第46章 投机的诱惑
§1
第46章 投机的诱惑
§2
Chap. 46 - The Temptation to Speculate
§3
撒但藉着引人置身于试探之途，已经毁灭了许多人。他来到这些人面前，象昔日到基督那里一样，引诱他们爱世界。他向他们说：投资这种或那种事业都可获利，于是他们很有诚意地听从了他的指示。{CS 236.1}[1]
§4
Satan has destroyed many souls by leading them to place themselves in the way of temptation. He comes to them as he came to Christ, tempting them to love the world. He tells them that they may invest with profit in this or that enterprise, and in good faith they follow his dictation. {CS 236.1}[1]
§5
为了要尽量盈利，这些人很快就被引诱，背离了廉正的作风。他们的做法依照世俗的标准虽然可能完全合法，但却经不起上帝律法的考验。他们的动机引起了弟兄们的质疑，他们被怀疑用狡诈手段来餍饱私囊，因而牺牲了本应为上帝圣工的利益而受到庄严保护的珍贵的影响力。为世俗的利益而愿意出卖正直的骗子，他手上的生意，可能是经济上的一项成就，但是对跟从基督的人来说，却是完全不相宜的。{CS 236.2}[2]
§6
Soon they are tempted to swerve from their integrity in order to make as good bargains for themselves as possible. Their course may be perfectly lawful, according to the worlds standard of right, and yet not bear the test of the law of God. Their motives are called in question by their brethren, and they are suspected of overreaching to serve themselves, and thus is sacrificed that precious influence which should have been sacredly guarded for the benefit of the cause of God. The business which might be a financial success in the hands of a sharper who will sell his integrity for worldly gain, would be entirely inappropriate for a follower of Christ. {CS 236.2}[2]
§7
凡是这样的投机都伴随着种种眼不能见的困难与磨炼，对参与者是可怕的考验。各种的境遇会出现，很自然地令人指责这些弟兄的动机；然而，虽然有些事看上去显然是错误的，也不该总被视作品格的真正考验。但它们常是一个人的经验和命运的转折点。个人身处之环境的力量使其品格发生改变。{CS 236.3}[3]
§8
All such speculations are attended with unseen trials and difficulties, and are a fearful ordeal for those who engage in them. Circumstances often occur which naturally cause reflections to be cast upon the motives of these brethren; but although some things may look decidedly wrong, these should not always be considered a true test of character. Yet they often prove to be the turning point in ones experience and destiny. The character becomes transformed by the force of circumstances under which the individual has placed himself. {CS 236.3}[3]
§9
【一项危险的实验】
§10
我蒙指示看到，我们的人参与投机是一项危险的实验。他们因此而置身敌人的阵地里，遭受极大的试探、失望、考验和损失。于是他们便狂热不安起来，渴望比现况所允许的更快地获取金钱。他们周围的事物也按照挣更多金钱的指望而被改变。但他们的期望常常不会实现，于是变得气馁灰心，退后而不前进了。某地有些人的情形就是这样。他们正在倒退离弃上帝。{CS 237.1}[4]
§11
【A Dangerous Experiment】
§12
I was shown that it is a dangerous experiment for our people to engage in speculation. They thereby place themselves on the enemys ground, subject to great temptations, disappointments, trials, and losses. Then comes a feverish unrest, a longing desire to obtain means more rapidly than present circumstances will admit. Their surroundings are accordingly changed, in hope of making more money. But frequently their expectations are not realized, and they become discouraged and go backward rather than forward. This has been the case with some in ---. They are backsliding from God. {CS 237.1}[4]
§13
上帝如果让我们一些亲爱的弟兄在投机买卖上昌盛，就会使他们永远灭亡。上帝爱祂的子民，也爱那些不幸的人。他们若愿学习祂想要教导他们的教训，他们的失败最终就会成为宝贵的胜利。爱世界的心挤出了爱基督的心。何时消除了心门前的垃圾，并且敞开心门响应基督的邀请，祂就会进来，占有这心灵的殿。（《证言》卷四第616-618页）{CS 237.2}[5]
§14
Had the Lord prospered some of our dear brethren in their speculations, it would have proved their eternal ruin. God loves His people, and He loves those who have been unfortunate. If they will learn the lessons which He intends to teach them, their defeat will in the end prove a precious victory. The love of the world has crowded out the love of Christ. When the rubbish is cleared away from the door of the heart, and it is thrown open in response to the invitation of Christ, He will come in and take possession of the soul temple.--4T 616-618. {CS 237.2}[5]
§15
【骗人的迷惑和贿赂】
§16
我们在如今的宽容时期中都要接受试炼和考验，撒但正用他骗人的迷惑和贿赂作工。有些人认为藉着自己的计划已经作了绝妙的投机。可是正当他们自以为平步青云，在自私之中飘飘然的时候，他们得知上帝的分散要比他们的收聚更快。（《特别证言》系列二第17号第6页）{CS 237.3}[6]
§17
【Deceiving Enchantments and Bribes】
§18
Now, in probationary time, we are all on test and trial. Satan is working with his deceiving enchantments and bribes, and some will think that by their schemes they have made a wonderful speculation. But lo, as they believe that they are rising securely, and are carrying themselves loftily in their selfishness, they learn that God can scatter faster than they can gather.-- Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 17, p. 6. {CS 237.3}[6]
§19
【误导人的前景】
§20
许多人自愿地把钱借给我们的机构，用来为主成就善工。可是撒但实施一些计划，在我们弟兄心中诱发用钱财碰运气的强烈愿望，象抽彩中奖一样。他们因有力的宣传而心动，以为投资土地就会有很大的经济效益。于是他们就把钱从我们的机构中提出来，埋在地里，结果上帝的圣工得不到利益。{CS 238.1}[7]
§21
【Misleading Prospects】
§22
Many have conscientiously loaned their money to our institutions, that it may be used to do a good work for the Master. But Satan sets in operation schemes that will produce in the minds of our brethren a great desire to try their fortunes, as in a lottery. One and still another are flattered by strong representations of financial gain if they will only invest their money in lands; and they take their means out of our institutions, and bury it in the earth, where the Lords cause is not benefited. {CS 238.1}[7]
§23
如果有人发了财，他就会为赚了几百元而得意洋洋，决心再接再厉，努力赚钱。他们继续投资于不动产或矿业。撒但的计谋成功了。为了在地产和矿业上投资碰运气，流进库房的钱财非但没有增多，反而从我们的机构中被提了出来。贪婪的精神滋长了。生性吝啬的人，就连那原本是要用来推进上帝在地上圣工的每一块钱，也不愿奉献了。（《特别证言》系列二第17号第8页）{CS 238.2}[8]
§24
Then if one is successful, he is so elated over the fact that he has gained a few hundred dollars, that he decides to keep on getting money if he can. He continues to invest in real estate or in mines. The device of Satan is successful; in the place of increased funds flowing into the treasury, there is withdrawal of means from our institutions, in order that the owners may try their fortunes in the mining business or in land speculation. The spirit of greed is fostered, and the naturally penurious man begrudges every dollar that is called for to be used in the advancement of the cause of God in the earth.--Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 17, p. 8. {CS 238.2}[8]
§25
【传道人参与投机】
§26
我们是近乎末期了。我们不但要在讲台上传扬真理，也当在台下实行真理。当仔细查验你得救之盼望的根基。当你站在真理宣扬者的地位，作锡安城楼上的守望者之时，你不能一面注意投机矿业及地产，而同时又能有效的进行那委托在你手中的神圣事工。在与人的性命存亡攸关之处，在涉及永恒事物之时，我们若分心了，就不得安全。{CS 238.3}[9]
§27
【Speculation by Ministers】
§28
We are nearing the close of time. We want not only to teach present truth in the pulpit, but to live it out of the pulpit. Examine closely the foundation of your hope of salvation. While you stand in the position of a herald of truth, a watchman upon the walls of Zion, you cannot have your interest interwoven with mining or real-estate business, and at the same time do effectually the sacred work committed to your hands. Where the souls of men are at stake, where eternal things are involved, the interest cannot safely be divided. {CS 238.3}[9]
§29
你的情形尤其如此。既然参与这种生意，就不能培养衷心的敬虔。你有了疯狂求财的欲望，并且对许多人谈及在某地投资地产所得的利益，又三番四次地描述这些事业的利润；然而，你却是基督的一位受任命的传道人，曾立誓要把身、心、灵奉献与救灵的工作，还从库房支取金钱，来供养你和你一家。你的言谈故意把我们会众的金钱和注意力转离我们的机构，以及在地上推展救赎主国度的事工。这种趋势迫使他们产生欲望，要投资在你所保证能在短期内得双倍收获的地方，又利用这条财路谄媚他们，说这样做更能援助圣工。……{CS 239.1}[10]
§30
This is especially so in your case. While engaged in this business, you have not been cultivating heartfelt piety. You have had a feverish desire to obtain means. You have talked to many about the financial advantages to be gained by investing in lands in---. Again and again you have been engaged in picturing the advantages of these enterprises; and this while you were an ordained minister of Christ, pledged to give your soul, body, and spirit to the work of the salvation of souls. At the same time you were receiving money from the treasury to support yourself and your family. Your talk was calculated to draw the attention and money of our people away from our institutions and from the business of promoting the Redeemers kingdom on the earth. Its tendency was to beget in them a desire to invest their means where you assured them that it would be doubled in a short time, and to flatter them with the prospect that they could help the cause a great deal more by so doing. . . . {CS 239.1}[10]
§31
【避免世俗的缠累】
§32
传道人尤其要保守自己脱离世俗的缠累，并使自己与一切能力的源头紧密相连，才可正确地表示出作基督徒的意义。他应该割断任何使思想转离上帝和当前伟大工作的每一事物。基督期望他作祂受雇的工人，无论在心志、思想、言语和行动上都与祂相似。祂期望每一个人都向别人展开圣经，谨慎和明智地作工，而不是愚蠢地浪费能力，造成损害或工作过劳，乃是合宜地为主做善工。（《证言》卷五第530，531页）{CS 239.2}[11]
§33
【To Avoid Worldly Entanglements】
§34
Especially should the minister keep himself from every worldly entanglement, and bind himself to the Source of all power, that he may represent correctly what it means to be a Christian. He should cut loose from everything that would in any way divert his mind from God and the great work for this time. Christ expects him, as His employed servant, to be like Himself in mind, in thought, in word, in action. He expects every man who opens the Scriptures to others, to work carefully and intelligently, not exercising his powers unwisely, in a way to injure or overtask them, but so that he may be fitted to do good work for the Lord.--5T 530, 531. {CS 239.2}[11]
§35
【投机我们机构附近的地产】
§36
我蒙指示对我们的弟兄们作见证，告诉他们在学校附近买卖土地的时候，要谨防不当的投机。每一笔买卖交易，都要表现出最严格的诚实。不可放纵自私。我们学校所坚持的原则，作为教育的一部分教导学生，应当在那些与学校的权益密切相关的人身上得到培养和表显。他们不可因个人财利而损害基督化教育的原则。这所学校就是为基督化教育而建立的。{CS 240.1}[12]
§37
【Speculating in Land Near Our Institutions】
§38
I was instructed to bear a testimony to our brethren, telling them that they must guard themselves against unfair speculation in connection with the purchase and sale of land near the school property. Every transaction in buying and selling must be characterized by strictest integrity. Selfishness must not be indulged. The principles for which our school shall stand, and which are to be taught the students as part of their education, are to be cultivated and revealed by those who closely connect themselves with the school interest. They must not, by efforts for personal gain, counterwork the principles of Christian education for which this school is to be established. {CS 240.1}[12]
§39
我们天天在为今生和永恒留下记录。每一笔买卖都要公平诚实，不容奸诈的精神侵入，否则弟兄们会失望，上帝会不喜悦。我们教会的信徒曾作出重大的牺牲，才获得了建校的地产。不要让自私自利的人占需要迁到学校附近之弟兄的便宜。要阻止抱有投机意向的人到某地来，因为他们不会造福于学校，只能造成障碍。{CS 240.2}[13]
§40
Day by day we are making our record for time and for eternity. Let every action be just and square, in selling as in buying. Let nothing of an overreaching character be brought in, for that would discourage our brethren and displease God. Large sacrifices have been made by the people in our churches in order that this property might be secured for our school. Let not those who secure advantages for themselves take unfair advantage of their brethren who may need to settle near the school. Some who have the spirit of speculation should be discouraged from coming to ---, because they would not be a blessing to the school, but a hindrance. {CS 240.2}[13]
§41
要记住我们正站在上帝面前等候审查。每一件不诚实的自私行为，都记录在天上的卷册中我们的名下。我恳劝我们的弟兄要放弃惟利是图的精神，祈愿没有一个人会为着自己的利益来到学校附近。惟愿所有的人都专注于属灵的事物，变野心为无私的精神。我们若要完全被上帝悦纳，就必须有这种改变。（《信函》1909年72号）{CS 240.3}[14]
§42
Let us remember that we are standing in review before God, and that every unfair action to serve self is recorded against us in the books of heaven. O, I entreat our brethren to put away the spirit of commercialism. I pray that none may gather about the school whose chief purpose is to advantage self. Let all seek to excel in spiritual things, that the ambitious spirit may be changed to a spirit of unselfishness. This change must be wrought in us if we would be wholly approved of God.--Letter 72, 1909. {CS 240.3}[14]
§43
【抽奖的诱惑】
§44
有一种抽奖活动与之有关。有一个青年人到那里赢了一只金表。结果怎么样呢？那只表可能是真金制作的，并无欺诈。可是背后却有欺骗，有陷阱。他赢了这一次，就会再试。如果这是我的儿子，我宁愿他死也不愿让他追逐金表。其他孩子看见这手表也会心里痒痒，跃跃欲试。与是就有越来越多的人要碰碰运气，其影响力逐渐扩大。魔鬼知道怎样玩他的把戏。（《文稿》1890年第1号）{CS 241.1}[15]
§45
【The Lure of Lotteries】
§46
Then there is some lottery business connected with it, and one young man that goes there, obtains a gold watch. What then? The watch may be genuine gold, it may be no fraud, but ah, there is a fraud back of that, and that is the snare. If he has gained this once, he will want to try it again. Oh, I would rather, if it had been a son of mine, have him lying in his coffin than sporting that gold watch. Then, here are other boys. He shows his watch to them, and then there is an itching with them to try their luck in just the same way, and so they will attempt this matter themselves. Then another will attempt it, and another; and so the influence extends from one to another; and the devil knows just how to play his game.--MS 1, 1890. {CS 241.1}[15]