第46章 钱财的迷惑
§1
第46章 钱财的迷惑
§2
Deceitfulness of Riches
§3
亲爱的M姐妹：主把你的情形指示给我，我见到许多年前你初做基督复临信徒之时，曾经仰望并爱慕主的显现。……{1TT 247.1}[1]
§4
Dear Sister M,When the Lord showed me your case, I was pointed back many years in the past, when you became a believer in the near coming of Christ. You looked for, and loved, His appearing. ...?{1TT 247.1}[1]
§5
我见到你与贫穷奋斗，设法维持你和你儿女的生活。许多时候你觉得前途黑暗，渺茫无定，不知道该怎么办。你在穷困之中呼求主，祂就安慰你，帮助了你，用希望之光照耀你的四围。在这种时候，你看上帝是何等的宝贵啊！祂安慰的爱是何等甜美啊！你也觉得自己已经有贵重的财宝积存在天上了。你见到那些受苦遭难的上帝子民所得的赏赐，便觉得自己能称上帝为父，真是一种极大的安慰。……{1TT 247.2}[2]
§6
I saw you struggling with poverty, seeking to support yourself and your children. Many times you knew not what to do; the future looked dark and uncertain. In your distress you cried unto the Lord, and He comforted and helped you, and hopeful rays of light shone around you. How precious was God to you at such times! how sweet His comforting love! You felt that you had a precious treasure laid up in heaven. As you viewed the reward of the afflicted children of God, what a consolation to feel that you could claim Him as your Father! ...?{1TT 247.2}[2]
§7
我注意到你渴望得钱财的情形。你的心意是这样：“唉，我如果有钱，我决不浪费它！我要给那些吝啬的守财奴作一个榜样。我要向他们显明，得钱而行善，乃是一种大福气。”你的心憎恶贪婪。你见到那些广拥世上财利而对有需要之人的呼声竟毫不动心的人，便说：“上帝要报应他们，祂要照他们的行为报应他们。”你见到富人志得意满，心骄气傲，自私自利之念象铁带束心，你就觉得自己虽然清贫，但他们却比你更贫穷。当你见到这些以富足自傲之辈，以为金钱万能而得意洋洋之时，你却为他们可怜，无论如何也不肯把你的地位与他们交换。虽然这样，但你心中还是渴慕钱财，想要善用钱财来申斥那些贪婪之辈。{1TT 247.3}[3]
§8
My attention was called to your desire to possess means. The sentiment of your heart was: “Oh, if I only had means, I would not squander it! I would set an example to those who are close and penurious. I would show them the great blessing there is to be received in doing good.” Your soul abhorred covetousness. As you have seen those who possessed abundance of this world’s goods shut their hearts to the cry of the needy you have said: “God will visit them; He will reward them according to their works.” As you have seen the wealthy walking in their pride, their hearts girt about with selfishness, as with iron bands, you have felt that they were poorer than yourself, although you were in want and suffering. When you have seen these purse-proud men bearing themselves loftily because money has power, you have felt pity for them, and in no case would you have been induced?to change places with them. Yet you desired means that you might so use it as to be a rebuke to the covetous.?{1TT 247.3}[3]
§9
【顺境的考验】
§10
主对那先前为你服务的天使说：“我已用贫穷和苦难试验过她，她没有离弃我，也没有反叛我。我今后要用顺利的境遇来试验她。我要向她显明一页她所不熟悉的人心。我要向她指明，金钱乃是她所遇仇敌中最危险的。我要向她显明钱财的迷惑，这是一种网罗，甚至那些感觉已无自私之危险，以及曾表明反对自高、奢侈、骄傲、与爱受人称赞的人，也难免其害。”{1TT 248.1}[4]
§11
【Tested by Prosperity】
§12
The Lord said to His angel who had hitherto ministered unto you: “I have proved her in poverty and affliction, and she has not separated herself from Me, nor rebelled against Me. I will now prove her with prosperity. I will reveal to her a page of the human heart with which she is unacquainted. I will show her that money is the most dangerous foe she has ever met. I will reveal to her the deceitfulness of riches; that they are a snare, even to those who feel that they are secure from selfishness, and proof against exaltation, extravagance, pride, and love of the praise of men.”?{1TT 248.1}[4]
§13
随后我蒙指示见到，在你面前开了一条路，你的生活情形得以改善，你终于得到了不少金钱，就是你以前所想要善用并荣耀上帝的。那为你服务的天使非常关注这新的试炼，看你如何应付这新试验。及至钱财流进你手中之后，我看到你渐渐地、几乎不知不觉地远离了上帝。你把那交托给你的钱财作为求自身便利之用，自己屈服于今生的美物之下。我见到那观察你的天使，为你忧愁叹息，他们半转过脸去，舍不得离开你。他们虽在你身旁，你却不知道，你的一切行动，也没有考虑到你守护天使的感受。……{1TT 248.2}[5]
§14
I was then shown that a way was opened for you to improve your condition in life and at length to obtain the means which you had thought you would use with wisdom and to the glory of God. How anxiously did your ministering angel watch the new trial to see how you would stand the test. As means came into your hands, I saw you gradually and almost imperceptibly separating from God. The means entrusted to you were expended for your own convenience, to surround yourself with the good things of this life. I saw the angels looking upon you with yearning sadness, their faces half averted, loath to leave you. Yet their presence was not perceived by you, and your course was pursued without reference to your angel guard. ...?{1TT 248.2}[5]
§15
你在顺境之中，没有实行你在逆境之中所立的志愿。钱财的迷惑使你转离了你的目的。你的思虑增多，你的影响扩大。那些穷苦的人既得到了救济，便荣耀你，这样你就学会了爱受穷人的称赞。你觉得你有必要住在繁荣的城市，认为这对你业务的成功，保持你的声望日隆，并使你的环境与业务有些许相称很重要。然而你却作得太过分了，你过于容易受别人的意见和判断所左右。你花了许多冤枉钱，只求满足眼目的情欲和今生的骄傲。你忘记了你所经手的是主的钱财。你花钱的时候，增长的只是自己的虚荣之心，你毫不想到那掌簿的天使正在留下一页你所愧于再见的记录。那天使指着你说：“你荣耀了自己，却没有尊上帝为大。”你甚至因自己有能力购买这些东西，而洋洋得意。……{1TT 248.3}[6]
§16
In your prosperity you did not carry out the resolves you had made in adversity. The deceitfulness of riches turned you from your purposes. Cares increased upon you. Your influence became extended. As the afflicted realized relief from suffering, they glorified you, and you learned to love praise from the lips of poor mortals. You were in a popular city, and thought it necessary for the success of your business, as?well as to retain your influence, for your surroundings to be somewhat in accordance with your business. But you carried things too far. You were swayed too much by the opinions and judgment of others. You expended means needlessly, only to gratify the lust of the eye and the pride of life. You forgot that you were handling your Lord’s money. When means were expended by you which would only encourage vanity, you did not consider that the recording angel was making a record which you would blush to meet again. Said the angel, pointing to you: “You glorified yourself, but did not magnify God.” You even gloried in the fact that it was in your power to purchase these things. ...?{1TT 248.3}[6]
§17
【危险的时刻】
§18
当金钱流入你手中之后，你的信仰以及纯朴信靠上帝的心就开始枯竭了。你虽然没有立刻离弃上帝，却渐渐退后了。你停止了早晚的灵修，因为不总是方便的。你的儿媳给你带来特别苦恼的试炼，在相当大的程度上叫你心灰意冷，不再坚持家庭聚会。你的家成了一个不祈祷的家。你把属世业务列为首要，而把主和祂的真理放在次要的地位上。你且回想一下早年的经验，那时这些试炼会叫你丢弃了家庭祷告吗？{1TT 249.1}[7]
§19
【A Time of Peril】
§20
Your faith and simple trust in God began to wane as soon as means flowed in upon you. You did not depart from God all at once. Your backsliding was gradual. You ceased the morning and evening devotions because it was not always convenient. Your son’s wife caused you trials of a peculiar, aggravating character, which had considerable to do in discouraging you from continuing family devotions. Your house became a prayerless house. Your business was made primary, and the Lord and His truth were made secondary. Look back to the days of your earlier experience; would these trials then have driven you from family prayer??{1TT 249.1}[7]
§21
因为忽略了出声祷告，你在家中就失去了原本可以保持的感化力。你的本分乃是，无论结果如何，都要在家中承认上帝。你当早晚向上帝发出祈求。你本应作家庭的祭司，承认自己和儿女的罪。你若是忠心，那曾指教你的上帝，就不会把你撇在自己的智慧之中{1TT 249.2}[8]
§22
Here, in the neglect of vocal prayer, you lost an influence in your house which you could have retained. It was your duty to acknowledge God in your family, irrespective of consequences. Your petitions should have been offered to God morning and evening. You should have been as priest of the household, confessing your sins and the sins of your children. Had you been faithful, God, who had been your guide, would not have left you to your own wisdom.?{1TT 249.2}[8]
§23
你为铺张炫耀而浪费金钱，而你过去曾为这种罪恶深感忧伤。你这样浪费钱财，乃是抢夺上帝之物。因此主说：“我要分散这些钱财。我要让她经过一个时期，自行她所选择的道路。我要使她的判断力盲目，并拿去智慧。我要向她显明，她的力量就是软弱，她的智慧乃是愚拙。我要使她降卑，叫她看明自己离我已有多远。今后她若不全心回转归向我，在她一切所行的事上都认定我，我就要下手分散，使母亲和儿女的骄傲降卑，使他们再处于贫穷的命运中。我的名要被高举。骄傲的要低头，夸耀的要降卑。”……?{1TT 249.3}[9]
§24
Means were expended needlessly for show. Over this sin in?others you had felt deeply grieved. And while thus using means, you were robbing God. Then the Lord said: “I will scatter. I will permit her for a time to walk in the way of her own choosing. I will blind judgment, and remove wisdom. I will show her that her strength is weakness, and her wisdom foolishness. I will humble her, and open her eyes to see how far she has departed from Me. If she will not then turn unto Me with her whole heart, and in all her ways acknowledge Me, My hand shall scatter, and the pride of the mother and of the children shall be brought down, and poverty shall again be their lot. My name shall be exalted. The loftiness of man shall be brought down, and the pride of man shall be laid low.” ...?{1TT 249.3}[9]
§25
在你过去的经历中，主给你的是感化力，而不是钱财。因此，主也没有期望你在贫苦中，要拿出你所拿不出的。你曾像那穷寡妇一样力所能及地奉献。那时你如果想到自己的情况，也许会觉得拿不出那么多钱也是情有可原。当你患病时，上帝并没有要你拿出已被疾病消磨了的活跃精力。你的影响和金钱有限，但上帝并不是照你所没有的，而是照你所有的，来悦纳你的善行和推进圣工的努力。那出于诚心乐意的捐献，即使是最微小的，主也不轻看。{1TT 250.1}[10]
§26
In your earlier experience the Lord imparted to you talents of influence, but did not give you talents of means, and therefore did not expect you in your poverty to bestow that which you had not to give. Like the widow, you did give what you could, although, had you considered your own circumstances, you would have felt excused from doing even as much as you did. In your sickness, God did not require from you that active energy of which disease had deprived you. Though you were restricted in your influence and in your means, yet God accepted your efforts to do good and to advance His cause according to what you had, not according to what you had not. The Lord does not despise the humblest offering bestowed with readiness and sincerity.?{1TT 250.1}[10]
§27
你的性情是热心的。热衷于善事，这乃是可嘉可许的。在以往困苦试炼之时，你曾得着一种有益他人的经验。那时你热心事奉上帝，你乐于向那些不信现代真理的人，提出我们立场的根据。你说话时很有把握，因为这些事对你是很切实的。真理成了你的一部分，凡听你恳切请求的人，毫不疑惑你的诚心，而都信服这些事确是如此。Y{1TT 250.2}[11]
§28
You possess an ardent temperament. Earnestness in a good cause is praiseworthy. In your former trials and perplexity, you were obtaining an experience which was to be of advantage to others. You were zealous in the service of God. You loved to present the evidences of our position to those who did not believe present truth. You could speak with assurance, for these things were a reality to you. The truth was a part of your being; and those who listened to your earnest appeals had not a doubt of your honesty, but were convinced that these things were so.?{1TT 250.2}[11]
§29
在上帝的安排之下，你的感化力日见扩大；此外，上帝看你配受新的试验，便赐给你钱财，从此你就负有双重的责任了。当你的生活开始改善之时，你说：“我一旦有了一所房子，以后就要捐钱给上帝的工作。”但及至你有了一所房子之后，你又发现为使自己舒适便利，在家中还有许多改善之处，以致忘了上帝和祂对你的要求，并且少愿帮助上帝的教会，反不如你在贫穷困苦之日那样了。{1TT 251.1}[12]
§30
In the providence of God your influence has been extended; in addition to this, God has seen fit to prove you by giving you talents of means. You are thereby laid under double responsibility. When your condition in life began to improve, you said: “As soon as I can get me a home, I will then donate to the cause of God.” But when you had a home you saw so many improvements to make to have everything about you convenient and pleasant that you forgot the Lord and His claims upon you, and were less inclined to help the cause of God than in the days of your poverty and affliction.?{1TT 251.1}[12]
§31
你追求世俗的友谊，同上帝的距离越来越远。你忘记了基督的劝告：“你们要谨慎，恐怕因贪食醉酒并今生的思虑，累住你们的心，那日子就如同网罗忽然临到你们”（路21:34）。“所以自己以为站得稳的，须要谨慎，免得跌倒”（林前10:12）。{1TT 251.2}[13]
§32
You were seeking friendship with the world, and separating further and further from God. You forgot the exhortation of Christ: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”?Luke 21:34. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”?1 Corinthians 10:12.?{1TT 251.2}[13]
§33
在基督徒的人生上，如果我们不愿被撒但偷袭的话，有三句警语是我们应当留心的，那就是：警醒，祷告，做工。祷告和警醒乃是属灵生活长进所必需的。现今的时辰是最重要的，是你历史上从未有过的。你唯一的保障就在于过象守望者那样的生活。总是警醒祷告。这是对于坠入试探、陷入世俗网罗之最有效的预防！在过去几年中，你的感化力扩展时，你本当何等恳切地做工啊！1TT251.3}[14]
§34
There are three watchwords in the Christian life, which must be heeded if we would not have Satan steal a march upon us; namely, Watch, pray, work. Prayer and watching thereunto are necessary for advancement in the divine life. Never was there a time in your history more important than the present. Your only safety is to live like a watchman. Watch and pray always. Oh, what a preventive against yielding to temptation and falling into the snares of the world! How earnestly should you have been at work the past few years, when your influence was extensive.?{1TT 251.3}[14]
§35
亲爱的姐妹啊，人们的称赞和世俗的奉承对你所有的极大影响，是过于你所警觉的。你还没有善用所交托给你的——把钱放给兑换银钱的人。你天生具有同情和慷慨的性情。你对于这些美德已经颇有发挥，但还是没有达到上帝所要求的地步。单单赋有这些优美的恩赐是不够的，上帝要人不住地运用这些才能，借此造福给那些亟待帮助的人，并推进祂的救人大工。……?{1TT 251.4}[15]
§36
Dear sister, the praise of men and the flattery current in the world have had greater influence upon you than you have been aware of. You have not been improving your talents—putting them out to the exchangers. You are naturally affectionate and generous. These traits of character have been exercised to a degree, but not as much as God requires. Merely possessing these excellent gifts is not enough; God requires them to?be kept in constant exercise; for through them He blesses those who need to be helped, and carries forward His work for the salvation of man. ...?{1TT 251.4}[15]
§37
【回转的机会】
§38
我的姐妹啊，主将感化力和钱财交托给你，你的责任重大。你应当敬畏上帝，谨慎一切的行动。你的智慧很弱，但从上头来的智慧，却是坚强的。主想要照亮你的黑暗，使你再度瞥见天上的财宝，可以略知两个世界的比较价值，让你自决取舍今世或永生的产业。我看到你还有机会回到羊圈。耶稣用自己的血救赎了你，祂要你运用自己的才干为祂服务。你的心还没有刚硬到圣灵不能感化的地步，当上帝的真理向你提出之时，在你心上还可得到反应。……{1TT 252.1}[16]
§39
【Opportunity to Return】
§40
To you, my sister, are committed talents of influence and talents of money; and your responsibility is great. You should move cautiously and in the fear of God. Your wisdom is weakness, but the wisdom from above is strong. The Lord designs to enlighten your darkness and again give you a glimpse of the heavenly treasure, that you may have some sense of the comparative value of both worlds, and then leave you to choose between this world and the eternal inheritance. I saw that there was yet opportunity to return to the fold. Jesus has redeemed you by His own blood, and He requires you to employ your talents in His service. You have not become hardened to the influence of the Holy Spirit. When the truth of God is presented, it meets a response in your heart. ...?{1TT 252.1}[16]
§41
我亲爱的姐妹啊，主一直很爱怜你和你的家庭。你有责任在世荣耀并颂扬天父的圣名。为要长居在祂的爱中，你应当不住地为存心谦卑，和那在上帝面前是极宝贵的温柔安静的心努力。你将一切奉献给上帝，你在祂里面的能力就必增加，这样便可以有把握地说：“谁能使我们与基督的爱隔绝呢？难道是患难么？是困苦么？是逼迫么？是饥饿么？是赤身露体么？是危险么？是刀剑么？”“因为我深信无论是死，是生，是天使，是掌权的，是有能的，是现在的事，是将来的事，是高处的，是低处的，是别的受造之物，都不能叫我们与上帝的爱隔绝；这爱是在我们的主基督耶稣里的”（罗8:35,38-39）。（2T.261-288.1869年）{1TT 252.2}[17]
§42
My dear sister, the Lord has been very merciful to you and your family. You are laid under obligation to your heavenly Father to praise and glorify His holy name upon the earth. In order to continue in His love, you should labor constantly for humbleness of mind and that meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price. Your strength in God will increase while you consecrate all to Him; so that you can say with confidence: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”?Romans 8:35, 38, 39.?{1TT 252.2}[17]