第33章 同情穷人
§1
第33章 同情穷人
§2
Chap. 33 - Sympathy for the Poor
§3
天庭都在为拯救失丧的人作工，因此，那些得享基督丰盛恩典的人，又怎能对同胞漠不关心、不加同情呢？他们怎能因地位或阶级骄傲放纵，蔑视不幸和穷苦的人呢？ {CS 160.1}[1]
§4
In view of what Heaven is doing to save the lost, how can those who are partakers of the riches of the grace of Christ withdraw their interest and their sympathies from their fellow men? How can they indulge in pride of rank or caste, and despise the unfortunate and the poor? {CS 160.1}[1]
§5
可是，世上所盛行的以高位自负和欺压穷人，的确存在于自称跟从基督的人之中。许多人本应对人类表现出充分的同情，却似乎冷淡无情了。人们竟把托付给他们、用以造福他人的东西，挪用在自己身上。富人不但搓磨贫穷人的脸（赛3:15），甚至把因此而得的钱，在上帝的家中傲慢放纵和炫耀夸示。穷人因此感到参加崇拜上帝太昂贵了。许多人甚至认为，只有富人参加敬拜上帝，才能给世人留下良好的印象。倘若上帝未向那些心中痛悔的贫穷和低贱的人显露祂的爱，这世界要成为穷人的伤心地了。……{CS 160.2}[2]
§6
Yet it is too true that the pride of rank, and the oppression of the poor which prevail in the world, exist also among the professed followers of Christ. With many, the sympathies that ought to be exercised in full measure toward humanity, seem frozen up. Men appropriate to themselves the gifts entrusted to them wherewith to bless others. The rich grind the face of the poor, and use the means thus gained to indulge their pride and love of display even in the house of God. The poor are made to feel that it is too costly a thing for them to attend the service of God. The feeling exists with many that only the rich can engage in the public worship of God so as to make a good impression on the world. Were it not that the Lord has revealed His love to the poor and lowly who are contrite in heart, this world would be a sad place for the poor man.... {CS 160.2}[2]
§7
世界的救赎主曾是贫穷父母的儿子。在祂婴孩时期被带到圣殿奉献时，祂的母亲只能奉献为穷人指定的祭物──一对斑鸠或两只雏鸽。祂是天庭赐给我们世界最珍贵的礼物，其价值无法计算，但也只能藉着最微小的奉献来承认。我们的救主寄居在地上时，与贫穷卑微的人同甘共苦。舍己和牺牲成了祂一生的特征。{CS 160.3}[3]
§8
The worlds Redeemer was the son of poor parents, and when in His infancy He was presented in the temple, His mother could bring only the offering appointed for the poor,--a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. He was the most precious gift of heaven to our world, a gift above all computation, yet it could be acknowledged only by the smallest offering. Our Saviour, during all His sojourn on earth, shared the lot of the poor and lowly. Self-denial and sacrifice characterized His life. {CS 160.3}[3]
§9
我们享受的一切恩宠和福气全都来自祂。我们是祂的恩典和祂所赐今生财物的管家。最微小的才干和最卑微的服务也可以献给耶稣作为礼物。祂会加上自己功劳的芳香，转呈祂的父。我们如果对上帝存着真诚的爱心，把最好的献给祂，渴望为耶稣服务，那份礼物就会全被接受。每一个人都能把财宝存在天上，“在好事上富足，甘心施舍，乐意体贴人；为自己积成美好的根基，预备将来，叫他们持定那真正的生命”（提前6:18,19）。{CS 161.1}[4]
§10
All the favors and blessings we enjoy are alone from Him; we are stewards of His grace and of His temporal gifts; the smallest talent and the humblest service may be offered to Jesus as a consecrated gift, and with the fragrance of His own merits He will present it to the Father. If the best we have is presented with a sincere heart, in love to God, from a longing desire to do service to Jesus, the gift is wholly acceptable. Everyone can lay up a treasure in the heavens. All can be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. {CS 161.1}[4]
§11
【用同情的纽带联结】
§12
上帝的旨意是要富人和穷人用同情和帮助的纽带紧密地连结在一起。祂对我们每一个人都有一项计划，对一切侍奉祂的人都指派了一份工作。祂吩咐我们关怀所知道的每一分苦难或需要。{CS 161.2}[5]
§13
【Bound By Ties of Sympathy】
§14
It is Gods purpose that the rich and the poor shall be closely bound together by the ties of sympathy and helpfulness. He has a plan for us individually. To all who shall serve Him He has appointed a work. He bids us to interest ourselves in every case of suffering or need that shall come to our knowledge. {CS 161.2}[5]
§15
我们的主耶稣基督本来富足，却为我们成了贫穷，叫我们因祂的贫穷可以成为富足。祂嘱咐一切祂所委托今生福分的人效法祂的榜样。耶稣说：“因为常有穷人和你们同在，要向他们行善，随时都可以”（可14:7）。世间的穷乏和不幸时刻唤起我们的怜悯和同情。救主宣布说，为受苦受难的人服务是祂最喜欢的。祂说：“不是要把你的饼分给饥饿的人，将飘流的穷人接到你家中，见赤身的给他衣服遮体，顾恤自己的骨肉而不掩藏吗”（赛58:7）？我们应当服侍病人，供养饥饿的人，给赤身的人衣服穿，教导无知的人。{CS 161.3}[6]
§16
Our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, yet for our sake He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich. He bids all whom He has entrusted with temporal blessings to follow His example. Jesus says, Ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good. The want and wretchedness in the world are constantly appealing to our compassion and sympathy, and the Saviour declares that ministry to the afflicted and suffering is the service most pleasing to Him. Is it not, He says, to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? We are to minister to the sick, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, and to instruct the ignorant. {CS 161.3}[6]
§17
许多人因世界充满穷乏和痛苦就埋怨上帝。其实祂是一位大有慈悲的主，要藉祂所委托财富的代表，供给一切受造之人的需要。祂已经为所有人的需求作了充分的准备。人如果不滥用祂的恩赐，不自私地扣留同胞之物，就不会受穷乏之苦。（《评论与通讯》1893年6月20日）{CS 162.1}[7]
§18
There are many who complain of God because the world is so full of want and suffering. But the Lord is a God of benevolence, and through His representatives, to whom He has entrusted His goods, He would have all the needs of His creatures supplied. He has made abundant provision for the wants of all, and if men did not abuse His gifts, and selfishly withhold them from their fellow men, none need suffer from want.--R. & H., June 20, 1893. {CS 162.1}[7]
§19
【在上帝眼中不分等级】
§20
我们决不可冷酷无情，尤其是在对待穷人的时候。要向所有的人表现礼貌、同情和怜悯。偏袒富人是上帝不喜悦的。藐视耶稣穷苦的儿女，就是藐视祂。他们虽然在世间的财物上并不富有，却是祂所珍爱的。上帝不承认社会等级的界限。对于祂来说，不存在什么阶级。在祂眼中人就是人，不管是好是坏。在最后算账的日子，地位、阶级或财富对案情没有丝毫影响。洞悉一切的上帝在审判人的时候，只依据他们心中的纯洁、高尚和对基督的爱。……{CS 162.2}[8]
§21
【No Caste in Gods Sight】
§22
Never are we to be cold and unsympathetic, especially when dealing with the poor. Courtesy, sympathy, and compassion are to be shown to all. Partiality for the wealthy is displeasing to God. Jesus is slighted when His needy children are slighted. They are not rich in this worlds goods, but they are dear to His heart of love. God recognizes no distinction of rank. With Him there is no caste. In His sight, men are simply men, good or bad. In the day of final reckoning, position, rank, or wealth will not alter by a hairsbreadth the case of anyone. By the all-seeing God, men will be judged by what they are in purity, in nobility, in love for Christ.... {CS 162.2}[8]
§23
基督宣布要传福音给贫穷的人。当上帝的真理带给贫穷孤苦之人时，会展示最大的美。于是福音的真光就极其清澈地放射出来，照亮农夫的茅舍和工人简陋的住宅。有上帝的天使光临，使粗茶淡饭变成佳肴美点。那些为世人所忽略和抛弃的人，被提升为至高上帝的儿女。他们坐在天上耶稣基督那里，远超过世上的一切地位。他们也许没有属世的财富，却找到了重价的珍珠。（《评论与通讯》1910年7月21日）{CS 162.3}[9]
§24
Christ declared that the gospel is to be preached to the poor. Never does Gods truth put on an aspect of greater loveliness than when brought to the needy and destitute. Then it is that the light of the gospel shines forth in its most radiant clearness, lighting up the hut of the peasant and the rude cottage of the laborer. Angels of God are there, and their presence makes the crust of bread and the cup of water a banquet. Those who have been neglected and abandoned by the world are raised to be sons and daughters of the Most High. Lifted above any position that earth can give, they sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. They may have no earthly treasure, but they have found the pearl of great price.--R. & H., July 21, 1910. {CS 162.3}[9]
§25
【孤儿寡妇的要求】
§26
不加区别地周济每一个向我们求助之人是不明智的，因这样做可能会鼓励人懒惰、放纵和浪费。但是如果有人登门求助，说自己肚子饿，就不要让他空着肚子离开。要把你的食物给他一些吃。你可能不知道他的境遇。他的贫穷也许是因为不幸。{CS 163.1}[10]
§27
【Claims of the Widow and Fatherless】
§28
It is not wise to give indiscriminately to everyone who may solicit our aid; for we may thus encourage idleness, intemperance, and extravagance. But if one comes to your door and says he is hungry, do not turn him away empty. Give him something to eat, of such things as you have. You know not his circumstances, and it may be that his poverty is the result of misfortune. {CS 163.1}[10]
§29
在一切需要我们关心的人中，寡妇及孤儿最需要我们慈爱的同情和照顾。“在上帝我们的父面前，那清洁没有玷污的虔诚，就是看顾在患难中的孤儿寡妇，并且保守自己不沾染世俗”（雅1:27）。{CS 163.2}[11]
§30
But among all whose needs demand our interest, the widow and the fatherless have the strongest claims upon our tender sympathy and care. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. {CS 163.2}[11]
§31
作父亲的人信道之后死了，安息于上帝永恒的应许中，遗下所爱之人于世上，全心信靠主会照顾他们。主怎么供养这些丧失了亲人的人呢？祂不是行神迹，从天降下吗哪给他们；也不叫乌鸦送粮食给他们；然而祂在人们的心中行神迹，把自私自利之念从人的心灵上赶除，并开启那慈善的泉源。祂把这些孤寡受苦的人，交给一般自称跟从主的人去救济，藉以试验他们的爱心。从某种特别的意义上说来，这些孩童乃是基督所关注的，人若忽略他们，就是得罪了祂。凡忽略了他们的，就等于在基督的受苦者身上忽略了祂一样。{CS 163.3}[12]
§32
The father who has died in the faith, resting upon the eternal promise of God, left his loved ones in full trust that the Lord would care for them. And how does the Lord provide for these bereaved ones? He does not work a miracle in sending manna from heaven, He does not send ravens to bring them food; but He works a miracle upon human hearts, He expels selfishness from the soul, He unseals the fountain of benevolence. He tests the love of His professed followers by committing to their tender mercies the afflicted and bereaved ones, the poor and the orphan. These are in a special sense the little ones whom Christ looks upon, whom it is an offense to Him to neglect. Those who do neglect them are neglecting Christ in the person of His afflicted ones. {CS 163.3}[12]
§33
凡奉基督的名而为他们行的每一善事，都要蒙悦纳，视同行在祂自己的身上一样；因为祂视自己与受苦的人类利益与共，又把帮助和造福贫穷受苦之人的伟大工作，委托给祂的教会，藉此来事奉祂。上帝的福气，会落在凡甘心服事他们的人身上。{CS 164.1}[13]
§34
Every kind act done to them in the name of Jesus, is accepted by Him as if done to Himself, for He identifies His interest with that of suffering humanity, and He has entrusted to His church the grand work of ministering to Jesus by helping and blessing the needy and suffering. On all who shall minister to them with willing hearts, the blessing of the Lord will rest. {CS 164.1}[13]
§35
在死亡被胜利吞灭之前，必有孤儿要照顾。教会信徒们若没有对他们表现温柔的同情和慈爱，他们便会多受痛苦。上帝吩咐我们说：“将飘流的穷人，接到你家中”（赛58:7）。基督教必须为这些无家可归的孤儿提供父母。那些彰显于祈祷与行动中的对孤儿寡妇的同情，会在上帝面前被记念，不久必得报赏。……{CS 164.2}[14]
§36
Until death shall be swallowed up in victory, there will be orphans to be cared for, who will suffer in more ways than one if the tender compassion and loving-kindness of our church members are not exercised in their behalf. The Lord bids us, Bring the poor that are cast out to thy house. Christianity must supply fathers and mothers for these homeless ones. The compassion for the widow and the orphan manifested in prayers and deeds, will come up in remembrance before God, to be rewarded by and by.... {CS 164.2}[14]
§37
【慈怜是我们与上帝联合的证据】
§38
上帝把祂的福气赐给我们，使我们能够分给别人。只要我们奉献自己作祂的爱所涌流的渠道，祂就会使渠道时常充盈。当你向上帝祈求日用的饮食时，祂要看透你的内心，了解你是否愿意把饮食分给比你更需要的人。当你祷告说：“上帝啊，可怜我这罪人”时，祂要看你能否向所交往的人表示同情。这是我们与上帝联合的证据──我们要慈悲为怀，正如我们的天父慈悲为怀那样。我们如果属于祂，就会乐意遵行祂的吩咐，即使有所不便，或与我们的情感相抵触。……{CS 164.3}[15]
§39
【Mercy the Evidence of Our Union With God】
§40
God imparts His blessing to us, that we may give to others. And as long as we yield ourselves as the channels through which His love can flow, He will keep the channels supplied. When you ask God for your daily bread, He looks right into your heart to see if you will impart the same to others, more needy than yourself. When you pray, God be merciful to me a sinner, He watches to see if you will manifest compassion to those with whom you associate. This is the evidence of our connection with God,--that we are merciful even as our Father who is in heaven is merciful. If we are His, we shall do with a cheerful heart just what He tells us to do, however inconvenient, however contrary it may be to our own feelings. . . . {CS 164.3}[15]
§41
我们从事基督的工作时，象祂那样为受苦受难之人服务，就是发展基督徒的品格。上帝为我们的益处，才呼召我们为基督的缘故而实行舍己，背负十架，付出努力和牺牲去寻找拯救失丧的人。这是上帝提炼人的步骤，为的是要把渣滓炼净，以致基督耶稣品格的珍贵特点，能出现于信徒身上。一切渣滓必须通过因真理成圣的过程从心中清除。……{CS 165.1}[16]
§42
It is in doing the works of Christ, ministering as He did to the suffering and afflicted, that we are to develop Christian character. It is for our good that God has called us to practice self-denial for Christs sake, to bear the cross, to labor and sacrifice in seeking to save that which is lost. This is the Lords process of refining, purging away the baser material, that the precious traits of character which were in Christ Jesus, may appear in the believer. All dross must be cleansed from the soul, through the sanctification of the truth. . . . {CS 165.1}[16]
§43
我们藉着基督的恩典，为造福别人所作的努力，不仅使我们在恩典中长进，也会提高将来永恒的快乐。祂会对那些曾与基督同工的人说：“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把许多事派你管理；可以进来享受你主人的快乐”（太25:21）。（《评论与通讯》1893年6月27日）{CS 165.2}[17]
§44
Through the grace of Christ our efforts to bless others are not only the means of our growth in grace, but they will enhance our future, eternal happiness. To those who have been coworkers with Christ it will be said, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. --R. & H., June 27, 1893. {CS 165.2}[17]
§45
【不要支持懒惰】
§46
私下赠礼或者用教会的钱来支持懒惰人的做法，是鼓励他们养成不良的习惯。应当认真避免这样做。要教育每一个成人和儿童从事实际有用的工作。大家都要学一门手艺。也许是制造帐篷，也许是其他行业。每一个人都要接受训练，为了某种目的而使用他们的能力。凡是愿意养成勤劳习惯的人，上帝都预备好增进他们的才干。我们要“殷勤不可懒惰，要心里火热，常常服事主”（罗12:11）。凡这样关注自己感化力的人，都会蒙上帝赐福。（《评论与通讯》1900年3月13日）{CS 165.3}[18]
§47
【Not to Be Supported in Idleness】
§48
The custom of supporting men and women in idleness by private gifts or church money encourages them in wrong habits. This course should be conscientiously avoided. Every man, woman, and child should be educated to practical, useful work. All should learn some trade. It may be tentmaking, it may be some other business, but all should be trained to use their powers to some purpose. And God is ready to increase the capabilities of all who will educate themselves to industrious habits. We are to be not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. God will bless all who will guard their influence in this respect. --R. & H., March 13, 1900. {CS 165.3}[18]
§49
【滥用教会的钱财】
§50
由于错误的慈善观，应该用在传道工作上的金钱在许多情况下竟转到了其它渠道。我们在周济穷人上可能会犯错误，对他们不是福气，反而使他们觉得不需要努力作工和实行节约，因为别人不会让他们受苦。我们不应鼓励懒惰，也不应拿钱供人放纵从而助长自我满足。虽然不应忽视配得的穷人，但应尽可能地教导人人自助。{CS 166.1}[19]
§51
【Diverting Means From the Mission Treasury】
§52
In many cases means which should be devoted to the missionary work is diverted into other channels, from mistaken ideas of benevolence. We may err in making gifts to the poor which are not a blessing to them, leading them to feel that they need not exert themselves and practice economy, for others will not permit them to suffer. We should not give countenance to indolence, or encourage habits of self-gratification by affording means for indulgence. While the worthy poor are not to be neglected, all should be taught, so far as possible, to help themselves. {CS 166.1}[19]
§53
救灵才是我们工作的主旨。为此基督才做出了伟大的牺牲，也正是因为救灵才特别要求我们慈善。（《基督复临安息日会国外布道史略》293页）{CS 166.2}[20]
§54
The salvation of souls is the burden of our work. It was for this that Christ made the great sacrifice, and it is this that specially demands our beneficence.-- Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, p. 293. {CS 166.2}[20]
§55
【克己牺牲】
§56
上帝的儿女在贫乏和痛苦中向祂呼求。许多人因生活中的缺乏而奄奄一息。他们的倾诉已经进入万军之主的耳中。祂将会严厉地要求那些忽略祂穷苦儿女的人交账。当上帝质问自私的富人：“你怎样用我赐给你要为我而用的钱财”时， 他们会怎么办呢？“这些人要往永刑那里去。”上帝要对他们说：“你们这被咒诅的人，离开我，……因为我饿了，你们不给我吃；渴了，你们不给我喝；我作客旅，你们不留我住；我赤身露体，你们不给我穿；我病了，我在监里，你们不来看顾我”（太25:42-43）。{CS 166.3}[21]
§57
【Self-Denial--Self-Sacrifice】
§58
In want and distress, Gods children are calling to Him. Many are dying for want of the necessaries of life. Their cries have entered the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. He will call to a strict account those who have neglected His needy ones. What will these selfish rich men do when the Lord asks them, What did you do with the money I gave you to use for Me? These shall go away into everlasting punishment. The Lord will say to them, Depart from Me, ye cursed; . . . for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not. {CS 166.3}[21]
§59
我们的周围到处都可以听到世人的哀号。罪恶的阴影笼罩在我们身上。我们应当准备好与主合作。今生的享乐和权势将要消失。没有人能把属世的财物带进永恒的世界。但是遵行上帝旨意的生命，却要存到永远。推展上帝圣工的果效，将会在祂的国中看见。（《评论与通讯》1907年1月31日）{CS 166.4}[22]
§60
The wails of a worlds sorrow are heard all around us. Sin is casting its shadow over us. Let us make ourselves ready to cooperate with the Lord. The pleasure and power of this world will pass away. No one can carry his earthly treasures into the eternal world. But the life spent in doing the will of God will abide forever. The result of that which is given to advance the work of God will be seen in the kingdom of God. --R. & H., Jan. 31, 1907. {CS 166.4}[22]