第41章 流行的募捐方法
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第41章 流行的募捐方法
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Chap. 41 - Popular Methods of Appeal
§3
我们看到今日的教会用聚餐，集市，舞会和庆典鼓励宴乐，暴食和放荡，目的是为教会的府库敛财。这是属肉体的人所发明无须作出牺牲的敛财方法。{CS 201.1}[1]
§4
We see the churches of our day encouraging feasting, gluttony, and dissipation, by the suppers, fairs, dances, and festivals gotten up for the purpose of gathering means into the church treasury. Here is a method invented by carnal minds to secure means without sacrificing. {CS 201.1}[1]
§5
这样的事例对青年人的思想会产生影响。他们既注意到那些彩票、游艺会和博彩游戏获得教会的认可，就以为这种筹款方法有迷人之处。青年人被试探所包围。他进入保龄球场和赌馆，观看这些活动，见到赢钱的人把钱拿走，真有诱惑力。这种赚钱的方法，似乎比通过认真工作，努力劳动，实行严格的节约容易得多。他认为这种事没有害处。因为教会为了获取利益，也举办类似的活动。他为什么不能用这种方法来帮助自己呢？{CS 201.2}[2]
§6
Such an example makes an impression upon the minds of youth. They notice that lotteries and fairs and games are sanctioned by the church, and they think there is something fascinating in this way of obtaining means. A youth is surrounded by temptations. He enters the bowling alley, the gambling saloon, to see the sport. He sees the money taken by the one who wins. This looks enticing. It seems an easier way of obtaining money than by earnest work, which requires persevering energy and strict economy. He imagines there can be no harm in this; for similar games have been resorted to in order to obtain means for the benefit of the church. Then why should he not help himself in this way? {CS 201.2}[2]
§7
他有一点点钱，就想去冒险碰运气，希望带来一笔财富。不论是输是赢，他都走上了毁灭的道路。然而是教会的榜样引他走上歧途的。{CS 201.3}[3]
§8
He has a little means, which he ventures to invest, thinking it may bring in quite a sum. Whether he gains or loses, he is in the downward road to ruin. But it was the example of the church that led him into the false path. {CS 201.3}[3]
§9
【残破不全的奉献】
§10
我们要远离这一切教会的腐败，放荡和庆典，以免对年轻人和老年人产生败坏的影响。我们无权因这些钱是要给教会用的，就给它披上圣洁的外衣。这样的奉献是有残疾的，败坏的，带着上帝的咒诅。这些钱财是以牺牲灵魂为代价的。讲台可能被用来倡导为教会筹款而举办的庆典，舞会，抽奖，集市和狂宴；但我们不要参加这类活动；否则会招致上帝的不悦。我们不可提议利用口腹之欲或世俗的娱乐去诱惑自称基督信徒的人奉献上帝所托付的金钱。倘若他们不是因爱基督的缘故甘心情愿地奉献，这奉献绝不为上帝所乐纳。{CS 201.4}[4]
§11
【Lame and Diseased Offerings】
§12
Let us stand clear of all these church corruptions, dissipations, and festivals, which have a demoralizing influence upon young and old. We have no right to throw over them the cloak of sanctity because the means is to be used for church purposes. Such offerings are lame and diseased, and bear the curse of God. They are the price of souls. The pulpit may defend festivals, dancing, lotteries, fairs, and luxurious feasts, to obtain means for church purposes; but let us participate in none of these things; for if we do, Gods displeasure will be upon us. We do not propose to appeal to the lust of the appetite or resort to carnal amusements as an inducement to Christs professed followers to give of the means which God has entrusted to them. If they do not give willingly, for the love of Christ, the offering will in no case be acceptable to God. {CS 201.4}[4]
§13
【品格遭摧毁】
§14
死亡披上了天国的外衣，潜伏在青年人的道路旁。罪恶镀上教会神圣的外膜。在今日的教会中，各式各样的娱乐毁灭了数以千计的人。他们本来可以保持正直，成为基督的门徒。教会时尚的节日和戏剧表演，败坏了人的品格。还会有数以千计的人灭亡。可是人们却看不到这些危险，以及所产生的可怕影响。许多男女青年在这些腐败的影响中丧失了灵魂。（《评论与通讯》1878年11月21日）{CS 202.1}[5]
§15
【Characters Wrecked】
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Death, clad in the livery of heaven, lurks in the pathway of the young. Sin is gilded over by church sanctity. These various forms of amusement in the churches of our day have ruined thousands who, but for them, might have remained upright and become the followers of Christ. Wrecks of character have been made by these fashionable church festivals and theatrical performances, and thousands more will be destroyed; yet people will not be aware of the danger, nor of the fearful influences exerted. Many young men and women have lost their souls through these corrupting influences.--R. & H., Nov. 21, 1878. {CS 202.1}[5]
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【为自私的目的而奉献】
§18
在声称基督徒的聚会中，撒但给虚妄的快乐和不敬虔的狂欢饮宴披上了宗教的外衣，使它们有神圣的外表；又因能筹募金钱来支付教堂的开支，就有许多人置良心于不顾了。人拒绝了因爱上帝而奉献，却因爱宴乐和自私地考虑放纵食欲而愿意舍掉他们的钱财。{CS 202.2}[6]
§19
【Giving for Selfish Considerations】
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In professedly Christian gatherings, Satan throws a religious garment over delusive pleasures and unholy revelings to give them the appearance of sanctity, and the consciences of many are quieted because means are raised to defray church expenses. Men refuse to give for the love of God; but for the love of pleasure, and the indulgence of appetite for selfish considerations, they will part with their money. {CS 202.2}[6]
§21
基督在有关慈善的教训方面、在祂的榜样中、以及上帝的恩典引导人心以财物荣耀祂的事上，难道欠缺了能力，以致要用此种方法来维持教会？这样的娱乐和暴食，对体力、智力和道德方面的健康，都会造成不小的伤害。到了最后结算的大日，就会显出那些受狂欢和愚妄所影响而失丧的人来。{CS 203.1}[7]
§22
Is it because there is not power in the lessons of Christ upon benevolence, and in His example, and the grace of God upon the heart to lead men to glorify God with their substance, that such a course must be resorted to in order to sustain the church? The injury sustained to the physical, mental, and moral health in these scenes of amusement and gluttony is not small. And the day of final reckoning will show souls lost through the influence of these scenes of gaiety and folly. {CS 203.1}[7]
§23
可悲的是，神圣和永恒的事物，竟感动不了自称为基督信徒之人的心，使他们乐意奉献以维持福音工作，甚至比不上宴会和狂欢对人心的诱惑。这些诱惑到处盛行，而神圣永恒的事物却无法影响人心参与慈善工作，这真是一件不幸的事。{CS 203.2}[8]
§24
It is a deplorable fact that sacred and eternal considerations do not have that power to open the hearts of the professed followers of Christ to make freewill offerings to sustain the gospel, as the tempting bribes of feasting and general merriment. It is a sad reality that these inducements will prevail when sacred and eternal things will have no force to influence the heart to engage in works of benevolence. {CS 203.2}[8]
§25
【摩西没有发行彩票】
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摩西在旷野里筹款的办法是非常成功的。他没有用勉强的方法，没有举行盛大的宴会，没有请人来参加狂欢，舞会和娱乐活动，更没有发售彩票，或用这一类世俗化手段，来筹募在旷野建造上帝会幕的经费。上帝吩咐摩西请以色列人把礼物带来。凡出于甘心奉献的礼物，摩西都收纳。结果百姓献上的礼物绰绰有余，以致摩西宣告说足够了。他们得停止奉献，因他们所送来的礼物很多，已经超过需要了。{CS 203.3}[9]
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【Moses Did Not Institute Lotteries】
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The plan of Moses in the wilderness to raise means was highly successful. There was no compulsion necessary. Moses made no grand feast. He did not invite the people to scenes of gaiety, dancing, and general amusement. Neither did he institute lotteries or anything of this profane order to obtain means to erect the tabernacle of God in the wilderness. God commanded Moses to invite the children of Israel to bring the offerings. Moses was to accept gifts of every man that gave willingly from his heart. These freewill offerings came in so great abundance that Moses proclaimed it was enough. They must cease their presents; for they had given abundantly, more than they could use. {CS 203.3}[9]
§29
撒但利用放纵享乐和食欲这一方面，对自称基督信徒之人所施行的试探是成功的。他披上了光明天使的外衣，并引用圣经来为他放在人前的试探辩护，就是满足人心的放纵食欲和世俗的享乐。那些自称基督徒的人在道德力上软弱，他们被撒但向他们所呈献的贿赂所吸引，于是他便获得胜利了。{CS 204.1}[10]
§30
Satans temptations succeed with the professed followers of Christ on the point of indulgence of pleasure and appetite. Clothed as an angel of light, he will quote Scripture to justify the temptations he places before men to indulge the appetite, and in worldly pleasures which suit the carnal heart. The professed followers of Christ are weak in moral power, and are fascinated with the bribe which Satan has presented before them, and he gains the victory. {CS 204.1}[10]
§31
上帝如何看那些用这样的钱财来维持的教会呢？基督不能接受这些捐款，因为他们不是出自爱心和对祂献身，而是对自我的偶像崇拜。但有许多人不愿因爱基督而做的事，却愿为了眼前的奢华、口腹之欲和世俗的享乐，换言之，就是愿为寻欢作乐而做。（《评论与通讯》1874年10月13日）{CS 204.2}[11]
§32
How does God look upon churches that are sustained by such means? Christ cannot accept these offerings, because they were not given through their love and devotion to Him, but through their idolatry of self. But what many would not do for the love of Christ, they will do for the love of delicate luxuries to gratify the appetite, and for love of worldly amusements to please the carnal heart.--R. & H., Oct. 13, 1874. {CS 204.2}[11]
§33
【重犯拿答和亚比户的罪】
§34
自称为基督徒的人，拒绝了上帝为祂圣工筹款所制订的计划。他们用什么办法来弥补欠缺呢？上帝看到他们采纳罪恶的方法。为了向自私爱宴乐的人募一些钱，来偿还教堂的债务或维持教会的工作，崇拜的场所被各种拜偶像的行为所玷污了。这些人中有许多的人不会自愿拿出一分钱来用于宗教。在上帝有关维持祂圣工的指示中，何处有提到集市，音乐会，义卖场，以及类似的娱乐活动呢？上帝的圣工是否必须依赖祂圣言所禁止的事物──就是使人心转离上帝、转离节制、敬虔和圣洁的东西呢？{CS 204.3}[12]
§35
【Repeating the Sin of Nadab and Abihu】
§36
Professed Christians reject the Lords plan of raising means for His work; and to what do they resort to supply the lack? God sees the wickedness of the methods they adopt. Places of worship are defiled by all manner of idolatrous dissipation, that a little money may be won from selfish pleasure lovers to pay church debts or to sustain the work of the church. Many of these persons would not of their own accord pay one shilling for religious purposes. Where, in Gods directions for the support of His work, do we find any mention of bazaars, concerts, fancy fairs, and similar entertainments? Must the Lords cause be dependent upon the very things He has forbidden in His word--upon those things that turn the mind away from God, from sobriety, from piety and holiness? {CS 204.3}[12]
§37
不信的人有何看法？上帝之道的圣洁标准被降低到尘埃。上帝和基督徒的名声受到了羞辱。这种不合圣经的筹款方法，只能加强最腐败的原则。这正是撒但的目的。人们在重犯拿答和亚比户的罪。他们在侍奉上帝时用凡火而不用圣火。上帝绝不会接受这样的奉献。{CS 205.1}[13]
§38
And what impression is made upon the minds of unbelievers? The holy standard of the word of God is lowered into the dust. Contempt is cast upon God and upon the Christian name. The most corrupt principles are strengthened by this un-Scriptural way of raising means. And this is as Satan would have it. Men are repeating the sin of Nadab and Abihu. They are using common instead of sacred fire in the service of God. The Lord accepts no such offerings. {CS 205.1}[13]
§39
这一切聚集款项送交祂库房的方法，是祂所憎恶的。这些方法都是出于虚假的奉献。许多自称为基督徒的人，是何等的盲目，何等的糊涂！教会信徒们所做的，如同挪亚时代的居民一样，心中所想的尽都是恶。所有敬畏上帝的人，都要痛恨这样的作法，并视之为歪曲耶稣基督的宗教。（《评论与通讯》1896年12月8日）{CS 205.2}[14]
§40
All these methods for bringing money into His treasury are an abomination to Him. It is a spurious devotion that prompts all such devising. O what blindness, what infatuation, is upon many who claim to be Christians! Church members are doing as did the inhabitants of the world in the days of Noah, when the imagination of their hearts was only evil continually. All who fear God will abhor such practices as a misrepresentation of the religion of Jesus Christ.--R. & H. Dec. 8, 1896. {CS 205.2}[14]
§41
【缺乏原则深度的慷慨】
§42
传道人可能会特别喜爱某个富人，后者可能对他很慷慨；这使传道人感到满足，就对他捐赠人的善行大加赞美。富人的名字可能被高举，出现在印刷品中，可是那点慷慨的捐赠可能完全不配所给予他的荣誉。{CS 205.3}[15]
§43
【Liberality With No Depth of Principle】
§44
The minister may be the special favorite of some wealthy man, and he may be very liberal with him; this gratifies the minister, and he in turn lavishes praise upon the benevolence of his donor. His name may be exalted by appearing in print, and yet that liberal donor may be entirely unworthy of the credit given him. {CS 205.3}[15]
§45
他的慷慨并非出自深刻活泼的原则，要用自己的钱财行善，因重视上帝的圣工而推进之，而是出自某种自私的动机，想要被人认为是慷慨大方的。他的奉献可能出于冲动，他的慷慨没有原则的深度。他所听到的真理原会迫使他暂时解开自己的钱袋；但他的慷慨毕竟没有更深的动机。他的奉献出自冲动；他的钱包怎样心血来潮地打开，也怎样心安理得地关上。他不配受称赞，因为他实在是一个吝啬小气的人，若不彻底悔改，全部奉献，就必听到那令人恐惧的谴责：“嗐！你们这些富足人哪，应当哭泣、号啕，因为将有苦难临到你们身上。你们的财物坏了，衣服也被虫子咬了”（雅5:1,2）。{CS 205.4}[16]
§46
His liberality did not arise from a deep, living principle to do good with his means, to advance the cause of God because he appreciated it, but from some selfish motive, a desire to be thought liberal. He may have given from impulse, and his liberality have no depth of principle. He may have been moved upon by listening to stirring truth, which for the time being loosed his purse strings; yet, after all, his liberality has no deeper motive. He gives by spasms; his purse opens spasmodically, and closes just as securely, spasmodically. He deserves no commendation, for he is in every sense of the word a stingy man; and unless thoroughly converted, purse and all, will hear the withering denunciation, Go to, now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. {CS 205.4}[16]
§47
这样的人最终会从可怕的自欺醒来。那些赞美他们的偶发性慷慨的人，帮助撒但欺骗了他们，使他们以为自己是非常慷慨的，非常牺牲的，其实他们还不知道慷慨或自我牺牲的基本原理。（《证言》卷一第475，476页）{CS 206.1}[17]
§48
Such will awake at last from a horrible self-deception. Those who praised their spasmodic liberalities, helped Satan to deceive them, and make them think that they were very liberal, very sacrificing, when they know not the first principles of liberality or self-sacrifice. --1T 475, 476. {CS 206.1}[17]