第61章 家庭经济的原则
§1
第61章 家庭经济的原则
§2
Chap. 61 - Principles of Family Finance
§3
金钱可以致福亦可致祸——金钱未必是一种咒诅；它具有高贵的价值，因为若运用得当，它便会在救灵的事工上结出善果来，加惠于比我们更穷困的人。由于轻率而不智地使用，则金钱必成为使用之人的网罗。耗财以餍足骄矜和野心的人，便使金钱成为一种咒诅而非福惠了。金钱也常常是爱情的试金石。凡拥有比应付基本需要更多资财的人，实在应该寻求智慧与恩惠，俾认清自己的心并殷勤地加以保守，以免滋生幻想中的需求，而成为不忠实的管家，浪费主所托付于他的资金。[1]
§4
Money May Be a Blessing or a Curse.--Money is not necessarily a curse; it is of high value because if rightly appropriated, it can do good in the salvation of souls, in blessing others who are poorer than ourselves. By an improvident or unwise use, . . . money will become a snare to the user. He who employs money to gratify pride and ambition makes it a curse rather than a blessing. Money is a constant test of the affections. Whoever acquires more than sufficient for his real needs should seek wisdom and grace to know his own heart and to keep his heart diligently, lest he have imaginary wants and become an unfaithful steward, using with prodigality his Lords entrusted capital. {AH 372.1}[1]
§5
当我们以爱上帝为至上时，浮世的事物在我们的爱中便会处于合适的地位上。我们若谦卑恳挚地寻求知识和才能，俾善用我们主的财物，就必领受从上头来的智慧。但人心若偏向本性的癖好与倾向，抱着金钱能给予幸福而无需上帝恩眷的意念，则金钱便成为一位暴君，控制了那人；它获得了他的信任和重视，甚至被奉若神明。名誉、真理、公义，和公平都成了它坛上的牺牲。上帝《圣经》中的命令都被弃置一旁，而玛门王所制定的一切属世的习尚和惯例便握有了控制权。[2]
§6
When we love God supremely, temporal things will occupy their right place in our affections. If we humbly and earnestly seek for knowledge and ability in order to make a right use of our Lords goods, we shall receive wisdom from above. When the heart leans to its own preferences and inclinations, when the thought is cherished that money can confer happiness without the favor of God, then the money becomes a tyrant, ruling the man; it receives his confidence and esteem and is worshiped as a god. Honor, truth, righteousness, and justice are sacrificed upon its altar. The commands of Gods word are set aside, and the worlds customs and usages, which King Mammon has ordained, become a controlling power. {AH 372.2}[2]
§7
购置房产以求安全——倘若上帝所颁布的律法一直被遵行，则现今世上的道德，灵性，和世事各方面的情形就会大不相同了啊！自私自利，自高自负的表现就不会像现在这样的普遍，而各人都必怀着亲挚之心，顾念别人的幸福和利益了。穷人不必被践踏于富户的铁蹄之下，也不必由别人的头脑来为他们思考并计划一切属世的或属灵的事，他们也有机会运用独立的思想采取独立的行动了。[3]
§8
Seek Security in Home Ownership.--If the laws given by God had continued to be carried out, how different would be the present condition of the world, morally, spiritually, and temporally. Selfishness and self-importance would not be manifested as now, but each would cherish a kind regard for the happiness and welfare of others. . . . Instead of the poorer classes being kept under the iron heel of oppression by the wealthy, instead of having other mens brains to think and plan for them in temporal as well as in spiritual things, they would have some chance for independence of thought and action. {AH 372.3}[3]
§9
要有一所属于自己的房屋的思想，必激起他们强烈的上进的愿望。他们很快就会获得为自己筹划，为自己策谋的技能；他们的子女也必受教养成勤劳节俭的习惯，智力必大大地增强。他们必感觉自己是自主的人，不是奴隶，这样便能使那已经丧失的自尊心和道德上的独立感大大地恢复了。[4]
§10
The sense of being owners of their own homes would inspire them with a strong desire for improvement. They would soon acquire skill in planning and devising for themselves; their children would be educated to habits of industry and economy, and the intellect would be greatly strengthened. They would feel that they are men, not slaves, and would be able to regain to a great degree their lost self-respect and moral independence. {AH 373.1}[4]
§11
应当教育我们的会友离开城市到乡间去，在那里他们可以购置一小块土地，为他们自己和子女安置家庭。[5]
§12
Educate our people to get out of the cities into the country, where they can obtain a small piece of land and make a home for themselves and their children. {AH 373.2}[5]
§13
出售房屋的劝告——有些穷苦的男女常常写信给我，征询我的意见：他们应否出售自己的房屋，将所得的款项献为推展圣工之用。他们说捐款的恳求深深的感动了他们的心，因而他们乐意为主竭尽绵薄，以报答他为他们所成就的一切。我要向这等人说：“目前你们的本分也许不是要把你们小小的房屋出售，但你们可以自己求问上帝；主必垂听你们为寻求智慧以明白自己本分的恳切祈祷。”[6]
§14
Caution Regarding Selling Homes.--There are poor men and women who are writing to me for advice as to whether they shall sell their homes and give the proceeds to the cause. They say the appeals for means stir their souls, and they want to do something for the Master, who has done everything for them. I would say to such: It may not be your duty to sell your little homes just now, but go to God for yourselves; the Lord will certainly hear your earnest prayers for wisdom to understand your duty. {AH 373.3}[6]
§15
上帝现在并不索求他子民需要居住的房屋；但是那班富有的人若不听从他的声音而与世俗隔绝，并为上帝牺牲，他就必越过他们而去呼召那些甘愿为耶稣作一切牺牲，甚至不惜将自己的住宅出售以供圣工之用的人。[7]
§16
God does not now call for the houses His people need to live in; but if those who have an abundance do not hear His voice, cut loose from the world, and sacrifice for God, He will pass them by and will call for those who are willing to do anything for Jesus, even to sell their homes to meet the wants of the cause. {AH 373.4}[7]
§17
可赞扬的自立精神——有一种自立的精神是值得赞扬的。有志肩负自己的重荷，不愿寄人篱下是对的。希望自食其力，乃是一种高贵慷慨的大志。殷勤的习惯和节俭的美德都是必需的。[8]
§18
A Praiseworthy Independence.--Independence of one kind is praiseworthy. To desire to bear your own weight and not to eat the bread of dependence is right. It is a noble, generous ambition that dictates the wish to be self-supporting. Industrious habits and frugality are necessary. {AH 374.1}[8]
§19
平衡收支——许许多多的人都没有训练自己量入为出。他们也不学习如何去适应环境，而一再地借贷度日，终于被债务所压倒，以至灰心丧志。[9]
§20
Balancing the Budget.--Many, very many, have not so educated themselves that they can keep their expenditures within the limit of their income. They do not learn to adapt themselves to circumstances, and they borrow and borrow again and again and become overwhelmed in debt, and consequently they become discouraged and disheartened. {AH 374.2}[9]
§21
家用要记帐——放纵私欲的恶习，或作妻子与母亲的缺少机智与技能，都常常可能使财源枯竭；然而作母亲的人还可能以为自己已尽其所能，这是因为她从未学习过怎样限制自己和孩子的欲望，也没有获得齐家治事的技能与机智的缘故。因此维持一家或许需要两倍于维持别个同样大小家庭的费用了。[10]
§22
Keep a Record of Expenditures.--Habits of self-indulgence or a want of tact and skill on the part of the wife and mother may be a constant drain upon the treasury; and yet that mother may think she is doing her best because she has never been taught to restrict her wants or the wants of her children and has never acquired skill and tact in household matters. Hence one family may require for its support twice the amount that would suffice for another family of the same size. {AH 374.3}[10]
§23
人人都应学习怎样记帐。有些人忽视此事，以为无关重要；这乃是错误的观念。我们应当把一切费用准确地记下来。这是我们的教会许多职工所必需学习的事。[11]
§24
All should learn how to keep accounts. Some neglect this work as nonessential, but this is wrong. All expenses should be accurately stated. {AH 374.4}[11]
§25
挥霍成习的恶果——主本乎他的美意，将挥霍成习的恶果指示了我，使我劝告作父母的：要教育自己的儿女实行严格的节约。要教他们明白将金钱耗费于非必需品上乃是一种误用钱财的行为。[12]
§26
The Evils of Spendthrift Habits.--The Lord has been pleased to present before me the evils which result from spendthrift habits, that I might admonish parents to teach their children strict economy. Teach them that money spent for that which they do not need is perverted from its proper use. {AH 374.5}[12]
§27
你们若已染上奢侈浪费的习气，就当立即从生活中予以革除，否则势必导致永远的破产。俭约、勤劳和节制的习惯，对于你们的儿女而言，远比丰足的家产更有价值。[13]
§28
If you have extravagant habits, cut them away from your life at once. Unless you do this, you will be bankrupt for eternity. Habits of economy, industry, and sobriety are a better portion for your children than a rich dowry. {AH 375.1}[13]
§29
我们在世上是客旅，是寄居的。但愿我们不浪费钱财于满足上帝原要我们加以约束的欲望方面。但愿我们抑制自己的需求，借以适当地代表我们的信仰。[14]
§30
We are pilgrims and strangers on the earth. Let us not spend our means in gratifying desires that God would have us repress. Let us fitly represent our faith by restricting our wants. {AH 375.2}[14]
§31
谴责一位过于浪费的父亲——你不知道怎样俭约地用钱，也不学习如何限制自己的需求，使之不超过你的收入。你热切地希望多赚些钱，以便随意挥霍，而你的教训与榜样已成为自己儿女的咒诅。他们是何等的藐视原则啊！他们越来越忘记上帝，越不畏惧他的愠怒，越不接受任何的约束。金钱的获得越容易，感恩的心也就越微薄。[15]
§32
A Parent Reproved for Extravagance.--You do not know how to use money economically and do not learn to bring your wants within your income. . . . You have an eager desire to get money, that you may freely use it as your inclination shall dictate, and your teaching and example have proved a curse to your children. How little they care for principle! They are more and more forgetful of God, less fearful of His displeasure, more impatient of restraint. The more easily money is obtained, the less thankfulness is felt. {AH 375.3}[15]
§33
劝告一个入不敷出的家庭——你们应当谨慎，免得再入不敷出。须约束你们的欲望。[16]
§34
To a Family Living Beyond Its Means.--You ought to be careful that your expenses do not exceed your income. Bind about your wants. {AH 375.4}[16]
§35
真可惜，你的妻子在挥霍金钱的事上太像你了，因此她在这方面断难帮助你留意那些微小的花费，以免发生更大的漏洞。你们处理家务往往有些不必要的开支。你的妻子喜欢见到她的孩子衣饰入时，甚至超过你们的经济范围，因而在你们孩子的心中养成了虚荣骄傲的习性。你们若肯学习节俭的教训，认清如此随意花钱对于自己和自己的儿女，以及上帝的圣工都有怎样的危害，就能获得一种完成基督化品格所必须的经验了。你们若不获得这种经验，则儿女们一生都会显出领受了不健全的教育的模样。[17]
§36
It is a great pity that your wife is so much like you in this matter of expending means so that she cannot be a help to you in this direction, to watch the little outgoes in order to avoid the larger leaks. Needless expenses are constantly brought about in your family management. Your wife loves to see her children dress in a manner beyond their means, and because of this, tastes and habits are cultivated in your children which will make them vain and proud. If you would learn the lesson of economy and see the peril to yourselves and to your children and to the cause of God in this free use of means, you would obtain an experience essential to the perfection of your Christian character. Unless you do obtain such an experience, your children will bear the mold of a defective education as long as they live. . . . {AH 375.5}[17]
§37
我不是要劝你们积攒钱财——你们也很难这样行——但我劝你们二位要谨慎所用的金钱，使你们平日的榜样能予儿女们以节俭、克己、理财的教训。他们需要借着教训和榜样而受陶冶。[18]
§38
I would not influence you to hoard up means--it would be difficult for you to do this--but I would counsel you both to expend your money carefully and let your daily example teach lessons of frugality, self-denial, and economy to your children. They need to be educated by precept and example. {AH 376.1}[18]
§39
呼吁某一家人实行克己——我亲爱的弟兄和姊妹，你们还有许多教训应当学习。你们没有量入为出，你们也没有学习节约之道。你们若得到较高的薪金，也不知道怎样使用以求获得最佳的成效。你们放纵嗜好与食欲，全不顾及节约的原则。有的时候，你们花钱购买那些属于弟兄们的经济力量所不许可享用的食物。金钱很容易地从你们的口袋中流出去了。你们二位至今仍未领悟克己自约的要训。[19]
§40
A Family Called to Self-denial.--I was shown that you, my brother and sister, have much to learn. You have not lived within your means. You have not learned to economize. If you earn high wages, you do not know how to make it go as far as possible. You consult taste or appetite instead of prudence. At times you expend money for a quality of food in which your brethren cannot afford to indulge. Dollars slip from your pocket very easily. . . . Self-denial is a lesson which you both have yet to learn. {AH 376.2}[19]
§41
作父母的应该研究如何以自己的收入维持生活。他们当培养儿女克己自约的精神，借着教训和榜样指导他们。他们尤当限制自己的需求，使之简而且少，俾有时间增进智力，培养灵性。[20]
§42
Parents should learn to live within their means. They should cultivate self-denial in their children, teaching them by precept and example. They should make their wants few and simple, that there may be time for mental improvement and spiritual culture. {AH 376.3}[20]
§43
纵溺不是爱的表现——不要教你们的儿女以为必须任凭他们放纵骄矜，糜费，和喜爱炫耀的心意，才是你们爱他们的表示。现今不再有时间去发明新的花钱方法了。当用你们发明的才能去设法节约才行。[21]
§44
Indulgence Not an Expression of Love.--Do not educate your children to think that your love for them must be expressed by indulgence of their pride, extravagance, and love of display. There is no time now to invent ways for using up money. Use your inventive faculties in seeking to economize. {AH 376.4}[21]
§45
节约与慷慨并不冲突——近代青年的一种自然趋向，乃是忽略和轻视节俭，将之与吝啬和眼光短浅等混为一谈。其实节俭与最大量而不吝啬的见解及情绪都是相合的；若不厉行节俭，断无真正的慷慨可言。切莫以为讲求俭约，注意细节的最佳方法是不值得一学的。另一个极端——不智的节俭——当身体被忽略，受虐待，以至不堪为主服务时，上帝并不能得到荣耀。供给身体以可口而增进体力的食物，乃是每位家长的首要任务之一。置备比较廉宜的衣服和家具，也远胜于限制食物的供应。[22]
§46
Economy Consistent With Generosity.--The natural turn of youth in this age is to neglect and despise economy and to confound it with stinginess and narrowness. But economy is consistent with the most broad and liberal views and feelings; there can be no true generosity where it is not practiced. No one should think it beneath him to study economy and the best means of taking care of the fragments. {AH 377.1}[22]
§47
有些家长限制自己家中的饮食，为要供给宾客以奢昂的款待。这实在是不智之举。款待宾客的事应当大大简化。但愿先顾及自己家人的需要。[23]
§48
The Other Extreme--Unwise Economy.--God is not honored when the body is neglected or abused and is thus unfitted for His service. To care for the body by providing for it food that is relishable and strengthening is one of the first duties of the householder. It is far better to have less expensive clothing and furniture than to stint the supply of food. {AH 377.2}[23]
§49
不智的节俭与虚伪的习气，往往妨碍了实行这种原属必需且必成为一项福惠的款待宾客的事。平日为自己家人所供备的食物，应当足够款待偶尔来临的客人，而无须再劳主妇另行安排。[24]
§50
Some householders stint the family table in order to provide expensive entertainment for visitors. This is unwise. In the entertainment of guests there should be greater simplicity. Let the needs of the family have first attention. {AH 377.3}[24]
§51
我们所实行的节俭，决不可造成供应菲薄食物的趋势。学生应该享用丰富而有益的食物。但愿一切负责烹饪的人，经常拾掇零碎，务求一无耗损。[25]
§52
Unwise economy and artificial customs often prevent the exercise of hospitality where it is needed and would be a blessing. The regular supply of food for our tables should be such that the unexpected guest can be made welcome without burdening the housewife to make extra preparation. {AH 377.4}[25]
§53
节俭的意义绝不是吝啬，乃是聪明地支配钱财，因为有伟大的工作亟待完成。[26]
§54
Our economy must never be of that kind which would lead to providing meager meals. Students should have an abundance of wholesome food. But let those in charge of the cooking gather up the fragments that nothing be lost. {AH 377.5}[26]
§55
购置减轻妻子操劳的设备——乙弟兄一家都遵循最严格的节俭原则而生活。乙弟兄依从良心的决定，不为他大家庭的便利而建盖一间木柴储藏室和厨房，因为他觉得在推进上帝圣工需款孔殷之时，为求个人的便利而花费钱财是不合宜的。我尽力试图使他明白：为自己儿女的健康和道德福利的缘故，他必须设法使家庭愉快，并购置一切减轻他妻子操劳的设备。[27]
§56
Economy does not mean niggardliness, but a prudent expenditure of means because there is a great work to be done. {AH 378.1}[27]
§57
妻子个人的零用钱——你们当彼此帮助。你们不要以为紧紧的把持钱囊，拒绝分一点钱给妻子乃是一种美德。[28]
§58
Provide Conveniences to Lighten Wifes Labor.-- Brother Es family live in accordance with the principles of strictest economy. . . . Brother E had conscientiously decided not to build a convenient woodshed and kitchen for his large family, because he did not feel free to invest means in personal conveniences when the cause of God needed money to carry it forward. I tried to show him that it was necessary for the health as well as the morals of his children that he should make home pleasant and provide conveniences to lighten the labor of his wife. {AH 378.2}[28]
§59
你应该每周分一点固定的钱给你的妻子，让她随意使用。你没有给她机会运用自己的机智和见解，因为你没有正确地认清妻子应有的地位。你的妻子本有良好而均衡的心智。[29]
§60
Wifes Allowance for Personal Use.--You must help each other. Do not look upon it as a virtue to hold fast the purse strings, refusing to give your wife money. {AH 378.3}[29]
§61
你当将你所收入的钱款分一部分给你的妻子。这些钱乃是属于她，随她的心意而使用。那原来是她自己赚得的钱，就更当让她照着自己认为对的方式去使用。她若有固定数额的钱留归己用，而不必常受批评，这就使她心中的挂虑大大地减轻了。[30]
§62
You should allow your wife a certain sum weekly and should let her do what she please with this money. You have not given her opportunity to exercise her tact or her taste because you have not a proper realization of the position that a wife should occupy. Your wife has an excellent and a well-balanced mind. {AH 378.4}[30]
§63
力求舒适与健康——丙弟兄不善于理财。贤明的判断力在他心中所生发的影响，还不如他儿女索求的呼声那样有力。他也没有仔细估量他手头所有金钱的价值而慎重地使用，购买最需要的物品，就是维持安舒与健康所必需的物品。全家的人在这方面都有改良的必要。为增进家庭的便利和安舒还缺少许多东西。在处理家务上，不重视规律和条理，就必招致败坏并造成极大的损害。[31]
§64
Give your wife a share of the money that you receive. Let her have this as her own, and let her use it as she desires. She should have been allowed to use the means that she earned as she in her judgment deemed best. If she had had a certain sum to use as her own, without being criticized, a great weight would have been lifted from her mind. {AH 378.5}[31]
§65
我们无法借着穿粗布衣，或剥夺一切维持家庭的安舒、美观，或便利的事物，而使内心更纯正、或更圣洁。[32]
§66
Seek Comfort and Health.--Brother P has not made a judicious use of means. Wise judgment has not influenced him as much as have the voices and desires of his children. He does not place the estimate that he should upon the means in his hands, and expend it cautiously for the most needful articles, for the very things he must have for comfort and health. The entire family need to improve in this respect. Many things are needed in the family for convenience and comfort. The lack of appreciating order and system in the arrangement of family matters leads to destructiveness and working to great disadvantage. {AH 379.1}[32]
§67
上帝并没有要求他的子民自动放弃维持健康与舒适的必需品，但是他也决不赞许姿纵，浪费，或炫耀之举。[33]
§68
We cannot make the heart purer or holier by clothing the body in sackcloth or depriving the home of all that ministers to comfort, taste, or convenience. {AH 379.2}[33]
§69
当省则省，当用则用——你应该多多学习，俾懂得当省则省，当用则用。我们若不克己牺牲并高举十字架，就不能作基督的门徒。我们必须丝毫不苟地随时付清帐款；修补一切漏洞；缝合散线的边沿，以便知道属于自己的究竟有多少。你当计算一下那些耗于取悦自我的小小的花费。你也当注意那些虚掷于餍足口味，养成一种堕落的贪享美食的嗜欲方面的钱财。那花费于毫无价值的美味上的金钱，大可用来添置使家庭舒适便利的物品。你切勿过于吝啬；你对自己，对弟兄都要出诸至诚。吝啬便是妄用了上帝丰厚的恩赐。浪费也是如此。你以为小小的支出不足介意，但终必凑成一笔可观的数目。[34]
§70
God does not require that His people should deprive themselves of that which is really necessary for their health and comfort, but He does not approve of wantonness and extravagance and display. {AH 379.3}[34]
§71
归顺的心必蒙引导——此处不必详订实行节俭的细则。凡将己心全然献归上帝，并以他的圣言为向导的人，必明白如何克尽人生的一切本分。他们必向耶稣学习，他乃是心里柔和谦卑的主；而他们在培养基督化的柔和时，便杜绝了无数试探的门户。[35]
§72
Learn When to Spare and When to Spend.--You should learn to know when to spare and when to spend. We cannot be Christs followers unless we deny self and lift the cross. We should pay up squarely as we go; gather up the dropped stitches; bind off your raveling edges, and know just what you can call your own. You should reckon up all the littles spent in self-gratification. You should notice what is used simply to gratify taste and in cultivating a perverted, epicurean appetite. The money expended for useless delicacies might be used to add to your substantial home comforts and conveniences. You are not to be penurious; you are to be honest with yourself and your brethren. Penuriousness is an abuse of Gods bounties. Lavishness is also an abuse. The little outgoes that you think of as not worth mentioning amount to considerable in the end. {AH 379.4}[35]