨慎地藉着祈祷，将帮助穷人的方法妥为考虑。我们要向上帝求智慧，因为祂比眼光短浅的凡人更能明白应当如何照顾祂所创造的人。有些人不分青红皂白地给一切求助的人帮忙。他们这样行也是错了。在试图去帮助穷人之时，我们应当小心地给他们以合适的帮助。有些人在受了帮助之后，会一直使自己成为受人救济的特别对象。只要他们有所倚赖，便长此以靠人为生。对于这等人，我们若过于耗时费事，就可能助长懒惰，不自助，浪费，及不节制了。?{CCh 285.1}[12]
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【How to Help the Needy】
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Methods of helping the needy should be carefully and prayerfully considered. We are to seek God for wisdom, for He knows better than shortsighted mortals how to care for the creatures He has made. There are some who give indiscriminately to everyone who solicits their aid. In this they err. In trying to help the needy, we should be careful to give them the right kind of help. There are those who when helped will continue to make themselves special objects of need. They will be dependent as long as they see anything on which to depend. By giving undue time and attention to these, we may encourage idleness, helplessness, extravagance, and intemperance.?{CCh 285.1}[12]
§31
每当我们周济穷人之时，应当先为考虑：“我是否助长浪费？我是帮助他们呢？或是害了他们？”无论何人，凡能自力谋生的，就没有权力依赖他人。{CCh 285.2}[13]
§32
When we give to the poor we should consider: “Am I encouraging prodigality? Am I helping or injuring them?” No man who can earn his own livelihood has a right to depend on others.?{CCh 285.2}[13]
§33
应当委派敬畏上帝的男女，有见识有智慧者，去照顾穷苦及有需要的人，这事应先从信徒的家中开始。这些情形应当报告给教会，并且大家商量应当怎样处理。{CCh 285.3}[14]
§34
Men and women of God, persons of discernment and wisdom, should be appointed to look after the poor and needy, the household of faith first. These should report to the church and counsel as to what should be done.{CCh 285.3}[14]
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上帝并未要求我们的弟兄去负起每一个信仰我们信息之贫苦家庭的责任，若他们要那样行，教会的经济就要枯竭，传道人便必须停止开拓新工了。许多人的贫穷是因其本身缺乏殷勤，节俭，及不知如何善用其钱财所致。果真要帮助这等人，那就等于害他们。有些人老是贫穷，若常予以最优的救济，他们的情形仍是不能改善。他们不会好好地盘算，所能得的钱财，不论是多是少，都要完全用光。?{CCh 285.4}[15]
§36
God does not require our brethren to take charge of every poor family that shall embrace this message. If they should do this, the ministers must cease to enter new fields, for the funds would be exhausted. Many are poor from their own lack of diligence and economy; they know not how to use means aright. If they should be helped, it would hurt them. Some will always be poor. If they should have the very best advantages, their cases would not be helped. They have not good calculation and would use all the means they could obtain, were it much or little.?{CCh 285.4}[15]
§37
到了这等人接受信息之后，他们却觉得自己应当受那些较为富足的弟兄们之济助；如果他们的期望没有兑现，他们就埋怨教会，声斥他们没有照着信仰去生活为人。象这种情形，谁该受苦呢？难道要为照应这些穷苦的大家庭，使上帝教会的元气被吮尽，各地的财库因而枯竭么？不是的。受苦的应当是那些家庭中的夫妇们，因为一般而论，他们在接受了安息日的道理之后，他们所受的穷苦，并不比他们以前所受的更多。（1T 272, 273）{CCh 285.5}[16]
§38
When such embrace the message, they feel that they are entitled to assistance from their more wealthy brethren; and if their expectations are not met, they complain of the church and accuse them of not living out their faith. Who must be the sufferers in this case? Must the cause of God be sapped, and the treasury in different places exhausted, to take care of these large families of poor? No. The parents must be the sufferers. They will not, as a general thing, suffer any greater lack after they embrace the Sabbath than they did before.{CCh 285.5}[16]
§39
上帝让每个教会在其范围之内有祂的穷人存在。他们常在我们当中，主也使每位教友有个人的责任去照顾他们。我们不可把自己的责任卸在别人身上，对于那些在我们自己范围之内的人，我们应当表现一种慈爱同情的精神，正如基督若在今日处于我们的地位上所要表现的一样。如此，我们就可受训练，预备照着基督的方法去工作。（6T 272）{CCh 285.6}[17]
§40
God suffers His poor to be in the borders of every church. They are always to be among us, and the Lord places upon the members of every church a personal responsibility to care for them. We are not to lay our responsibility upon others. Toward those within our own borders we are to manifest the same love and sympathy that Christ would manifest were He in our place. Thus we are to be disciplined, that we may be prepared to work in Christ’s lines.{CCh 285.6}[17]
§41
【看顾孤儿】
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在一切需要我们关心的人中，尤以寡妇及孤儿最需要我们慈爱的同情。他们是上帝特别看顾的对象。他们是上帝赋与基督徒的重托。“在上帝我们的父面前，那清洁没有玷污的虔诚，就是看顾在患难中的孤儿寡妇，并且保守自己不沾染世俗”（雅1:27）。{CCh 285.7}[18]
§43
【Care of Orphans】
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Among all whose needs demand our interest, the widow and the fatherless have the strongest claims upon our tender sympathy. They are?the objects of the Lord’s special care. They are lent to Christians in trust for God. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”?James 1:27.?{CCh 285.7}[18]
§45
有不少作父亲的人，信道之后死了，安息于上帝永恒的应许中，遗下所爱之人于世上，全心信靠主会照顾他们。主怎么供养这些丧失了亲人的人呢？祂不是行神迹，从天降下吗哪给他们；也不叫乌鸦送粮食给他们；然而祂在人们的心中行神迹，把自私自利之念从人的心灵上赶除，并开启那慈善的泉源。祂把这些孤寡受苦的人，交给一般自称跟从主的人去救济，藉以试验他们的爱心。{CCh 286.1}[19]
§46
Many a father who has died in the faith, resting upon the eternal promise of God, has left his loved ones in full trust that the Lord would care for them. And how does the Lord provide for these bereaved ones? He does not work a miracle in sending manna from heaven; He does not send ravens to bring them food; but He works a miracle upon human hearts, expelling selfishness from the soul and unsealing the fountains of benevolence. He tests the love of His professed followers by committing to their tender mercies the afflicted and bereaved ones.?{CCh 286.1}[19]
§47
那些有上帝之爱的人，应当敞开自己的心及家庭，来接待这些孩童。把这些孤儿交给大的机构去负责，那不是最好的计划。如果他们没有亲戚可以收容他们，我们教会的信徒就当设法或是收纳他们在自己的家中为养子，或是为他们找其他合适的家庭去抚育。{CCh 286.2}[20]
§48
Let those who have the love of God open their hearts and homes to take in these children. It is not the best plan to care for the orphans in large institutions. If they have no relatives able to provide for them, the members of our churches should either adopt these little ones into their families or find suitable homes for them in other households.?{CCh 286.2}[20]
§49
从某种特别的意义上说来，这些孩子乃是基督所关注的，人若忽略他们，就是得罪祂。凡奉耶稣的名而为他们行的每一善事，都蒙主悦纳，视同行在祂自己的身上一样。（6T 281）{CCh 286.3}[21]
§50
These children are in a special sense the ones whom Christ looks upon, whom it is an offense to Him to neglect. Every kind act done to them in the name of Jesus is accepted by Him as done to Himself.{CCh 286.3}[21]