第35章 侍奉玛门
§1
第35章 侍奉玛门
§2
Chap. 35 - Servants of Mammon
§3
I弟兄的情形很可怕。这个世界就是他的神；金钱就是他崇拜的偶像。他没有听从数年之前传给他的警告，也没有全力克服他爱世界的心。他积攒的金钱像许多绳索一样缠住了他的灵魂，并牢牢地将他捆绑在这个世界上。他越有钱，就变得越贪婪。他将全部的能力都投在挣钱这一个目标上。这已成了他思想的负担，人生的挂虑。他已将自己全部的能力都转到这一个方面，直到他实际上成了一个拜玛门的人。在这个问题上他是非常愚蠢疯狂的。他的榜样致使他的家人以为天国和不朽没有今生的财利重要。他多年以来一直训练自己的心思获取财利。他正在为地上的财宝牺牲永恒的利益。他相信真理，热爱真理的原则，也欢喜看到别人在真理上兴盛；但他却使自己彻底成了玛门的奴隶，并感到只要自己活着，就注定要侍奉这个主人。但他活得越久，就会变得越贪财，除非他痛下决心，远离金钱这个可怕的偶像。尽管这样做好似撕心裂肺，但他如果重视天国，就不得不如此。【2T.237.2】[1]
§4
The case of Brother I is fearful. This world is his god; he worships money. He has not heeded the warning given him years ago and overcome his love of the world while in the exercise of all his faculties. The dollars which he has since accumulated have been like so many cords to entangle his soul and bind him to the world. As he has gained in property he has become more greedy for gain. All the powers of his being are devoted to the one object, securing money. This has been the burden of his thoughts, the anxiety of his life. He has turned all the powers of his being in this one direction until, to all intents and purposes, he is a worshiper of mammon. Upon this subject he is insane. His example before his family is leading them to think that property is to be valued before heaven and immortality. He has for years been educating his mind to acquire property. He is sacrificing his eternal interest for treasures upon the earth. He believes the truth, he loves the principles of truth, and loves to see others prospering in the truth; but he has made himself so thoroughly a slave to mammon that he feels bound to serve this master as long as he shall live. But the longer he lives the more devoted will he become to his love of gain, unless he tears away from this terrible god, money. It will be like tearing out his vitals, but it must be done if he values heaven. {2T 237.2}[1]
§5
他不需要任何一个人的责难，而需要大家的怜悯。他的人生已经成了一个可怕的错误。他虽然钱谷满仓，却饱受想象中的缺钱之苦。撒但已经占有了他的心思，刺激他的占有欲，使他在这个问题上变得非常愚蠢疯狂。他身心所有尊贵高尚的能力已大大屈从于这种小气自私的倾向。他唯一的希望便是打破撒但的捆绑并胜过自己品格中这种邪恶。他曾试图在自己良心觉醒时如此作，但这还远远不够。只做出一次强劲的努力，和他的玛门分开一点点，就总是觉得自己在失魂落魄，这不是真宗教结出的果实。他必须训练自己的心去行善。他必须抖擞精神，反对自己贪得的习性。他必须将善行交织在自己生活的方方面面。他必须培养热爱行善的心，胜过自己已养成的小气吝啬的精神。【2T.238.1】[2]
§6
He needs the censure of none, but the pity of all. His life has been a terrible mistake. He has suffered imaginary pecuniary want, while surrounded with plenty. Satan has taken possession of his mind and, exciting his organ of acquisitiveness, has made him insane upon this subject. The higher, nobler powers of his being have been brought very much into subjection to this close, selfish propensity. His only hope is in breaking the bands of Satan and overcoming this evil in his character. He has tried to do this by doing something after his conscience has been wrought upon, but this is not sufficient. This merely making a mighty effort and parting with a little of his mammon, and feeling all the time that he is parting with his soul, is not the fruit of true religion. He must train his mind to good works. He must brace against his propensity to acquire. He must weave good works into all his life. He must cultivate a love for doing good, and get above the little, penurious spirit which he has fostered. {2T 238.1}[2]
§7
在和某地的商人作买卖时，I弟兄和姐妹的行为使上帝感到不悦。他们会讨价还价，尽可能便宜地购进货物，常常在几分钱的事上翻来覆去、斤斤计较，说起来好像金钱就是他们的全部，他们的神一样。只要他们能听到自己离开后别人对他们的评价，他们便能更加清楚地意识到自己的吝啬所带来的影响。我们的信仰蒙羞受辱，上帝在你们斤斤计较的事上大受亵渎。天使厌恶地转脸走开。天国所有的事都是高尚、高贵的。所有的生灵都在寻求他人的幸福和利益。那里没有谁会专顾自己。众圣洁生灵最大的喜乐就是见证他们周围生灵的喜乐和幸福。【2T.238.2】[3]
§8
In trading with the merchants at -----, Brother and Sister I do not take a course which is pleasing to God. They will dicker to get things as cheap as they possibly can, and linger over a difference of a few pennies, and talk in regard to it as though money was their all--their god. If they could only be brought back, unobserved, to hear the remarks that are made after they leave, they would get a clearer idea of the influence of penuriousness. Our faith is brought into disrepute, and God is blasphemed by some on account of this close, penny dealing. Angels turn away in disgust. Everything in heaven is noble and elevated. All seek the interest and happiness of others. No one devotes himself to looking out and caring for self. It is the chief joy of all holy beings to witness the joy and happiness of those around them. {2T 238.2}[3]
§9
这些天使来为那些将要承受救的人效力时，看到自私、贪婪、诈取和和损人利己的表现，便忧伤地走开了。他们看到那些自称要承受不朽产业的人在与那些没有更高抱负，只知积攒财宝在地上的人在交易上如此斤斤计较时，便感到羞耻，转身离去；因为神圣的真理受了羞辱。【2T.239.1】[4]
§10
When these angels come to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation, and witness the exhibition of selfishness, of covetousness, of overreaching, and benefiting self at others disadvantage, they turn away in grief. When they see those who claim to be heirs to an immortal inheritance so penurious in dealing with those who do not profess any higher ambition than to be laying up treasures on earth, they turn away in shame; for holy truth is reproached. {2T 239.1}[4]
§11
再没有什么比不信之人看到真理在生性贪婪吝啬之人生活上成就美善的大工，能够更好地荣耀上帝，更高地尊荣真理了。如果人们能够看到这种人的信仰有塑造他们品格的影响，把他们从吝啬、自私、诈取、贪爱金钱的人变成了喜爱行善，找机会用自己的钱财祝福那些需要蒙福之人，看顾患难中的孤儿寡妇，保守自己不沾染世俗的人，就会证明他们的宗教是真的。这种人会将他们的光照在人前，使人看见他们的好行为，便将荣耀归给他们在天上的父。这种果实会成为圣洁，他们会成为基督在地上活的代表。罪人会确信真理确有一种他们所不知道的能力。那些自称警醒等待他们的主显现的人，不应在交易时用诈和锱铢必较而羞辱他们的信仰。基督徒的树上是不应结出这种果子的。【2T.239.2】[5]
§12
In no way could the Lord be better glorified and the truth more highly honored than for unbelievers to see that the truth has wrought a great and good work upon the lives of naturally covetous and penurious men. If it could be seen that the faith of such had an influence to mold their characters, to change them from close, selfish, overreaching, money-loving men to men who love to do good, who seek opportunities to use their means to bless those who need to be blessed, who visit the widow and fatherless in their affliction, and who keep themselves unspotted from the world, it would be an evidence that their religion was genuine. Such would let their light so shine that others seeing their good works would be led to glorify their Father which is in heaven. This fruit would be unto holiness, and they would be living representatives of Christ upon the earth. Sinners would be convicted that there is in the truth a power to which they are strangers. Those who profess to be waiting and watching for the appearing of their Lord should not disgrace their profession by bantering in deal and standing for the last penny. Such fruit does not grow upon the Christian tree. {2T 239.2}[5]
§13
I弟兄，上帝不愿你灭亡，而宁愿你持住祂的力量，与祂和好，使你的心意与祂神圣的旨意一致。如果你能看到你在获取金钱时的真实画面，你就要体如筛糠、满心惊惧了。你就会厌恶自己的小气、吝啬和贪财。你就会使自己的人生致力于获得上帝改变人心的恩典，这恩典会使你成为一个新人。你从你亲戚那里获得的钱财对你乃是一个咒诅。它只会增强你贪爱钱财的习性，且是一个额外的重担使你陷入灭亡。【2T.240.1】[6]
§14
Brother I, the Lord is not willing that you should perish, but would rather that you should take hold of His strength and make peace with Him by a conformity of your will to His divine will. If a faithful picture of your course in money getting could be presented before you, you would be terrified. You would be disgusted with your closeness, your penuriousness, your love of money. You would make it the effort of your life to obtain the transforming grace of God, which would make you a new man. The means which came to you from relatives was a curse to you. It only increased your money-loving propensity, and was an additional weight to sink you to perdition. {2T 240.1}[6]
§15
“贪财是万恶之根”（提前6:10）。当人运用心力体力去获得财富，并因积攒他们永远无法用到且会对他们的儿女证明是一种伤害的财宝而感到心满意足时，他们是在滥用上帝赐给他们的能力。他们表明他们的品格已因贪得金钱而变的污秽。他们非但没有实现幸福，反倒落入悲惨的境地中。他们紧闭心门，不顾那些缺衣少食之人，就此表明他们对受苦之人毫无怜悯与同情。【2T.240.2】[7]
§16
The love of money is the root of all evil. When men employ their powers of mind and body in obtaining riches, and are content with the pleasure of laying up wealth which they can never use, and which will prove an injury to their children, they abuse the powers which God has given them. They show that their characters have been made sordid by the absorbing pursuit of gain. Instead of realizing happiness, they are miserable. They have shut up their souls to the wants of the needy, and have given evidence that they had no compassion for the suffering. {2T 240.2}[7]
§17
我的弟兄，你的心对于别人的缺乏和需要并不是麻木无情的。你有慷慨的冲动，也喜爱供给人。你经常打算为一位弟兄或一位邻舍作件好事，但你已将金钱作为了自己的偶像，并且有危险把金钱看得比天国更有价值。上帝的恩典若不成为你生命的统治性原则，挣钱总是危险的。当基督徒受天国原则支配时，他们会一手挣钱，一手施舍。这也是基督徒得财获利之后所能采取的唯一合理健全的立场。我们要问问I弟兄：你要用你的金钱做什么呢？你是上帝的管家。你拥有上帝所赐钱财的才干，可用来行许多善事。你可以通过在好事上富足，存钱在天国的银行中。你可以用自己的人生使别人蒙福。“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）。【2T.240.3】[8]
§18
My brother, your heart is not callous to the wants and necessities of others. You have generous impulses, and you love to accommodate. Frequently you will readily do a kind act for a brother or a neighbor; but you make money your god, and are in danger of valuing heaven less than you value your money. In money getting there is always danger unless the grace of God is the ruling principle of the soul. When Christians are controlled by the principles of heaven, they will dispense with one hand, while the other gains. This is the only rational and healthy position a Christian can occupy while having and still making money. We would ask Brother I: What are you going to do with your money? You are Gods steward. You possess talents of means and can do much good with them. You can deposit in the bank of heaven by being rich in good works. Bless others with your life. 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. {2T 240.3}[8]
§19
请记得，积存在天的财宝是不会损失的。上天赐你财富，命你作管家，你通过明智的使用，就可确保得到它们。使徒保罗说：“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6:17-19）。【2T.241.1】[9]
§20
Remember that the treasures laid up in heaven are not lost. They are secured to yourselves by a judicious use of the means of which Heaven has made you stewards. Charge them that are rich in this world, says the apostle, 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. {2T 241.1}[9]
§21
I弟兄，你面临丧失永生的危险。你已将上帝赐你的恩赐交给魔鬼使用，并被他任意掳去。你能忍受这想法吗？你能在短暂的今生选择侍奉自己，贪爱钱财，然后失去一切，没有资格去天国，也没有权利得永生吗？你需极力挣扎才能割断对这世上财宝的情意。你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在那里。警醒、祈祷、作工，这是基督徒的口号。我恳劝你要醒过来，寻求那些存到永恒的事物。这世界上的事很快就要过去。你准备好交换世界了吗？你为永生预备好品格了吗？如果你最终失丧了，你将发现是贪爱金钱导致了你的灭亡。你将以极大的痛苦哭喊说：“唉，钱财的迷惑！我丧失了我的灵魂。我为金钱把它出卖了。我的灵魂，我的肉体，我都用它们换取财物了。我牺牲了天国，唯恐得到它会牺牲我的金钱。”你将听到主人说：把这无用的仆人捆住手脚，丢在外面的黑暗里。我们希望这不会是你的命运。我们希望你把你的财宝转移到天上，也转移你的感情，将之牢牢地系在上帝和不朽的财宝上。【2T.241.2】[10]
§22
There is danger, Brother I, of your lifes being lost, and the gifts which God has bestowed upon you being surrendered to the devil, and you led captive by him at his will. Can you bear the thought? Can you for this short life choose to serve self, and love your money, and then part with it all, and have no title to heaven, no right to the life which is eternal? You have a mighty struggle before you to separate your affections from this earths treasure. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Watch, pray, work, are the Christians watchwords. Arouse yourself, I implore you. Seek for those things which are enduring. The things of this earth must soon pass away. Are you ready to exchange worlds? Are you forming a character for everlasting life? If lost at last, you will know what proved your ruin--the love of money. You will cry in bitter anguish: Oh, the deceitfulness of riches! I have lost my soul. I sold it for money. My soul and body I bartered for gain. I sacrificed heaven, fearing that I should have to sacrifice my money to obtain it. From the Master will be heard: Take ye the unprofitable servant, bind him hand and foot, and cast him into outer darkness. We hope this will not be your fate. We hope you will remove your treasure to heaven, and transfer your affections, and fasten them upon God and the immortal treasure. {2T 241.2}[10]
§23
我看到你们全家都有危险感染I弟兄的精神。I姐妹，你已经与这种精神有份了。愿上帝帮助你看清事实，并作完全的改变。你应培养自己热爱行善；寻求在好事上富足。你在许多事上都可以比现在作的更好。你在上帝面前有你个人的责任。你有一项你无法推诿的义务。要保持与上帝紧密同行，不住地祷告。你若想救自己的灵魂，就有一番紧迫的工作要完成。你应努力抵消家中的不良影响。你应高贵地为上帝站立。你的性情与你丈夫不同，你若不亲自行动，就会被上帝定罪。你应在拯救自己的灵魂和发挥一种影响力以拯救你家人的事上殷勤努力。你要用自己的榜样表明，你的财宝是在天上，你已经将自己的一切投在一个更美的永久家乡和更美的永生上。你要训练自己的思想重看天上的事，你要蒙提拔，热爱上帝，表明自己甘心顺从祂的旨意。【2T.242.1】[11]
§24
I have seen that the entire family were in danger of partaking, in a degree, of the fathers spirit. Sister I, you have already partaken of this spirit. God help you to see it and make an entire change. Cultivate a love for doing good; seek to be rich in good works. In many things you can do more than you do. You have an individual responsibility before God. You have a duty to do, from which you cannot be excused. Maintain a close walk with God; pray without ceasing. You will have close work if you save your soul. Seek to have a counteracting influence in your family. Take your stand nobly for God. Your organization is unlike your husbands, and you will be condemned of God unless you act for yourself. Make diligent work in saving your own soul, and in exerting an influence to save your family. Let your example show that your treasure is in heaven, that you have invested all in a better home and a better life, which are eternal. Train your mind to value heavenly things, to be elevated, to love God, and to manifest a willing obedience to His will. {2T 242.1}[11]
§25
你可能会受试验，好看清楚你对这世界之事的爱慕是何等强烈，明了你心中一页你现在还不知道的篇章。上帝了解你的试炼，正如你看到你丈夫和你孩子的情形一样，他们极其缺乏得救的信心。许多事取决于你，远超过你所认识到的。你当穿上盔甲。不要再将自己宝贵的精力耗尽在别人也能做的事上。你要鼓励你的女儿从事有益的劳动，帮助你分担生活的重荷。她需要训练。她的头脑是空虚的。她需要将自己的一切交给上帝，好使她成为一个有用之人，并使她的救赎主喜悦。【2T.242.2】[12]
§26
You may be tested; you may be proved to see how strong your affection is for the things of this world. You may be made to understand a page of your heart with which you are now unacquainted. God knows your trials as you view the state of your husband and children, who so greatly lack saving faith. Much more depends upon you than you realize. You should put the armor on. Spend not your precious strength in exhaustive labor which another can do. Encourage your daughter to engage in useful employment and to aid you in bearing the burdens of life. She needs discipline. Her mind is vain. She needs to render all to God; then she can be useful and please her Redeemer. {2T 242.2}[12]
§27
我的姐妹啊，你的操劳要少一些，要把更多的时间用在祷告和默想上。你当把永恒的利益放在第一位。上帝不容你的孩子被塑造成财迷。一个自私占据主导地位的家庭中，真正的文雅和高贵的态度是无法存在的。真优雅的人总是有头脑的人，有心的人，总是为别人考虑。真正的文雅并不在肉体的妆饰和炫耀中得到满足。真正的文雅和灵魂的高贵只有在祝福和提拔别人的努力中才能看见。永恒的事物在你儿女的心中分量很轻。愿上帝在为时太晚之前唤醒他们，免得他们在痛苦中喊叫说：“麦秋已过，夏令已完，我们还未得救”（耶8:20）！【2T.243.1】[13]
§28
My sister, work less, and pray and meditate more. Eternal interests should be primary with you. God forbid that your children should be molded into money lovers. True refinement and gentleness of manners can never be found in a home where selfishness reigns. The truly refined always have brains and hearts, always have consideration for others. True refinement does not find satisfaction in the adornment and display of the body. True refinement and nobility of soul will be seen in efforts to bless and elevate others. The weight of eternal things rests very lightly upon your children. May God arouse them before it shall be too late, and they exclaim in anguish: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. {2T 243.1}[13]
§29
J弟兄，主将你的情形展现在我面前。你身居负责的位置。上帝将金钱和影响力交托给你。上帝给每一个人都有一项工作要作。不仅是在普通的操作中使用自己的头脑、筋骨和肌肉，其意义远过于此。从属世的观点看你是熟悉这工作的，且在宗教地位上有某种经验。但过去数年你一直在浪费时间。而现在，你必须加紧努力，以弥补过去的损失。仅仅拥有才干是远远不够的；你必须运用这些才干，不仅仅利己，也使赐给你这些才干的主获益。你所拥有的一切都是主借给你的，祂还要从你手中连本带利的追讨回来。【2T.243.2】[14]
§30
Brother J, your case was presented before me. You occupy a responsible position. You are entrusted with talents of money and of influence. To every man is given a work-- something to do, not merely to engage his brain, bone, and muscle in common labor; it means more than this. You are acquainted with this work from a worldly point of view, and have some experience in it in a religious capacity. But for a few years past you have been losing time, and now you will have to work fast to redeem the past. To possess talents is not enough; you must so use them as to advantage not merely yourself but Him who bestowed them. All that you have is a loan from your Lord. He will require it again at your hand with interest. {2T 243.2}[14]
§31
基督有权要求你的服务。你因祂的恩典作了祂的仆人。你不应侍奉自己的利益，而应侍奉已经雇佣了你的主的利益。你既已公开表态作基督徒，就对上帝有了义务。交托你手用于投资的财物并不属于你。如果它们属于你，你尽可以按照自己的乐趣随便使用。但这财物是主的，或善用或滥用，你都要负责。这资本有多种投资渠道，最不济也可交给兑换银钱之人，为主赚得一二。若是将它埋在地下，就于你于主都无益处，最后你也要丧失一切交托你的。我的弟兄，愿上帝帮助你认清自己作为上帝所雇仆人的真实地位。上帝已用祂自己的痛苦和死亡为你付上赎价，确保你能有甘心的侍奉和乐意的顺从。【2T.244.1】[15]
§32
Christ has a right to your services. You have become His servant by grace. You are not to serve your own interest, but the interest of Him who has employed you. As a professed Christian you are under obligations to God. It is not your own property that is entrusted to you for investment. Had it been so, you might have consulted your own pleasure in regard to its use. The capital is the Lords, and you are responsible for its use or abuse. There are ways in which this capital can be so invested--put out to the exchangers--that it shall be earning the Lord something. If it is allowed to be buried in the earth, neither the Lord nor you will be benefited, and you will lose all that was entrusted to you. May God help you, my brother, to realize your true position as Gods hired servant. By His own suffering and death He has paid the wages to secure your willing service and ready obedience. {2T 244.1}[15]
§33
在过去几年的试炼中，你心中痛苦，感到更完全地投身属世之事、获取世界上的财物，是一种解脱。上帝本着祂对你的大爱和怜悯，再次将你召回祂的羊圈之中。新的义务和责任现在被放在你的身上。你对这个世界的爱非常强烈。你一直在为自己积攒财宝在地上。耶稣现在邀请你将你的财宝转移到天上；因为你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在那里。你要在一切与你弟兄和不信之人交往的事上保守自己。你要忠于你的信仰表白，保持心灵的真正高贵，这会给你所宣称的真理争光。【2T.244.2】[16]
§34
During the trials of the past few years, you have suffered in mind, and have felt it a relief to turn your attention more fully to the things of the world, to the work of acquiring property. God, in His great love and mercy to you, has again gathered you into His fold. New duties and responsibilities are now laid upon you. You have a strong love for this world. You have been laying up treasures upon the earth. Jesus now invites you to transfer your treasure to heaven; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. In all your deal with your brethren and with unbelievers, guard yourself. Be true to your profession, and maintain true nobleness of soul, which shall be a credit to the truth which you profess. {2T 244.2}[16]
§35
你居于一个众人瞩目的位置上。你的智力高于常人，你是一个有敏锐洞察力的人，感触也很深。你的一些弟兄行事并不智慧。他们在观察你，对你的事有看法，巴望着你在钱财上能更加慷慨大方一些。他们在这件事上自讨无趣，他们本不需要这样。这些人在许多事上都有欠缺，他们若能忠于主所要求他们的卑微侍奉，就会拥有他们所能做的一切。他们担不起在忧虑担心中浪费时间，免得他们那受托更大工作的邻舍不能很好地做自己的工作。当他们对别人的事情深感兴趣时，自己的工作就被忽略了，他们也就成了实在懒惰的仆人。他们急于去作他们邻舍的工作而不是那交给他们去做的工作。【2T.244.3】[17]
§36
You occupy a position where others are looking to you. You possess more than ordinary intellect. You are a man of quick perceptions, and you feel deeply. Some of your brethren have not moved in wisdom. They have watched you, and have felt over your case, and have wished to see you more liberal with your means. They have made themselves unhappy over your case. All this is needless in them. These very ones lack in many things, and if they are faithful in the humble service the Master requires of them they will have all that they can do. They cannot afford to waste their time in anxiously fearing lest their neighbor, who has a larger work entrusted to him, shall fail to do his work well. While they are so interested in the case of another, their own work is neglected, and they are really slothful servants. They were anxious to do their neighbors work instead of that committed to themselves to do. {2T 244.3}[17]
§37
他们以为，自己若有五千两银子，就一定比那现在受托五千两银子的人作得更好。但主人比他们自己更了解他们。谁也不用为不能用上帝从未交托自己的才干荣耀祂而悲叹。他们不需要说：“如果我在生活中处在另一个人的位置上，我就会用我的资产做大量的善事。”上帝向他们所要的，不过是善用他们作为祂恩典的管家所拥有的。【2T.245.1】[18]
§38
They think that if they only had the five talents to handle, they could do much better than the one to whom these talents were entrusted. But the Master knew better than they. None need mourn that they cannot glorify God by talents He never gave them and for which they are not responsible. They need not say: If I were in anothers position in life I would do a great amount of good with my capital. God requires no more of them than to improve upon what they have, as stewards of His grace. {2T 245.1}[18]
§39
那一千两银子，也就是最卑微的侍奉，如若完全奉献，用来促进上帝的荣耀，就会像善用那最多的才干一样，得蒙上帝的悦纳。不同的托付是与我们不同的能力相称的。每一个人都根据自己的能力蒙赐予不同的恩赐。谁也不应轻视自己的工作，认为它太小而不必特别做好。如果他这样作，就是将自己的道德责任视同儿戏，并且藐视这日的事为小（见亚4:10）。每一个人的工作都是上天所派定的，他们应该有志向按照自己的能力把这工作做好。上帝要求从最软弱的到最强壮的人人都要忠心完成派定他们的工作。上帝向人所要的与所交托他的相称。【2T.245.2】[19]
§40
The one talent, the humblest service, if wholly consecrated, and exercised to promote the glory of God, will be as acceptable as the improvement of the weightiest talent. The varied trusts are proportioned to our varied capabilities. To every man is given according to his ability. None should slight his work, considering it so small that he need not be particular to do it well. If he does this he trifles with his moral responsibilities and despises the day of small things. Heaven apportions to all their work, and it should be their ambition to do this work well, according to their capabilities. God requires that all, the weakest as well as the strongest, fulfill their appointed work. The interest expected will be in proportion to the amount entrusted. {2T 245.2}[19]
§41
每一个人都应殷勤而有兴趣地致力于自己的工作，别人或站住，或跌倒，自有他的主人在。在某地有太多好管闲事的人，太多喜欢监视自己弟兄的人，他们正是因此而长久软弱。他们会在聚会时作见证，因为没有耶稣在心中要承认，就会努力将他们弟兄的责任提醒他们。这些可怜的人不知道自己的责任是什么，可是却负起责任去指教别人的责任。如果这些人愿意致力于自己的工作，并在心中获得上帝的恩典，教会中现在就不会缺乏能力了。【2T.245.3】[20]
§42
Each should diligently and interestedly attend to his own work, leaving others to their own Master, to stand or fall. There are too many busybodies in -----, too many who are interested in watching their brethren, and for this reason are constantly weak. They will bear testimony in meeting, and because they have not Jesus in their hearts to confess, they will try to impress upon their brethren their duty. These poor souls do not know their own duty, and yet they take the responsibility of enlightening others in regard to their duty. If such would attend to their own work, and obtain the grace of God in their hearts, there would be a power in the church which is now lacking. {2T 245.3}[20]
§43
J弟兄，你有能力行善。你具有良好的判断力，并且上帝正在引导你出黑暗入光明。要用你的才干荣耀上帝。将它们交给兑换银钱的人，当主人回来时，祂可以连本带利地收回。要斩断你对这世上无价值之事的眷恋，提高自己的心思专注于上帝。生灵的得救比整个世界还要重要。一个人得救，在永恒的岁月中不停地颂赞上帝和羔羊，比亿万金钱更有价值。财富若与基督为而死的生灵的价值相比，就微不足道了。你生性谨慎，不会轻举妄动。但你要为真理作出牺牲，变得在上帝面前富足。愿耶和华帮助你照着你所应当的尽快行动，正确衡量永恒事物的价值。【2T.246.1】[21]
§44
Brother J, you can do good. You possess good judgment, and God is leading you out of darkness into the light. Use your talents to the glory of God. Put them out to the exchangers, that when the Master comes He may receive His own with usury. Break your tendrils from the valueless things of earth, and elevate them to entwine about God. The salvation of souls is of greater consequence than the whole world. One soul saved, to live throughout the ages of eternity, to praise God and the Lamb, is of more value than millions in money. Wealth sinks into insignificance when compared with the worth of souls for whom Christ died. You are a cautious man and will not move rashly. Sacrifice for the truth, and become rich toward God. May the Lord help you to move as fast as you should and place the right estimate upon eternal things. {2T 246.1}[21]
§45
你的儿女心中需要恩典施以更加深刻的工作。他们需要促进谨慎自守和品格的可靠性。他们若将自己献给上帝，便能行善，并发挥一种拯救他们同伴的影响力。【2T.246.2】[22]
§46
Your children need a deeper work of grace in their hearts. They need to encourage sobriety and solidity of character. If consecrated to God, they can do good and exert an influence which will be saving upon their companions. {2T 246.2}[22]
§47
不要让穷人觉得，因为没有他们弟兄那样的财富，便无事可作。他们可以在许多事上作出牺牲。他们可以克己，他们可以过献身的生活，他们可以用自己的言行来尊荣他们的救赎主。尤其是姐妹，如果她们停止闲言碎语，并将她们的时间用于警醒祷告，则她们必能发挥一种强大的感化力。她们能够尊荣上帝。她们能够让自己的光照在人前，叫人看见她们的好行为，便将荣耀归给我们在天上的父。【2T.246.3】[23]
§48
Let not the poor feel that there is nothing that they can do, because they have not the wealth of their brethren. They can sacrifice in many ways. They can deny self. They can live devoted lives, and in their words and acts they can honor their Redeemer. The sisters especially can exert a strong influence if they will cease their gossiping and devote their time to watchfulness and prayer. They can honor God. They can let their light so shine that others, by seeing their good works, will be led to glorify our Father which is in heaven. {2T 246.3}[23]
§49
为了说明你本有特权来帮助上帝的工作，但你却在这事上失败了，我蒙指示提出以下经文：“应当咒诅米罗斯，大大咒诅其中的居民，因为他们不来帮助耶和华，不来帮助耶和华攻击勇士”（士5:23）。米罗斯人作了什么呢？什么也没作。而这正是他们的罪。他们不来帮助耶和华攻击勇士。【2T.247.1】[24]
§50
As an illustration of the failure on your part to come up to the work of God, as was your privilege, I was referred to these words: Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Judges 5:23. What had Meroz done? Nothing. And this was their sin. They came not up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. {2T 247.1}[24]