第01章 与上帝同工
§1
第01章 与上帝同工
§2
Chap. 01 - Coworkers With God
§3
“你要以财物，和一切初熟的土产，尊荣耶和华；这样，你的仓房必充满有余，你的酒榨有新酒盈溢”（箴3:9,10）。{CS 13.1}[1]
§4
Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Proverbs 3:9, 10. {CS 13.1}[1]
§5
“有施散的，却更增添；有吝惜过度的，反致穷乏。好施舍的，必得丰裕；滋润人的，必得滋润”（箴11:24,25）。{CS 13.2}[2]
§6
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Proverbs 11:24,25. {CS 13.2}[2]
§7
“高明人却谋高明事，在高明事上，也必永存”（赛32:8）。{CS 13.3}[3]
§8
The liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand. Isaiah 32:8. {CS 13.3}[3]
§9
上帝凭着祂的智慧，在救恩的计划中，制定了作用与反作用的定律，使各种慈善事业都加倍蒙福。那济助贫乏之人的人，既造福他人，也使自己得蒙更大的福气。{CS 13.4}[4]
§10
Divine wisdom has appointed, in the plan of salvation, the law of action and reaction, making the work of beneficence, in all its branches, twice blessed. He who gives to the needy blesses others, and is blessed himself in a still greater degree. {CS 13.4}[4]
§11
【福音的荣耀】
§12
我们的救赎主为了使人不致失去善行的幸福之果，就制定了征召人作祂同工的计划。上帝原可不假人类之助，而自达其拯救罪人之目的；但祂却知道人若不在这伟大的工作上有份，是不会快乐的。祂藉着一连串可使人动慈心的环境，赋与人培养仁慈行为的最妙方法，使人习惯于济助穷人，推进祂的圣工。这败坏的世界因其需要的缘故，正迫使我们运用财力及感化力去向男女人们传扬其所急需的真理。我们如果藉仁慈的劳力与行动来应承这些呼求，就可被那为我们成为贫穷的主的形像所同化。这样，我们在施舍上造福他人，便积蓄了真实的财富。{CS 13.5}[5]
§13
【The Glory of the Gospel】
§14
That man might not lose the blessed results of benevolence, our Redeemer formed the plan of enlisting him as His coworker. God could have reached His object in saving sinners without the aid of man; but He knew that man could not be happy without acting a part in the great work. By a chain of circumstances which would call forth his charities, He bestows upon man the best means of cultivating benevolence, and keeps him habitually giving to help the poor and to advance His cause. By its necessities a ruined world is drawing forth from us talents of means and of influence, to present to men and women the truth, of which they are in perishing need. And as we heed these calls, by labor and by acts of benevolence, we are assimilated to the image of Him who for our sakes became poor. In bestowing, we bless others, and thus accumulate true riches. {CS 13.5}[5]
§15
福音的光荣所根据的原理，就是藉着时常显出善行，而在堕落人类的身上恢复原有的神圣形像。这种工作是在天庭开始的。上帝在天上先给人类一个昭然无疑的证据，显明祂是怎样地爱他们。“上帝爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的，不至灭亡，反得永生”（约3:16）。赐下基督表现了天父的心意；证明天父既从事于人类的救赎，则只要是成就祂工作所必需的，不论是如何的宝贵，祂都愿意舍弃。{CS 14.1}[6]
§16
It is the glory of the gospel that it is founded upon the principle of restoring in the fallen race the divine image by a constant manifestation of benevolence. This work began in the heavenly courts. There God gave to human beings an unmistakable evidence of the love with which He regarded them. He so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16. The gift of Christ reveals the Fathers heart. It testifies that, having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work. {CS 14.1}[6]
§17
慷慨的精神乃是天国的精神。基督已在十字架上显出了祂自我牺牲的爱。为了使人得救，祂先舍弃祂所有的一切，然后连自己的性命也献上了。基督的十字架理应引动每一个跟随救主之人的慷慨之心。十字架所阐明的原则，是舍了又舍。这原则在一切仁慈与善行中切实表现出来，便是基督化生活真实的果效。世俗之人的原则却是得了又得，期望依此谋福，但是从各方面实行起来，其结果却是痛苦和死亡。{CS 14.2}[7]
§18
The spirit of liberality is the spirit of heaven. Christs self-sacrificing love is revealed upon the cross. That man might be saved, He gave all that He had, and then gave Himself. The cross of Christ appeals to the benevolence of every follower of the blessed Saviour. The principle there illustrated is to give, give. This, carried out in actual benevolence and good works, is the true fruit of the Christian life. The principle of worldlings is to get, get, and thus they expect to secure happiness; but, carried out in all its bearings, the fruit is misery and death. {CS 14.2}[7]
§19
基督十字架所发出的福音之光谴责自私，鼓励慷慨与慈善之心。施舍的要求增加并不是可叹的事。上帝本其美意，要祂的子民超越有限的活动范围，去参加更大的事业。在这道德黑暗笼罩普世之时，需要无限的努力。多数上帝的子民正处在被世俗和贪心所陷害的危险之中。他们应当明白，多要他们出钱乃是上帝的恩典。因为必须将要求使慈心付诸行动的对象放在他们面前，否则他们就无从仿效那伟大榜样的品格。{CS 14.3}[8]
§20
The light of the gospel shining from the cross of Christ rebukes selfishness, and encourages liberality and benevolence. It should not be a lamented fact that there are increasing calls to give. God in His providence is calling His people out from their limited sphere of action, to enter upon greater enterprises. Unlimited effort is demanded at this time when moral darkness is covering the world. Many of Gods people are in danger of being ensnared by worldliness and covetousness. They should understand that it is His mercy that multiplies the demands for their means. Objects that call benevolence into action must be placed before them, or they cannot pattern after the character of the great Exemplar. {CS 14.3}[8]
§21
【管理的福气】
§22
基督吩咐祂的门徒“往普天下去，传福音给凡受造的听”（可16:15），便是将扩展认识祂恩典的工作分派给人。一方面有些人要出去传道，但是还有些人，主却要他们奉献捐款来维持祂在地上的圣工。主已将钱财交在人的手中，以便在从事所派给我们拯救同胞的工作上，使祂神圣的恩赐能经由人的导管而流布。这是上帝提拔人类的一种方法，也正是人类所需要的工作；因为这最能引动人心最深切的同情，并使人运用思想的最高机能。{CS 15.1}[9]
§23
【The Blessings of Stewardship】
§24
In commissioning His disciples to go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, Christ assigned to men the work of extending the knowledge of His grace. But while some go forth to preach, He calls upon others to answer His claims upon them for offerings, with which to support His cause in the earth. He has placed means in the hands of men, that His divine gifts may flow through human channels in doing the work appointed us in saving our fellow men. This is one of Gods ways of exalting man. It is just the work that man needs; for it will stir the deepest sympathies of his heart, and call into exercise the highest capabilities of the mind. {CS 15.1}[9]
§25
世上的一切美物都是出于上帝施舍的手，表达祂对于人类的爱。穷人属于祂，宗教的事业也是属于祂，金银是祂的；只要祂愿意，祂能使金银象雨那样自天而降。但祂却不这样行，祂要人做祂的管家，将钱财交托他们，不是要积蓄起来，乃是要用来使别人得益。这样，祂就以人为媒介，将祂的福惠遍满全地。上帝设下定期捐献的计划，以便使人可以象创造主的样式，有仁慈无私的品格，而至终与基督同得永久的光荣的报偿。{CS 15.2}[10]
§26
Every good thing of earth was placed here by the bountiful hand of God as an expression of His love to man. The poor are His, and the cause of religion is His. The gold and the silver are the Lords; and He could rain them from heaven if He chose. But instead of this He has made man His steward, entrusting him with means, not to be hoarded, but to be used in benefiting others. He thus makes man the medium through which to distribute His blessings on earth. God planned the system of beneficence, in order that man might become like his Creator, benevolent and unselfish in character, and finally be a partaker with Christ of the eternal, glorious reward. {CS 15.2}[10]
§27
【聚集在十字架周围】
§28
在髑髅地所表现的爱应该复兴，加强，并传播在我们教会之中。难道我们还不尽我们所能的，来加强基督带给这世界的原则吗？难道我们还不努力建设今日刻不容缓的慈善事业，并促进其效率吗？你既站在十字架前，亲见天上的大君为你而死，你怎能紧闭心门说：“不，我没有什么可舍的”呢？ {CS 16.1}[11]
§29
【Meeting Around the Cross】
§30
The love expressed on Calvary should be revived, strengthened, and diffused among our churches. Shall we not do all we can to give power to the principles which Christ brought to this world? Shall we not strive to establish and give efficiency to the benevolent enterprises which are now called for without delay? As you stand before the cross, and see the Prince of heaven dying for you, can you seal your heart, saying, No; I have nothing to give? {CS 16.1}[11]
§31
相信基督的人要使祂的爱永垂不朽。这爱要吸引他们团聚在十字架下。要除去他们一切的自私，使他们与上帝联合，并且彼此联合。{CS 16.2}[12]
§32
Christs believing people are to perpetuate His love. This love is to draw them together around the cross. It is to divest them of all selfishness, and bind them to God and to one another. {CS 16.2}[12]
§33
要存着克己牺牲的精神团聚在十字架前。你们若克尽自己的力量，上帝就必赐福与你们。你们若来到施恩宝座前，感觉自己是靠着从天上垂下救人脱离罪坑的金链，得与这宝座联在一起，你们就必向那些活在世上没有上帝，没有指望的弟兄姊妹发出爱心来。（《证言》卷九第253至256页）{CS 16.3}[13]
§34
Meet around the cross of Calvary in self-sacrifice and self-denial. God will bless you as you do your best. As you approach the throne of grace, as you find yourself bound to this throne by the golden chain let down from heaven to earth, to draw men from the pit of sin, your heart will go out in love for your brethren and sisters who are without God and without hope in the world.--9T 253-256. {CS 16.3}[13]