第13章 建立在永恒原则之上
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第13章 建立在永恒原则之上
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Chap. 13 - Founded Upon Eternal Principles
§3
什一制之由来，远在摩西时代之前。在明确的制度授于摩西之前，甚至远及亚当的日子，人就已奉命要献礼物给上帝，以作宗教之用途了。他们履行上帝的要求，藉着供物来表明感谢祂施恩赐福之心。此事世世相传，亚伯拉罕也曾奉行。他献十分之一给至高上帝的祭司麦基洗德。{CS 69.1}[1]
§4
The tithing system reaches back beyond the days of Moses. Men were required to offer to God gifts for religious purposes before the definite system was given to Moses, even as far back as the days of Adam. In complying with Gods requirements, they were to manifest in offerings their appreciation of His mercies and blessings to them. This was continued through successive generations, and was carried out by Abraham, who gave tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God. {CS 69.1}[1]
§5
这同一原则也存在于约伯的时代。当雅各在伯特利之时，逃亡流浪，赤贫如洗，夜间孤独凄凉，以石为枕，他向主应许说：“凡祢所赐给我的，我必将十分之一献给祢”（创28:22）。上帝不强迫人捐献，人的一切捐献都应出于自愿。祂不希望自己的库房中，充满那不甘心的奉献。（《证言》卷三第393页）{CS 69.2}[2]
§6
The same principle existed in the days of Job. Jacob, when at Bethel, an exile and penniless wanderer, lay down at night, solitary and alone, with a rock for his pillow, and there promised the Lord, Of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee. God does not compel men to give. All that they give must be voluntary. He will not have His treasury replenished with unwilling offerings.-- 3T 393. {CS 69.2}[2]
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【保罗赞成这个计划】
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保罗在致哥林多教会的第一封书信中，教导信徒关于维持上帝在地上圣工的一些总的原则。他论到自己以使徒的身份为他们所作的工作说： {CS 69.3}[3]
§9
【Pauls Recognition of the System】
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In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul gave the believers instruction regarding the general principles underlying the support of Gods work in the earth. Writing of his apostolic labors in their behalf, he inquired: {CS 69.3}[3]
§11
“有谁当兵自备粮饷呢？有谁栽葡萄园不吃园里的果子呢？有谁牧养牛羊不吃牛羊的奶呢？我说这话，岂是照人的意见？律法不也是这样说吗？就如摩西的律法记着说：‘牛在场上踹谷的时候，不可笼住它的嘴。’难道上帝所挂念的是牛吗？不全是为我们说的吗？分明是为我们说的。因为耕种的当存着指望去耕种，打场的也当存得粮的指望去打场。”{CS 69.4}[4]
§12
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? or saith He it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. {CS 69.4}[4]
§13
使徒进一步发问说：“我们若把属灵的种子撒在你们中间，就是从你们收割奉养肉身之物，这还算大事吗？若别人在你们身上有这权柄，何况我们呢？然而，我们没有用过这权柄，倒凡事忍受，免得基督的福音被阻隔。你们岂不知为圣事劳碌的，就吃殿中的物吗？伺候祭坛的，就分领坛上的物吗？主也是这样命定，叫传福音的靠着福音养生”（林前9:7-14）。{CS 70.1}[5]
§14
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, the apostle further inquired, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:7-14. {CS 70.1}[5]
§15
使徒在这里提到上帝所规定来维持那些在圣殿里服务的祭司的计划。那些分别为圣担任这工作的人受到弟兄们的供给，而他们则以属灵的恩惠分给弟兄。“那得祭司职任的利未子孙，领命照例向百姓取十分之一”（来7:5）。上帝曾拣选利未支派担任有关圣殿和祭司工作的神圣职分。圣经论到祭司说：“耶和华你的上帝……将他拣选出来，……奉耶和华的名侍立侍奉”（申18:5）。上帝向人要一切收获的十分之一为祂自己的一份。……{CS 70.2}[6]
§16
The apostle here referred to the Lords plan for the maintenance of the priests who ministered in the temple. Those who were set apart to this holy office were supported by their brethren, to whom they ministered spiritual blessings. Verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law. Hebrews 7:5. The tribe of Levi was chosen by the Lord for the sacred offices pertaining to the temple and the priesthood. Of the priest it was said, The Lord thy God hath chosen him ... to stand to minister in the name of the Lord. Deuteronomy 18:5. One tenth of all the increase was claimed by the Lord as His own. . . . {CS 70.2}[6]
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保罗说：“主也是这样命定，叫传福音的靠着福音养生”，就是指着这个供养传道人的什一制讲的。使徒后来写信给提摩太时又说：“工人得工价是应当的”（提前5:18）。（《使徒行述》335-336页）{CS 70.3}[7]
§18
It was to this plan for the support of the ministry that Paul referred when he said, Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. And later, in writing to Timothy, the apostle said, The laborer is worthy of his reward. 1 Timothy 5:18.--AA 335, 336. {CS 70.3}[7]
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【上帝对我们的要求】
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上帝对于我们和我们的一切财产都有要求。祂的要求是最重要的。为了表示承认这项要求，祂吩咐我们把祂所赐的一切财产奉献一部分给祂。十分之一就是指定的部分。从最早的时候起就已经遵照祂的指示，规定这一部分给祂了。……{CS 71.1}[8]
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【Gods Claim Upon Us】
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God has a claim on us and all that we have. His claim is paramount to every other. And in acknowledgment of this claim, He bids us render to Him a fixed proportion of all that He gives us. The tithe is this specified portion. By the Lords direction it was consecrated to Him in the earliest times. . . . {CS 71.1}[8]
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上帝把以色列人从埃及拯救出来，作祂自己的子民时，就教导他们奉献财产的十分之一来维持圣所的崇事。这是一项特别的奉献，为了特别的工作。其实他们剩下的财产也都是上帝的，要为荣耀祂而用。但是十分之一分别出来，是用来供养圣所的工作人员。这是从一切收获初熟的果子中抽出来的，与捐款和礼物一起奉献，如此就为当时的福音工作提供了充足的资财。{CS 71.2}[9]
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When God delivered Israel from Egypt to be a special treasure unto Himself, He taught them to devote a tithe of their possessions to the service of the tabernacle. This was a special offering, for a special work. All that remained of their property was Gods, and was to be used to His glory. But the tithe was set apart for the support of those who ministered in the sanctuary. It was to be given from the first fruits of all the increase, and, with gifts and offerings, it provided ample means for supporting the ministry of the gospel for that time. {CS 71.2}[9]
§25
上帝对我们的要求，并不亚于古时对祂子民的要求。祂给我们的恩赐也不少于给昔日以色列人的，反而更多。祂的工作时常需要金钱，以后依然需要。伟大的救灵布道工作必须推进。藉着十分之一、礼物和捐款，上帝为这项工作做了充分的准备。祂希望传福音的工作获得充足的支援。祂宣布十分之一是属于祂的，应时常被视为神圣的储备，为了圣工的利益而存放于祂的仓库，用来推进祂的工作，派遣祂的使者到远方去，直至天涯海角。{CS 71.3}[10]
§26
God requires no less of us than He required of His people anciently. His gifts to us are not less, but greater, than they were to Israel of old. His service requires, and ever will require, means. The great missionary work for the salvation of souls is to be carried forward. In the tithe, with gifts and offerings, God has made ample provision for this work. He intends that the ministry of the gospel shall be fully sustained. He claims the tithe as His own, and it should ever be regarded as a sacred reserve, to be placed in His treasury for the benefit of His cause, for the advancement of His work, for sending His messengers into regions beyond, even to the uttermost parts of the earth. {CS 71.3}[10]
§27
上帝按手在万物之上，包括人和他的财产，因这一切都是属于祂的。祂说：我是世界的主宰；宇宙是我的。我要你奉献初熟的果子为我服务。这些全是因我的赐福才落到你手中。上帝的话宣布：“你要从你庄稼中的谷……拿来献上，不可迟延”（出22:29）。“你要以财物和一切初熟的土产，尊荣耶和华”（箴3:9）。祂所要求的这项奉献，乃是我们忠于祂的标志。{CS 72.1}[11]
§28
God has laid His hand upon all things, both man and his possessions; for all belong to Him. He says, I am the owner of the world; the universe is Mine, and I require you to consecrate to My service the first fruits of all that I, through My blessing, have caused to come into your hands. Gods word declares, Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits. Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase. This tribute He demands as a token of our loyalty to Him. {CS 72.1}[11]
§29
我们属于上帝，是祂的儿女。这是因着创造和祂所赐独生子的救赎。“你们不是自己的人，因为你们是重价买来的，所以要在你们的身子上荣耀上帝”（林前6:19,20）。我们的思想、心灵、意志和情感都属于上帝；所经手的钱财也是祂的。我们领受和享用的一切福气，都出于上帝恩慈。上帝是各样美好事物的丰富赐予者。祂希望领受的人承认每一项供应身体和心灵需要的恩赐。上帝只要属于祂自己的第一份，因为这原是属于祂的，必须作为祂所委托的财富来使用。一颗除去自私的心，将会领悟上帝的良善和慈爱，并由衷地承认和履行祂公义的要求。（《评论与通讯》1896年12月8日）{CS 72.2}[12]
§30
We belong to God; we are His sons and daughters, --His by creation, and His by the gift of His only-begotten Son for our redemption. Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods. The mind, the heart, the will, and the affections belong to God; the money that we handle is the Lords. Every good that we receive and enjoy is the result of divine benevolence. God is the bountiful giver of all good, and He desires that there shall be an acknowledgment, on the part of the receiver, of these gifts that provide for every necessity of the body and the soul. God demands only His own. The primary portion is the Lords, and must be used as His entrusted treasure. The heart that is divested of selfishness will awaken to a sense of Gods goodness and love, and be moved to a hearty acknowledgment of His righteous requirements. --R. & H., Dec. 8, 1896. {CS 72.2}[12]