第77章 贪财
§1
第77章 贪财
§2
Chap. 77 - Love of Gain
§3
亲爱的B弟兄：我两次开始给你写证言，但均因缺乏时间而未能完成。我一定不能再拖延了，因为我对你的情况感到悲伤，心情沉重。我已写了一份给几位传道人的证言，当他们的情况重新浮现在我脑海中时，我充分地认识到他们的状况是可叹的。你的情况也不例外。贪爱利益、贪爱钱财正在我们许多自称是基督代表的传道人心中得势。这些人中一些人的榜样使人们变得气馁灰心。【2T.619.2】[1]
§4
Dear Brother B: I have twice commenced a testimony to you, but have been unable to complete it for want of time. I must delay no longer, for I feel sadly burdened over your case. I have written a testimony for several of the ministers, and as their cases recur to my mind, I fully realize that their condition is deplorable. Your case is not an exception. The love of gain, the love of money, is becoming prominent with many of our ministers who profess to be representatives of Christ. The example of some of these is such that the people are becoming discouraged. {2T 619.2}[1]
§5
我们的有些传道人直接挡在上帝圣工进展的路上，指望以他们为榜样的百姓正在退后离开上帝。约在两年前，我蒙指示看到我们传道人的危险和他们的行为给上帝的圣工带来的结果。我已概括地提到这些事，但那些犯错误最严重的人却最不愿意把证言应用在自己的身上。有些人因自己的私利而非常盲目，以致看不到上帝圣工的崇高性质。【2T.620.1】[2]
§6
Some of our ministers are standing directly in the way of the advancement of the work of God, and the people who look to them for an example are backsliding from God. About two years ago I was shown the dangers of our ministers and the result of their course upon the cause of God. I have spoken in general terms in reference to these things, but those most at fault are the last to apply the testimonies to themselves. Some are so blinded by their own selfish interest that they lose sight of the exalted character of the work of God. {2T 620.1}[2]
§7
B弟兄，你的人生几乎是失败的。你拥有感化力的天赋，却没有善加利用。你在自己家中是失败的。你任由自己的家处于杂乱无章的状态，在教会里也感到了同样的缺陷。关于你疏忽在自己家中的职责和你应当采取的补救既往的做法，上帝已经赐给你亮光。你的缺乏已经被指了出来，但你竟不觉得把孩子生到世上却不给他们适当的训练是有罪的。你给他们的错误，他们的罪恶和他们任性鲁莽的行为开脱，自以为他们不久以后会变好的。【2T.620.2】[3]
§8
Brother B, your life has been almost a failure. You had talents of influence, but you have not improved them to the best account. You have failed in your family; you have let things go at loose ends there, and the same deficiencies are felt in the church. The Lord has given you light in regard to your neglect of duty in your family and the course which you should pursue to redeem the past. Your deficiencies were pointed out, but you did not feel the sinfulness of bringing children into the world to come up without proper training. You have excused their errors, their sins, and their wayward, reckless course, and have flattered yourself that they would come out right by and by. {2T 620.2}[3]
§9
以利正好代表了你的情况。你偶尔也曾责备你的儿女，说：你们为什么做这么坏的事呢？但你没有行使你作为父亲，作为家庭祭司的权威，发出命令且使你的话成为你家庭的律法。你自己和你妻子对儿女错误的宠爱已使你们忽略了你们作为父母的严肃责任。【2T.620.3】[4]
§10
Eli exactly represents your case. You have occasionally remonstrated with your children, saying: Why do ye so wickedly? but you have not exercised your authority as a father, as a priest of the household, to command and have your words as law in your family. Your own, and also your wifes, mistaken fondness for your children has led you to neglect the solemn obligation devolving upon you as parents. {2T 620.3}[4]
§11
B弟兄，你身上赋有双重的责任，作为上帝的传道人，你应当好好管理自己的家，使你的儿女顺服。但你却一直喜欢他们的聪明才能，且为他们的错误开脱。罪在他们身上显得不那么可憎。你已因疏忽职责而使上帝不悦，而且几乎毁了你的儿女，在主责备你劝勉你之后，你仍疏忽怠职。你们作为一个家庭在你们曾住过的不同地方对上帝圣工造成的伤害已大于你们所成就的善工。关于你的家庭，你一直被撒但所欺骗和蒙蔽。你和你妻子已使儿女与你们平等。他们随心所欲，任意而行。这已成了你作基督传道人工作的一个可悲的障碍，你疏忽自己的职责，没有使儿女顺服，已导致了更大的不幸，威胁到要破坏你的效用。你一直在表面上侍奉上帝的圣工，其实你更多在侍奉自己。上帝的圣工已经衰退；你却一直在认真筹划如何使自己得利，因你玩忽职守，生灵已经失丧。要是你在传道期间居于增进这工作的地位，要是你藉着侍奉上帝的圣工树立了一个榜样，不顾自己的利益，并且因献身圣工而变得形容憔悴，你的行为就算得不到上帝的嘉许，也会更可原谅。但当你的缺乏与不足在一些事上如此明显，而且上帝的圣工因你在自己家中疏忽职责所作出的榜样而大受损失之时，你自称侍奉圣工却将自己的利益放在首位，你的罪在上帝眼中就严重了。【2T.620.4】[5]
§12
A double obligation rested upon you, Brother B, as a minister of God, to rule well your own house and bring your children into subjection. But you have been pleased with their aptness and have excused their faults. Sin in them did not appear very sinful. You have displeased God and nearly ruined your children by your neglect of duty, and you have continued this neglect after the Lord had reproved and counseled you. The injury done to the cause of God by your influence as a family in the different places where you have lived has been greater than the good that you have accomplished. You have been blinded and deceived by Satan in regard to your family. You and your wife have made your children your equals. They have done about as they pleased. This has been a sad drawback to you in your work as a minister of Christ, and the neglect of your duty to bring your children into subjection has led to a still greater evil, which threatens to destroy your usefulness. You have been apparently serving the cause of God, while you have been serving yourself more. The cause of God has languished; but you have been earnestly figuring and planning how to advantage yourself, and souls have been lost through your neglect of duty. Had you, during your ministry, occupied a position to build up this work, had you set an example by serving the cause of God irrespective of your own interest, and become worn through your devotion to it, your course would be more excusable, though even then it would not be approved of God. But when your deficiencies have been so apparent in some things, and the cause of God has suffered greatly because of the example you have given by your neglect of duty in your family, it is grievous in the sight of God for you to be professedly serving the cause, yet making your own selfish interests prominent. {2T 620.4}[5]
§13
你在自己做工过程中经常能引起别人对于信仰的兴趣，但在你工作可以取得最佳效果的关键时刻，你却允许家庭的利益把你拉走，离开上帝的工作。在许多情况下，你都没有坚持自己的工作直到你确信人人都已决定支持或反对真理。聪明的将领不会在开始与撒但的权势开战后，便在斗争的高潮可耻地离开阵地，从而使敌人有机会将那些即将离开他的行列，采取立场站到基督这边的人捆绑得更紧。那种慕道的兴趣一旦破坏，就无法在再兴起了。少数人可能会受感动，但大多数人决不会受感动，他们的心也不会被所传讲的真理软化了。【2T.621.1】[6]
§14
In your labors you have frequently aroused an interest, and at the very point when you could work to the best advantage have allowed home interests to draw you away from the work of God. In many cases you have not perseveringly continued your efforts until you were satisfied that all had decided for or against the truth. It is not wise generalship to commence a warfare against the power of Satan and ingloriously leave the field at the height of the conflict, thus giving the enemy opportunity to bind more securely those who were upon the point of leaving his ranks and taking their position on the side of Christ. That interest, once broken, can never again be raised. A few may be reached, but the greater portion can never be affected and their hearts softened by the presentation of the truth. {2T 621.1}[6]
§15
C长老因为参加投机交易而失去了他的感化力和真理的力量，而且离开了弟兄们。基督的传道人做这种事是特别得罪上帝的。但你也这么做了。你用C长老的做法为你喜爱交易开脱。你辩解说自己得利的行为是正当的，因为别的传道人也这么做了。别的传道人不是你的标准。他们若是伤害自己的影响力，使自己丧失上帝的嘉许和弟兄们的信任，就应避免他们的行为。基督才是你的榜样，你以犯错之人的做法为榜样是无可推诿的，除非他们的生活与基督的生活一致。你若继续采取你过去几年所采取的做法，你对上帝圣工的影响就是致命的。你的买卖和贸易，以及你从弟兄们那里收集你没有挣得的钱财，在上帝看来乃是大罪。【2T.622.1】[7]
§16
Elder C lost his influence and the power of the truth by engaging in speculations, and that out of his brethren. This was peculiarly offensive to God in a minister of Christ. But you have done the same. You have made Elder Cs course an excuse for your love of traffic. You have justified your course of advantaging yourself, because other ministers have pursued this course. Other ministers are no criterion for you. If they injure their influence, and deprive themselves of the approbation of God and the confidence of their brethren, their course should be shunned. Christ is your example, and you have no excuse for taking the course of erring men for example unless their lives are in accordance with the life of Christ. Your influence will be death to the cause of God if you continue to pursue the course that you have pursued for a few years past. Your trafficking and trading, and gathering up from your brethren means that you have not earned, is a great sin in the sight of God. {2T 622.1}[7]
§17
有些人实在是把使自己家人舒适所必须的钱，甚至是一些生活所必须的钱拿来帮助你，而你竟接受了。保罗写信给他腓立比的弟兄们说：“你们当以基督耶稣的心为心”（腓2:5）。“各人不要单顾自己的事，也要顾别人的事”（腓2:4）。他同样写信给哥林多的弟兄们说：“无论何人，不要求自己的益处，乃要求别人的益处”（林前10:24）。他又悲哀地说：“别人都求自己的事，并不求耶稣基督的事”（腓2:21）。【2T.622.2】[8]
§18
Some have really deprived themselves of means necessary for the comfort of their families, and some of even the necessaries of life, to help you, and you have received it. Paul writes to his Philippian brethren: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. He also writes to his Corinthian brethren: Let no man seek his own, but every man anothers wealth. Again, he mournfully says: For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christs. {2T 622.2}[8]
§19
你心中所怀藏的利己精神不断膨胀，你的谈话也一直带着贪婪的精神。保罗劝告他的希伯来弟兄们说：“你们存心不可贪爱钱财，要以自己所有的为足。因为主曾说：‘我总不撇下你，也不丢弃你’”（来13:5）。你正在把自己的名誉和感化力牺牲给一种贪财的精神。上帝宝贵的圣工因传道人受这种精神控制而蒙羞受辱。你是盲目的，看不到这些事多么特别地得罪上帝。如果你愿意到世界上去大捞一笔，那你尽管去，但是不要打着传扬基督的旗号。你应该献给上帝圣工的时间太多用在了你个人的事上，你从上帝的库中领取了你没有挣得的钱。你竟乐于接受那些还不如你过得舒适之人的钱。你不从他们的立场看问题，也没有同情怜悯的心肠。你没有进行仔细调查，看看那些帮助你的人是不是有能力这样做。情况往往是你去帮助那些帮助你的人更合适。你需要先行改变，上帝的圣工才能在你手中兴旺。你的家和你农场的挂虑已经占据了你的心思。你没有献身于圣工。你为自己那么多时间留在家里开脱，说你的儿女需要你的同在和照顾，你必须和他们在一起，以便实行在异象中所赐给你的亮光。但是B弟兄，你这么做了吗？你又为自己开脱说你的儿女现在不受你控制了，他们太大了，你管不了了。你在这件事上犯了错误。当你的儿女还在你的屋檐下时，他们就没有一个大到不尊敬你的权威，不顺从你的使命。以利的儿子们有多大？他们是已经结婚的成人，但以利作为他们的父亲和上帝的祭司，还是要去约束他们。【2T.623.1】[9]
§20
The spirit which you cherish, of looking out for your selfish interest, is increasing upon you, and your conversation has been with covetousness. Paul admonishes his Hebrew brethren: Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. You are sacrificing your reputation and your influence to an avaricious spirit. Gods precious cause is reproached because of this spirit that has taken hold of its ministers. You are blinded and do not see how peculiarly offensive to God these things are. If you have decided to go in and get all of the world you can, do so; but do not do it under cover of preaching Christ. Your time is either devoted to the cause of God or it is not. Your own interest has been paramount. The time that you should devote to the cause of God is devoted too much to your own personal concerns, and you receive, from the treasury of God, means that you do not earn. You are willing to receive means from those who are not as comfortable as yourself. You do not look on their side and have bowels of sympathy and compassion. You do not closely investigate to see whether those who help you can afford to do so. Frequently it would be more in place for you to help those from whom you receive help. You need to be a transformed man before the work of God can prosper in your hands. Your home and farm cares have occupied your mind. You have not given yourself to the work. As an excuse for being so much at home, you have said that your children needed your presence and care, and that you must be with them in order to carry out the light given you in vision. But, Brother B, have you done this? You excuse yourself by saying that your children are now beyond your control, too old for you to command. In this you mistake. None of your children are too old to respect your authority and obey your commands while they have the shelter of your roof. How old were Elis sons? They were married men; and Eli, as a father and a priest of God, was required to restrain them. {2T 623.1}[9]
§21
但是就算承认你现在管不了你最大的两个孩子了，当初上帝赐给你亮光，使你知道你在放纵他们使他们灭亡，你应该调教他们时，他们原不是这样的。但你还有三个较年幼的孩子正在走罪人的道路，违背父母、忘恩负义、心不圣洁、爱宴乐不爱上帝。你最小的儿子正在步他哥哥们的后尘。你在对他采取什么措施呢？你有没有训练他养成勤奋有用的习惯呢？你有没有开始从事你可怕地忽略了的工作，并且补救既往呢？你有没有因上帝的话语而战兢呢？【2T.624.1】[10]
§22
But allowing that the two eldest are now beyond your control, they were not when God sent you the light that you were indulging them to their ruin; that you should discipline them. But you have three younger children who are walking in the way of sinners, disobedient, unthankful, unholy, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Your youngest son is following in the footsteps of his brother. What course are you pursuing toward him? Do you train him to habits of industry and usefulness? Are you taking up your fearfully neglected work and redeeming the past? Do you tremble at the word of God? {2T 624.1}[10]
§23
你有圣经，也有对你专门作的证言，然而你还是忽略了在家庭中的责任，这真令人惊奇。你的儿子随心所欲，你不约束他。你没有教育和训练他分担生活的担子。他是一个坏男孩是因为你的疏忽。他的生活对他父亲是一个羞辱。你知道自己的责任，却没有尽你的责任。你的儿子不信服真理，却知道自己可以偏行己路，撒但控制着他的思想。你以儿女为藉口留在家里；但是，B弟兄啊，这世界的事已经占首位了。【2T.624.2】[11]
§24
Your neglect at home is wonderful in one that has Gods written word and also testimonies borne especially to you, showing your neglect. Your boy does as he pleases. You do not restrain him. You have not educated and trained him to bear his share of the burdens of life. He is a bad boy because of your neglect. His life is a reproach to his father. You knew your duty, but you did it not. He has no convictions of the truth. He knows he can have his own way, and Satan controls his mind. You have made your children an excuse to keep you at home; but, Brother B, the things of this world have come first {2T 624.2}[11]
§25
你的心与上帝的圣工疏远，你为上帝的子民树立的榜样是不值得效法的。明尼苏达州需要工人，不仅仅是在方便时才到处旅行的传道人。上帝的圣工需要非常警醒的应急兵，他们不会为了任何自私或属世的利益而受阻碍不做上帝的工作，或不听从责任的呼召。明尼苏达州是一片广大的做工园地，那里的许多人都容易受到真理的影响。若是能使各教会进入工作状态，接受彻底的训练，他们就必发出亮光，向全州作见证。你原能在明尼苏达州完成十倍于现在的工作。但是世界已进入你和上帝的工作之间，分散了你的兴趣。自私的利益进了你的心，真理的力量就消失了。你里面需要一番大改变，好使你可以进入工作状态。你只成就了极少真实认真的工作。你却在一直认真获取你能得到的一切钱财，作为你的权利。你巧取豪夺；注意自己的利益，而且损人利己。你这样做已经有一段时间了；你若不受到阻止，你的感化力就归于无有了。摩西·赫尔就是走的这条路。他的谈话带有贪婪的精神，他也聚集了他能得到的一切钱财。他对真理的把握不足以克服他的自私自利。【2T.624.3】[12]
§26
The cause of God does not lie near your soul, and the example you have given the people of God is not worthy of imitation. In Minnesota they need laborers, not merely ministers who go from place to place when it is convenient. Gods cause must have minutemen who will not be hindered from the work of God or the call of duty by any selfish or worldly interest. Minnesota is a large field, and many there are susceptible to the influence of the truth. Could the churches be brought into working order, thoroughly disciplined, a light would shine forth from them that would tell all through the state. You might have done tenfold more in Minnesota than you have done. But the world has come in between you and the work of God, and divided your interest. Selfish interest has come into your heart, and the power of the truth has been going out. There is need of a great change in you, that you may be brought into working order. You have accomplished but little real, earnest labor. Yet you have been in earnest to obtain all the means you could as your right. You have overreached; you have looked out for your own interest, and have advantaged yourself at the disadvantage of others. You have for some time been going in this direction; and unless you are checked, your influence is at an end. Moses Hull went in this direction. His conversation was with covetousness, and he gathered all the means that he could obtain. His hold of the truth was not strong enough to overcome his selfishness. {2T 624.3}[12]
§27
当B. F.斯诺克接受真理时，他非常贫穷。一些慷慨的人牺牲了自己生活的便利甚至一些必需品，来帮助这个传道人，他们认为他是基督的忠仆。他们做这些都是出于美好的信心，帮助他就象他们原会帮助他们的救主一样。然而，正是钱财毁灭了这人。斯诺克的心在上帝面前不正，他为人缺乏原则。他并不是一个真正悔改的人。他接受的越多，就越贪财。他聚集了能从弟兄们那里得到的一切，直到他因他们慷慨的帮助有了一个贵重的家宅；然后他就背道了，并且成了对他最慷慨之人最苦毒的敌人。这人必要为他从那些真心相信真理之人获得的钱财向上帝交账。他不是抢夺了他们，而是抢夺了上帝的库。我们不希望他有什么不幸；“因为人所作的事，连一切隐藏的事，无论是善是恶，上帝都必审问”（传12:14）。他照自己心里所想眼中所看的去作，但为这些事上帝必要审问他。那时一切隐秘的暗昧之事都要大白于天下，人心中的隐情也都要显明。【2T.625.1】[13]
§28
When B. F. Snook embraced the truth, he was very destitute. Liberal souls deprived themselves of conveniences, and even of some of the necessaries of life, to help this minister, whom they believed to be a faithful servant of Christ. They did all this in good faith, helping him as they would have helped their Saviour. But it was the means of ruining the man. His heart was not right with God; he lacked principle. He was not a truly converted man. The more he received, the greater was his desire for means. He gathered all he could from his brethren, until he had been helped, through their liberalities, to a valuable home; then he apostatized, and became the bitterest enemy of the very ones who had been most liberal to him. This man will have to render an account for the means that he has taken from truehearted believers in the truth. He did not rob them, but the treasury of God. We wish him no evil; for God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. He has walked in the ways of his heart and in the sight of his eyes, but for all these things God will bring him into judgment. All the hidden things of darkness will then be brought to light, and the secret counsels of the heart shall be made manifest. {2T 625.1}[13]
§29
B弟兄，你不象这些人。我们不会把你比作他们，但我们要说：你要小心，不要走他们的道路，也不要让你的言谈有贪婪的精神。传道人这种为了自私的目的得钱的欲望对他们来说乃是一个网罗，他们若继续下去，就会失败。当他们注目于自我时，他们就变得越来越少关心上帝圣工的兴旺，他们对可怜生灵的爱也变得越来越少。他们不会立刻丧失爱真理的心和对真理的兴趣。他们偏离正路是渐进的，不知不觉的，以致常常难以说出他们里面是在什么时候发生改变的。【2T.626.1】[14]
§30
Brother B, you are not as these men. We would not compare you to them, but we would say: Beware of walking in their footsteps and of having your conversation with covetousness. This desire on the part of ministers to obtain means for selfish purposes is a snare to them, which, if they continue in, will prove their overthrow. As they get their eyes upon self, their interest in the prosperity of Gods cause, and their love for poor souls, become less and less. They do not lose their love for, and interest in, the truth at once. Their departure from the cause of right is so gradual and imperceptible that it is frequently difficult to tell the time when the change in them took place. {2T 626.1}[14]
§31
我认为你的行为是非常危险的。你并没有觉得有什么必要去注意上帝赐给你的亮光，也没有鼓励自己去拯救自己的家庭，履行自己作为父亲和家庭祭司的责任。你并没有拒绝所得的亮光，也没有起来反对它，但是你却忽略了它，没有把它实行出来，因为你觉得这么做不方便不惬意。所以你就象米罗斯人一样，没有前来帮助耶和华，虽然这事至关重要，影响你儿女的永恒利益。你疏忽了自己的职责。在这方面你是一个懒惰的仆人。你不怎么明白上帝是多么重视父母忽视对儿女的训练。你若在这方面做出了改革，原会看到有必要作出同样的努力以保持教会里的纪律和秩序。你在家中的懒散也同样表现在你服侍教会的工作中。你无法造就教会，除非你变了一个人。【2T.626.2】[15]
§32
I think your course highly dangerous. You have not felt the necessity of heeding the light which God has given you, and arousing yourself to save your family, acquitting yourself as a father and priest of your household. You did not deny the light given, you did not rise up against it; but you neglected to carry it out because it was not convenient and agreeable to your feelings to do this. Therefore you were like Meroz. You came not up to the help of the Lord, although the matter was of so vital consequence as to affect the eternal interests of your children. You neglected your duty. In this respect you were a slothful servant. You have but little sense of how God regards the neglect of parents to discipline their children. Had you reformed here, you would have seen the necessity of the same effort to maintain discipline and order in the church. Your slackness in your family has been seen also in your labors in the church. You cannot build up the church until you are a transformed man. {2T 626.2}[15]
§33
你忽视上帝赐给你的亮光，这在一定程度上使你成了撒但诡计的俘虏；所以你向撒但敞开了一个门户，使他可以从别的方向接近你，使你成为一个软弱的人。他看到自己已成功地藉着使你忽视上帝所赐你的亮光来蒙蔽了你的眼，使你看不到家人的利益。然后撒但就在另一个方面困扰你。他激起了你喜爱交易的心，你爱财的心；这样你的兴趣就不在上帝的事工上了。爱上帝和真理的心逐渐变得不重要了。基督为之而死的生灵的价值对你来说比不上你暂时的利益。你若继续这种行为，不久就会变得猜疑、敏感、嫉妒，且会离开真理，象其他已经离开的人一样。【2T.627.1】[16]
§34
The neglect of the light that God has given you has, in a degree, made you captive, subject to Satans devices; therefore a door has been left open for him to gain access to you in other directions and make you a weak man. He sees that he has succeeded in blinding your eyes to the interests of your family by leading you to neglect the light which the Lord has given. Then Satan has beset you in another direction. He has excited your love of traffic, your love of gain; and thus your interest has been divided from the cause and work of God. The love of God and the truth is gradually becoming of less importance. Souls for whom Christ died are of less value to you than your temporal interests. If you continue to pursue this course, you will soon become jealous, sensitive, and envious, and will go away from the truth, as others have gone. {2T 627.1}[16]
§35
你渴望有人在当地作工，希望能说些或做些什么以唤醒你的孩子们。你已疏忽了自己的责任。何时你开始从事主已留给你去做的，已被你长期忽视的工作；何时你以基督的精神毅然鼓励自己整顿你的家，那时你就可以指望上帝帮助你的努力，感动你家人的心。你虽然以孩子为藉口留在家里，却没有做你辩解说要留在家里去做的工作。你没有训练自己的儿女。你的妻子在这方面是有缺陷的，所以你更需要尽职尽责。她的爱会导致她纵容他们随意而行，自行选择他们的同伴，这会使他们灭亡。你在家的时候若允许儿女随心所欲而行，对你的家庭来说就比你远远离开他们还坏；对真理的事业也有更坏的影响。【2T.627.2】[17]
§36
You are anxious to obtain labor in your locality, hoping that something can be said or done to awaken your children. You have neglected your duty. When you take up the long-neglected work which the Lord has left for you to do; when you, with the spirit of Christ, resolutely arouse yourself to set your house in order, then you may hope that God will aid your efforts and impress the hearts of your family. While you have made your children an excuse for your remaining at home, you have not done the work for which you pleaded to stay at home. You have not disciplined your children. Your wife is deficient in this respect, therefore there is the greater need that you be in a position to do your duty. Her love is of that kind which will lead her to indulge them in doing as they please and in choosing their own society, which will lead to their ruin. Your presence at home, while you allow your children to do as they please, is worse for your family than if you were away from them; and it has a worse influence upon the cause of truth. {2T 627.2}[17]
§37
上帝呼召诚恳、无私、廉洁的工人从事祂的工作，他们会维持圣工不同部门的工作，例如期刊的征订，教导订户准时付款，鼓励弟兄们维持定期捐献。基督的生活是以牺牲、克己和无私的仁爱为特征的。祂是我们在凡事上的榜样。一位真传道人的工作和品格必与基督的生活一致。祂曾放下祂的荣耀，祂的最高统帅权，祂的尊贵，祂的丰富，谦卑自己来满足我们的需要。我们无法和榜样同等，但我们应该效法祂。对基督为之作出这种伟大牺牲的生灵的爱应当激励祂的传道人发奋，舍己，付出恒切的努力，以便在救灵上与基督同工。这样，上帝仆人们的工作就会多结果子，因为他们会确实成为祂的器皿。在他们身上会有圣灵恩慈的感化力，使人见到上帝的能力。上帝希望你醒悟且有力量超越障碍；不轻易灰心；如有需要，就要象使徒保罗一样，在疲乏中，在痛苦中，警醒作工，在对基督为之而死的生灵深感关切中忘记自己的软弱。【2T.628.1】[18]
§38
God calls for earnest, unselfish, disinterested laborers in His cause who will keep up the various branches of the work, such as obtaining subscribers for the periodicals, teaching them promptness in paying their dues, and encouraging brethren to keep up their systematic benevolence. Sacrifice, self-denial, toil, and disinterested benevolence characterized the life of Christ, who is our example in all things. The work and character of a true minister will be in accordance with the life of Christ. He laid aside His glory, His high command, His honor, and His riches, and humbled Himself to our necessities. We cannot equal the example, but we should copy it. Love for souls for whom Christ made this great sacrifice should stimulate His ministers to exertion, to self-denial and persevering effort, that they may be co-workers with Him in the salvation of souls. Then will the works of Gods servants be fruitful, for they will indeed be His instruments. The power of God will be seen upon them in the gracious influences of His Spirit. God would have you arouse and possess strength to surmount obstacles; be not easily discouraged; if need be, labor, as did the apostle Paul, in weariness, in painfulness, in watching, forgetting infirmities in the deep interest felt for souls for whom Christ died. {2T 628.1}[18]
§39
我们有些传道人在利用我们弟兄的慷慨而肥己；他们这样做，就在逐渐丧失自己的感化力；他们在这些事上的榜样正在摧毁弟兄们对他们的信任。而且他们也在有效地关闭门户，使那些实在需要帮助和配得帮助的人得不到帮助。他们也关闭了可以指望藉以帮助维持圣工的门。许多人既看到他们所供养的一些传道人对上帝圣工的兴旺表现出那么少的兴趣，就变得灰心了。他们看不到对工作的热爱。人们受到了忽视，圣工也在衰退，因为缺乏他们有权指望他们的传道人做出的管理良好且有效率的工作。【2T.628.2】[19]
§40
Some of our ministers are taking advantage of the liberalities of our brethren to advantage themselves; and in so doing they are gradually losing their influence; their example in these things is destroying the confidence of their brethren in them. And they are effectually closing the door so that those who really need help and are worthy of it cannot obtain it. They also shut the door whereby help may be expected to sustain the cause. Many of the people are becoming disheartened as they see some of the ministers they employ manifesting so little interest for the prosperity of the cause of God. They do not see a devotion to the work. The people are neglected, and the cause is languishing, because of the lack of well-directed and efficient labor which they have a right to expect from their ministers. {2T 628.2}[19]
§41
有些弟兄在失望中屈服于急躁和绝望的情绪，因为他们看到他们的教师表现出自私和贪婪。百姓走在了许多传道人的前面。如果传道人对生灵表现出一种自我牺牲的精神和爱心，人们就不会扣留钱财，不奉献给上帝的圣工了。但愿传道人达到作基督代表的高尚标准，我们就会看到上帝的荣耀伴随着真理的传讲，人们就会被迫承认真理的清晰和能力。上帝的圣工必须在首位。【2T.629.1】[20]
§42
In their disappointment some of the brethren give up to a feeling of impatience and desperation, as they see the selfishness and covetousness manifested by their teachers. The people are in advance of many of their ministers. If the ministers manifest a spirit of self-sacrifice and a love for souls, means will not be withheld from the cause. Let the ministers come up to the exalted standard as representatives of Christ and we shall see the glory of God attending the presentation of truth, and souls will be constrained to acknowledge its clearness and power. The cause of God must be made primary. {2T 629.1}[20]
§43
我的弟兄，你可以成就一番善工。你具备真理的知识，如果你愿意将自己奉献给圣工，除此以外没有任何自私的利益，就能成为现代真理事业的一个大福气。上帝已交给你一个神圣的委托，宝贵的才干；你若忠于自己的托付，忠心善用自己的才干，当主来向你要本金和利息时，你就不会羞愧。轻视或在任何意义上漠视上帝已经乐赐的亮光都是不安全的。你要有所作为，使自己处在上帝能特别为你行事的地步。【2T.629.2】[21]
§44
My brother, you could do a good work. You have a knowledge of the truth and could be a great blessing to the cause of present truth if you were consecrated and sanctified to the work, having no selfish interest aside from it. God has committed to you a sacred trust, precious talents; and if you are found true to your trust, faithfully improving your talents, you will not be ashamed when the Master shall come, requiring both principal and interest. It is not safe to slight, or in any sense disregard, the light which God has been pleased to give. You have something to do to bring yourself into a position where God can especially work for you. {2T 629.2}[21]
§45
上帝在明尼苏达州圣工的兴旺多是由于皮尔斯弟兄的工作而非你自己的努力。他的工作一直是那个州的特别福气。他是一个有温柔良心的人。他敬畏上帝。他已重重地被软弱所困，这使他怀疑自己是否履行了自己的责任，担心上帝不喜悦他的努力。上帝爱皮尔斯弟兄。他没有什么尊崇自己的心，他恐惧、怀疑、畏惧作工；因为他心中不断以为自己不配或没有能力帮助别人。他若愿意克服胆怯，更多相信上帝会与他同在和加给他力量，他就会更快乐，且成为别人更大的福气。皮尔斯弟兄在生活中一直没能看透人的品格。他相信别人都象他一样诚实，在有些情况下，他受了欺骗。他并不具备一些人拥有的那种辨别力。你在自己的生活中也没能看透人的品格。你向那些上帝已宣布其有祸的人说平安的话。皮尔斯弟兄年老体衰可能受到欺骗，可是大家都应为他工作的缘故非常尊他。他应当得到弟兄们的关爱和最温柔的同情，因为他是一个本着良心敬畏上帝的人。【2T.629.3】[22]
§46
The prosperity of the cause of God in Minnesota is due more to the labors of Brother Pierce than to your own efforts. His labors have been a special blessing to that state. He is a man of tender conscience. The fear of God is before him. Infirmities have weighed heavily upon him, and this has led him to question whether he was in the way of his duty and to fear that God was not favoring his efforts. God loves Brother Pierce. He has but little self-esteem, and he fears and doubts and dreads labor; for the thought is constantly upon his mind that he is not worthy or capable to help others. If he would overcome timidity and possess more confidence that God would be with him and strengthen him he would be much more happy and a greater blessing to others. In the life of Brother Pierce there has been a failure to read character. He believed others to be as honest as himself, and in some cases he has been deceived. He has not the discernment that some have. You also have failed, in your life, to read character. You have spoken peace to those against whom God has declared evil. In his age and feebleness Brother Pierce may be imposed upon, yet all should esteem him highly for his works sake. He commands the love and tenderest sympathy of his brethren, for he is a conscientious, God-fearing man. {2T 629.3}[22]
§47
上帝爱皮尔斯姐妹。她是一个胆小羞怯，敬畏上帝，本着良心履行自己职责的人；她若忠心到底，就会在耶稣降临时领受一份奖赏。她没有炫耀自己的美德，她素来谦让，是一个沉默寡言的人；可是她的人生一直很有益；她已用自己的感化力造福多人。皮尔斯姐妹没有多少自负自信的心。她心中有许多惧怕，但这些惧怕不能归入胆怯的，不信的人那一类，后者在上帝的国中是没有位置的。那些在城外的人是极其自信，自夸，活在口头上却没有活在行为和真理上的显然热心的人。他们的心在上帝面前不正。他们并不敬畏上帝。那些胆怯的和不信的，他们要受第二次的死的刑罚，是属于那等在今世以基督为耻的人。他们不敢行义和跟从基督，惟恐自己会遭受金钱上的损失。他们忽视自己的责任，回避责备和试炼，逃避危险。那些不敢行义因为这样会使自己遭受试炼，逼迫，损失和痛苦的人，乃是懦弱的人，他们正在准备和拜偶像的人，说谎的人及一切罪人一起遭受第二次的死。【2T.630.1】[23]
§48
God loves Sister Pierce. She is one of the timid, fearing ones, conscientious in the performance of her duty; and she will receive a reward when Jesus comes if she is faithful to the end. She has not made a display of her virtues, she has been retiring, one of the more silent ones; yet her life has been useful; she has blessed many by her influence. Sister Pierce has not much self-esteem and self-confidence. She has many fears, yet does not come under the head of the fearful and unbelieving, who will find no place in the kingdom of God. Those outside of the city are among the most confident, boastful, and apparently zealous ones who love in word, but not in deed and in truth. Their hearts are not right with God. His fear is not before them. The fearful and unbelieving, who are punished with the second death, are of that class who are ashamed of Christ in this world. They are afraid to do right and follow Christ, lest they should meet with pecuniary loss. They neglect their duty, to avoid reproach and trials, and to escape dangers. Those who dare not do right because they will thus expose themselves to trials, persecution, loss, and suffering are cowards, and, with idolaters, liars, and all sinners, they are ripening for the second death. {2T 630.1}[23]
§49
基督在登山宝训中宣布了谁是真正蒙福的人：“虚心的人有福了[那些不抬高自我，反而坦率、具有谦卑的性情、不太骄傲不肯受教、不虚荣也没有野心追求世上尊荣的人]，因为天国是他们的。哀恸的人有福了[那些痛悔，顺服，因为使上帝的灵担忧而为自己的失败和错误哀伤的人]，因为他们必得安慰。温柔的人有福了[那些温良柔顺，具有饶恕人的精神，不以辱骂还辱骂，却表现出受教的精神，不对自己十分尊敬的人]，因为他们必承受地土。”那些具有以上这些资格的人，不仅今生蒙上帝的赐福，也要在祂的国度里最终获得荣耀、尊贵和不能朽坏之福。【2T.631.1】[24]
§50
Christs Sermon on the Mount declares who are the truly blessed: Blessed are the poor in spirit [those who are not self-exalted, but candid, and of a humble disposition, not too proud to be taught, not vain and ambitious for the honors of the world]: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn [those who are penitential, submissive, and who grieve over their failures and errors because the Spirit of God is grieved]: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek [those who are gentle and forgiving, who, when reviled, will not revile again, but who manifest a teachable spirit, and do not hold themselves in high esteem]: for they shall inherit the earth. Those who possess the qualifications here enumerated will not only be blessed of God here in this life, but will be crowned with glory, honor, and immortality in His kingdom. {2T 631.1}[24]