第44章 口头承认的人
§1
第44章 口头承认的人
§2
Chap. 44 - Vain Professors
§3
圣经论到一大批只在口头上表白却不行动的人。许多人自称相信上帝，却在行动上否认祂。他们崇拜金钱、房屋和田地，表明他们是拜偶像和背道的人。所有的自私都属贪婪，所以也是拜偶像。许多名字登记在教会名册上，相信上帝和圣经，却在崇拜上帝所托付用来周济人的钱财。他们也许没有向这些属世财富叩拜，但这就是他们的神。他们是崇拜玛门的，将原属于创造主的尊崇献给今世之物。洞悉一切的主记录了他们表白的虚伪性。{CS 223.1}[1]
§4
The Scriptures speak of the large class of professors who are not doers. Many who claim to believe in God deny Him by their works. Their worship of money, houses, and lands marks them as idolaters and apostates. All selfishness is covetousness, and is, therefore, idolatry. Many who have placed their names on the church roll, as believers in God and the Bible, are worshiping the goods the Lord has entrusted to them that they may be His almoners. They may not literally bow down before their earthly treasure, but nevertheless it is their god. They are worshipers of mammon. To the things of this world they offer the homage which belongs to the Creator. He who sees and knows all things records the falsity of their profession. {CS 223.1}[1]
§5
上帝在世俗化基督徒的心殿中被排挤出来，以便让世俗的策略有更多的空间。金钱是他的神。其实金钱是属于耶和华的。可是他拒绝用受托的钱财行善。如果他能按照上帝的计划使用金钱，善行的香气就会升到天上。数以千计悔改的人，就会唱出感恩和赞美的诗歌。{CS 223.2}[2]
§6
From the soul temple of a worldly Christian, God is excluded, in order that worldly policy may have abundant room. Money is his god. It belongs to Jehovah, but he to whom it is entrusted refuses to let it flow forth in deeds of benevolence. Did he appropriate it in accordance with Gods design, the incense of his good works would ascend to heaven, and from thousands of converted souls would be heard songs of praise and thanksgiving. {CS 223.2}[2]
§7
我们的钱财应该用来推进上帝的国度，唤醒死在罪恶过犯中的人，向罪人述说救主慈爱医治的膏油。但是人们往往用金钱来荣耀自我。属世的财产非但没有用来引人认识上帝和基督，从而感谢和赞美一切美物的赐予者，反而遮蔽了上帝的荣耀、使天国的景物黯然失色。金钱的误用使世界充满了各样恶行。人的心门已经对救赎主关闭。{CS 223.3}[3]
§8
To advance Gods kingdom, to arouse those dead in trespasses and sins, to speak to sinners of the healing balm of the Saviours love,--it is for this that our money should be used. But too often it is used for self-glorification. Instead of being the means of bringing souls to a knowledge of God and Christ, thus calling forth praise and gratitude to the Giver of all good, earthly possessions have been the means of eclipsing the glory of God and obscuring the view of heaven. By the wrong use of money the world has been filled with evil practices. The door of the mind has been closed against the Redeemer. {CS 223.3}[3]
§9
上帝宣布说：“银子是我的，金子也是我的”（该2:8）。祂为亚当的每一个儿女都保留详细的记录，知道他们怎样使用祂的金钱。世俗的人可能说：“我不是基督徒，没有说自己侍奉上帝。”但是这能减轻他们的为了自私的目的把祂的钱财和资源埋藏在世俗业务中的罪责吗？{CS 224.1}[4]
§10
God declares, The gold and the silver is Mine. He keeps a strict account with every son and daughter of Adam, that He may know how they are appropriating His means. Worldly men and worldly women may say, But I am not a Christian. I do not profess to serve God. But does this make them any less guilty for burying His means, His resources, in worldly enterprises, to advance their selfish interests? {CS 224.1}[4]
§11
我要对你们这些不认识上帝，却读到这段话的人说话，因为在上帝的安排下，这可能引起你们的注意。你们怎样处理主的货财？如何运用祂赐给你们的体力和智力？你能靠自己使人体的机器运行吗？上帝只要说一句话要你死，你马上就会死。上帝每日、每时、每刻都用祂无限的能力使你活着。祂给你气息，使生命保存于体内。上帝如果忽略人类象人类忽略祂一样，那会有什么后果呢？{CS 224.2}[5]
§12
I speak to you who know not God, who may read these lines; for in His providence they may be brought to your notice. What are you doing with your Lords goods? What are you doing with the physical and mental powers He has given you? Are you able of yourself to keep the human machinery in motion? Did God speak but one word to say that you must die, you would at once be still in death. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, God works by His infinite power to keep you alive. It is He who supplies the breath which keeps life in your body. Did God neglect man as man neglects God, what would become of the race? {CS 224.2}[5]
§13
伟大医疗布道士关怀祂亲手所造之物。祂让人看到紧闭心门、拒绝救主的危险，说：“你们转回，转回吧……何必死亡呢”（结33:11）？（《评论与通讯》1907年5月23日）{CS 224.3}[6]
§14
The great Medical Missionary has an interest in the work of His hands. He presents before men the peril of closing the door of the heart against the Saviour, saying, Turn ye, turn ye; for why will ye die?-- R. & H., May 23, 1907. {CS 224.3}[6]
§15
【天上财富的权益】
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“到那日，人必将为拜而造的金偶像、银偶像，抛给田鼠和蝙蝠。到耶和华兴起使地大震动的时候，人好进入磐石洞中和岩石穴里，躲避耶和华的惊吓和祂威严的荣光”（赛2:20,21）。在那愤怒的大日，世上的财富将毫无用处。唯有信心和顺从才能带来胜利。{CS 224.4}[7]
§17
【A Title to the Heavenly Possessions】
§18
The day is coming when a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty. The riches of the world will not avail in the day of wrath; but faith and obedience will bring the victory. {CS 224.4}[7]
§19
我们要实行我们的全部信仰，造就自己谈论信心，为来生作准备。人们千方百计要取得他们土地的合法权益。他们需要有证书能经得起法律的检验。他必须确认证书上没有漏洞，否则就不满意。但愿人也这样恳切地寻求天上财宝的权益，以便经得起律法的考验！使徒劝勉基督徒要殷勤，使自己的恩召和拣选坚定不移。在争取永生的事上，不可有错误或瑕疵。救主说：“那些洗净自己衣服的人有福了，可得权柄能到生命树那里，也能从门进城”（启22:14）。（《评论与通讯》1889年4月30日）{CS 225.1}[8]
§20
We shall act out all the faith we have. We must educate ourselves to talk faith, and prepare for the future life. What earnest efforts men make to obtain a lawful title to their land. They must have deeds that will stand the test of law. The possessor is never satisfied unless he is confident that there is no flaw in his title. O that men were as earnest to obtain a title to their heavenly possessions that would stand the test of law! The apostle exhorts the follower of Christ to give diligence to make his calling and election sure. There must be no error, no flaw in your claim to immortality. Says the Saviour, Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.--R. & H., April 30, 1889. {CS 225.1}[8]
§21
【永恒的财富受藐视】
§22
上帝悲怜地看着那些甘愿背负家庭挂虑和业务困惑的人。他们被许多事情所拖累，却忽略了一件最重要的事。救主说：“你们要先求祂的国和祂的义，这些东西都要加给你们了”（太6:33）。这就是说，要把视线从今世转到永恒的世界，努力争取上帝所赋予价值的东西。基督曾舍弃祂宝贵的生命，使你能获得这些东西。祂的牺牲为你敞开了天国业务之门。要利用祂所委托的资本，从事祂所期望拯救生灵认识真理的工作，把财宝积蓄在上帝的宝座旁，这样你就能获得永恒的财宝。……{CS 225.2}[9]
§23
【Eternal Riches Slighted】
§24
The Lord looks with pity on those who allow themselves to be burdened with household cares and business perplexities. They are cumbered with much serving, and neglect the one thing essential. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, the Saviour says; and all these things shall be added unto you. That is, Look away from this world to the eternal. Put forth your most earnest endeavors to obtain those things upon which God places value, and which Christ gave His precious life that you might secure. His sacrifice has thrown open wide to you the gates of heavenly commerce. Lay up your treasure beside the throne of God, by doing with His entrusted capital the work that He desires done in the winning of souls to a knowledge of the truth. This will secure you eternal riches. . . . {CS 225.2}[9]
§25
当我们想到上天为救赎犯罪的世界而赐下的大礼物，再看看我们所能作的捐献时，就会退缩，不敢进行比较。对于全宇宙的要求，也不能与这份礼物相比。与天父同等的那一位，竟偿付了人类灵魂的赎价，带给他们永生，表达了无法测度的爱。自称信奉基督圣名的人，难道没有感受到世界救赎主的吸引力，竟对获得真理和公义漠不关心，转离天上的财宝，去追求地上的财宝吗？{CS 226.1}[10]
§26
When we think of the great gift of heaven for the redemption of a sinful world, and then consider the offerings that we can make, we shrink from drawing a comparison. The demands that might be made upon a whole universe could not compare with that one gift. Immeasurable love was expressed when One equal with the Father came to pay the price for the souls of men, and bring to them eternal life. Shall those who profess the name of Christ see no attraction in the worlds Redeemer, be indifferent to the possession of truth and righteousness, and turn from the heavenly treasure to the earthly? {CS 226.1}[10]
§27
“光来到世间，世人因自己的行为是恶的，不爱光倒爱黑暗，定他们的罪就是在此。凡作恶的便恨光，并不来就光，恐怕他的行为受责备。但行真理的必来就光，要显明他所行的是靠上帝而行”（约3:19-21）。{CS 226.2}[11]
§28
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. But everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. {CS 226.2}[11]
§29
这个福音的信息是《新约》最宝贵的篇章之一，如果被人接受，就会在接受者生活中结出善行来，其价值远超过钻石和黄金。它能为今生带来喜乐和安慰，又能把永生带给相信的人。但愿我们的悟性能蒙恩光照耀，充分理解它的意义！天父对我们说：我要赐你一项财富，超越任何属世之物，使你永远富足与蒙福。（《评论与通讯》1908年3月5日）{CS 226.3}[12]
§30
This gospel message is one of the most precious passages in the New Testament. When it is accepted, it yields in the lives of the receiver good deeds whose value is far above that of diamonds and gold. It has power to bring gladness and consolation into the earthly life, and to bestow eternal life upon the believer. O that we might have our understanding so enlightened by grace that we could take in its full meaning! The Father is saying to us, I will bestow upon you a treasure more precious than any earthly possession, a treasure that will make you rich and blessed forever.--R. & H., March 5, 1908. {CS 226.3}[12]
§31
【多么不合常理！多么没有价值！】
§32
基督宣布说：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我”（可8:34）。那些穿着婚筵礼服，就是基督义袍的人，不会怀疑自己该不该背起十字架跟从救主的脚踪。他们反而会甘心乐意地服从祂的命令。许多生灵因得不着基督而灭亡。所以只顾追求地位和财富是多么不合常理啊！若与基督在祂圣言中的教训进行比较，撒但所提供自私和野心的动机，是多么不堪一击啊！除了天父所给的赏赐，这个世界所提供的赏赐是多么没有价值！（《评论与通讯》1899年9月19日）{CS 227.1}[13]
§33
【How Inconsistent! How Worthless!】
§34
Christ declares, He that will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Those who have on the wedding garment, the robe of Christs righteousness, will not question whether they should lift the cross, and follow in the footsteps of the Saviour. Willingly and cheerfully they will obey His commands. Souls are perishing out of Christ. How inconsistent, then, is all striving after position and wealth. How feeble are the motives which Satan may present, which selfishness and ambition can furnish, in comparison with the lessons which Christ has given in His word! How worthless the reward the world offers beside that offered by our heavenly Father!-- R. & H., Sept. 19, 1899. {CS 227.1}[13]
§35
【上帝会供应】
§36
人如果认识到不可浪费上帝的恩赐，就会克服吝啬贪婪的精神。这种精神会导致交易不公和过分行为，是上帝所厌恶的。基督徒不应为生活的需求而焦虑忧愁。人如果爱上帝和服从祂，并尽自己的本分，上帝就会供应他们一切所需要的。你虽然汗流满面才能维持生计，也不要怀疑上帝，因在祂旨意的大计划中，祂会每天供应你的需要。基督的这个教训，是要责备出于不信的焦虑、困惑和猜疑。没有人能因焦虑而使身体增高，无论他多么渴望这样做。为明天和明天的需要忧虑是不合理的。要履行你的职责，信靠上帝，因为祂知道你需要什么。（《评论与通讯》1888年9月18日）{CS 227.2}[14]
§37
【God Will Provide】
§38
While men should see that no bounty of providence is needlessly wasted, a parsimonious, acquisitive spirit will have to be overcome. This disposition will lead to overreaching and unjust dealing, which is an abhorrence in the sight of God. Christians should not allow themselves to be troubled with anxious care as to the necessities of life. If men love and obey God, and do their part, God will provide for all their wants. Although your living may have to be obtained by the sweat of your brow, you are not to distrust God; for in the great plan of His providence, He will supply your need from day to day. This lesson of Christs is a rebuke to the anxious thoughts, the perplexities and doubts, of the faithless heart. No man can add one cubit to his stature, no matter how solicitous he may be to do so. It is no less unreasonable to be troubled about the morrow and its needs. Do your duty, and trust in God; for He knows of what things you have need.--R. & H., Sept. 18, 1888. {CS 227.2}[14]