第08章 全心全意与教会联合
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第08章 全心全意与教会联合
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Chap. 08 - Wholehearted Attachment to the Church
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每一位信徒都应全心全意地与教会联合，以教会的兴旺为他最关心的事。他如果没有意识到自己负有神圣的责任，让他与教会的联合造福于教会而不是他自己，那么教会若没有他可能会更好。每一个人都有能力为上帝的圣工作贡献。有些人把大笔钱财花在不必要的奢华上；他们满足自己的口腹之欲，对于捐款支持教会却觉得如荷重负。他们乐意领受教会特权的一切好处，却希望别人去付账。真正关心圣工发展的人，无论何时何地，只要有需要，都会豪不犹豫地捐献。（《证言》卷四第18页）{CS 42.1}[1]
§4
Every believer should be wholehearted in his attachment to the church. Its prosperity should be his first interest, and unless he feels under sacred obligations to make his connection with the church a benefit to it in preference to himself, it can do far better without him. It is in the power of all to do something for the cause of God. There are those who spend a large amount for needless luxuries; they gratify their appetites, but feel it a great tax to contribute means to sustain the church. They are willing to receive all the benefit of its privileges, but prefer to leave others to pay the bills. Those who really feel a deep interest in the advancement of the cause, will not hesitate to invest money in the enterprise whenever and wherever it is needed.--4T 18. {CS 42.1}[1]
§5
凡以宝贵的真理之光为乐的人，应当有火热的心愿，让真光普传各处。现今只有少数忠心的掌旗人，丝毫不规避本分，或推却责任。他们的心门及钱包对于每次促进上帝圣工的捐款总是敞开的。确实有些人似乎是乐于超过自己的本分，好像他们怕会失去良机，不能在天国的银行中投资一般。{CS 42.2}[2]
§6
Those who rejoice in the precious light of truth should feel a burning desire to have it sent everywhere. There are a few faithful standard-bearers who never flinch from duty or shirk responsibilities. Their hearts and purses are always open to every call for means to advance the cause of God. Indeed, some seem ready to exceed their duty, as though fearful that they will lose an opportunity of investing their portion in the bank of heaven. {CS 42.2}[2]
§7
但还有些人，却是尽量地少做。他们囤积财宝，或是滥用在自己的身上，只勉强地分出一小部分来维持上帝的圣工。他们向上帝立了约或许下愿之后，又感到懊悔，若是不能全部推掉，也要拖欠得越久越好。他们尽量地少献十分之一，好似是这款归了上帝就是失去了。我们的各机构可能为经济所迫，这等人却视若无睹，对其兴衰漠不关心。可是这些机构却是上帝用来光照世界的工具。（《证言》卷四第477至478页）{CS 42.3}[3]
§8
There are others who will do as little as possible. They hoard their treasure, or lavish means upon themselves, grudgingly doling out a mere pittance to sustain the cause of God. If they make a pledge or a vow to God, they afterward repent of it, and will avoid the payment of it as long as they can, if not altogether. They make their tithe as small as possible, as if afraid that that which they return to God is lost. Our various institutions may be embarrassed for means, but this class act as though it made no difference to them whether they prosper or not. And yet these are Gods instrumentalities with which to enlighten the world.-- 4T 477, 478. {CS 42.3}[3]
§9
【浸礼的誓约】
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每位参加教会的人就许下了庄严的愿，要为教会的福利而工作，并坚持这种福利超过一切俗虑之上。他的工作就是要保持自己与上帝之间的活泼联络，全心全意地参加这伟大的救赎计划，并在生活及品格上显扬上帝诫命的优点，适与世俗的风习及教训相反。每个既然承认基督的人，就是许身尽一切可能去作属灵的工人，积极，热心，而且有效地为主人服务。基督期望人人尽其本分；但愿全体跟从祂的，都以此为座右铭。……{CS 43.1}[4]
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【The Baptismal Vow】
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Everyone who connects himself with the church makes in that act a solemn vow to work for the interest of the church, and to hold that interest above every worldly consideration. It is his work to preserve a living connection with God, to engage with heart and soul in the great scheme of redemption, and to show, in his life and character, the excellency of Gods commandments in contrast with the customs and precepts of the world. Every soul that has made a profession of Christ has pledged himself to be all that it is possible for him to be as a spiritual worker, to be active, zealous, and efficient in his Masters service. Christ expects every man to do his duty; let this be the watchword throughout the ranks of His followers. . . . {CS 43.1}[4]
§13
大家都要聪明地运用上帝所赐的天赋，以表示对祂的忠诚；不单只在钱财方面，也在任何能建设祂国度的禀赋之上。撒但千方百计地阻碍真理传给那些被谬论所埋没的人；但是警告和恳求的声音必须传给他们。在此只有少数人参加这项工之时，应当有数以千计的人同样地热心。（《证言》卷五第460至461页）{CS 43.2}[5]
§14
All are to show their fidelity to God by the wise use of His entrusted capital, not in means alone, but in any endowment that will tend to the upbuilding of His kingdom. Satan will employ every possible device to prevent the truth from reaching those who are buried in error; but the voice of warning and entreaty must come to them. And while only a few are engaged in this work, thousands ought to be as much interested as they.--5T 460-462. {CS 43.2}[5]
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【我们面前的任务】
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世界需要得到警告。这项工作已经托付给我们。要不惜一切代价实行真理。要作随时应命、自我牺牲的战士，必要时甘愿为圣工舍命。有一项伟大的工作要在短时间内完成。我们需要明白自己的任务，要忠心地去作。每一位最后获得胜利冠冕的人，都要以高尚而坚定的服务侍奉上帝，获得披戴基督义袍的权利。每一个基督徒都有责任参加讨伐撒但的战斗，高举基督十字架血染的旗帜。{CS 43.3}[6]
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【The Task Before Us】
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There is a world to be warned. To us has been entrusted this work. At any cost we must practice the truth. We are to stand as self-sacrificing minutemen, willing to suffer the loss of life itself, if need be, in the service of God. There is a great work to be done in a short time. We need to understand our work, and to do it with fidelity. Everyone who is finally crowned victor will, by noble, determined effort to serve God, have earned the right to be clothed with Christs righteousness. To enter the crusade against Satan, bearing aloft the bloodstained banner of the cross of Christ--this is the duty of every Christian. {CS 43.3}[6]
§19
这项工作需要自我牺牲。人生的道路一直会有克己和十字架。基督说：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我”（可8:34）。要获得属世的财富，尚且需要辛劳和牺牲，追求永恒赏赐的人，难道就以为自己不需要牺牲了吗？（《评论与通讯》1907年1月31日）{CS 44.1}[7]
§20
This work calls for self-sacrifice. Self-denial and the cross stand all along the way of life. He that will come after Me, Christ said, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Those who secure the treasures of this world are obliged to toil and sacrifice. Should those who are seeking for an eternal reward think that they need make no sacrifices?--R. & H., Jan. 31, 1907. {CS 44.1}[7]
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【不要等待呼吁】
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我们的信徒不要等待更多的呼吁，而要抓住工作的机会，把似乎不可能的事变为可能。我们每一个人要扪心自问：上帝有没有把推展祂圣工的金钱委托给我？……{CS 44.2}[8]
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【Wait Not for Appeals】
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Our people are not to wait for more appeals, but are to lay right hold of the work, making those things which appear impossibilities, possibilities. Let each one ask himself, Has not the Lord entrusted me with means for the advancement of His cause? . . . {CS 44.2}[8]
§25
我们对上帝要诚实。我们所享受的一切福惠都是祂所赐。祂既然把才干和金钱委托给我们，用来协助祂的圣工，我们难道要扣留吗？我们会说：主啊！不成，我的孩子会不高兴的，于是就大胆违背上帝，把祂所赐的才干埋藏于地下吗？{CS 44.3}[9]
§26
Let us be honest with the Lord. All the blessings that we enjoy come from Him; and if He has entrusted us with the talent of means, that we may help to do His work, shall we hold back? Shall we say, No, Lord; my children would not be pleased, and therefore I shall venture to disobey God, burying His talent in the earth? {CS 44.3}[9]
§27
不要再耽搁了。上帝的圣工需要你的支持。我们要求你作为上帝的管家使用祂的钱财，提供各样设施，使许多人有机会明白什么是真理。{CS 44.4}[10]
§28
There should be no delay. The cause of God demands your assistance. We ask you, as the Lords stewards, to put His means into circulation, to provide facilities by which many will have the opportunity of learning what is truth. {CS 44.4}[10]
§29
你可能会受到试探，要你把钱投在地产上。你的朋友们也许会劝你这么做。但是难道没有更好的投资方法吗？你不是用重价买来的吗？交托你的金钱难道不是要为祂而进行交易吗？你不明白祂要你用你的钱来建造聚会的场所，设立疗养院，使病人获得肉体和精神上的治疗，开办学校，使青年人受到服务的训练，以便将工人派到世界各地吗？{CS 45.1}[11]
§30
The temptation may come to you to invest your money in land. Perhaps your friends will advise you to do this. But is there not a better way of investing your means? Have you not been bought with a price? Has not your money been entrusted to you to be traded upon for Him? Can you not see that He wants you to use your means in helping to build meeting- houses, in helping to establish sanitariums, where the sick shall receive physical and spiritual healing, and in helping to start schools, in which the youth shall be trained for service, that workers may be sent to all parts of the world? {CS 45.1}[11]
§31
上帝亲自制定推进祂圣工的计划。祂提供祂的子民足够的金钱，以便他们在祂呼召帮助时能乐意地响应。如果他们能忠心地把借给他们的财物归还祂的库房，祂的工作就会迅速地发展。更多的生灵就会接受真理。基督复临的日子就会加快。（《评论与通讯》1904年7月14日）{CS 45.2}[12]
§32
God Himself originates the plans for the advancement of His work, and He has provided His people with a surplus of means, that when He calls for help, they may cheerfully respond. If they will be faithful in bringing to His treasury the means lent them, His work will make rapid advancement. Many souls will be won to the truth, and the day of Christs coming will be hastened.--R. & H., July 14, 1904. {CS 45.2}[12]