第969号 忠心承认基督
§1
第969号 忠心承认基督
§2
MR No. 969 - Faithfulness in Confessing Christ
§3
“凡在人面前认我的，我在我天上的父面前也必认他”（太10:32）。你在花费基督所托付的钱财上认祂了吗？当你将大部分收入花在自己身上，当你扣留主的十分之一，当礼物和供物被用于你自己的乐趣和利益时，你认祂了吗？你在自己的家庭账簿上列上一栏“慈善”是合适的。要是你这么做了，要是你记下了给自己的所有花费，和你用于慈善的所有花费，给自己的花费那个清单金额就会很大；但你分别出来记录慈善开支的那一栏结果如何呢？我再一次敦促你问问自己：我在我的开支上认基督了吗？在你的账簿上列上一栏“慈善”会给你一个启示。除了你自己没有别人的眼睛能看到那本账簿，但主耶稣基督看见它，在算账的日子将根据你的行为给你奖赏。{12MR227.1}[1]
§4
Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven [Matthew 10:32]. Do you confess Christ in your expenditure of His entrusted means? Is He confessed when most of your income is spent on self, when the Lords tenth is withheld, and when gifts and offerings are used for your own pleasure and benefit? It would not be out of place for you to head a column in your domestic account book Charity. Had you done this, and had you put down all that you have spent for self, and all that you have used for charity, the list of that spent for self would make a large amount; but how would your column set apart for charity come out? Again I urge you to ask yourself, Do I confess Christ in my expenditure? Heading a column of your account book Charity would make a revelation to you. No other human eye may see that book but yourself, but the Lord Jesus Christ sees it, and your reward in the day of reckoning will be in accordance with your works. {12MR 227.1}[1]
§5
当那些自称基督徒的人被问到这个问题“你欠我主多少？”时，许多人会站着沉默且被证明有罪，没有预备好回答，因为他们没有考虑主应得的，也没有分别出来什么用于慈善。你奉献礼物和供物了吗？检查一下你的账簿不是就会发现你在这方面疏忽了自己的职责吗？{12MR227.2}[2]
§6
When the question is asked those who have professed to be Christians, How much owest thou unto my Lord? many will stand silent and convicted, unprepared to answer, because they have not considered the Lords dues and have set apart nothing for charity. Have you been forward with gifts and offerings? Would not an examination of your account book reveal that you have neglected your duty in this respect? {12MR 227.2}[2]
§7
基督若能获得属于祂的十分之一和捐款，就决不会有那么多的钱自私地浪费在装饰和炫耀上了。花在购买衣服，寻欢作乐，丰宴美食上的钱就会减少了。我们可以藉着不刻意款待宾客而承认基督。我们也可以因特别预备款待，浪费了属于主的时间而否认祂。你不仅抢夺了你的家人所需要的关心以便准备刻意款待，你的做法还被别人效法了，他们受了你榜样的影响。主判断我们并不是根据我们不同身份地位的高尚高贵，而是根据我们任职的忠诚。你在参与任何专为满足自我的娱乐之前，应当扪心自问：我这些本来无需耗费的时间和金钱，难道不是属于上帝的吗？翻开你的账簿，查一查你用于上帝，用于家人，用于世人的账目究竟如何。{12MR228.1}[3]
§8
If Christ had that which is His own in tithes and offerings, so much would not be left for selfish outlay on nicknacks and display. Less would be spent for dress, for pleasure excursions, for entertainments, or for display in table fare. We may confess Christ by making no elaborate preparations for visitors; we may deny Him by making more than ordinary preparations, which takes time that rightly belongs to the Lord. Not only do you rob your family of the attention they need, in order to prepare an elaborate entertainment, but the practice is followed by others whom you have influenced by your example. The Lord does not judge us according to the highness and elevation of our various spheres, but according to the faithfulness with which we fill them. Before you enter into amusement for the gratification of self, ask yourself the question, Is not this Gods time and money that I am expending needlessly? Open your account book and see how your account stands with God, with your household, and with the world. {12MR 228.1}[3]
§9
你有没有藉着忠心地献上薄荷、茴香和各样菜蔬的十分之一而承认基督呢？当我们向主奉献十分之一时，只是将祂自己之物归还给祂而已，若扣留不纳，便与盗窃抢劫无异。我们扣留十分之一时就是留下上帝计划用来维持祂地上圣工的东西。上帝为了这种救赎的工作赐下了天国最丰盛的礼物；我们岂能不奉献我们所有的十分之一呢？许多人忘记了上帝，扣留了十分之一。你的账簿是否显明你已忠诚地侍奉你的主呢？你贫穷吗？那就将你不多的财物奉献吧。你富裕吗？那就将主所指定属于祂的拿出来吧。{12MR228.2}[4]
§10
Have you confessed Christ by faithfully tithing the mint, the anise, and the rue? When we give the Lord the tithe, we are only giving Him that which is His own, to withhold which is theft and robbery. When we withhold the tithe we keep back that which God designs shall sustain His work on the earth. For this work of redemption God gave the richest gift of heaven; can we not give one tenth of what we have? Many have forgotten God, and have kept back the tithe. Does your account book reveal that you have dealt faithfully with your Lord? Are you poor? Then give your little. Have you been blessed with abundance? Then be sure to lay aside that which the Lord registers as His own. {12MR 228.2}[4]
§11
我们真诚地与上帝打交道，就实在是慷慨得多地对待我们自己；因为当算账的大日来临的时候，要问每一个人：你用我借给你的货财做了什么呢？当我们思考这个问题的时候，我们中的许多人需要更加谦卑更舍己地行在上帝面前。凡觉得它是一个十字架的人，不要在世人眼中装阔气，我要指出基督的生活和工作，祂为我们的缘故成了贫穷，叫我们因祂的贫穷，可以成为富足。不需要存在不能装阔气的担心；因为适当的做法会赢得明白事理之人的尊荣而不是怀疑。要在这个细节上承认基督；因为祂已说过：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，天天背起他的十字架来跟从我”（路9:23）。在你的账簿上疏于承认基督，就等于放弃使你名列羔羊生命册的重大特权。{12MR229.1}[5]
§12
By dealing truly with God, we really deal much more benevolently with ourselves; for when the great day of reckoning comes, every man will be asked, What have you done with the goods which I lent you? As we consider this question many of us need to walk more humbly and with greater self-denial before God. All who feel it a cross not to keep up an appearance in the eyes of the world, I would point to the life and work of Christ, who for our sake became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. The fear of not keeping up an appearance need not exist; for an appropriate course of action will bring honor rather than discredit from all sensible minds. Confess Christ in this particular; for He has said, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me [Luke 9:23]. The neglect to confess Christ in your account books cuts you off from the great privilege of having your name registered in the Lambs book of life. {12MR 229.1}[5]
§13
你藉着看望生病的人和贫穷的人承认基督了吗？“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）。你的行为证明“我已经与基督同钉十字架，现在活着的不再是我，乃是基督在我里面活着；并且我如今在肉身活着，是因信上帝的儿子而活；他是爱我，为我舍己”（加2:20）了吗？{12MR229.2}[6]
§14
Do you confess Christ by visiting the sick, the needy, and the poor? 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 [James 1:27]. Do your works testify, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me? [Galatians 2:20]. {12MR 229.2}[6]
§15
基督怎样将父向世人表明出来，我们也要照样将基督表明出来；每一种激励的因素都摆在我们面前，使我们能藉着持守主的道并忠心地实践祂圣言的每一个要求来将基督表明出来。这就是福音的能力。我们这样做就会如明灯照在黑暗地方，就会比证道或宗教仪式对世人来说更有价值。世人正在观看我们，且会严厉地批评我们。我们是在不断地给与我们交往的人留下一种印象，要么有利，要么不利。藉着我们，别人会注意基督，但我们若是不实行基督的教训，就不是属于祂的，也不能正确地将祂表明出来。愉快必是基督徒树上所结的果子，然而轻浮和粗俗任性的行为则如荆棘果。{12MR229.3}[7]
§16
As Christ represented the Father to the world, so we are to represent Christ; and every inducement is presented to us that we may represent Christ by keeping the way of the Lord, and faithfully living out every requirement of His Word. This is the power of the gospel. By doing this we will be as lights shining in a dark place, and will be of more value to the world than sermons or religious ceremonies. The world is watching us, and will criticize us severely. We are constantly making an impression, favorable or unfavorable, upon those with whom we associate. Through us others will look at Christ, but unless we practice the lessons of Christ, we are none of His, and cannot properly represent Him. Cheerfulness will be the fruit borne by the Christian tree, but levity and coarse, unruly conduct are as thorn berries. {12MR 229.3}[7]
§17
耶稣基督的宗教是一种实际敬虔的宗教，当上帝的恩典住在心里时，基督徒就会结出勤勉、俭省和节约的果子；他不会浪费，而会将零碎收拾起来，免得有糟蹋的。在那些有基督住在心里之人的生活中，会看不到贪婪，他们在交易上不会不诚实，不会巧取豪夺，因为一切的贪心都被宣布为拜偶像，每一种不诚实都会从品格上被除掉。不仁慈的性情会被克服；因为他们在基督耶稣里成了新造的人，罪不再支配他们的肉身。每一个这样得到更新的人都会显出仁慈、自制和慷慨，以此承认基督在他们里面成了荣耀的盼望。{12MR230.1}[8]
§18
The religion of Jesus Christ is a religion of practical godliness, and while the grace of God abides in the heart, the Christian will produce the fruit of industry, frugality, economy; he will not waste, but will gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost. In the lives of those who have Christ abiding in the heart will be seen no avarice, no dishonesty in trade, no overreaching, for all covetousness is pronounced idolatry, but every species of dishonesty will be put away from the character. Unkindness of disposition will be overcome; for they are made new men in Christ Jesus, and sin no longer reigns in their mortal bodies. Everyone who has thus been renewed will manifest kindness, forbearance, and generosity, in this confessing that Christ, the hope of glory, is formed within. {12MR 230.1}[8]
§19
上帝的圣工应当保持在健康的状态；库中应该有资金供应好推进上帝的工作。建立起来为要帮助孤儿、依赖他人者和贫穷者、身体衰弱者和年迈者的机构，应该得到援助。那些有健康之福的人应该与基督合作，帮助虚弱的人。上帝的福气停留在那些藉着做这种工作来将基督表明出来的人身上。可以也应该为那些无助的人举行圣诞节和新年的庆祝会。当我们帮助那些要养活多人的大家庭时，上帝就得到荣耀。然而凡能自己谋生的人谁也无权靠吃别人的产品生活。谚语“世界有养活我的责任”含有虚假、欺诈和盗窃的成分。一个人既有工作的能力可以养活自己，世界就没有养活他的责任。{12MR230.2}[9]
§20
The cause of God should be kept in a healthful condition; the treasury should be supplied with means for carrying forward the work of God. Institutions which are established to help orphans, those who are dependent and destitute, the infirm and the aged, should be aided. Those who have the blessing of health should cooperate with Christ by helping the weak. The blessing of God rests upon those who represent Christ by doing this work. Christmas and New Year celebrations can and should be held in behalf of those who are helpless. God is glorified when we give to help those who have large families to support. But no man who can earn his own livelihood has a right to live on the produce of others. The proverb, The world owes me a living, has in it the essence of falsehood, fraud, and robbery. The world owes no man a living who is able to work to gain a living for himself. {12MR 230.2}[9]
§21
“你们既然在信心、口才、知识、热心，和待我们的爱心上，都格外显出满足来，就当在这慈惠的事上也格外显出满足来。我说这话，不是吩咐你们，乃是藉着别人的热心试验你们爱心的实在。你们知道我们主耶稣基督的恩典：祂本来富足，却为你们成了贫穷，叫你们因祂的贫穷，可以成为富足。我在这事上把我的意见告诉你们，是与你们有益；因为你们下手办这事，而且起此心意，已经有一年了，如今就当办成这事。既有愿做的心，也当照你们所有的去办成。因为人若有愿做的心，必蒙悦纳，乃是照他所有的，并不是照他所无的。我原不是要别人轻省，你们受累，乃要均平，就是要你们的富余，现在可以补他们的不足，使他们的富余，将来也可以补你们的不足，这就均平了。如经上所记：多收的也没有余；少收的也没有缺。……‘少种的少收，多种的多收’，这话是真的。各人要随本心所酌定的，不要作难，不要勉强，因为捐得乐意的人是上帝所喜爱的。上帝能将各样的恩惠多多的加给你们，使你们凡事常常充足，能多行各样善事”（林后8:7-15；9:6-8）。基督要求祂军中精兵全身心的侍奉。祂已在祂的道中给出了行动的原则：“殷勤不可懒惰。要心里火热，常常服事主”（罗12:11）。这些原则应该一直管理我们的行为。不要允许懒散疏忽的行为，也不要缺乏热心。上帝对不断的侍奉和至高的爱有理直气壮的要求。你的身体、你的灵魂、你的生命、你一切天赐的能力都应该奉献给上帝，用来促进祂的荣耀。无人能成为一个真诚的基督徒，除非他是一个与上帝同工的人，除非他属于工人一家。我们必须始终记着，我们是与上帝合伙的。祂的工作和祂的事业要求首先考虑。“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）。（《文稿》1896年第13号）怀爱伦著作托管委员会1983年2月3日发布于美国首都华盛顿{12MR231.1}[10]
§22
[2 Corinthians 8:7-15 and 9:6-8, quoted.] Christ demands the entire service of the soldiers in His army. In His Word he has given the principles of action: Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord [Romans 12:11]. These principles should govern our conduct at all times. No allowance is made for lazy, negligent work, or for want of zeal. God has a righteous claim to constant service and supreme love. Your body, your soul, your life, all your God-given capabilities should be consecrated to God for the promotion of His glory. No one can be a sincere Christian unless he is a laborer together with God, unless he belongs to the family of workers. We must ever bear in mind that we are in copartnership with God. His work and His cause demand the first consideration. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you [Matthew 6:33].--Ms 13, 1896. White Estate Washington, D. C. February 3, 1983 {12MR 231.1}[10]