第20章 觉醒良知的反应
§1
第20章 觉醒良知的反应
§2
Chap. 20 - The Response of an Aroused Conscience
§3
某教会的特别聚会，导致了在属灵、敬虔、慈善和活跃方面的明显进步。会上宣讲了在十分之一和捐款上抢夺上帝之物的罪。……{CS 95.1}[1]
§4
A decided advancement in spirituality, piety, charity, and activity, has been made as the result of the special meetings in the--church. Discourses were preached on the sin of robbing God in tithes and offerings. . . . {CS 95.1}[1]
§5
许多人承认自己多年没有缴纳十分之一了。我们知道上帝不会赐福给抢夺祂的人。教会要被信徒个人犯罪的后果所连累。我们教会的名册上，记着大批信徒的名字。他们如果能全部迅速地向上帝诚实缴纳原属于祂的十分之一，祂的府库就不会缺钱了。……{CS 95.2}[2]
§6
Many confessed that they had not paid tithes for years; and we know that God cannot bless those who are robbing Him, and that the church must suffer in consequence of the sins of its individual members. There are a large number of names on our church books; and if all would be prompt in paying an honest tithe to the Lord, which is His portion, the treasury would not lack for means. . . . {CS 95.2}[2]
§7
抢夺上帝的罪既然提了出来，信徒们就更加清楚地看出他们在这件事上的责任和特权。一位弟兄说，他已经有两年没有缴纳十分之一了，因此他很失望。但他承认了自己的罪之后，就重新有了希望。他问道：“我该怎样做呢？” {CS 95.3}[3]
§8
As the sin of robbing God was presented, the people received clearer views of their duty and privilege in this matter. One brother said that for two years he had not paid his tithes, and he was in despair; but as he confessed his sin, he began to gather hope. What shall I do? he asked. {CS 95.3}[3]
§9
我说：“打一张欠条给教会的司库，公事公办。” {CS 95.4}[4]
§10
I said, Give your note to the treasurer of the church; that will be businesslike. {CS 95.4}[4]
§11
起先他觉得这个要求很奇怪。但他坐了下来，开始写道：“为了所得到的财富，我承诺捐献……”他抬头一望，似乎在说，这张欠条写给上帝合适吗？{CS 95.5}[5]
§12
He thought that was a rather strange request; but he sat down, and began to write, For value received, I promise to pay-- He looked up, as if to say, Is that the proper form in which to write out a note to the Lord? {CS 95.5}[5]
§13
他继续写道：“是的，为了所得到的财富。难道我没有每天领受上帝的福惠吗？难道没有天使保护我吗？难道上帝没有赐给我属灵和属世的福气吗？为了所得到的财富，我承诺捐献五百七十一元五角给教会司库。”他尽了自己的本分之后，就成为一个快乐之人。过了几天，他拿回这张欠条，把十分之一交到库里，还交了一百二十五元圣诞捐款。{CS 95.6}[6]
§14
Yes, he continued, for value received. Have I not been receiving the blessings of God day after day? Have not the angels guarded me? Has not the Lord blessed me with all spiritual and temporal blessings? For value received, I promise to pay the sum of $571.50 to the church treasurer. After doing all he could do on his part, he was a happy man. In a few days he took up his note, and paid his tithe into the treasury. He had also made a Christmas donation of $125. {CS 95.6}[6]
§15
还有一位弟兄写了一张一千元的欠条，承诺在数周内付清。另有一位写了三百元。（《评论与通讯》1889年2月19日）[7]
§16
Another brother gave a note for $1,000, expecting to meet it in a few weeks; and another gave a note for $300.--R. & H., Feb. 19, 1889. {CS 96.1}[7]
§17
【未付的十分之一是上帝的资产】
§18
许多人长期忽略了忠心地对待他们的创造主。他们没有每周把十分之一分别出来，以致积少成多，现在很不愿意纠正错误。他们把未付的十分之一留作己用。其实这是上帝的资产，只是他们拒绝送入祂的府库罢了。（《评论与通讯》1890年12月23日）{CS 96.1}[8]
§19
【The Back Tithe is Gods Property】
§20
Many have long neglected to deal honestly with their Maker. Failing to lay aside the tithe weekly, they have let it accumulate, until it amounts to a large sum, and now they are very reluctant to make the matter right. This back tithe they keep, using it as their own. But it is Gods property, which they have refused to put into His treasury.--R. & H., Dec. 23, 1890. {CS 96.2}[8]
§21
【粗心大意的人要修复他们的声誉】
§22
那些粗心大意，扣留十分之一和乐意捐的人，要记住自己阻塞了道路，使真理不能传入更远的地区。我蒙指示呼吁上帝的子民忠心地向上帝缴纳十分之一，以修复他们的声誉。（《文稿》1905年第44号）{CS 96.2}[9]
§23
【The Careless and Indifferent to Redeem Their Honor】
§24
Let those who have become careless and indifferent, and are withholding their tithes and offerings, remember that they are blocking the way, so that the truth cannot go forth to the regions beyond. I am bidden to call upon the people of God to redeem their honor by rendering to God a faithful tithe.--MS 44, 1905. {CS 96.3}[9]
§25
【按字据付款】
§26
星期五上午，我讲论十分之一的题目。这个题目已很久没有正确地向教会提出了。由于疏忽，加上经济萧条，过去一年的十分之一明显下降。在这次会议上，这个题目一再提出来认真讨论。……{CS 96.3}[10]
§27
【Payment by Note】
§28
Friday morning I spoke on the subject of tithing. This subject has not been presented to the churches as it should have been, and the neglect, together with financial depression, has caused a marked falling off in the tithes the past year. At this conference the subject has been carefully canvassed in meeting after meeting. . . . {CS 96.4}[10]
§29
一位仪态高贵的弟兄是塔斯马尼亚的代表。他过来对我说：“今天很高兴听到你讲论十分之一，从前我不知道这件事如此重要。我不再忽略了。”他统计了过去二十年的十分之一，说要尽早偿还，因为他不能让抢夺上帝之物的罪留在天上的册子中，直到审判之日。{CS 96.4}[11]
§30
One brother, a noble-looking man, a delegate from Tasmania, came to me and said, I am glad I heard you speak today upon tithing. I did not know it was so important a matter. I dare not neglect it longer. He is now figuring up the amount of his tithe for the last twenty years, and says he shall pay it all as fast as he is able, for he cannot have robbery of God registered in the books of heaven meet him in the judgment. {CS 96.5}[11]
§31
一位来自墨尔本教会的姊妹，带来了十一镑（五十四美元）欠交的十分之一。她一直不知道这笔款是要缴纳的。他们一接受了亮光，就承认亏欠了上帝，并表示决心偿还。……我建议他们把应许付款的字据交给司库，待手头一有钱，就立刻忠心地缴纳全额的十分之一。许多人点头同意。我确信明年教会的库房，就不会象现在这样空虚了。（《文稿》1893年第4号）{CS 97.1}[12]
§32
One sister belonging to the Melbourne church, has brought in eleven pounds [$54] back tithe which she had not understood that it devolved on her to pay. As they have received the light, many have made confession in regard to their indebtedness to God, and expressed their determination to meet this debt. . . . I proposed that they place in the treasury their note promising to pay the full amount of an honest tithe as soon as they could obtain the money to do so. Many heads bowed assent, and I am confident that next year we shall not, as now, have an empty treasury.--MS 4, 1893. {CS 97.1}[12]
§33
【想到扣留的十分之一就脸色苍白】
§34
许许多多的人丧失了克己牺牲的精神，把金钱埋藏在属世的事物中。有些人曾蒙上帝赐福的。祂要试验他们，看看他们如何回应祂的福惠。他们扣留了十分之一和捐款，直至欠万军之耶和华越来越多，每逢想到要归还上帝之物──公平的十分之一时，就脸色苍白。要赶紧，弟兄们，现在是你们对上帝表现诚实的机会，决不要拖延。（《总会公报》1893年2月28日）{CS 97.2}[13]
§35
【Pale at Thought of Withheld Tithe】
§36
Many, many have lost the spirit of self-denial and sacrifice. They have been burying their money in temporal possessions. There are men whom God has blessed, whom He is testing to see what response they will make to His benefits. They have withheld their tithes and offerings until their debt to the Lord God of hosts has become so great that they grow pale at the thought of rendering to the Lord His own,--a just tithe. Make haste, brethren, you have now the opportunity to be honest with God; delay not.--Gen. Conf. Daily Bulletin, Feb. 28, 1893. {CS 97.2}[13]
§37
【面对新年】
§38
你是怎样的管家呢？在过去的年月中，你有没有在十分之一和捐款上抢夺上帝？看看你满满的谷仓和盛载上帝所赐美物的地窖，然后问问你自己：有没有把属于那赐予者的物归还给祂呢？你如果抢夺了上帝，就当赔偿。要尽量纠正过去的错误，然后求救主饶恕你。你难道不想趁着这一年的时光及其沉重的记录消逝在永恒中之前，把上帝之物归还祂吗？（《评论与通讯》1902年12月23日）{CS 97.3}[14]
§39
【Facing the New Year】
§40
What of your stewardship? Have you during the past year robbed God in tithes and offerings? Look at your well-filled barns, at your cellars stored with the good things the Lord has given you, and ask yourselves whether you have returned to the Giver that which belongs to Him. If you have robbed the Lord, make restitution. As far as possible, make the past right, and then ask the Saviour to pardon you. Will you not return to the Lord His own, before this year, with its burden of record, has passed into eternity?-- R. & H., Dec. 23, 1902. {CS 97.3}[14]
§41
【以痛悔之心偿还】
§42
你无论在何处忽略了归还上帝之物的本分，都当悔悟和赔偿，免得祂的咒诅落在你身上。……你既已竭力而行，没有扣留属于创造主之物，就可以求祂提供钱财，把真理的信息传给世界。（《评论与通讯》1885年1月20日）{CS 98.1}[15]
§43
【Restitution With Contrition】
§44
Wherever there has been any neglect on your part to give back to the Lord His own, repent with contrition of soul, and make restitution, lest His curse rest upon you. . . . When you have done what you can on your part, withholding nothing that belongs to your Maker, you may ask Him to provide means to send the message of truth to the world.--R. & H., Jan. 20, 1885. {CS 98.1}[15]
§45
【雅各的忠心】
§46
雅各受了恩典之露的滋润，精神焕发，又因上帝的在场及保证，而蓬勃有生气，便许下了愿（创28:20-22）。及至上帝的荣耀退去，他又遇到了试探，正如现今的人一样；然而他却忠于所许的愿，不愿怀有可能不必还愿的想法。他尽可以象现今的人一样辩解说，这番启示不过是一场梦而己，他许愿时过分奋兴了，因此，可以不必拘守；然而他并没有这样行。{CS 98.2}[16]
§47
【Jacobs Fidelity】
§48
Jacob made his vow [Genesis 28:20-22] while refreshed by the dews of grace, and invigorated by the presence and assurance of God. After the divine glory had passed away, he had temptations, like men in our time; but he was faithful to his vow, and would not harbor thoughts as to the possibility of being released from the pledge which he had made. He might have reasoned much as men do now, that this revelation was only a dream, that he was unduly excited when he made his vow, and that therefore it need not be kept; but he did not. {CS 98.2}[16]
§49
此后相隔多年，雅各才敢回归本乡；但他回去后忠心还了他欠主的债。他此时已成富翁，他从自己的财产中，提出一大份来，献入主的库中。{CS 98.3}[17]
§50
Long years intervened before Jacob dared to return to his own country; but when he did, he faithfully discharged his debt to his Master. He had become a wealthy man, and a very large amount of property passed from his possessions to the treasury of the Lord. {CS 98.3}[17]
§51
现今许多人在雅各取得成功的事上失败了。那些蒙上帝赐予极大财富的人，因为必须按比例捐献自己的财产，便有极强的倾向，想要保存自己所有的。雅各从一切的财产中，抽出十分之一来，然后又将自己在外邦之地无法还愿之时，借用此十分之一而生的利益，也奉还给主。这一笔款项，确实很可观，但他却毫不犹豫；他认为已经许愿给上帝的，是属于上帝的，不是属于自己的。{CS 99.1}[18]
§52
Many in our day fail where Jacob made a success. Those to whom God has given the greatest amount have the strongest inclination to retain what they have, because they must give a sum proportionate to their property. Jacob gave the tenth of all that he had, and then reckoned the use of the tenth, and gave the Lord the benefit of that which he had used for his own interest during the time he was in a heathen land, and could not pay his vow. This was a large amount, but he did not hesitate; that which he had vowed to God he did not regard as his, but as the Lords. {CS 99.1}[18]
§53
上帝赐给我们多少，就要求多少。人受托的资本越多，上帝所要求归还祂的礼物也就越贵重。如果一个基督徒有一两万块钱，上帝必要向他要求，他不但应照十分之一的制度向上帝捐献，也应当献奉赎罪祭和感恩祭。（《证言》卷四第466,467页）{CS 99.2}[19]
§54
According to the amount bestowed will be the amount required. The larger the capital entrusted, the more valuable is the gift which God requires to be returned to Him. If a Christian has ten or twenty thousand dollars, Gods claims are imperative upon him, not only to give his proportion according to the tithing system, but to present his sin offerings and thank offerings to God.--4T 466, 467. {CS 99.2}[19]
§55
【祷告不能取代十分之一】
§56
祷告的目的不是要让上帝作什么改变，而是要使我们与祂和谐。上帝接纳我们经常献上的恳切祷告。但祷告不能代替我们所当纳的十分之一，也不能偿付我们欠上帝的债。（《给青年人的信息》248页）{CS 99.3}[20]
§57
【Prayer Not a Substitute for Tithing】
§58
Prayer is not intended to work any change in God; it brings us into harmony with God. It does not take the place of duty. Prayer offered ever so often and ever so earnestly will never be accepted by God in the place of our tithe. Prayer will not pay our debts to God.--MYP 248. {CS 99.3}[20]
§59
【趁着为时未晚】
§60
再过不久，宽容的时期就要结束。你如果现在没有忠诚地侍奉上帝，将来如何面对这些不忠心行为的记录呢？有一项呼召即将发出，要结清账目。你会被问到：“你欠我主人多少？”你如果没有对上帝效忠，我劝你考虑你的欠缺，并设法补救。倘若不能，就当以谦卑悔罪之心，祈求上帝因基督的缘故，赦免你所负的巨债。从现在就开始基督徒的行动吧。不要寻找借口来逃避归还上帝之物。当趁着恩典亲切的呼唤尚可听闻，趁着为时未晚，尚来得及纠正错误，趁着邀请尚未收回之时，你若听祂的话，就不可硬着心。（《评论与通讯》增刊1896年12月1日）{CS 99.4}[21]
§61
【Before It Is Too Late】
§62
It will not be long before probation will close. If you do not now serve the Lord with fidelity, how will you meet the record of your unfaithful dealing? Not long hence, a call will be made for a settlement of accounts, and you will be asked, How much owest thou unto my Lord? If you have refused to deal honestly with God, I beseech you to think of your deficiency, and if possible to make restitution. If this cannot be done, in humble penitence pray that God for Christs sake will pardon your great debt. Begin now to act like Christians. Make no excuse for failing to give the Lord His own. Now, while mercys sweet voice is still heard, while it is not yet too late for wrongs to be righted, while it is called today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.--R. & H. Supplement, Dec. 1, 1896. {CS 99.4}[21]