第94章 钱财的迷惑
§1
第94章 钱财的迷惑
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Chap.94 - Deceitfulness of Riches
§3
一些自称相信真理的人缺乏辨识力，没能重视道德的价值。那些自夸十分忠于圣工，说得头头是道的人，内心是不谦卑的。他们可能有金钱和财产，而这足以使他们对一些人有影响力；但这一点儿不能提拔他们到得蒙上帝眷爱的地步。金钱有能力，并且发挥着一种强大的影响力。卓越的品格和优秀的道德价值若在一个穷人身上，就往往被忽视。但上帝对金钱和财产有什么关心呢？千山上的牲畜都是祂的。世界和其中所充满的也是祂的。地上的居民在祂面前好像蝗虫。人和财产只不过象天平上的微尘。祂是不偏待人的。{1T 536.1}[1]
§4
Some who profess to believe the truth are lacking in discernment and fail to appreciate moral worth. Persons who boast much of their fidelity to the cause and talk as though they think they know all that is worth knowing, are not humble in heart. They may have money and property, and this is sufficient to give them influence with some; but it will not raise them one jot in favor with God. Money has power and sways a mighty influence. Excellence of character and moral worth are often overlooked if possessed by the poor man. But what does God care for money, for property? The cattle upon a thousand hills are His. The world and all that is therein are His. The inhabitants of the earth are as grasshoppers before Him. Men and property are but as the small dust of the balance. He is no respecter of persons.{1T 536.1}[1]
§5
有财产的人常常看着他们的财产说：我是靠自己的聪明智慧获得这些财富的。但是谁给了他们得财的能力呢？上帝把他们所拥有的能力赐给了他们，但他们不但不把荣耀归给祂，反而归荣耀于自己。祂必验证他们考验他们，并使他们的荣耀归于尘土；祂必除掉他们的力量，分散他们的财产。他们不会得福反会遭祸。一个错误或欺压的行为，一次偏离正路，都不会因一个人拥有财产而比一个没有财产的人得到更久的容忍。最富足的人拥有的所有财产都不足以偿付在上帝面前所犯最小的罪的工价；不会被接纳为犯罪的赎金。唯独悔改，真正的谦卑，破碎的心，和痛悔的灵才会蒙上帝悦纳。没有人能在上帝面前真正谦卑，除非在别人面前体现出真谦卑。蒙上帝悦纳的，无非是悔改、认罪和离弃罪恶。{1T 536.2}[2]
§6
Men of property often look upon their wealth and say: By my wisdom have I gotten me this wealth. But who gave them power to get wealth? God has bestowed upon them the ability which they possess, but instead of giving Him the glory they take it to themselves. He will prove them and try them, and will bring their glorying to the dust; He will remove their strength and scatter their possessions. Instead of a blessing they will realize a curse. An act of wrong or oppression, a deviation from the right way, should no sooner be tolerated in a man who possesses property than in a man who has none. All the riches that the most wealthy ever possessed are not of sufficient value to cover the smallest sin before God; they will not be accepted as a ransom for transgression. Repentance, true humility, a broken heart, and a contrite spirit alone will be accepted of God. And no man can have true humility before God unless the same is exemplified before others. Nothing less than repentance, confession, and forsaking of sin is acceptable to God.{1T 536.2}[2]
§7
许多富人是靠小气吝啬的交易，靠占较贫穷的同胞和弟兄的便宜致富的；正是这些人以自己在交易上的精明敏锐为荣。但上帝的咒诅必落在如此获得的每一块钱上，和他们手中由此所得的每一进项上。当我蒙指示看到这些事时，我就能看出我们救主所说下述话语的力量：“骆驼穿过针的眼，比财主进上帝的国还容易呢”（可10:25）。那些有得财能力的人，需要不断警醒，否则他们就会错用自己的获取心，不能保持严格的诚实。许多人就这样陷入试探之中，走过头，得到物超所值的东西，为了肮脏的利得牺牲自己慷慨、仁爱、高尚的人格原则。{1T 537.1}[3]
§8
Many rich men have obtained their wealth by close deal, by advantaging themselves and disadvantaging their poorer fellow men or their brethren; and these very men glory in their shrewdness and keenness in a bargain. But the curse of God will rest upon every dollar thus obtained, and upon the increase of it in their hands. As these things were shown me, I could see the force of our Saviours words: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Those who possess the ability to acquire property need to be constantly on the watch or they will turn their acquisitiveness to bad account and not maintain strict honesty. Thus many fall into temptation, overreach, receive more for a thing than it is worth, and sacrifice the generous, benevolent, noble principles of their manhood for sordid gain.{1T 537.1}[3]
§9
我蒙指示看到许多自命守安息日的人非常爱世界和世界上的事，以致被世界的精神和影响败坏了。上帝的品性从他们的品格中消失了，魔鬼的品性悄悄进来，改变他们，使他们去侍奉撒但的目的，作不义的器具。然后，与这些人形成对照的是，我蒙指示看到了勤勉、诚实、贫穷的人。他们随时准备帮助那些需要帮助的人，宁愿忍受被富足的弟兄们占自己的便宜，也不表现后者所表现的吝啬贪得的精神；凡重视清洁的良心和正义的人，即使在小事上，也具有比财富更大的价值。他们那么甘心情愿去帮助别人，那么乐于以自己的能力去做一切的善事，以致他们并不积财；他们在地上的财产没有增加。若有慈善的对象需要财力或人力，他们就是最先予以关心和响应的，而且往往做得远远超过他们实际的能力，因而舍弃自己确实需要的某些好处，去实现他们慈善的目的。{1T 537.2}[4]
§10
I was shown that many who profess to be Sabbathkeepers so love the world and the things that are in the world that they have been corrupted by its spirit and influence; the divine has disappeared from their characters and the satanic has crept in, transforming them to serve the purposes of Satan, to be instruments of unrighteousness. Then in contrast with these men I was shown the industrious, honest, poor men who stand ready to help those who need help, who would rather suffer themselves to be disadvantaged by their wealthy brethren than to manifest so close and acquisitive a spirit as they manifest; men who esteem a clear conscience and right, even in little things, of greater value than riches. They are so ready to help others, so willing to do all the good in their power, that they do not amass wealth; their earthly possessions do not increase. If there is a benevolent object to call forth means or labor, they are the first to be interested in and respond to it, and frequently do far beyond their real ability, and thus deny themselves some needed good, to carry out their benevolent purposes.{1T 537.2}[4]
§11
因为这些人没有什么地上的财富可以自夸，就可能被视为缺乏能力、见识和智慧的人。他们可能会被认为没有特别的价值，他们的影响力也不会受人重视；可是上帝如何看待这些贫穷的智慧人呢？他们在祂看来是宝贵的，而且，虽然他们的财宝在地上并没有增加，他们却正在为自己积攒不能朽坏的财宝在天上，并且在这么做时表现的智慧远远优于那精明算计贪得的自命基督徒之人的智慧，因为神圣而象上帝的人是优于属地的、属肉体的、属魔鬼的人的。上帝所重视的乃是道德价值。在祂看来，没有被贪财玷污的基督徒品格，具有安静、温柔和谦卑，是远比最精的金子甚至俄斐的纯金宝贵的。{1T 538.1}[5]
§12
Because these men can boast of but little earthly treasure, they may be looked upon as deficient in ability, in judgment, and in wisdom. They may be counted of no special worth, and their influence may not be esteemed by men; yet how does God regard these poor wise men? They are regarded precious in His sight, and, although not increasing their treasure upon earth, they are laying up for themselves an incorruptible treasure in the heavens, and in doing this they manifest a wisdom as far superior to that of the wise, calculating, acquisitive professed Christian as the divine and godlike is superior to the earthly, carnal, and satanic. It is moral worth that God values. A Christian character unblotted with avarice, possessing quietness, meekness, and humility, is more precious in His sight than the most fine gold, even the golden wedge of Ophir.{1T 538.1}[5]
§13
富人要比他们曾受过的受更为严格的试验。他们若经得住试验，克服他们品格的瑕疵，作基督忠心的管家，把上帝的物交给上帝，就会有话对他们说：“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把许多事派你管理；可以进来享受你主人的快乐”（太25:21）。{1T 538.2}[6]
§14
Wealthy men are to be tested more closely than they ever yet have been. If they stand the test and overcome the blemishes upon their character, and as faithful stewards of Christ render to God the things that are His, it will be said to them: Well done, good and faithful servant; thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.{1T 538.2}[6]
§15
然后我蒙指示看到了不义管家的比喻：“我又告诉你们，要藉着那不义的钱财结交朋友，到了钱财无用的时候，他们可以接你们到永存的帐幕里去。人在最小的事上忠心，在大事上也忠心；在最小的事上不义，在大事上也不义。倘若你们在不义的钱财上不忠心，谁还把那真实的钱财托付你们呢？倘若你们在别人的东西上不忠心，谁还把你们自己的东西给你们呢”（路16:9-12）？{1T 538.3}[7]
§16
I was then directed to the parable of the unjust steward: And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another mans, who shall give you that which is your own?{1T 538.3}[7]
§17
人们若是没能把上帝所借给他们要用来荣耀祂的东西还给祂，从而抢夺祂，他们就会造成完全的失败。祂已借给他们钱财，他们可以善用之，不失去任何一个行善的机会，从而不断积财在天。但他们若象那个有一千银子的人那样，把银子藏起来，害怕上帝会因他们的银子得利，就不仅会丧失那最终会赏给忠心管家的增益，而且会丧失上帝曾赐给他们去利用的本金。因为他们抢夺了上帝，他们就不会积财在天，而且会丧失在地上的财宝。他们既没有住所在地上，也没有“朋友”在天上接他们到义人的永存的帐幕里去。{1T 539.1}[8]
§18
If men fail to render to God that which He has lent them to use to His glory, and thus rob Him, they will make an entire failure. He has lent them means which they can improve upon by losing no opportunity to do good, and thus they may be constantly laying up treasure in heaven. But if, like the man who had one talent, they hide it, fearing that God will get that which their talent gains, they will not only lose the increase which will finally be awarded the faithful steward, but also the principal which God gave them to work upon. Because they have robbed God, they will not have laid up treasure in heaven, and they lose their earthly treasure also. They have no habitation on earth, and no Friend in heaven to receive them into the everlasting habitation of the righteous.{1T 539.1}[8]
§19
基督宣布：“一个人不能事奉两个主；不是恶这个，爱那个，就是重这个，轻那个。你们不能又事奉上帝，又事奉玛门”（太6:24）——不能又侍奉上帝又侍奉你们的财富。“法利赛人是贪爱钱财的，他们听见这一切话，就嗤笑耶稣。”请注意基督对他们说的话：“你们是在人面前自称为义的，你们的心，上帝却知道；因为人所尊贵的【就是靠压迫、欺骗、诈取、舞弊或任何其它不诚实的手段获得的财富】，是上帝看为可憎恶的”（路16:14,15）。然后基督提出了两个人物，穿着紫色袍和细麻布衣服，天天奢华宴乐的财主，和一贫如洗，令人望而生厌，要得财主所蔑视的零碎充饥的拉撒路。我们的救主说明了祂对这两个人的评价。虽然拉撒路处在那么悲惨低劣的状况中，他却有真信仰，真正的道德价值，是上帝所看为非常宝贵的，以致祂把这个贫穷可怜受人藐视的受难者取走，放在极其尊贵的位置，而那个受人尊敬贪爱安逸的富人却从上帝面前被逐出，陷入了不可言喻的痛苦悲哀中。上帝并没有重视这个富人的财富，因为他没有真正的道德价值。他的品格是没有价值的。他的财富没有使他对上帝来说成为可取的，也没有任何获得祂恩宠的影响力。{1T 539.2}[9]
§20
Christ declares: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon--cannot serve God and your riches, too. The Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided Him. Mark the words of Christ to them: Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men 【which is riches acquired by oppression, by deception, by overreaching, by fraud, or in any other dishonest manner】 is abomination in the sight of God. Then Christ presents the two characters, the rich man who was clothed with purple and fine linen, and who fared sumptuously every day, and Lazarus, who was in abject poverty and loathsome to the sight, and who begged the few crumbs which the rich man despised. Our Saviour shows His estimate of the two. Although Lazarus was in so deplorable and mean a condition, he had true faith, true moral worth, which God saw, and which He considered of so great value that He took this poor, despised sufferer and placed him in the most exalted position, while the honored and ease-loving man of wealth was thrust out from the presence of God and plunged into misery and woe unutterable. God did not value the riches of this wealthy man, because he had not true moral worth. His character was worthless. His riches did not recommend him to God nor have any influence to secure His favor.{1T 539.2}[9]
§21
基督希望藉着这个比喻教导祂的门徒，不要凭人们的财富或他们从别人受到的尊荣来判断人或评价人。法利赛人就是追求这种方针的，他们虽然拥有财富和属世的尊荣，在上帝眼中却没有价值，不仅如此，还被祂轻视并拒绝，从祂眼前被驱逐，被祂看为可厌的，因为他们里面没有道德价值和纯全性。他们在祂看来是败坏的、有罪的、可憎的。而那个穷人，虽然被他的同胞人类所轻视，在他们看来是可厌的，在上帝看来却颇有价值，因为他具有道德上的纯全性和价值，因而使他有资格被介绍到优雅圣洁的天使中，并作上帝的后嗣，与基督同作后嗣。{1T 540.1}[10]
§22
By this parable Christ would teach His disciples not to judge or value men by their wealth or by the honors which they received of others. Such was the course pursued by the Pharisees, who, while possessing both riches and worldly honor, were valueless in the sight of God and, more than this, were despised and rejected of Him, cast out from His sight as disgusting to Him because there was no moral worth or soundness in them. They were corrupt, sinful, and abominable in His sight. The poor man, despised by his fellow mortals and disgusting to their sight, was valuable in the sight of God because he possessed moral soundness and worth, thus qualifying him to be introduced into the society of refined, holy angels and to be an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ.{1T 540.1}[10]
§23
保罗在给提摩太的劝勉中警告他说，有一等人不会服从纯正的话语，并且错误地评价富人。他说：“若有人传异教，不服从我们主耶稣基督纯正的话与那合乎敬虔的道理，他是自高自大，一无所知，专好问难，争辩言词，从此就生出嫉妒、纷争、毁谤、妄疑，并那坏了心术、失丧真理之人的争竞。他们以敬虔为得利的门路。然而，敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了；因为我们没有带什么到世上来，也不能带什么去。只要有衣有食，就当知足。但那些想要发财的人，就陷在迷惑、落在网罗和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。贪财是万恶之根。有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。但你这属上帝的人要逃避这些事，追求公义、敬虔、信心、爱心、忍耐、温柔。你要为真道打那美好的仗，持定永生。你为此被召，也在许多见证人面前，已经作了那美好的见证。”“你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，也不要倚靠无定的钱财；只要倚靠那厚赐百物给我们享受的上帝。又要嘱咐他们行善，在好事上富足，甘心施舍，乐意供给人，为自己积成美好的根基，预备将来，叫他们持定那真正的生命”（提前6:3-12;17-19）。{1T 540.2}[11]
§24
In Pauls charge to Timothy he warns him of a class who will not consent to wholesome words and who place a wrong estimate on riches. He says: If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.{1T 540.2}[11]
§25
保罗在写给提摩太的这封书信中要他铭记发出这种指示的必要性，以消除那很容易悄然临到富人的欺骗，即因财富就以为自己比贫穷的人优越，因拥有得财的能力就以为自己在智慧和见识上高人一等——简言之，以为得利就是敬虔。这是一个可怕的欺骗。听从保罗要提摩太嘱咐富人之话的人是多么少啊！以为得利就是敬虔的人是多么多啊！保罗宣布：“敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了。”虽然富人可以一生致力与于牟利，但他们既没有带什么到世上来，就不能带走什么。他们必死无疑，留下他们花了那么多工夫得来的财产。他们赌上自己的一切，自己永远的利益，要获得这份财产，以致丧失了今生和来生。{1T 541.1}[12]
§26
Paul in this letter to Timothy would impress upon his mind the necessity of giving such instruction as should remove the deception which so easily steals upon the rich, that because of their riches they are superior to those who are in poverty, that because of their ability to acquire they are superior in wisdom and judgment--in short, that gain is godliness. Here is a fearful deception. How few heed the charge which Paul commissioned Timothy to make to the rich! How many flatter themselves that their acquisitiveness is godliness! Paul declares, Godliness with contentment is great gain. Although rich persons may devote their whole lives to the one object of getting riches, yet as they brought nothing into the world, they can carry nothing out. They must die and leave that which cost them so much labor to obtain. They staked their all, their eternal interest, to obtain this property, and have lost both worlds.{1T 541.1}[12]
§27
保罗说明人要发财会冒什么风险。但许多人仍决心成为富人，以此为追求的目标。他们既热中于发财，就把永远的利益忽略了。他们被撒但弄瞎了心眼，自以为想发财是为了良善的目的；他们损害了自己的良心，欺骗自己，不断地贪求财富。这种人背离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。他们牺牲了自己高尚的原则，为财富放弃了自己的信仰。即或他们在得财的目的上没有失望，也会在财富所带来的快乐上失望。他们操心挂虑，成了贪财之心的奴隶，并迫使家人也作奴隶，而他们所收获的利益乃是“许多愁苦。”“你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，也不要倚靠无定的钱财；只要倚靠那厚赐百物给我们享受的上帝。”人不应囤积自己的财富而不从中受益，剥夺自己生活的安舒，实际上变成奴隶，为要保持或增加他们在地上的财宝。{1T 541.2}[13]
§28
Paul shows what risks men will run to become rich. But many are determined to be rich; this is their study, and in their zeal eternal considerations are overlooked. They are blinded by Satan and make themselves believe that it is for good purposes they desire this gain; they strain their consciences, deceive themselves, and are constantly coveting riches. Such have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. They have sacrificed their noble, elevated principles, given up their faith for riches, and, if not disappointed in their object, they are disappointed in the happiness which they supposed riches would bring. They are entangled, perplexed with care; they have made themselves slaves to their avarice and compelled their families to the same slavery, and the advantages they reap are many sorrows. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. Men are not to hoard up their riches and take no good of them, depriving themselves of the comforts of life and virtually becoming slaves in order to retain or increase their earthly treasure.{1T 541.2}[13]
§29
使徒保罗说明了财富的唯一真用途，并且吩咐提摩太嘱咐富人要行善，在好事上富足，甘心施舍，乐意供给人；因为这样他们就是在为自己积成美好的根基，预备将来，就是在末日可以持定永生。保罗的教训与基督的话是完全一致的：“要藉着那不义的钱财结交朋友，到了钱财无用的时候，他们可以接你们到永存的帐幕里去。”敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了。这是幸福的真正秘诀，也是灵魂和身体的真正兴盛。{1T 542.1}[14]
§30
The apostle Paul shows the only true use for riches, and bids Timothy charge the rich to do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; for in so doing they are laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,--referring to the close of time,--that they may lay hold on eternal life. The teachings of Paul harmonize perfectly with the words of Christ: Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Here is the true secret of happiness, and real prosperity of soul and body.{1T 542.1}[14]