第1380号 接近末了；使用我们的钱..
§1
第1380号 接近末了；使用我们的钱..
§2
MR No. 1380 - Nearness to the End; Using Our Means for the Advancement of the Cause
§3
（显然是1885年10月19日在瑞典斯德哥尔摩的一次证道。简介已遗失。）
§4
（即使）一无所知的参天大树被毁坏，这个美丽的地球被打碎，他们也不愿相信那个信息。然而他们若是信了，原会得救。他们已经与上帝分开那么远，以致听不到祂的声音了。{19MR 133.1}[1]
§5
(A sermon apparently presented in Stockholm, Sweden, October 19, 1885. The introduction is missing.)
§6
[Even though] lofty trees that know nothing should be destroyed, and this beautiful earth should be broken up, they would not believe that message. But if they had, it would have been for their salvation. They had separated so far from God that they did not hear His voice. {19MR 133.1}[1]
§7
方舟被建在干地上。挪亚凭信心而行，及至时候来到，他们便看见兽类两个两个地进入方舟，飞禽也两个两个地进入方舟，它们把天空都遮暗了，它们是顺从上帝的；然而人却不顺从，但是兽类和飞禽却得到了避难所。然而尽管人们看到了这个奇妙的景象，他们还是不信。{19MR 133.2}[2]
§8
The ark was built upon dry land. Noah walked by faith, and when the time came and they saw the beasts two by two going into the ark, and the heavens darkened by the fowls that were going two by two into the ark, these were they that were obedient to God; but man was not obedient, but the beasts and fowls were finding a place of refuge. Yet notwithstanding this wonderful sight, still the people were unbelieving. {19MR 133.2}[2]
§9
最后上帝吩咐挪亚和他的家人进入方舟；祂就把他们关在里面了。他们被关在那里一周之后才开始下雨。当时这些恶人怎样愚弄嘲笑那些在方舟里的人啊！被关在那里一周之久还没有下雨，这对他们的信心难道不是一个考验吗？然而七天之后开始下雨。在此以前没有下过雨；有雾气上腾，滋润大地。然而当雨开始落下，先是很慢，然后越来越多时，他们就开始询问，这是要干什么呢？{19MR 133.3}[3]
§10
At last God bade Noah and his family to go into the ark; and He shut them in. There they remained one week enclosed in the ark before it began to rain. How then did these wicked men mock and deride those in the ark! Was it not a trial of their faith to be shut in there for one week and yet have no rain? But after seven days it began to rain. Up to this time there had been no rain; a mist had arisen to water the earth. But as the rain began to fall slowly at first, then more came, they began to inquire, What shall this come to? {19MR 133.3}[3]
§11
终于天开了，大雨倾流而下。那时每一个人都开始被冲走；但方舟却漂浮在波涛汹涌的水面上。那时世上的居民什么都愿意给，只要他们能在方舟里有一席之地！当厚云在他们上面，降下倾盆大雨时，古老世界的居民们开始爬到山顶，然而水涨到了最高的树尖，他们就被卷入翻滚的深水里了。{19MR 133.4}[4]
§12
At last the heavens were opened and the rain poured down in torrents. Then everyone began to be swept away; but the ark floated upon the troubled waters. What would the inhabitants of the world have given then could they have had a place within the ark! As the heavy clouds were over them pouring down their torrents of rain, the inhabitants of the old world began to climb to the tops of the mountains, but the water reached to the tops of the highest trees, and they were swept into the boiling deep. {19MR 133.4}[4]
§13
然后我们读到：“挪亚的日子怎样，人子显现的时候也要怎样。”恶人要被消灭，不是用水，而是用火。然而在上帝的儿子降临之前，祂先传来警告说祂很快要来“刑罚地上居民的罪孽。地也必露出其中的血，不再掩盖被杀的人”（赛26:21）。现在，基督说就在祂来临之前，会出现古代世界曾有的局面。他们并不在上帝面前悔改，而是继续“照常吃喝嫁娶，直到挪亚进方舟的那日；不知不觉洪水来了，把他们全都冲去”（太24:38,39）。那么，难道吃喝是罪吗？当我们行之过度的时候就是罪了。当我们将嫁娶行之过度的时候，这也就是罪了。{19MR 134.1}[5]
§14
Then we read, As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be when the Son of man shall be revealed. The wicked will be destroyed, not by water but by fire. But before the Son of God shall come, He sends the warning that He is soon to come to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain [Isaiah 26:21]. Now, Christ says that just before His coming such a state of things will exist as existed in the old world. They did not repent before God but went right on eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away. Well, is it a sin to eat or drink? When we carry it to excess, it is a sin. When we carry the marrying and giving in marriage to excess, this also is a sin. {19MR 134.1}[5]
§15
上帝爱世人，甚至赐下祂的独生子为要拯救人类脱离灭亡。祂已将天国置于他们力所能及的范围之内，从而祂对每一个人都有了要求。祂已赐给他们祂的诫命去遵守，尽管他们可能忽视祂的要求，可是他们却不能扔掉它们；祂的律法是要统管天地的。而当他们忘记上帝，事奉自己时，他们面前就没有敬畏上帝的心，罪对他们来说就不是罪了。罪孽盛行，就在人子驾云显现之前，撒但会出现，要吸引人，倘若可能，他会连选民都欺骗了。违背上帝律法的人们在这里，而撒但是第一个犯罪的，他带领着他们。你还能奇怪罪孽到处盛行吗？就在人子降临之前，他们心里想的尽是吃喝嫁娶，将天国置之度外了。{19MR 134.2}[6]
§16
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to save mankind from perishing. He has placed heaven within their reach, and thus He has claims upon every man. He has given them His commandments to observe, and although they may ignore His claims, yet they cannot throw them off; it is His law that is to govern heaven and earth. And when they forget God and serve themselves, the fear of God is not before them, and sin to them is not sin. Iniquity prevails, and just before the appearing of the Son of man in [the] heavens Satan will appear, to attract men, and if it were possible he would deceive the very elect. Here are the transgressors of Gods law, and Satan, who was the first transgressor, leading them on. Can you wonder that iniquity prevails everywhere? And just prior to the coming of the Son of man their minds are employed in eating and drinking, and marrying and giving in marriage, and heaven is put out from their minds. {19MR 134.2}[6]
§17
看看今日存在的事态。人们多么少想到上帝或天国啊。全家人都没有认识上帝就长大了。上帝所赐给你们的儿女，你们在为他们做什么呢？你们在本着敬畏耶和华的心养育他们吗？这些小孩子可以从婴孩期就受教育要喜爱和尊荣上帝；你们如果这样训练他们，就会看到上帝在你们的无力感中帮助你们。早上你们就想要教导你们的孩子知道上帝是你们的倚靠。要教导他们知道他们是在为不朽的来生而活，不是为今生而活。你就想要将上帝带进你的住宅和家庭。你就想要觉得在你家中不要说一句不耐烦的话。你就想要带着一种属天的感化力，行事好像你相信基督快要来临。许多人行事好像财富是必不可少的。哎呀，财富救不了你的灵魂。长相救不了你的灵魂。谦卑承认你所有的罪才会使你进入蒙你天父眷爱的状态。{19MR 135.1}[7]
§18
Look at the state of things as it exists today. How little thought of God or heaven there is among the people. Entire families are brought up with no knowledge of God. And your children that God has given you, what are you doing for them? Are you bringing them up in the fear of the Lord? These little children can be educated from their very babyhood to love and honor God; and if you train them in this way, then you will see that God is helping you in your feebleness. In the morning you want to teach your children that God is your trust. Teach them that they are living for the future immortal life, and not for this world. You want to bring God into your house and family. You want to feel that not one impatient word will be uttered in your family. You want to carry an influence that is heavenly, and act as though you believed that Christ is coming. Many act as though riches were indispensable. Why, riches cannot save your soul. Looks cannot save your soul. It is a humble confession of all your sins that will bring you into favor with your heavenly Father. {19MR 135.1}[7]
§19
你在使用上帝所赐给你的东西推进祂的工作吗？人们多么忘恩负义啊！他们行事正如古代世界的居民。他们竟让上帝赐给他们的福气使他们与祂隔绝，祂越多委托给他们，他们就越发忘记祂。祂已将钱财放在你手中为要推进祂的圣工，你用来荣耀自己了吗？耶稣进入世界，成了贫穷，叫我们因祂的贫穷，可以成为富足。请听祂的话：“不要为自己积攒财宝在地上；地上有虫子咬，能锈坏，也有贼挖窟窿来偷。只要积攒财宝在天上；天上没有虫子咬，不能锈坏，也没有贼挖窟窿来偷。因为你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在那里”（太6:19-21）。{19MR 135.2}[8]
§20
Are you using that [which] God has given you, to advance His work? Oh, how ungrateful are the children of men! They act just as [did] the inhabitants of the old world. They allow the blessings that God has given them to separate them from Him, and the more He entrusts to them the more they forget Him. He has put means into your hands to advance His cause, and [do] you use it to your own glory? Jesus came into the world and became poor that we through His poverty might be made rich. Listen to His words, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:19-21). {19MR 135.2}[8]
§21
我们在加利福尼亚曾有机会看到人们以财富为盼望的结果。有一天一个人会成为百万富翁，第二天就成了乞丐。他们在买卖股票，而当他们失败时，他们就没有勇气活下去了，就会结束自己的生命。要是他们积攒财宝在天上原会好得多。现在，上帝希望有财富的人们要将钱财用于祂的圣工。财富不是他们的，只是凭着信任而借给他们的。{19MR 136.1}[9]
§22
We have had an opportunity in California of seeing the result of men making riches their hope. One day a man would be a millionaire and the next day a beggar. They were trading in stocks, and when they would fail they had not courage to live, and would put an end to their lives. How much better it would have been had they laid up treasure in heaven. Now, God wants men who have riches to appropriate them to His cause. They are not theirs, they are only lent them by trust. {19MR 136.1}[9]
§23
而这就是我们对上帝放在我们手中的钱财的感知方式。我们相信这信息。我们相信基督快来的警告，我们对那些在罪中的人感到如此恳切的渴望，以致乐于做出几乎任何牺牲。我们知道贫穷是什么，而且那是我们生活中最好的经验。我曾因缺乏食物而抱着孩子们昏倒不只一两次。{19MR 136.2}[10]
§24
And this is the way we have felt with the means that God has placed in our hands. We believed the message. We believed the warning that Christ was soon to come, and we felt such an earnest longing for those in sin that we were willing to make almost any sacrifice. We have known what poverty is, and it was the best experience of our lives. I have fainted more than once or twice with my children in my arms, for want of bread. {19MR 136.2}[10]
§25
我们到处传扬上帝的道时，忍受了严寒酷暑；但上帝在工作中扶持了我们，终于祂开始为工作带来钱财。当这些钱财进来时，我们发现许多用钱的地方。然而苦难进入了我们的家。我的丈夫中风瘫痪了，但我们的祈祷升达上帝，祂就使他起来恢复了健康。这一长期的苦难又给我们带来了缺乏。但是主告诉了我们要做什么。{19MR 136.3}[11]
§26
As we went from place to place to proclaim the word of God, we suffered with heat and with cold; but God sustained us in the work, and at last He began to bring the means in for the work. When this means came in, we found many places for it. But affliction came into our house. My husband became a paralytic, but our prayers went up to God, and He raised him to health again. This long affliction brought us to want again. But the Lord told us what to do. {19MR 136.3}[11]
§27
我们有一个家，而当我们发现那些处在苦难中又无家可归的人时，我们就会敞开家门欢迎他们，让他们同享我们的舒适。一个寡妇来找我，说：“我不知道该拿我的孩子么办；我无法使他们顺从我。”有一个富人住在她旁边，有一次他曾带我出去给我看他的楼房，说：“我没有房间放我所有的货财。”然后他说：“我不知道街对面那个穷寡妇的情况会怎么样；她将不得不熬过另一个冬天。”我转身对他说：“你的粮仓怎么样？上帝将这个赐给你难道不是要帮助寡妇和孤儿吗？”现在好了，许多人就是那样不顾及他人。{19MR 136.4}[12]
§28
We had a home, and as we found those who were in affliction and had no home, we would open our home to them and let them share our comforts. One widow came to me and said, I dont know what to do with my children; I cannot make them obey me. There was a wealthy man living by her side, and at one time he took me out to show me his buildings and he said, I have not room for all my goods. Then he said, I do not know what will become of that poor widow across the way; another winter she will have to suffer. I turned to him and said, What about your granaries? Has not God given you this to help the widow and the fatherless? Well now, many are just as thoughtless as that. {19MR 136.4}[12]
§29
我去找那个寡妇，告诉她我愿意接受她的女儿。我这么做了，后来又有一个男孩步行四十英里来到我家。好了，这就是我们使用钱财的方式。当上帝看到我们对钱财的使用时，祂就赐给我们，祂委托给我们更多。我的丈夫是个善于理财的人。我昨天晚上声明我们已在圣工中投入了三万美元，而这就是我们做事的方式——当我们看到一个地方的圣工需要资金时，我们就会出资。当我们去到太平洋海岸时，许多人被兴起来要顺从上帝，于是我们就需要资金建一个礼拜堂；然而人们很穷，所以我们送信到密歇根，告诉他们要出售我们所有的一切，我们将钱财投入在那里，并在旧金山和奥克兰各建了一栋礼拜堂。我们长期旅行回来时常常会注意看我们的房子有没有当我们不在时被烧掉。我的丈夫会说：“不要紧的，要是房子确实烧掉了，我们有财宝积攒在天上。”{19MR 137.1}[13]
§30
I went to the widow and told her that I would take the girl. I did so, and afterwards here came the boy walking forty miles to our home. Well, this is how we got our means. As God saw the use we made of the means He gave us, He entrusted us with more. My husband was a financier. I made the statement last night that we had invested $30,000 in the cause, and this is the way we have done it--when we saw a place where the cause needed means, we would hand it out. When we went over to the Pacific Coast, many were raised up to obey God, and then we wanted means to build a meetinghouse; but the people were poor, so we sent over to Michigan, telling them to sell all that we had, and there we invested our means, and a meetinghouse was built in San Francisco and [another in] Oakland. Often when returning from a long journey we would look to see if our house had burned down in our absence. And my husband would say, Never mind, if the house does burn, we have a treasure laid up in heaven. {19MR 137.1}[13]
§31
现在我担不起使用我的钱财荣耀我自己，我想要将它用来荣耀上帝。当巴塞尔传道所开始工作时，有话传来：我们必须有资金。我曾收到一位姐妹送的一个丝制连衣裙；我把它卖了，寄了50美元帮助传道所。而当我的好姐妹们知道我所做的事情时，她们便效法了我的榜样，资金就筹集起来了。我非但没有将我的钱财用于我自己的身体，反而宁愿用于寡妇孤儿，给他们衣服穿。而今我们能将这个存在上帝的库里是因为上帝的慈善；然而我们还有一点财产剩下。自从我看到各传道所处于这种大需要，就致信加利福尼亚州希尔兹堡，告诉他们要卖了我的房子和家具，并将钱寄过来，我好用来帮助这些传道所。{19MR 137.2}[14]
§32
Now I cannot afford to use my means for my own glory, I want it invested to Gods glory. When the mission started in Basel, the word came, We must have means. I had received from a sister a silk dress; this I sold, and sent $50 to help the mission. And when my good sisters knew what I had done, they followed my example, and the sum was made up. Instead of putting my means on my own body, I would rather it would go to the widow and fatherless to clothe them. And now the reason we have been able to deposit this in Gods treasury is because of the benevolence of God; and yet we have some little property left. And since I have seen the missions in such great need, my letters have gone to Healdsburg, California, telling them to sell my house and furniture and send the means over that I can dispose of it to help these missions. {19MR 137.2}[14]
§33
这就是我们自从参与这工作后一直采取的工作方式。我希望你们明白，因为上帝赐给了我们钱财，这是因为我们努力用钱财来荣耀祂。我并不觉得我所拥有的任何东西是我自己的，而当我去商店买什么东西时，我就问，我没有这个而将钱投入圣工不行吗？我再三地问自己：“耶稣为了我的缘故成了贫穷。祂曾没有枕头的地方；那么我既是祂恩典的国民，岂可过得比祂更好吗？”{19MR 138.1}[15]
§34
This is the way we have been working ever since we have had a part in this work. I want you to understand that because God has given us means, it is because we have tried to use it to His glory. I do not feel that anything I have is my own, and when I go to the store to buy anything, I question, Cannot I do without this and put the money into the cause? I repeat it again and again to myself, Jesus for my sake became poor. He had not where to lay His head; and then shall I who am the subject of His grace have a better time than He? {19MR 138.1}[15]
§35
我们不应该像挪亚时代世上的人——埋头于吃喝嫁娶。基督不久就要来临，谁准备好迎见祂呢？你们对周围的年轻人有感觉吗？你们奉献自己的钱财将真理传给远方的异教徒，却忽视就在你们门口的人了吗？在我们周围就有人可以得救，只要我们愿意帮助他们。我们需要注意机会去帮助人。我们多少人在闲聊的时候可以拿起圣经向宝贵的灵魂传授知识啊。我们必须在审判时面对我们人生的记录。基督说：“你们要彼此相爱，像我爱你们一样”（约15:12）。我们对在黑暗中的人表现出基督向我们表现的那种爱心了吗？当生灵正在我们周围灭亡时，我们拿着生命的粮静静地吃难道很好吗？基督快要来了。你若愿意没有污点或瑕疵，就要为祂的来临作好准备。那么就开始从事工作吧，耶稣必帮助你。祂是我们的挽回祭。{19MR 138.2}[16]
§36
We should not be like the people of the Noachic world--to have our minds all engrossed in eating and drinking, and marrying and giving in marriage. Christ is soon to come, and who is ready to meet Him? Have you felt for the young around you? Have you given your means to send the truth to the far-off heathen, and overlooked the very ones right by your door? Here are souls right around us that we might save if we would give them our help. We want to watch our opportunities to give help to souls. How many of us while gossiping might take the Bible and give a knowledge to precious souls. We must meet the record of our lives in the judgment. Christ says, Love one another as I have loved you. Do we manifest that love for souls in darkness that Christ manifested for us? Well we take the bread of life and eat it in silence when souls are perishing around us? Christ is coming. Prepare for His coming if you would be without spot or blemish. Then take up the work, and Jesus will help you. He is the propitiation for our sins. {19MR 138.2}[16]
§37
祂今夜正在为我们流血。当我看到年轻人时，我的心就向往他们。他们需要有人带领。我对今日的各教会感到惊讶。我们需要家乡传道士。我们需要那些乐于为基督的缘故舍己的人。我们需要那些为耶稣而完全清醒的人，他们愿意为灵魂操劳，好像必须交账的人。我们对照在我们道路上的大光负有责任，我们要问：你们在用这光做什么呢？你们有责任使自己与上帝有正确的关系，以便祂能赐给你们更多亮光。{19MR 139.1}[17]
§38
He is shedding His blood for us tonight. When I see the youth, my heart goes out after them. They want someone to lead them. I am astonished at the churches of today. We want home missionaries. We want those who are willing to deny themselves for Christs sake. We want those who are wide-awake for Jesus, that will labor for souls as those that must give an account. We are responsible for the great light that shines upon our pathway, and we inquire, What are you doing with this light? It is your duty to place yourself in right relation to God, that He can give you more light. {19MR 139.1}[17]
§39
万物的结局近了。我们准备好在基督显现时迎见祂了吗？祂是否会对我们说：“你们这蒙我父赐福的，来进城吧”？当我们看到为忠心的人存留的大赏时，我们的心就应该多么想去援助他人，使他们也能接受亮光啊。你们不知道多少人的心实在渴求生命的水，然而这里有圣经要向他们讲解。你们愿意做这事吗？你们愿意行事如同期待主复临的男男女女吗？你们愿意有活泼的信心，前所未有地祈祷吗？你们愿意像雅各那样与上帝较力吗？——“祢不给我祝福，我就不容祢去”（创32:26）。而当祂的祝福停留在你身上时，你就会急于让别人也得福。{19MR 139.2}[18]
§40
The end of all things is at hand. Are we ready to meet Christ when He shall appear? Will He say to us, Come, ye blessed of My Father; enter into the city? When we see the great reward that is in store for the faithful, how our hearts should reach out after others, that they may receive the light. You know not how many hearts are really thirsting for the waters of life, but here is the Bible to open before them. Will you do it? Will you act like men and women that expect the Lord to come? Will you have living faith, and pray as never before? Will you wrestle with God as Jacob wrestled with Him--I will not let Thee go except Thou bless me? And when His blessing rests upon you, you will be anxious to have others receive it. {19MR 139.2}[18]
§41
好了，日子将到，上帝要来报复那些不认识祂的人；我们希望你们准备好。我们希望永恒的事在你们心中有分量。我们希望你们穿着义袍，希望基督会将祂的福气赐给你们。祂说：“我要领你们到活水的泉源；上帝也必擦去你们一切的眼泪。”现在，我的弟兄姐妹们，你们若是确实对基督有那种活泼的信心，祂就必赐给你们一种信心和盼望，是世人无法给予或夺去的。（《文稿》1885年35号）怀爱伦著作托管委员会1988年5月12日全文发表于美国首都华盛顿。{19MR 139.3}[19]
§42
Well, the day will come when God will come to take vengeance upon those who know Him not; and we want you to be ready. We want eternal things to have some weight upon your minds. We want you to have on the robes of righteousness, that Christ will bestow His blessing upon you. And He says, I will lead you unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from your eyes. Now, my brethren and sisters, if you do have that living faith in Christ, He will give you a faith and hope that the world cannot give or take away.--Ms 35, 1885. Ellen G. White Estate Washington, D. C. May 12, 1988. Entire Ms. {19MR 139.3}[19]