第11章 变卖住宅和产业
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第11章 变卖住宅和产业
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Chap. 11 - Selling Homes and Property
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上帝呼召凡有地产房屋的人将产业出卖，来投资供给远方布道区域的大需要。一旦他们从这种行动上得到了真正满足的经验之后，就要保持此路畅通，而主委托他们的钱财也要源源流入库房，使许多人可以悔改。这些悔改的人也要挨次地为基督的缘故实行克己，节约，和简朴，亦可向上帝捐献资财。藉着聪明投资的这些银子，更有许多别的人也可悔改；这样，工作便长此前进，显明了感激上帝百般恩赐的心。于是施舍之主得了承认，也因祂管家的忠心有荣耀归给祂。{CS 58.1}[1]
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God calls upon those who have possessions in lands and houses, to sell, and to invest the money where it will be supplying the great want in the missionary field. When once they have experienced the real satisfaction that comes from thus doing, they will keep the channel open, and the means the Lord entrusts to them will be constantly flowing into the treasury, that souls may be converted. These souls will, in their turn, practice the same self-denial, economy, and simplicity, for Christs sake, that they, too, may bring their offerings to God. Through these talents, wisely invested, still other souls may be converted; and thus the work goes on, showing that the gifts of God are appreciated. The Giver is acknowledged, and glory redounds to Him through the faithfulness of His stewards. {CS 58.1}[1]
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当我们为上帝的圣工提出了恳切的请求，说明我们各地教会的经济需要之时，凡相信真理而衷心正直的人，必然深受感动。像基督所称赞的那个穷寡妇把两个小钱投入库中一样，他们也要奉献，虽在穷困之中，亦必竭其所能。这等人往往刻苦了自己，甚至把生活上明明需要的钱都献出；可是同时却另有一些男女，拥有房屋地产，却自私地坚执自己属世的财宝，对于信息及上帝没有足够的信心，不肯将他们的钱财投于主的工作上。对这最后一等的人，基督的话尤其切合：“你们要变卖所有的，周济穷人”（路12:33）。{CS 58.2}[2]
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When we make these earnest appeals in behalf of the cause of God, and present the financial wants of our missions, conscientious souls who believe the truth are deeply stirred. Like the poor widow, whom Christ commended, who gave her two mites into the treasury, they give, in their poverty, to the utmost of their ability. Such often deprive themselves even of the apparent necessities of life; while there are men and women who, possessing houses and lands, cling to their earthly treasure with selfish tenacity, and do not have faith enough in the message and in God to put their means into His work. To these last are especially applicable the words of Christ, Sell that ye have, and give alms. {CS 58.2}[2]
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【期待个别的指导】
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有些穷苦的男女写信向我请教，是否要变卖房屋，捐款给教会。他们说捐款的请求感动了他们的心，他们要为那赏赐百物之主有所贡献。我愿对这等人说：“眼前你们的本分也许还不必把你们的小房屋变卖；但你们应当亲自向上帝求教；主必垂听你们迫切的祈祷，赐你们智慧可明白自己的本分。”（《证言》卷五第733,734页）{CS 59.1}[3]
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【Expect Individual Guidance】
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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. --5T 733, 734. {CS 59.1}[3]
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【财产是减少而不是增多】
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现今是我们的弟兄们应减少财产而非增多之时。我们快要迁居到一个更美的，就是在天上的家乡。因此，我们不要作久居世上的人，乃要压缩行李，愈简便愈好。{CS 59.2}[4]
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【Possessions to Decrease Rather Than Increase】
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It is now that our brethren should be cutting down their possessions instead of increasing them. We are about to move to a better country, even a heavenly. Then let us not be dwellers upon the earth, but be getting things into as compact a compass as possible. {CS 59.2}[4]
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时候将到，届时我们的东西无论以什么价钱也卖不出去了。命令快要发出，除了那有兽印记的人之外，谁也不能作买卖了。（《证言》卷五第152页）{CS 59.3}[5]
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The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save he that hath the mark of the beast.--5T 152. {CS 59.3}[5]
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【为艰难的时期作准备】
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在大艰难时期，房屋和地产对圣徒再没有一点用处，因为那时他们必须在疯狂的暴徒面前逃跑，那时他们也无法变卖财产来推进现代真理的事业。我蒙指示，上帝的旨意乃是要众圣徒在大艰难时期来到之前摆脱一切缠累，并藉着祭物与上帝立约。如果他们将自己的财产放在祭坛上，并恳切祈求上帝指明他们的本分，祂就必教训他们什么时候将这些东西变卖掉。这样他们就可以在大艰难时期轻省自由，不受一点缠累。{CS 59.4}[6]
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【Preparation for Time of Trouble】
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Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time of trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs, and at that time their possessions cannot be disposed of to advance the cause of present truth. I was shown that it is the will of God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance before the time of trouble comes, and make a covenant with God through sacrifice. If they have their property on the altar, and earnestly inquire of God for duty, He will teach them when to dispose of these things. Then they will be free in the time of trouble, and have no clogs to weigh them down. {CS 59.4}[6]
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我看到，如果任何人保留自己的财产，而不请求主指明他们的本分，祂就不会向他们指明他们的本分，却要任凭他们保留自己的财产，到了大艰难时期这财产便要像一座山似的压在他们身上，那时他们想要变卖，却是不能。我听到一些人这样哀哭：“圣工日趋衰弱，上帝的百姓饥渴寻求真理，我们却没有作一点努力来弥补这种缺乏；现在我们的财产已经一钱不值了。哦，唯愿我们曾放弃这一切而将财宝积攒在天上！” {CS 60.1}[7]
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I saw that if any held on to their property, and did not inquire of the Lord as to their duty, He would not make duty known, and they would be permitted to keep their property, and in the time of trouble it would come up before them like a mountain to crush them, and they would try to dispose of it, but would not be able. I heard some mourn like this: The cause was languishing, Gods people were starving for the truth, and we made no effort to supply the lack; now our property is useless. O that we had let it go, and laid up treasure in heaven! {CS 60.1}[7]
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我看明，一次奉献是不会越用越多的，而是越用越少，直到完全耗尽。我也看到，上帝并没有叫祂的百姓都同时变卖他们的财产；但如果他们乐意受教，祂就必在有需要的时候指示他们变卖财产的时机和数量。过去上帝曾指示人变卖他们的财产来维持复临运动的圣工，而容许其他人保留他们的财产，等到有需要的时候。及至圣工有了需要，他们的本分就是变卖。（《早期著作》56,57页）{CS 60.2}[8]
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I saw that a sacrifice did not increase, but it decreased and was consumed. I also saw that God had not required all of His people to dispose of their property at the same time, but if they desired to be taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to sell and how much to sell. Some have been required to dispose of their property in times past to sustain the advent cause, while others have been permitted to keep theirs until a time of need. Then, as the cause needs it, their duty is to sell.--EW 56, 57. {CS 60.2}[8]
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【不与世界拴在一起】
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上帝的工作将日益扩大，祂的子民若肯顺从祂的劝勉，就不多留财产给末日的大火焚烧。大家都将积蓄财宝在那没有虫蛀和不能锈坏的地方；而且他们的心也不至与这世界拴在一起了。（《证言》卷一第197页）{CS 60.3}[9]
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【No Cord to Bind to Earth】
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The work of God is to become more extensive, and if His people follow His counsel, there will not be much means in their possession to be consumed in the final conflagration. All will have laid up their treasure where moth and rust cannot corrupt; and the heart will not have a cord to bind it to earth.--1T 197. {CS 60.3}[9]