第28章 财富是主的托付
§1
第28章 财富是主的托付
§2
Chap. 28 - Wealth an Entrusted Talent
§3
基督徒不要轻视财富，而应将之视为上帝的托付。他们如果智慧地运用祂的恩赐，就能获得永恒的利益，但要记住；上帝赐给我们财富，不可随自己的想象花费、放纵欲望、随意使用或扣留。我们不应自私地使用钱财，专供个人享受。这样做既亏负上帝，也亏负同胞。最后只能带来困惑和苦恼。……{CS 133.1}[1]
§4
The followers of Christ are not to despise wealth; they are to look upon wealth as the Lords entrusted talent. By a wise use of His gifts, they may be eternally benefited, but we are to bear the fact in mind that God has not given us riches to use just as we shall fancy, to indulge impulse, to bestow or withhold as we shall please. We are not to use riches in a selfish way, devoting them simply to our own enjoyment. This course would not be doing right toward God or toward our fellow men, and would bring at last only perplexity and trouble. . . . {CS 133.1}[1]
§5
世人都喜爱钱财，视之比安贫乐道更有价值。可是富人正在按照他们使用受托财富的方式，发展他们的品格。他们正在表明，把永恒的财富托付他们是否安全。穷人和富人都在决定自己永恒的命运，证明他们是否适合在光明中承受圣徒的基业。那些在世上将钱财用于自私用途上的人，是在显露他们品格的性质：表明如果他们拥有更大的利益，以及上帝国中不朽的财宝，他们会怎样做。地上所实行的自私原则，不会在天上盛行。所有的人在天上都是平等的。……{CS 133.2}[2]
§6
The world favors the rich, and looks upon them as of greater value than the honest poor man; but the rich are developing their characters after the manner in which they use their entrusted gifts. They are making manifest whether or not it will be safe to trust them with eternal riches. Both the poor and the rich are deciding their own eternal destiny and proving whether they are fit subjects for the inheritance of the saints in light. Those who put their riches to a selfish use in this world are revealing attributes of character that show what they would do if they had greater advantages, and possessed the imperishable treasures of the kingdom of God. The selfish principles exercised on the earth are not the principles which will prevail in heaven. All men stand on an equality in heaven. . . . {CS 133.2}[2]
§7
财富为何被称为不义的钱财呢？因为撒但利用地上的财宝陷害、欺骗和迷惑人、造成他们的毁灭。上帝已经赐下指示，教导他们如何使用祂的货财去帮助受苦的人，推进祂的圣工，建造祂在地上的国度，差派传道士到更远方去，把基督的知识传到世界各地。上帝所委托的钱财如果不这样使用，祂难道不会进行追究吗？生灵被撇在他们的罪中灭亡，可是自称为基督徒的人却用上帝委托的神圣财物来满足不圣洁的欲望，放纵自我。{CS 133.3}[3]
§8
Why is it that riches are called unrighteous mammon? --It is because Satan uses worldly treasure to ensnare, deceive, and delude souls, to accomplish their ruin. God has given directions as to how they are to appropriate His goods in relieving the wants of suffering humanity, in advancing His cause, in building up His kingdom in the world, in sending missionaries into regions beyond, in disseminating the knowledge of Christ in all parts of the world. If the God-entrusted means are not thus applied, will not God surely judge for these things? Souls are left to perish in their sins while church members who claim to be Christians are using Gods sacred trust of means in gratifying unholy appetites, in indulging self. {CS 133.3}[3]
§9
【钱财如何浪费】
§10
上帝所委托的资本，竟大量浪费在购买香烟、啤酒和烈酒上！上帝禁止这一切放纵，因它们会摧毁人体组织。他们的放任牺牲了健康，生命本身则被献在撒但的坛上。扭曲的食欲使脑力衰弱，以致无法敏锐清晰地思考，想不出种种在世俗的事上成功的计划；在宗教事务上，就更不能运用有修养的理智了。他们无法认明神圣和永恒的事物比世俗短暂的事重要。{CS 134.1}[4]
§11
【How Means is Squandered】
§12
What a vast amount of Gods entrusted capital is expended in purchasing tobacco, beer, and liquor! God has forbidden all these indulgences because they tear down the human structure. Through their indulgence health is sacrificed, and life itself is offered on Satans shrine. Perverted appetite causes the brain to become enfeebled, so that men cannot think sharply and clearly, and devise plans that will succeed in temporal matters; and much less can they bring a cultivated intellect into their religious transactions. They are unable to discern sacred and eternal things above those which are common and temporal. {CS 134.1}[4]
§13
撒但想出了许多方法来浪费上帝所赐的金钱。打牌、赌博、赛马和戏剧表演都是他发明的。他引人醉心于这些娱乐，似乎他们正在争取永生的宝贵财富。人们花费大笔的金钱，参与这些被禁止的娱乐。结果上帝所赐的能力，就是祂爱子的宝血所赎来的能力退化堕落了。上帝所赐给人的体力、道德力和智力，原是属于基督的，却热心地用来侍奉撒但，令人转离公义和圣洁。{CS 134.2}[5]
§14
Satan has invented many ways in which to squander the means which God has given. Card playing, betting, gambling, horse racing, and theatrical performances are all of his own inventing, and he has led men to carry forward these amusements as zealously as though they were winning for themselves the precious boon of eternal life. Men lay out immense sums in following these forbidden pleasures; and the result is, their God-given power, which has been purchased by the blood of the Son of God, is degraded and corrupted. The physical, moral, and mental powers which are given to men of God, and which belong to Christ, are zealously used in serving Satan, and in turning men from righteousness and holiness. {CS 134.2}[5]
§15
凡能使人心转离高贵和纯洁事物的东西，都发明出来了，几乎到了极限。地上的居民将象洪水之前世上的居民一样败坏。……{CS 135.1}[6]
§16
Everything is devised that can possibly turn the mind from that which is noble and pure, and the boundary line is almost reached when the inhabitants of the earth will be as corrupt as were the inhabitants of the world before the flood. . . . {CS 135.1}[6]
§17
【如同挪亚的日子】
§18
我们如果回顾洪水以前的日子，再关注今日社会的习惯和行为，就会发现地球很快就会招惹末日的灾难。人类因犯罪的行为而败坏了地球。撒但正在攫取人的灵魂。遵行基督真道的人，发现自己必须经常儆醒祷告，才不至被诱入试探。{CS 135.2}[7]
§19
【As in the Days of Noah】
§20
If we look at the picture of the days that were before the flood, and then turn our attention to the habits and practices of society today, we shall see that our earth is fast ripening for the plagues of the last days. Men have corrupted the earth by their sinful course of action. Satan is playing the game of life for the souls of men. Those who are doers of the words of Christ will find that they will have to watch and pray continually in order that they may not be led into temptation. {CS 135.2}[7]
§21
许多人似乎没有意识到他们无谓地浪费在令心灵痛苦和奠下道德败坏之基础的娱乐中的钱财，都是属于上帝的。那些用金钱来满足私欲的人，正在取悦和荣耀众善的仇敌。他们若把心转向上帝，就会用他们的钱财去造福他人、挽救同胞、帮助贫穷和受苦的人。在我们的世界里，有人挨饿，缺衣缺食、患病和死亡。但是很少有人愿意取消他们罪恶的奢侈！撒但正竭尽所能，千方百计使人忙忙碌碌，以致无暇思考“我的灵魂如何”的问题。 {CS 135.3}[8]
§22
Many do not seem to appreciate the fact that the money they needlessly expend on amusements which only vex the soul and lay the foundation for the corruption of their morals, is money that belongs to the Lord. Those who use money for selfish gratification are pleasing and glorifying the enemy of all righteousness. If they turned their hearts to God, they would use their money to bless and uplift their fellow men, to relieve poverty and suffering. Starvation is in our world, nakedness, disease, and death; yet how few abate their sinful extravagance! Satan is inventing everything that he can possibly devise in order to keep men thoroughly occupied, so that they shall have no time to consider the question, How is it with my soul? {CS 135.3}[8]
§23
【基督对人类家庭的关怀】
§24
我们一切地上财富的主宰，曾以人的样式来到我们的世界，道成肉身，住在我们中间。我们无法理解祂多么深切地关怀人类的家庭。祂知道每一个灵魂的价值。当祂看见祂所买来的人被撒但的发明所迷惑，祂是多么忧伤啊！{CS 136.1}[9]
§25
【Christs Interest in the Human Family】
§26
The owner of all our earthly treasures came to our world in human form. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. We cannot appreciate how deeply interested He must be in the human family. He knows the value of every soul. What grief oppressed Him as He saw His purchased inheritance charmed with Satans inventions! {CS 136.1}[9]
§27
撒但在攫取人类灵魂的过程中所获得的唯一满足，就是伤基督的心。主本来富足，却为我们的缘故成了贫穷，叫我们因祂的贫穷，可以成为富足。虽然如此，世上大多数人仍让地上的财富遮住属天事物的光彩。他们把感情投在属世的事物上，离开上帝。人不愿意醒悟过来，明白过分关注地上的事物，排除爱上帝之心的愚蠢，是多么严重的罪行。爱上帝的心被排除之后，爱世界的心就迅速进来，取而代之。唯独上帝能洁净我们心殿中的道德污秽。{CS 136.2}[10]
§28
The only satisfaction Satan takes in playing the game of life for the souls of men is the satisfaction he takes in hurting the heart of Christ. Though He was rich, for our sake Christ became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. Yet in view of this great fact, the majority of the world permit earthly possessions to eclipse heavenly attractions. They set their affections upon earthly things, and turn away from God. What a grievous sin it is that men will not come to their senses, and understand how foolish it is to permit inordinate affections for earthly things to expel the love of God from the heart. When the love of God is expelled, the love of the world quickly flows in to supply the vacuum. The Lord alone can cleanse the soul temple from the moral defilement. {CS 136.2}[10]
§29
耶稣为世人的生命舍弃了自己的性命，赋予人以无限的价值。祂希望人重视自己，能考虑将来的福利。眼睛如果保持明亮，全身就会光明。属灵的眼光若是清晰，就会看出那看不见之现实的真正价值，看到永恒的世界给这个世界所增添的喜乐。{CS 136.3}[11]
§30
Jesus gave His life for the life of the world, and He places an infinite value upon man. He desires that man shall appreciate himself, and consider his future well-being. If the eye is kept single, the whole body will be full of light. If the spiritual vision is clear, unseen realities will be looked upon in their true value, and beholding the eternal world will give added enjoyment to this world. {CS 136.3}[11]
§31
基督徒将充满喜乐。这喜乐是与他做上帝货财管家的忠心成正比例。基督渴望拯救每一个亚当的儿女。祂扬声警告，要打破那把生灵捆缚在罪恶之中的魔力。祂恳劝人不要再糊涂，并把更高尚的世界呈现在他们面前说：“不要为自己积攒财宝在地上”（太6:19）。{CS 136.4}[12]
§32
The Christian will be filled with joy in proportion as he is a faithful steward of his Lords goods. Christ yearns to save every son and daughter of Adam. He lifts His voice in warning, in order to break the spell which has bound the soul in captivity to the slavery of sin. He beseeches men to turn from their infatuation. He brings the nobler world before their vision, and says, Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon the earth. {CS 136.4}[12]
§33
【狡猾的试探】
§34
基督看到危险，知道仇敌狡猾的试探和能力，因为祂曾经历撒但的试探。祂献上自己的生命，为亚当的儿女争取了一段宽容的时期。面对亚当违命犯罪的后果和上帝更大亮光的照耀，他们应邀来到祂面前获得心灵的安息。但亮光越大，危险的信号越明显，由光明转向黑暗之人的罪就越严重。基督的话语意义重大，不容忽视。{CS 137.1}[13]
§35
【The Subtle Temptations】
§36
Christ sees the danger; He knows the subtle temptations and power of the enemy; for He has experienced Satans temptations. He gave His life to procure a period of probation for the sons and daughters of Adam. With the result of Adams disobedience and transgressions before them, with greater light shining upon them, they are invited to come unto Him and find rest unto their souls. But the greater the light and the plainer the danger signal, the greater the condemnation of those will be who turn from light to darkness. The words of Christ are too serious in their import to be disregarded. {CS 137.1}[13]
§37
人类似乎在疯狂地追求属世的财富，用各样欺诈的行为来积累钱财。他们以强烈的热情从事业务活动，以为在这方面成功，就可以获得天国的保证。他们把上帝所委托的资本，冻结在属世的财物中，没有用金钱来解救世上饱受精神和肉体痛苦的人，藉以推进上帝的国度。许多自称基督徒的人，没有留意基督的吩咐：“只要积攒财宝在天上，天上没有虫子咬，不能锈坏，也没有贼挖窟窿来偷。因为你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在那里”（太6:20,21）。{CS 137.2}[14]
§38
Men seem moved with an insane desire to procure earthly possessions. Every species of dishonesty is practiced in order to accumulate wealth. Men pursue their business affairs with intense zeal, as though success in this line would be a surety for obtaining heaven. They bind up the Lords entrusted capital in worldly goods, and there is no means with which to advance the kingdom of God in the world by relieving the mental and physical distress of the worlds inhabitants. Many who profess to be Christians fail to heed the command of Christ when He says, Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. {CS 137.2}[14]
§39
上帝不会强迫人行公义、好怜悯、存谦卑的心、与祂同行。祂把善与恶摆在人面前，说明随从任何一个的必然后果。基督邀请我们：“跟从我。”但是祂从来没有强迫我们跟从祂的脚踪。如果我们真的跟随祂的脚步，这是慎重选择的结果。我们看见基督的品格与生平时，就会产生强烈的愿望，要在品格上与祂相似。我们追求认识祂，知道祂出现确如晨光。于是我们就开始认识到“义人的路，好像黎明的光，越照越明，直到日午”（箴4:18）。（《评论与通讯》1896年3月31日）{CS 138.1}[15]
§40
The Lord will not compel men to deal justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God; He sets before the human agent good and evil, and makes plain what will be the sure result of following one course or the other. Christ invites us, saying, Follow Me. But we are never forced to walk in His footsteps. If we do walk in His footsteps, it is the result of deliberate choice. As we see the life and character of Christ, strong desire is awakened to be like Him in character; and we follow on to know the Lord, and to know His goings forth are prepared as the morning. We then begin to realize that the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.--R. & H., March 31, 1896. {CS 138.1}[15]
§41
【获得财富并不是罪】
§42
圣经并没有因财主的财富而定他的罪，没有宣布获得财富就是罪，也没有说金钱是万恶之根。反之，圣经却说得货财的能力是上帝所赐的（申8:18）。这种能力如果奉献给上帝，用来推进祂的圣工，就是一种宝贵的才干。圣经并没有定才干或技术为有罪，因这些都是出于上帝所赐的智慧。我们无法藉着穿粗布衣服，或取消一切维持家庭安舒，美观及便利的事物，而使内心更加纯正，更加圣洁。{CS 138.2}[16]
§43
【The Acquisition of Wealth Not a Sin】
§44
The Bible does not condemn the rich man because he is rich; it does not declare the acquisition of wealth to be a sin, nor does it say that money is the root of all evil. On the contrary, the Scriptures state that it is God who gives the power to get wealth. And this ability is a precious talent if consecrated to God and employed to advance His cause. The Bible does not condemn genius or art; for these come of the wisdom which God gives. We cannot make the heart purer or holier by clothing the body in sackcloth, or depriving the home of all that ministers to comfort, taste, or convenience. {CS 138.2}[16]
§45
圣经教导说，钱财惟有与那不朽的财宝发生冲突时才是危险的。当属世短暂的事物吸引了上帝所要求的思想、感情和忠诚时，钱财才会成为一个网罗。人若以永恒的荣耀来换取地上金属闪烁的微光，用永久的家乡来换取顶多只能居住几年的房屋，他就是作了愚蠢的选择，就象以扫为了一碗红豆汤，出卖了长子的名分；象巴兰为了米甸王的赏赐，丧失了上帝的恩宠；也象犹大为了三十块钱，出卖了荣耀的主。{CS 138.3}[17]
§46
The Scriptures teach that wealth is a dangerous possession only when placed in competition with the immortal treasure. It is when the earthly and temporal absorbs the thoughts, the affections, the devotion which God claims, that it becomes a snare. Those who are bartering the eternal weight of glory for a little of the glitter and tinsel of earth, the everlasting habitations for a home which can be theirs but a few years at best, are making an unwise choice. Such was the exchange made by Esau, when he sold his birthright for a mess of pottage; by Balaam, when he forfeited the favor of God for the rewards of the king of Midian; by Judas, when for thirty pieces of silver he betrayed the Lord of glory. {CS 138.3}[17]
§47
圣经把贪爱钱财斥之为万恶之根。钱财本身是上帝给人的恩赐，要忠心地用来为祂服务。上帝赐福亚伯拉罕，使他在牛羊和金银方面富足。圣经也记载到上帝把大量财富和尊荣赐给大卫、所罗门、约沙法、希西家，作为祂恩宠的证明。{CS 139.1}[18]
§48
It is the love of money that the word of God denounces as the root of all evil. Money itself is the gift of God to men, to be used with fidelity in His service. God blessed Abraham, and made him rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And the Bible states, as an evidence of divine favor, that God gave David, Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, very much riches and honor. {CS 139.1}[18]
§49
正如上帝的其他恩赐一样，拥有钱财会带来新的责任和特殊的试探。有多少在逆境中忠于上帝的人，却在兴旺的诱惑中跌倒了。有了财富，自私本性的主要情绪就会暴露出来。今日的世界因敬拜玛门之人的贪婪和自我放纵而遭到祸害。（《评论与通讯》1882年5月16日）{CS 139.2}[19]
§50
Like other gifts of God, the possession of wealth brings its increase of responsibility, and its peculiar temptations. How many who have in adversity remained true to God, have fallen under the glittering allurements of prosperity. With the possession of wealth, the ruling passion of a selfish nature is revealed. The world is cursed today by the miserly greed and the self-indulgent vices of the worshipers of mammon.-- R. & H., May 16, 1882. {CS 139.2}[19]
§51
【需要理财的才干】
§52
要以温柔的态度和亲切的关怀，去寻找较高社会阶层中的人。这等人被严重忽略了。上帝的旨意是要让那些祂托付了许多禀赋的人，听到用与过去不同的方式表达的真理。无论是经商的、担任要职的，具有丰富的发明才能和科学见识的人，还是具有其他天赋的人，都应该列在最先听见福音呼召的人中间。{CS 139.3}[20]
§53
【Financial Talent Needed】
§54
Those belonging to the higher ranks of society are to be sought out with tender affection and brotherly regard. This class has been too much neglected. It is the Lords will that men to whom He has entrusted many talents shall hear the truth in a manner different from the way in which they have heard it in the past. Men in business, in positions of trust, men with large inventive faculties, and scientific insight, men of genius, are to be among the first to hear the gospel call. {CS 139.3}[20]
§55
世上有些人蒙上帝赐予组织的能力。这正是推进末世工作所需要的人才。并不是所有的人都担任传道人。我们还需要能管理实业机构的人，需要在区会里担任领导或教师的人。上帝需要有远见的人。他们能看见所应做的事，作忠心的理财者，在当前的危机或将来可能出现的风险中，象磐石那样巍然屹立，忠于原则。（《评论与通讯》1900年5月8日）{CS 140.1}[21]
§56
There are men of the world who have God-given powers of organization, which are needed in the carrying forward of the work for these last days. All are not preachers; but men are needed who can take the management of the institutions where industrial work is carried on, men who in our conferences can act as leaders and educators. God needs men who can look ahead, and see what needs to be done, men who can act as faithful financiers, men who will stand as solid as a rock to principle in the present crisis and in the future perils that may arise.--R. & H., May 8, 1900. {CS 140.1}[21]