第51章 清偿建造教堂的债务
§1
第51章 清偿建造教堂的债务
§2
Chap. 51 - Lifting Debts on Church Buildings
§3
我为清偿建造教堂之债务的前景而与你们一同快乐。如果每年都作这些额外的努力，有许多钱可以积攒起来啊！我们聚会的场所没有必要年复一年地欠债。如果教会的每一个信徒都尽到了自己的责任，为救赎的他的主耶稣实行克己牺牲，祂的教会就不会欠债，上帝也会因他而得荣耀了。{CS 259.1}[1]
§4
I rejoice with you in the prospect of clearing the church buildings from debt. How much might have been saved if extra efforts had been made every year to do this. There is no necessity for our meetinghouses to continue year after year in debt. If every member of the church will do his duty, practicing self-denial and self-sacrifice, for the Lord Jesus, whose purchased possession he is, that His church may be free from debt, he will do honor to God. {CS 259.1}[1]
§5
主的教堂是属于祂自己的机构，应该摆脱一切债务。每年都有许多镑钱（写于澳大利亚）被债务的利息吞没了。这笔金钱如果用来偿还本金，欠款就不会老是侵吞人的钱财了。负债是极为不智之举。如果通过辛勤的努力预先准备好建筑用款，献堂时没有债务，这就好得多了。难道我们不应该规定在为上帝建造教堂的时候，都要通过坚持不懈的努力，献给祂时不负债务吗？……{CS 259.2}[2]
§6
The Lords great centers, His own instrumentalities, should be free from all debt. Every year many pounds [WRITTEN FROM AUSTRALIA.] are being swallowed up by the interest paid on debts. If this money was all appropriated to settle the principal, the debt would not be eating, eating, and ever eating. It is a poor, wretched policy to go into debt. If the money that is needed to build could be first accumulated, by strenuous efforts, and the church dedicated free from debt, how much better it would be. O, shall we not make it a rule when building a house for the Lord, to put forth earnest, persevering efforts, that it may be dedicated to Him free from debt. . . . {CS 259.2}[2]
§7
上帝指示我，我们在澳大利亚和新西兰的聚会场所不需要欠债。每一笔债务都意味着忽略了上帝特别神圣的事物，而把自私和世俗的事列为首要。……应当给予上帝的圣幕最崇高的尊敬。其他一切事物都要列为次要。我们的思想要得到提高、陶冶和成圣。父母为了子女和亲友而放纵世俗和贪婪的精神。他们把钱化在不能尊荣上帝的事物上，造成了实际的损害。他们慷慨地把礼物送给儿女和亲友，而主所看重的礼物，他们奉献的价值极低，次数也有限。……{CS 259.3}[3]
§8
The Lord has shown me that debts need not be left on our meetinghouses in Australia or New Zealand. A debt in every case means a neglect of Gods special, sacred things; for selfish, common things are made first and all-absorbing. . . . The very highest honor is to be shown to Gods tabernacle. Every other consideration should be second to this. Our ideas must be elevated, ennobled, and sanctified. Worldliness and covetousness have been indulged by parents for their children and for relatives and friends. Money has been appropriated when and where it could not honor God, where it has done positive harm. Gifts have been liberally bestowed on children and relatives and friends, while the gifts that have been made to that which the Lord honors, have been stinted and limited in value and in recurrence. . . . {CS 259.3}[3]
§9
【克己和抵押教堂】
§10
每一位基督徒应当扪心自问：在我的内心有没有爱耶稣呢？我爱祂的会幕吗？……我对上帝和我救赎主的爱有没有强烈到能作出自我牺牲呢？当放纵享乐和自私爱好的试探来临时，我会说：“在上帝的殿宇被抵押或负债的情况下，我不会花一先令甚至几便士来满足自己”吗？{CS 260.1}[4]
§11
【Self-Denial and the Church Mortgage】
§12
The test question for every Christian to ask himself is, Have I, in my innermost soul, a love for Jesus? Do I love His tabernacle?. . . Is my love for God and my Redeemer strong enough to lead me to deny self? When temptations come to indulge in pleasure and selfish enjoyment, shall I not say, No, I will not spend one shilling or even sixpence for my own gratification while the house of God is under mortgage, or bearing the pressure of debt? {CS 260.1}[4]
§13
基督难道不应该在我们的思想中占最高最重要的位置吗？难道祂不应该向我们要忠诚和尊崇的标志吗？这些事情是我们家庭和教会核心生活的基础。你如果把心、灵、力量和生命都献给上帝，把一切情感都投放在祂身上，你就会在所有的服务中以上帝为至尊。结果你就会对在神圣的事业上与耶稣基督合作的意义有所理解。为敬拜上帝而建造的殿宇，就不会因债务而受损。让这种情况发生，就等于否认你的信仰。（《信函》1897年52号）{CS 260.2}[5]
§14
Should not Christ have our first and highest consideration? Should He not demand this token of our respect and loyalty? These very things underlie our heart life, in the home circle, and in the church life. If the heart, the soul, the strength, the life, is surrendered wholly to God, if the affection is given wholly to Him, you will make God supreme in all your service. The result will be that you will have a sense of what it means to be a partner with Jesus Christ in the sacred firm. The building erected for the worship of God will not be left crippled with debt. It will appear almost like a denial of your faith to allow such a thing.--Letter 52, 1897. {CS 260.2}[5]
§15
【教堂的债务羞辱上帝】
§16
我们的教堂若为债务所累，就使上帝蒙羞。这样的事情是不必要发生的。这表明管理工作自始至终都是错误的，并且羞辱了天上的上帝。务要虔诚地阅读和研究《撒迦利亚书》第四章和《哈该书》第一章，看看这里的话是不是针对你说的。你既然专顾自己和个人的利益，要么就忽略了起来建造，要么就借钱建造，不通过捐献来清偿建造教堂的债务。你有没有想过自己的责任呢？年复一年，只作出极少的牺牲来减轻债务。利息吞没了应该用来偿还本金的钱。{CS 261.1}[6]
§17
【Church Debts Dishonoring to God】
§18
It is dishonoring to God for our churches to be burdened with debt. This state of things need not exist. It shows wrong management from beginning to end, and it is a dishonor to the God of heaven. Read and study prayerfully the fourth chapter of Zechariah. Then read the first chapter of Haggai, and see if this representation does not apply to you. While you have thought much of your own selves, of your own selfish interests, you have either neglected to arise and build, or have built on hired money, and have not made donations to free the church buildings from debt. Will you consider what it is your duty to do? Year after year passes by, and very little sacrifice is made to lessen the debt. The interest swallows up the means that should be used to pay off the principal. {CS 261.1}[6]
§19
【为什么依然负债】
§20
在教会中懒惰的仆人受到上帝的指责。当神圣的事物处于凋零遭忽视的状态时，祂的旨意就没有得到实行。每一个教会如果实行克己牺牲，是能叫局面改观的。“万军之耶和华说：银子是我的，金子也是我的”（该2:8）。金银如果象过去那样用于自私的目的，满足野心和骄傲，或者自我放纵，那就是羞辱了上帝。{CS 261.2}[7]
§21
【Why the Debts Remain】
§22
Slothful servants is the charge that God makes of those in the churches. His will is not done when sacred things are left to remain in a withered, neglected condition. Self-sacrifice, self-denial in every church would change the order of things. The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the Lord of hosts. When that gold and silver is used for selfish purposes, to gratify ambition or pride or selfish indulgence, as has been done, God is dishonored. {CS 261.2}[7]
§23
人间的代表岂能酣睡，不明白现在的事态乃是他们忽略本分的结果？上帝所拣选的子民明知要用钱把上帝的殿保持在最佳的状况，也知道不可用库房的钱来支付日常的费用，却仍为了满足私欲而装饰房子，把上帝的金钱投资……在各种事业上。这样，他们就不能蒙福。{CS 261.3}[8]
§24
Can those who are representative men be so sound asleep that they do not comprehend that the state of things that exists is a result of neglect on their part? When the people chosen by God embellish their own houses, and invest Gods money in . . . various things for selfish gratification, knowing that the very means thus used should be used to keep the house of God in the very best condition, that no means may be taken from the treasury to defray running expenses, they cannot be blessed. {CS 261.3}[8]
§25
我从上帝那里获得一道信息。各教会应该从他们麻痹的状态中醒来，思考这些问题。“万军之耶和华说：“银子是我的，金子也是我的。”我们的家庭有没有为了自私的目的而使用上帝的金子银子，对减轻教堂的债务坐视不理呢？教会为债务所累，并非无法清偿，而是因为信徒的自私放纵。这种忽略羞辱了上帝。倘若祂限制你的资源，其原因并不难理解。当你把上帝摆在首位，意识到祂的殿因债务而蒙羞时，上帝就会赐福给你。（《文稿》1897年116号）{CS 262.1}[9]
§26
I have a message from the Lord. The churches must awaken from their torpor, and think of these things. The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the Lord of hosts. Are we as families appropriating the Lords silver and gold to selfish purposes, and doing nothing to lighten the debt on His house? The churches are burdened with debt, not because it is impossible for them to be freed, but because of selfish indulgence on the part of the members. By this neglect God is dishonored, and if He binds about your resources, be not blind as to the cause. When you place the Lord first, and realize that the Lords house is dishonored by debt, God will bless you.--MS 116, 1897. {CS 262.1}[9]
§27
【需要劝导与合作】
§28
亲爱的弟兄：你要明白，你的每一个行动中所依从的不应是自己的判断，而是弟兄们一致的意见。你没有这样作，过于独断专行。……你可以借钱，但是在建筑计划上你有没有征得弟兄们的同意？你与他们，他们与你是否共负责任？……在涉及建筑教堂的事上，不应单凭个人的意见和判断。教会中每一位能负责任的信徒都应参与。传道人不可单独进行这项工作。……这是你必须学习的教训。你要征求弟兄们的意见和判断。如果没有他们的忠告、指导和合作，就不要进行。（《信函》1900年49号）{CS 262.2}[10]
§29
【Need for Counsel and Cooperation】
§30
Dear Brother: You will need in every move you make to know that you are moving in that way that you will not follow your own judgment, but the united advice of your brethren. You have failed in this work, working too much independently. . . . You can borrow money. But have you taken your brethren right along with you in your building plans? Have you yoked up with them, and they with you? . . . One mans mind and judgment is not to be allowed to become an efficiency in any case where the building of a church is concerned. It takes every member of the church who can carry responsibilities, and the minister is not the man to lift this work alone. . . . This is a lesson you must learn, to seek the mind and judgment of your brethren, and not advance without their advice, counsel, and cooperation.--Letter 49, 1900. {CS 262.2}[10]
§31
【不可原谅的松懈】
§32
我蒙指示，看到一些教会因马虎松懈而借款和欠债。有些地方的教堂一直在欠债，不停地支付利息。这是不应该和不必要存在的状态。如果能遵照上帝对祂仆人的要求，为主表显出聪明、机警和热忱，这种状态必能改观。债务也会清偿。克己牺牲的精神，会在增进教会的灵性方面创造奇迹。但愿每一位信徒都行动起来。但愿每一位崇拜者都深刻认识到必须尽一份责任。{CS 263.1}[11]
§33
【An Inexcusable Laxness】
§34
The lax way which many churches have of incurring debts, and keeping in debt, was presented before me. In some cases a continual debt is upon the house of God, and continual interest to be paid. These things should not and need not be. If there is that wisdom, and tact, and zeal manifested for the Master that God requires of every one of His servants, there will be a change in these things. The debts will be lifted. Self-denial and self-sacrifice will work wonders in advancing the spirituality of the church. Let every church member do something. Let the necessity of each acting a part be most strenuously impressed upon the worshipers. {CS 263.1}[11]
§35
某某学院和教会不必负这样的债务。这说明他们管理不善。上帝呼吁人克己牺牲，呼吁有条件的人捐献。即使是较穷的信徒，也可以尽一点本分。只要有决心，上帝就会开路。祂不满意这样的管理。祂不想让祂的圣工为债务所累。{CS 263.2}[12]
§36
The ---- college and church need not be loaded with debt as it is. This shows unwise stewardship. God calls for self-sacrifice. He calls for offerings from those who can give, and even the poorer members can do their little. And when there is a will to do, God will open the way. But the Lord is not pleased with the management. He does not design that His cause shall be trammeled with debt. {CS 263.2}[12]
§37
克己的精神能促使以前无所事事的人作出实际的努力，表明他们相信圣经的教训，信奉现代真理。无论男女老少，父母或儿女，都应当用行为来表达他们的信心。信心藉着行为而得以完全。我们正处在地球历史的最后几幕。然而只有少数人认识到这一点，因为世界隔在人心与上帝之间。（《信函》1897年81号）{CS 263.3}[13]
§38
Self-denial will enable those who have done nothing in the past to do something tangible, and show that they believe the teachings of the word, that they believe the truth for this time. All, both old and young, parents and children, are to show their faith by their works. Faith is made perfect by works. We are in the very closing scenes of this earths history; yet there are but few who realize this because the world has come in between God and the soul.--Letter 81, 1897. {CS 263.3}[13]
§39
【阿冯代尔的教堂和学校】
§40
有时团结、果断而不懈的努力会有很大的成效。开学的时间已经定了，可是我们在各聚居地的弟兄们总觉得会延期。他们长期等待我们学校的开办，已经灰心了。有大量的建筑工作要作。我们的资金已经耗尽。所以建筑工人说工程无法如期完成。我们却说不可拖延。学校必须如期开学。因此我们把事情告诉教会，招募志愿人员。有三十名男人女人愿意参加这项工作。尽管他们很难抽出时间，这群坚强的人仍日以继夜地工作，直至竣工，清理完毕，装修停当，在指定开学的日子就能启用了。{CS 263.4}[14]
§41
【Building the Church and School at Avondale】
§42
There are times when much is to be gained by a united, prompt, and persistent effort. The time for opening our school had been appointed; but our brethren throughout the colonies were looking for a postponement. They had waited long for the school to open, and were discouraged. There was much work yet to be done on the buildings, and our funds were exhausted. Therefore the builders said that the work could not be done at the appointed time. But we said there must be no delay. The school must be opened at the time named. So we laid the matter before the church, and called for volunteers. Thirty men and women offered themselves for the work; and although it was hard for them to spare the time, a strong company continued at the work day after day till the buildings were completed, cleaned, and furnished, ready to be used at the day set for opening the school. {CS 263.4}[14]
§43
当建造这个礼拜堂的时间来临时，信心和忠诚又受了一次考验。我们也曾开会商讨当做的事。道路似乎被重重困难阻碍了。有人就说：“盖一所小房子吧，等到有钱的时候，才把它扩大，因为目前不可能盖成我们所想要的那种房子。”有人则说：“等到有足够的金钱才建一所宽敞的房子吧。”我们想要这么做。但主的话却在夜间临到我，说：“起来建造，不要耽搁。” {CS 264.1}[15]
§44
When the time came for this meetinghouse to be built, there was another test of faith and loyalty. We had a council to consider what should be done. The way seemed hedged about with difficulties. Some said: Enclose a small building, and when money shall come in, enlarge; for we cannot possibly complete at this time such a house as we desire. Others said, Wait till we have money with which to build a commodious house. This we thought to do; but the word of the Lord came to me in the night season, Arise, and build without delay. {CS 264.1}[15]
§45
于是我们便决定着手工作，凭着信心开工。第二天晚上就收到了来自南非的一张二百英镑的支票，是林赛夫妇的礼物，为要帮助我们建造礼拜堂。我们的信心已受过考验，我们已决定开始工作，而今主又把这一大笔捐款放在我们手中用来开工。{CS 264.2}[16]
§46
We then decided that we would take hold of the work, and walk out by faith to make a beginning. The very next night there came from South Africa a draft for two hundred pounds. This was a gift from Brother and Sister Lindsay, of Cape Town, to help us in building the meetinghouse. Our faith had been tested, we had decided to begin the work, and now the Lord put into our hands this large gift with which to begin. {CS 264.2}[16]
§47
既有这份鼓励，工作就认真开展了。学校管理委员会捐出土地和一百英镑，还有两百英镑来自联合会，教会的成员们也尽力奉献。教外的朋友们也给予帮助；建筑工人则奉献了他们的一部分时间，这与金钱一样好。{CS 265.1}[17]
§48
With this encouragement the work was begun in earnest. The school board gave the land and one hundred pounds. Two hundred pounds was received from the union conference, and the members of the church gave what they could. Friends outside of the church helped, and the builders gave a part of their time, which was as good as money. {CS 265.1}[17]
§49
工作就这样完成了，我们便拥有了这座美丽的房子，可以容纳四百人。我们为这个供敬拜上帝用的房子而感谢祂。祂了解我们的一切窘境。当困难发生时，负责监工的赫斯格长老就召集工人们恳切祷告，求上帝赐福给他们和工程。上帝垂听了我们的祈祷。房子在七个星期内就建成了。（《评论与通讯》1898年11月1日）{CS 265.2}[18]
§50
Thus the work was completed, and we have this beautiful house, capable of seating four hundred people. We thank the Lord for this house in which to worship Him. He understands all the strait places through which we were brought. When difficulties arose, Elder Haskell, who was superintending the work, would call the workmen together, and they would pray earnestly for Gods blessing upon themselves and the work. The Lord heard prayer, and the house was completed in seven weeks.--R. & H., Nov. 1, 1898. {CS 265.2}[18]