第02章 我们慷慨的施主
§1
第02章 我们慷慨的施主
§2
Chap. 02 - Our Bountiful Benefactor
§3
上帝的大能表显在心脏的跳动和肺的呼吸，以及在人体无数通道中循环的生命之流中。我们生存的每一分钟，生活中享受的一切安舒，都是从祂而来的。人类超越低等生物的所有禀赋和能力，都是创造主所赐的。{CS 17.1}[1]
§4
The power of God is manifested in the beating of the heart, in the action of the lungs, and in the living currents that circulate through the thousand different channels of the body. We are indebted to Him for every moment of existence, and for all the comforts of life. The powers and abilities that elevate man above the lower creation, are the endowment of the Creator. {CS 17.1}[1]
§5
祂的恩泽倾降在我们身上。我们所吃的食物，所喝的水，所穿的衣服和所呼吸的空气，全都是祂的。要不是祂的特别的保护，空气中将充满了瘟疫和毒素。祂乃是博施恩惠与保佑之主宰。{CS 17.2}[2]
§6
He loads us with His benefits. We are indebted to Him for the food we eat, the water we drink, the clothes we wear, the air we breathe. Without His special providence, the air would be filled with pestilence and poison. He is a bountiful benefactor and preserver. {CS 17.2}[2]
§7
普照大地、增荣万有的太阳，神秘莫测、庄严明丽的月亮，在穹苍熠熠生辉的星辰，滋润土地，使庄稼生长的时雨，自然界变幻无穷的宝贵万物，参天的大树，灌丛与植物，滚滚的麦浪，蔚蓝的天空，绿色的大地，昼夜的变化，季节的更迭，这一切都向人类述说创造主的大爱。{CS 17.3}[3]
§8
The sun which shines upon the earth, and glorifies all nature, the weird, solemn radiance of the moon, the glories of the firmament, spangled with brilliant stars, the showers that refresh the land, and cause vegetation to flourish, the precious things of nature in all their varied richness, the lofty trees, the shrubs and plants, the waving grain, the blue sky, the green earth, the changes of day and night, the renewing seasons, all speak to man of his Creators love. {CS 17.3}[3]
§9
上帝借着天上地下这一切的证据，把我们与祂自己联系起来。祂看顾我们，比母亲看顾受苦的孩子更加温柔。“父亲怎样怜恤他的儿女，耶和华也怎样怜恤敬畏祂的人”（诗103:13）！（《评论与通讯》1888年9月18日）{CS 17.4}[4]
§10
He has linked us to Himself by all these tokens in heaven and in earth. He watches over us with more tenderness than does a mother over an afflicted child. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.--R. & H., Sept. 18, 1888. {CS 17.4}[4]
§11
【不断地接受，不断地施舍】
§12
我们既然不断地领受上帝的福气，就当不断地施舍。假如天上的施给者停止了供应，我们的责任就可能得到豁免，因为我们无物可施。但上帝始终赐给我们祂慈爱的凭据，因为祂要造福于我们。……{CS 17.5}[5]
§13
【Continual Recipients to Give Continually】
§14
As we are continually receiving the blessings of God, so are we to be continually giving. When the heavenly Benefactor ceases to give to us, then we may be excused; for we shall have nothing to bestow. God has never left us without evidence of His love, in that He did us good. . . . {CS 17.5}[5]
§15
我们时刻都因上帝的照顾而得到供养，因祂的大能而获得支持。祂把食物摆在我们的餐桌上，赐给我们安眠以恢复体力；每周把我们带到安息日，使我们可以放下世俗的重担，来到上帝的圣殿中敬拜祂，领受祂的道，作为我们脚前的灯和路上的光，并从圣经中找到智慧的劝勉。每当我们凭着信心来到祂的面前，懊悔并承认所犯的罪时，就可获得祂所赐的恩典。最重要的是上帝爱子的无限恩赐。我们今生和来生的一切福分，都是从祂而来的。{CS 18.1}[6]
§16
We are sustained every moment by Gods care, and upheld by His power. He spreads our tables with food. He gives us peaceful and refreshing sleep. Weekly He brings to us the Sabbath, that we may rest from our temporal labors, and worship Him in His own house. He has given us His word to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. In its sacred pages we find the counsels of wisdom; and as oft as we lift our hearts to Him in penitence and faith, He grants us the blessings of His grace. Above all else is the infinite gift of Gods dear Son, through whom flow all other blessings for this life and for the life to come. {CS 18.1}[6]
§17
可靠的恩慈和怜悯伴随着我们的每一步。我们不应不耐烦地喊叫说：“奉献难道没有尽头吗？”除非我不希望无穷的天父向我们赐恩。我们不但应忠心缴纳原属上帝的十分之一，还应奉献其它的贡物于上帝的府库中，作为感恩祭。但愿我们怀着快乐的心情，将祂所赐一切恩惠的初熟的果子，献与创造主──就是我们最好的财产和至善至圣的服务。（《评论与通讯》1886年2月9日）{CS 18.2}[7]
§18
Surely goodness and mercy attend us at every step. Not till we wish the infinite Father to cease bestowing His gifts on us, should we impatiently exclaim, Is there no end of giving? Not only should we faithfully render to God our tithes, which He claims as His own, but we should bring a tribute to His treasury as an offering of gratitude. Let us with joyful hearts bring to our Creator the first fruits of all His bounties,--our choicest possessions, our best and holiest service.--R. & H., Feb. 9, 1886. {CS 18.2}[7]
§19
【表示感谢的唯一途径】
§20
上帝并不需要我们的奉献。祂不靠我们的礼物发财。诗人说：“因为万物都从祢而来，我们把从祢而得的献给祢”（代上29:14）。但是上帝允许我们藉着克己牺牲的努力把祂的恩慈转与别人，以表示我们赏识祂的恩慈。这是我们能向上帝表达爱意和感谢的唯一方法。除此之外，祂没有赐下别的方法。（《评论与通讯》1887年12月6日）{CS 18.3}[8]
§21
【Only Way to Manifest Gratitude】
§22
The Lord does not need our offerings. We cannot enrich Him by our gifts. Says the psalmist: All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee. Yet God permits us to show our appreciation of His mercies by self-sacrificing efforts to extend the same to others. This is the only way in which it is possible for us to manifest our gratitude and love to God. He has provided no other.--R. & H., Dec. 6, 1887. {CS 18.3}[8]
§23
【保罗反对自私的理由】
§24
保罗希望根除弟兄们心中的自私，因为他们的品格中如果保留自私和贪心，就不能在基督里完全。心中充满基督的爱，就会在弟兄们需要的时候给予帮助。保罗藉着指出基督为他们所作的牺牲，来唤起他们的爱心。{CS 19.1}[9]
§25
【Pauls Argument Against Selfishness】
§26
Paul sought to uproot the plant of selfishness from the hearts of his brethren; for the character cannot be complete in Christ when self-love and covetousness are retained. The love of Christ in their hearts would lead them to help their brethren in their necessities. By pointing them to the sacrifice Christ had made in their behalf, he sought to arouse their love. {CS 19.1}[9]
§27
他说：“我说这话，不是吩咐你们，乃是藉着别人的热心，试验你们爱心的实在。你们知道我们主耶稣基督的恩典；祂本来富足，却为你们成了贫穷，叫你们因祂的贫穷，可以成为富足”（林后8:8,9）。{CS 19.2}[10]
§28
I speak not by commandment, he said, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich. {CS 19.2}[10]
§29
这是使徒的有力论据，不是他的吩咐，而是主耶稣基督的吩咐。……{CS 19.3}[11]
§30
Here is the apostles mighty argument. It is not the commandment of Paul, but of the Lord Jesus Christ. . . . {CS 19.3}[11]
§31
上帝赐给人类多么贵重的礼物啊！这正是祂的本性。祂的慷慨空前绝后，为的是拯救悖逆的人类，帮助他们认识到祂的旨意和慈爱。你是否愿意凭借你的礼物和捐款，表示你对这位赐下独生子的上帝毫无保留的奉献呢？（《评论与通讯》1900年5月15日）{CS 19.4}[12]
§32
How great was the gift of God to man, and how like our God to make it! With a liberality that can never be exceeded He gave, that He might save the rebellious sons of men and bring them to see His purpose and discern His love. Will you, by your gifts and offerings, show that you think nothing too good for Him who gave His only-begotten Son?--R. & H., May 15, 1900. {CS 19.4}[12]
§33
慷慨的精神是天国的精神；自私的精神是撒但的精神。（《评论与通讯》1882年10月17日）{CS 19.5}[13]
§34
The spirit of liberality is the spirit of heaven. The spirit of selfishness is the spirit of Satan.--R. & H., Oct. 17, 1882. {CS 19.5}[13]