第41章 定期捐款计划
§1
第41章 定期捐款计划
§2
Chap.41 - Systematic Benevolence
§3
我蒙指示回顾古以色列人。上帝要求他们无论贫富都按照自己的进项作出牺牲。穷人也不得因为没有富足弟兄的财富而为自己开脱。他们也要实行节约和舍己。若有人非常贫穷以致完全不可能带供物给主，如果疾病或不幸使他们无力奉献，富足的人就要帮助他们一点儿，使他们不至空手来到主面前。这种安排使穷人富人都得益处。{1T 220.1}[1]
§4
I was pointed back to the children of Israel anciently. God required of them all, both poor and rich, a sacrifice according as He had prospered them. The poor were not excused because they had not the wealth of their rich brethren. They were required to exercise economy and self-denial. And if any were so poor that it was utterly impossible for them to bring an offering to the Lord, if sickness or misfortune had deprived them of the ability to bestow, those who were wealthy were required to help them to a humble mite, that they come not before the Lord empty-handed. This arrangement preserved a mutual interest.{1T 220.1}[1]
§5
一些人还没有前来参加定期捐款计划，藉口说自己有债务缠身。他们辩称自己必须先“凡事都不可亏欠人”（罗13:8）。我看到他们应该把凯撒的物归给凯撒，把上帝的物归给上帝。有些人本着良心觉得“凡事都不可亏欠人”，以为在他们把所有债务都还清之前，上帝不会要求他们什么。他们这是在自欺。他们没能把上帝的物归给上帝。每一个人必须带给主一份相配的供物。那些欠债的人，也应自他们的财物中取出所欠的款项，再把剩余的捐献一部分。{1T 220.2}[2]
§6
Some have not come up and united in the plan of systematic benevolence, excusing themselves because they were not free from debt. They plead that they must first owe no man anything. But the fact that they are in debt does not excuse them. I saw that they should render to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods. Some feel conscientious to owe no man anything, and think that God can require nothing of them until their debts are all paid. Here they deceive themselves. They fail to render to God the things that are His. Everyone must bring to the Lord a suitable offering. Those who are in debt should take the amount of their debts from what they possess, and give a proportion of the remainder.{1T 220.2}[2]
§7
一些人感悟到对他们儿女的神圣责任。他们必须把一部分给予每个儿女，而又觉得无力提供钱财以支助上帝的圣工。他们藉口说对儿女有责任，这也许有道理，但他们首要的责任，乃是对上帝。把凯撒的物归给凯撒，把上帝的物归给上帝。不要藉着扣交十分之一和供物来抢夺上帝。第一个神圣的责任就是要把相配的一部分献给上帝。不要让人向你提出要求，而使你抢夺上帝。不要让你的儿女们为了他们自己的利益，而使你从上帝的坛上盗取你的供物。{1T 220.3}[3]
§8
Some have felt under sacred obligations to their children. They must give each a portion, but feel themselves unable to raise means to aid the cause of God. They make the excuse that they have a duty to their children. This may be right, but their first duty is to God. Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods. Rob not God by withholding from Him your tithes and offerings. It is the first sacred duty to render to God a suitable proportion. Let no one throw in his claims and lead you to rob God. Let not your children steal your offering from Gods altar for their own benefit.{1T 220.3}[3]
§9
我看到古时有些人的贪心使他们扣留了应缴的部分；他们吝惜奉献。这都被记在了天上，他们也在收成和畜群上受了咒诅，正如他们所扣留的。有些人的家中遭了困苦。上帝不会悦纳瘸腿的祭物。所献的必须是没有瑕疵的，是羊群中最好的，土产中最优的。他们若是愿意主常常赐福他们的家庭和财产，就必须甘心乐意的奉献。{1T 221.1}[4]
§10
I saw that anciently the covetousness of some led them to withhold a suitable proportion; they made their offering stinted. This was recorded in heaven, and they were cursed in their harvest and their flocks just as they withheld. Some were visited with affliction in their families. God would not accept a lame offering. It must be without blemish, the best of their flocks, and the best fruits of their fields. And it must be a freewill offering, if they would have the blessing of the Lord rest upon their families and their possessions.{1T 221.1}[4]
§11
亚拿尼亚和撒非拉的案例被呈现在我面前，说明那些贬低自己财产价值之人的做法。他们假装甘心乐意把自己的财产献给主。彼得说：“你告诉我，你们卖田地的价银就是这些吗？”回答是：“就是这些”（徒5:8）。在这个邪恶时代里，有人认为那不是谎言。但主看它是一个谎言。他们卖田地的价值比这些多。他们曾自称要全部献给上帝。他们既欺瞒上帝，所受的报应就必不迟延。{1T 221.2}[5]
§12
The case of Ananias and Sapphira was presented before me to illustrate the course of those who put down their property below its value. They pretended to make a freewill offering of their possessions to the Lord. Said Peter: Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? The answer was: Yea, for so much. Some in this evil age would not consider that a lie. But the Lord regarded it thus. They had sold it for so much, and much more. They had professed to consecrate all to God. To Him they had dissembled, and their retribution lingered not.{1T 221.2}[5]
§13
我看到在定期捐款的安排中，人心会受试验被证实。这是一个常存的、活泼的试验，使人明白自己心内如何，要看是真理还是爱世界的心在其中掌权。这是对本性的自私与贪婪的试验。他们会把自己财产的价值说成很低的数额。这就是他们的欺瞒。天使说：“欺诈地为耶和华行事的，必受咒诅。”众天使在注意人品格的发展。这种人的行为被天上的使者带到天庭。有人会因这些事受上帝的报应。他们的收益会被减低到他们所说的数额。“有施散的，却更增添；有吝惜过度的，反致穷乏。好施舍的，必得丰裕；滋润人的，必得滋润”（箴11:24,25）。{1T 221.3}[6]
§14
I saw that in the arrangement of systematic benevolence, hearts will be tested and proved. It is a constant, living test. It brings one to understand his own heart, to see whether the truth or the love of the world predominates. Here is a test for the naturally selfish and covetous. They will put down their possessions at very low figures. Here they dissemble. Said the angel: Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully. Angels are watching the development of character, and the acts of such are carried to heaven by the heavenly messengers. Some will be visited of God for these things, and their increase will be brought down to their figures. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Proverbs 11:24, 25.{1T 221.3}[6]
§15
所有的人都要关心这项工作。那些吸烟，喝茶和咖啡的人，应该抛弃这些偶像，把化在这些东西上的钱投在主的库中。有些人为上帝的圣工，从未作过任何牺牲，对于上帝的要求也保持沉默。一些非常贫苦的人需要付出最大的努力来抵制这些刺激品。这种个人的牺牲本是不必要的，因为上帝的圣工正遭受经济的困难。然而每一个人的心都要经过试验。每一个人的品格都需要发展。这是上帝子民所必须实行的原则。生活的原则必须在生活中实行出来。{1T 222.1}[7]
§16
All are required to have an interest in this work. Those who use tobacco, tea, and coffee should lay aside those idols, and put their cost into the treasury of the Lord. Some have never made a sacrifice for the cause of God, and are asleep as to what God requires of them. Some of the very poorest will have the greatest struggle to deny themselves of these stimulants. This individual sacrifice is not required because the cause of God is suffering for means. But every heart will be tested, every character developed. It is principle that Gods people must act upon. The living principle must be carried out in the life.{1T 222.1}[7]
§17
“人岂可夺取上帝之物呢？你们竟夺取我的供物。你们却说：‘我们在何事上夺取你的供物呢？’就是你们在当纳的十分之一和当献的供物上。因你们通国的人都夺取我的供物，咒诅就临到你们身上。万军之耶和华说：你们要将当纳的十分之一全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。万军之耶和华说：我必为你们斥责吞噬者，不容他毁坏你们的土产。你们田间的葡萄树在未熟之先也不掉果子”（玛3:8-11）。我看到这段经文被误用在聚会的讲道和祈祷上。这段预言特别适用于末后的日子，教导上帝的子民知道他们的本分，要把自己财产的一部分作为乐意捐献给主。{1T 222.2}[8]
§18
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. I saw that this scripture has been misapplied to speaking and praying in meeting. The prophecy has a special application to the last days, and teaches Gods people their duty to bring a proportion of their substance as a freewill offering to the Lord.{1T 222.2}[8]