第06章 人岂可夺取上帝之物呢？
§1
第06章 人岂可夺取上帝之物呢？Will a Man Rob God?
§2
主已使散布亮光和真理给世人的工作，依赖于那些分享天庭恩赐之人的志愿努力及甘心奉献。只有比较少数的人奉召出门，作传道人或远方布道士，而大多数的会众却在金钱上效力，合力推广真理。{2TT 40.1}[1]
§3
The Lord has made the diffusion of light and truth in the earth dependent on the voluntary efforts and offerings of those who have been partakers of the heavenly gifts. Comparatively few are called to travel as ministers or missionaries, but multitudes are to co-operate in spreading the truth with their means.?{2TT 40.1}[1]
§4
主给我们亚拿尼亚及撒非喇的故事，要我们明白在自己的各种礼物和捐献上，欺骗之罪是何等严重。他们曾自愿应许拿出财产的一部分，用以促进基督的圣工；但到了金钱在手之时，他们却不肯履行那义务，而同时又想向众人表明自己已把一切都献上了。他们所受的刑罚是明显的，以便作为历代基督徒的恒久鉴戒。这同样的罪也可怕地流行于今日，但我们没有听到如此显著的刑罚。主一度向人类显明祂是何等憎恨这种干犯祂神圣主权的要求及尊严之罪，然后就让人去依照这神圣制度的一般原则而行。{2TT 40.2}[2]
§5
The history of Ananias and Sapphira is given us that we may understand the sin of deception in regard to our gifts and offerings. They had voluntarily promised to give a portion of their property for the promotion of the cause of Christ; but when the means was in their hands they declined to fulfill that obligation, at the same time wishing it to appear to others that they had given all. Their punishment was marked in order that it might serve as a perpetual warning to Christians of all ages. The same sin is fearfully prevalent at the present time, yet we hear of no such signal punishment. The Lord shows men once with what abhorrence He regards such an offense against His sacred claims and dignity, and then they are left to follow the general principles of the divine administration.?{2TT 40.2}[2]
§6
福音的收入，乃在乎十分之一与乐意捐。在上帝委托给人的金钱上，祂有应得的一份──就是十分之一；但祂却随人自定这十分之一究竟是多少，或是否愿捐献过于此数。各人要随本心所酌定的奉献。然而到了人心被上帝之灵的感化力所激动，许下了愿，要献一笔款项之后，许愿的人对那已献为圣的一份就不再有权了。他已在人前立了约，他们都作了这事的见证人。同时他自己就已负起一种最神圣的义务，要与主同工，在地上建立祂的国度。向人发这样的应许，尚且应当遵守，那么向上帝许愿，岂不是更神圣更当遵守么？难道在良心的法庭上审讯之时，这能比与人所立的字约更少效力么？{2TT 40.3}[3]
§7
Voluntary offerings and the tithe constitute the revenue of the gospel. Of the means which is entrusted to man, God claims a certain portion—a tithe; but He leaves all free to say how much the tithe is, and whether or not they will give more than this. They are to give as they purpose in their hearts. But when the heart is stirred by the influence of the Spirit of God, and a vow is made to give a certain amount, the one who vowed has no longer any right to the consecrated portion. He has given his pledge before men, and they are called to witness?to the transaction. At the same time he has incurred an obligation of the most sacred character to co-operate with the Lord in building up His kingdom on earth. Promises of this kind made to men would be considered binding. Are they not more sacred and binding when made to God? Are promises tried in the court of conscience less binding than written agreements with men??{2TT 40.3}[3]
§8
当神圣的亮光非常清明有力地射进人心时，那惯有的私心便放松其掌握之力，于是人就起了乐助圣工之念。人不要期望所许的愿，毫不遭受撒但方面的抗议就可实现。撒但不喜欢见到救赎主的国度在地上建立。他暗示人认为许的愿太多了，也许会破坏他们立业置产的力量，或是无法满足他们家人的愿望。撒但在人心上所运用的力量是令人惊奇的。他是极其热切地用功，要使得人心只顾自己。{2TT 41.1}[4]
§9
When the divine light is shining into the heart with unusual clearness and power, habitual selfishness relaxes its grasp, and there is a disposition to give to the cause of God. None need expect that they will be allowed to fulfill the promises then made without a protest on the part of Satan. He is not pleased to see the Redeemer’s kingdom on earth built up. He suggests that the pledge made was too much, that it may cripple them in their efforts to acquire property or gratify the desires of their families. The power Satan has over the human mind is wonderful. He labors most earnestly to keep the heart bound up in self.?{2TT 41.1}[4]
§10
上帝所定促进祂圣工的唯一方法，就是使人享有财富之福。祂赐下阳光和甘霖；祂使植物茂盛；祂赐予健康和得货财的能力。我们一切的福惠都是由祂博施之手而来的。因此，祂也希望男男女女献纳十分之一及各种捐款，如感恩捐，乐意捐，赎愆捐等，将财物的一部分奉还给祂，藉以表示他们的感恩。{2TT 41.2}[5]
§11
The only means which God has ordained to advance His cause is to bless men with property. He gives them the sunshine and the rain; He causes vegetation to flourish; He gives health and ability to acquire means. All our blessings come from His bountiful hand. In turn He would have men and women show their gratitude by returning Him a portion in tithes and offerings—in thank offerings, in freewill offerings, in trespass offerings.?{2TT 41.2}[5]
§12
人心为自私之念所硬化，象亚拿尼亚及撒非喇一样，他们受引诱，想扣留价款的一部分，同时又伪称是已守十分之一的规则。人岂可夺取上帝之物呢？如果人都确照上帝的计划──按一切收入的十分之一──将钱财源源奉入上帝的库中，就必有丰裕的财源以推进圣工了。{2TT 41.3}[6]
§13
The hearts of men become hardened through selfishness, and, like Ananias and Sapphira, they are tempted to withhold part of the price while pretending to come up to the rules of tithing. Will a man rob God? Should means flow into the treasury exactly according to God’s plan,—a tenth of all the increase,—there would be abundance to carry forward His work.?{2TT 41.3}[6]
§14
或有人说，唉，圣工捐款的要求，接踵而来，我已捐得厌倦了。你是这样么？那么让我问一问，你从上帝赐福的手接受福气，是否也厌倦了呢？在祂停降福气给你之前，你总是有责任将祂所应得的份归还给祂。祂赐福给你，为要使你有力造福他人。何时你倦于接受福气了，然后你也许可说：我对这么多捐钱的要求很厌倦了。在我们一切的收入中，上帝为祂自己保留了一部分。我们把这一份归还祂之后，其余的部分便都蒙福，若是把这一份扣留了，那么早晚之间，全部都要受咒诅的。凡是上帝的要求，当列为第一，其他一切都是次要的。?{2TT 41.4}[7]
§15
Well, says one, the calls keep coming to give to the cause; I am weary of giving. Are you? Then let me ask: Are you?weary of receiving from God’s beneficent hand? Not until He ceases to bless you will you cease to be under bonds to return to Him the portion He claims. He blesses you that it may be in your power to bless others. When you are weary of receiving, then you may say: I am weary of so many calls to give. God reserves to Himself a portion of all that we receive. When this is returned to Him, the remaining portion is blessed; but when it is withheld, the whole is sooner or later cursed. God’s claim is first; every other is secondary.?{2TT 41.4}[7]
§16
【顾念穷人】
§17
在各地教会之中，应当为穷人准备款项。让每位教友随其方便，每周一次或每月一次，向上帝献上感恩捐。这种感恩捐，要表明我们感谢主赐我们健康，食物，及舒适的衣着。我们可照上帝所赐的这些享受，分出一部分来济助那些贫穷，困苦及遭难的人。我要求我们的弟兄们特别注意这一件事。当记念穷人。应当放弃一些奢侈的享受，甚至于牺牲一些舒适便利，来帮助那些只能得到微薄衣食的人。你们为他们行好事，行在圣徒身上，亦即行在耶稣的身上。祂自认是与受苦的人类相同。不可等待直到你们所想象的一切需要都满足了。你们不可信任自己的感情，在爱给的时候就给，在不爱给的时候就不给。应当有规则地施舍，每周不论是一角，二角，或五角，按你们在上帝审判之日所愿看的天庭记录而定。{2TT 42.1}[8]
§18
【Remember the Poor】
§19
In every church there should be established a treasury for the poor. Then let each member present a thank offering to God once a week or once a month, as is most convenient. This offering will express our gratitude for the gifts of health, of food, and of comfortable clothing. And according as God has blessed us with these comforts will we lay by for the poor, the suffering, and the distressed. I would call the attention of our brethren especially to this point. Remember the poor. Forego some of your luxuries, yea, even comforts, and help those who can obtain only the most meager food and clothing. In doing for them you are doing for Jesus in the person of His saints. He identifies Himself with suffering humanity. Do not wait until your imaginary wants are all satisfied. Do not trust to your feelings and give when you feel like it and withhold when you do not feel like it. Give regularly, either ten, twenty, or fifty cents a week, as you would like to see upon the heavenly record in the day of God.?{2TT 42.1}[8]
§20
你们的好意，我们很是感谢；然而单是好心意，穷人还是得不到什么实惠。他们必须有些实际可见的凭据，象衣食之类，方可证明你们的好心。上帝不愿祂的任何门徒，必须过求乞的生活。祂已赐你们丰盛的福气，使你们可以帮补他们在勤勉节俭之下所不能供给的需要。不可等待他们来请你们去注意他们的需要。应当效法约伯所行的，去查明自己所不知道的事。你们也应当出去查问，明白人们有什么需要，及如何能作最好的帮补。?{2TT 42.2}[9]
§21
Your good wishes we will thank you for, but the poor cannot keep comfortable on good wishes alone. They must have tangible proofs of your kindness in food and clothing. God does not mean that any of His followers should beg for bread. He has given you an abundance that you may supply those of their necessities which by industry and economy they are not able to supply. Do not wait for them to call your attention to?their needs. Act as did Job. The thing that he knew not he searched out. Go on an inspecting tour and learn what is needed and how it can be best supplied.?{2TT 42.2}[9]
§22
【抢夺主的物】
§23
我蒙指示，知道我们许多人在十分之一及捐献上抢夺了主的物，结果主的工作便大受阻碍。那些靠上帝鸿恩厚惠而生活的人，竟关闭心门，对于促进圣工的事一无赞助或是差不多一无赞助，上帝的咒诅是要停留在他们身上的。弟兄姐妹们哪，如果你们抓紧一切，自私自利地声称都是属于你们的，我们施恩赐福的天父怎能继续以你们为祂的管家，授你们钱财，以便为祂使用呢！{2TT 43.1}[10]
§24
【Robbing the Lord】
§25
I have been shown that many of our people are robbing the Lord in tithes and in offerings, and as the result His work is greatly hindered. The curse of God will rest upon those who are living upon God’s bounties and yet close their hearts and do nothing or next to nothing to advance His cause. Brethren and sisters, how can the beneficent Father continue to make you His stewards, furnishing you with means to use for Him, when you grasp it all, selfishly claiming that it is yours!?{2TT 43.1}[10]
§26
许多人不但不奉还上帝所交在他们手中的钱财，反而拿来投资于更多的地产。这种恶行正在本会弟兄中滋长着。在此以前，他们已经拥有了他们能妥为照顾的一切，然而贪爱钱财之心，或想和邻舍一般富足之念，却使他们将钱财埋藏世界中，并把应归上帝的份扣留了。这样，如果他们不昌盛，如果上帝不赐福给他们的收获，以致他们失望，那又何足为怪呢？{2TT 43.2}[11]
§27
Instead of rendering to God the means He has placed in their hands, many invest it in more land. This evil is growing with our brethren. They had before all they could well care for, but the love of money or a desire to be counted as well off as their neighbors leads them to bury their means in the world and withhold from God His just dues. Can we be surprised if they are not prospered? if God does not bless their crops and they are disappointed??{2TT 43.2}[11]
§28
如果我们的弟兄们，记得上帝可赐福给二十亩的田地，使所收获的犹如一百亩地所生产的一样，那么他们就不会再继续埋头于地业上，而必让自己的钱财流入上帝的库中了。基督曾说：“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）。撒但乐于见到你们的田地增多及投资在世界的企业上，因为你们这样行，不但阻止了圣工的前进，同时也因焦心苦思及辛劳过度，而减少了永生的希望。{2TT 43.3}[12]
§29
Could our brethren remember that God can bless twenty acres of land and make them as productive as one hundred, they would not continue to bury themselves in lands, but would let their means flow into God’s treasury. “Take heed,” said Christ, “lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life.”?Luke 21:34. Satan is pleased to have you increase your farms and invest your means in worldly enterprises, for by so doing you not only hinder the cause from advancing, but by anxiety and overwork lessen your prospect for eternal life.?{2TT 43.3}[12]
§30
我们现在应当注意救主的训谕：“你们要变卖所有的，周济人；为自己预备永不坏的钱囊，用不尽的财宝在天上”（路12:32）。现今是我们的弟兄们应减少财产而非增多之时。我们快要迁居到一个更美的，就是在天上的家乡。因此，我们不要作久居世上的人，乃要压缩行李，愈简便愈好。?{2TT 43.4}[13]
§31
We ought now to be heeding the injunction of our Saviour: “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not.”?Luke 12:33. It is now that our brethren should be cutting down their possessions instead of increasing them. We are about to move to a better country, even a heavenly. Then let us not be dwellers upon the earth, but be getting things into as compact a compass as possible.?{2TT 43.4}[13]
§32
时候将到，届时我们的东西无论以什么价钱也卖不出去了。命令快要发出，除了那有兽印记的人之外，谁也不能作买卖了。（5T.148-152.1882年）{2TT 44.1}[14]
§33
The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast.?{2TT 44.1}[14]
§34
主曾屡次指示我，在大艰难时期为我们现世的需要作任何预备乃是违反圣经的教训的。我看到，如果圣徒在大艰难时期，就是刀兵、饥荒和瘟疫流行的时候为自己囤积粮食，或在田里还有庄稼，这些粮食要被人抢去，并且必有外人来收割他们的田地。对我们来说，那时乃是完全依靠上帝的时候，祂也必养活我们。我看到那时我们的粮和水必不断绝，而且我们必不至缺乏或饥饿；因为上帝能在旷野为我们摆设筵席。如有必要，祂会差乌鸦来送食物给我们，正像祂供给以利亚一样，或从天上降吗哪，像祂曾降给以色列人一样。.{2TT 44.2}[15]
§35
The Lord has shown me repeatedly that it is contrary to the Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble. I saw that if the saints had food laid up by them, or in the field in the time of trouble, when sword, famine, and pestilence are in the land, it would be taken from them by violent hands, and strangers would reap their fields. Then will be the time for us to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our bread and water will be sure at that time, and that we shall not lack or suffer hunger; for God is able to spread a table for us in the wilderness. If necessary He would send ravens to feed us, as He did to feed Elijah, or rain manna from heaven, as He did for the Israelites.?{2TT 44.2}[15]
§36
在大艰难时期，房屋和地产对圣徒再没有一点用处，因为那时他们必须在狂怒的暴徒面前逃跑，那时他们也无法变卖财产来推进现代真理的事业。我蒙指示，上帝的旨意乃是要众圣徒在大艰难时期来到之前摆脱一切缠累，并藉着祭物与上帝立约。如果他们将自己的财产放在祭坛上，并恳切祈求上帝指明他们的本分，祂就必教训他们什么时候将这些东西变卖掉。这样他们就可以在大艰难时期轻省自由，不受一点缠累。.—（《早期著作》56,57.1851年）{2TT 44.3}[16]
§37
Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time of trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs, and at that time their possessions cannot be disposed of to advance the cause of present truth. I was shown that it is the will of God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance before the time of trouble comes, and make a covenant with God through sacrifice. If they have their property on the altar, and earnestly inquire of God for duty, He will teach them when to dispose of these things. Then they will be free in the time of trouble, and have no clogs to weigh them down.—1851,?Early Writings, 56, 57.?{2TT 44.3}[16]