第05章 选择属世的财宝
§1
第05章 选择属世的财宝
§2
Chap. 5 - Choosing Earthly Treasure
§3
我蒙指示看到上帝子民的状况。他们被世界的精神麻痹了。他们在用自己的行为否定自己的信仰。我蒙指示回顾古时的以色列人。他们曾有大光和尊贵的特权；可是他们既没有实践那光，也没有重视自己的有利条件，他们的光就变成了黑暗。他们行在自己的眼光中，而不是跟随上帝的带领。以色列人的历史记载下来是为了那些生活在末世之人的益处，使他们可以避免随从他们不信的榜样。{4T 43.3}[1]
§4
I have been shown the condition of Gods people. They are stupefied by the spirit of the world. They are denying their faith by their works. I was pointed back to ancient Israel. They had great light and exalted privileges; yet they did not live up to the light nor appreciate their advantages, and their light became darkness. They walked in the light of their own eyes instead of following the leadings of God. The history of the children of Israel was written for the benefit of those who live in the last days, that they may avoid following their example of unbelief. {4T 43.3}[1]
§5
E弟兄，我蒙指示看到你被黑暗笼罩。爱世界的心已经完全控制了你。你最好的日子已经过去了。你的活力和耐力就体力劳动来说已经衰弱了；而今你在原应该能够回顾以往有造福别人和荣耀上帝的高尚努力的一生时，却只能满心懊悔，认识到自己缺乏快乐和平安。你没有过会蒙上帝悦纳的生活。你属灵的利益，你永恒的权益都成了次要的。你的身心都用到了极限。你为什么这样劳心费力呢？为什么让你的家人承受这么多的操劳和重担呢？你的回报是什么呢？是满足你积攒财宝在地上的欲望，而这是基督所禁止的，且会证明是你心灵的网罗。{4T 43.4}[2]
§6
Brother E, you were shown me enshrouded in darkness. The love of the world had taken entire control of your being. The very best of your days are past. Your vitality and power of endurance, as far as physical labor is concerned, are enfeebled; and now, when you should be able to look back on a life of noble effort in blessing others and glorifying God, you can only have regret, and realize a want of happiness and peace. You are not living a life which will meet the approval of God. Your spiritual, your eternal interests, are made secondary. Brain, bone, and muscle have been taxed to the utmost. Why all this expenditure of strength? Why this accumulation of cares and burdens for your family to bear? What is your reward? The satisfaction of laying up for yourself a treasure upon earth, which Christ has forbidden and which will prove a snare to your soul. {4T 43.4}[2]
§7
基督在山边宝训中说：“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”（太6:19,20）。你若积攒财宝在天上，是为你自己做的，是在为你自己的利益作工。我亲爱的弟兄，你的财宝积攒在地上了，而你的志趣和情意都在你的财宝上。你已养成了贪爱钱财、房屋和地产的心，直到这些东西占用了你身心全部的能力，你爱属世财产的心超过了爱你的创造主和基督替死之生灵的心。这世界的神已经弄瞎了你的心眼，使你不重视永恒的事了。{4T 44.1}[3]
§8
In Christs Sermon on the Mount He says: 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. If you lay up treasures in heaven, you do it for yourself, you are working for your own interest. Your treasure, my dear brother, is laid up on the earth, and your interest and affections are on your treasure. You have cultivated a love for money, for houses and lands, until it has absorbed the powers of your mind and being, and your love for worldly possessions has been greater than your love for your Creator and for the souls for whom Christ died. The god of this world has blinded your eyes so that eternal things are not valued. {4T 44.1}[3]
§9
基督在旷野受试探之时，遇到了那些要袭击人类的最大试探。祂孤身会战那老奸巨滑的仇敌，并胜过了他。第一个大试探就是食欲；第二个试探是任意妄为；第三个试探是贪爱世界。撒但已通过引诱千百万人放纵食欲而胜过了他们。他们因满足口味而使神经系统受刺激，脑力衰弱，不能镇静合理地思想。心志失去了平衡。头脑的高贵功能也被错用来侍奉兽性情欲，而将圣洁永恒的福利置之不顾。在达到了这个目标之后，撒但便能带来其它的两大试探，并找到了方便之门。他的诸般试探，都是由此三大据点出发。{4T 44.2}[4]
§10
In the wilderness of temptation Christ met the great leading temptations that would assail man. There He encountered, singlehanded, the wily, subtle foe, and overcame him. The first great temptation was upon appetite; the second, presumption; the third, love of the world. Satan has overcome his millions by tempting them to the indulgence of appetite. Through the gratification of the taste, the nervous system becomes excited and the brain power enfeebled, making it impossible to think calmly or rationally. The mind is unbalanced. Its higher, nobler faculties are perverted to serve animal lust, and the sacred, eternal interests are not regarded. When this object is gained, Satan can come with his two other leading temptations and find ready access. His manifold temptations grow out of these three great leading points. {4T 44.2}[4]
§11
任意妄为是一种普通常见的试探，撒但用此攻击人，十有八九会得胜。那些口头承认为基督门徒，和自称因信被召参战抵抗自己本性一切罪恶的人，往往贸然陷入试探之中，若非上帝施行奇迹，他们就不能逃出这等试探而不染其污秽。默想与祈祷可以保守他们，并使他们远避那凶险危急的地步，就是他们自己置身于的会使撒但占他们便宜的地步。在我们轻率冒险，干犯自然律，不顾上帝所赋给我们的慎思明辨之心而行时，上帝的应许并不支持我们。这是最明目张胆的任意妄为。{4T 44.3}[5]
§12
Presumption is a common temptation, and as Satan assails men with this, he obtains the victory nine times out of ten. Those who profess to be followers of Christ, and claim by their faith to be enlisted in the warfare against all evil in their nature, frequently plunge without thought into temptations from which it would require a miracle to bring them forth unsullied. Meditation and prayer would have preserved them and led them to shun the critical, dangerous position in which they placed themselves when they gave Satan the advantage over them. The promises of God are not for us rashly to claim while we rush on recklessly into danger, violating the laws of nature and disregarding prudence and the judgment with which God has endowed us. This is the most flagrant presumption. {4T 44.3}[5]
§13
基督若在撒但面前下拜，撒但就将地上的万国和万国的荣华都奉送给祂。人从来没有受到基督所受到那么重大的试探。撒但把世上的荣华富贵和生活上的诸般享乐，用如此吸引人的光彩呈现在基督面前，以实行引诱和欺骗。他对基督说：“祢若俯伏拜我，我就把这一切都赐给祢”（太4:9）。基督斥退了狡猾的仇敌，得了胜。{4T 45.1}[6]
§14
The thrones and kingdoms of the world and the glory of them were offered to Christ if He would only bow down to Satan. Never will man be tried with temptations as powerful as those which assailed Christ. Satan came with worldly honor, wealth, and the pleasures of life, and presented them in the most attractive light to allure and deceive. All these things, said he to Christ, will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me. Christ repelled the wily foe and came off victor. {4T 45.1}[6]
§15
撒但在对付人类时就成功多了。这一切的钱财、利得、地产、权柄、尊荣和财宝，我都要赐给你——为什么呢？他的条件通常是，要放弃你的正直，昧着你的良心，放纵私欲。藉着使人们专心致志于属世的利益，撒但得到了他所要的效忠。门户大开，让他随已意进来，带来他一连串的急躁难耐、专爱自己、骄傲、贪婪、诈骗和他全部邪恶的精神。人被迷住，且被危险地引向灭亡。我们若屈从于属世的心和生活，撒但就满意了。{4T 45.2}[7]
§16
Satan has better success in approaching man. All this money, this gain, this land, this power, these honors and riches, will I give thee--for what? His conditions generally are, that integrity shall be yielded, conscientiousness blunted, and selfishness indulged. Through devotion to worldly interests, Satan receives all the homage he asks. The door is left open for him to enter as he pleases, with his evil train of impatience, love of self, pride, avarice, overreaching, and his whole catalogue of evil spirits. Man is charmed and treacherously allured on to ruin. If we yield ourselves to worldliness of heart and life, Satan is satisfied. {4T 45.2}[7]
§17
基督的榜样在我们面前。祂战胜了撒但，显明我们也可怎样得胜。基督用圣经的话抵抗了撒但。祂本来可以倚靠祂自己神圣的权能，用祂自己的话；但是祂却说：“经上记着说：人活着，不是单靠食物，乃是靠上帝口里所出的一切话”（太4:4）。对第二个试探，祂说：“经上又记着说：‘不可试探主你的上帝’”（太4:7）。基督的榜样在我们面前。如果基督徒研究并遵行了圣经的话，就会增强对付狡猾仇敌的力量；但上帝的道却被人忽视了，所以灾难和失败就接踵而至。{4T 45.3}[8]
§18
Christs example is before us. He overcame Satan, showing us how we may also overcome. Christ resisted Satan with scripture. He might have had recourse to His own divine power, and used His own words; but He said: It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. To the second temptation He said: It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Christs example is before us. If the Sacred Scriptures were studied and followed, the Christian would be fortified to meet the wily foe; but the word of God is neglected, and disaster and defeat follow. {4T 45.3}[8]
§19
亲爱的弟兄，你忽略听从数年前所发给你的警告的证言，那些证言曾向你说明仇敌正在你的路径上，要在你面前展开这世界的魅力，怂恿你选择地上的财宝，牺牲天上的奖赏。E弟兄啊，你担不起这样做；这样太危险了。“人若赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有什么益处呢？人还能拿什么换生命呢”（太16:26）？你正在廉价出售自己的灵魂。你担不起做这么大的牺牲。上帝已把才干委托给你，就是你的钱财和你的感化力。祂希望考验你证明你。你不应浪费任何时间，而应立刻开始增加主的收入。要是你这么做了，你的成功原会与你使用手中资金的勤奋、恒心和热心相等。你的才干或感化力——不算你可以调动来帮助你的钱财——原会使许多人离弃错误，归向真理和公义。这些人就会为他人作工，这们，感化力和钱财会在主的圣工中不断增多；你也会因忠心使用了自己的才干而听到主最亲切的话语说：“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）。{4T 46.1}[9]
§20
Dear brother, you have neglected to heed the testimonies of warning given you years ago showing you that the enemy was upon your track to open before you the charms of this world, urging you to choose earthly treasure and sacrifice the heavenly reward. Brother E, you cannot afford to do this; there is too much at stake. What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? You are selling your soul at a cheap market. You cannot afford to make this great sacrifice. God has entrusted talents to your stewardship. They are your means and your influence. He wishes to test and prove you. You should have lost no time, but should have commenced immediately to increase your Masters store. Had you done this, your success would have been equal to your industry, perseverance, and zeal in applying the capital placed in your hands; your talents or influence -- setting aside the means which you could have called to your aid -- would have turned many souls from error to truth and righteousness. These souls would have labored for others, and thus influence and means would have constantly increased and multiplied in the Masters cause; and for the faithful improvement of your talents you would have heard from the Master the most gracious words that shall ever fall upon the ear: Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. {4T 46.1}[9]
§21
E弟兄啊，要是你引导自己的智力进入正确的渠道，侍奉你在天上的父，你原会在真理上日益强壮，在精神和能力上也日益强盛，现在就会成为某地教会的柱石，藉着你的榜样，也藉着根据圣经给出我们信仰的缘由，你原会成为成功的真理教师。要是你将用来得财的心力用在使人从黑暗转向光明上，你原会得蒙上帝嘉许而且极其成功。{4T 46.2}[10]
§22
Brother E, had you directed the powers of your intellect into the right channel, serving your heavenly Father, you would have been growing stronger in the truth, stronger in spirit and power, and would now be a pillar of the church in -----, and, by your example as well as by giving the reasons of our faith from the Scriptures, would be a successful teacher of the truth. Had the powers of mind which you have employed in getting property been used to bring souls from darkness to the light, you would have met the approval of God and been highly successful. {4T 46.2}[10]
§23
那些只有很少的才能，因上帝的爱而成圣的人，能为主做善工；但那些心思敏捷，有敏锐的辨识力的人，可以将之用在祂高尚的工作中大有成果。把上帝所托付给他们的银子包在手巾里，埋在地里，从而使祂得不到进项，是大错了。我们都处在试验的时期。上帝要来调查我们的行为。祂要查明所借给我们的银子是怎么用的。{4T 47.1}[11]
§24
Those who have but small capacities, sanctified by the love of God, can do good for the Master; but those who have quick, discerning minds may employ them in His exalted work with grand results. To wrap in a napkin the talents God has entrusted to them, and hide them in the earth, thus depriving Him of their increase, is a great wrong. We are probationers. The Master is coming to investigate our course, and He will inquire what use has been made of the talents lent us. {4T 47.1}[11]
§25
E弟兄，你在怎样利用上帝所委托你照管的才干呢？你竭尽所能启迪别人的心思认识真理了呢，还是因忙于业务上的挂虑和难题而没有时间做这项工作呢？象你那样使用上帝的厚恩去削弱自己的体力和使自己与上帝离心离德是有罪的。“你们不能又事奉上帝，又事奉玛门”（太6:24）。你不能又爱这世界，又爱上帝的真理。“岂不知与世俗为友就是与上帝为敌吗？所以凡想要与世俗为友的，就是与上帝为敌了”（雅4:4）。“不要爱世界和世界上的事。人若爱世界，爱父的心就不在他里面了”（约壹2:15）。你不是一个快乐的人。你的家庭也不是一个快乐的家庭。上帝的天使没有进来与你同住。何时基督的宗教统管了内心，你就会心安理得，平安和快乐就会作王；虽然周围可能有困惑烦恼，但心灵中却有亮光。{4T 47.2}[12]
§26
Brother E, what use are you making of the talents God has placed in your care? Have you done what you could to enlighten the minds of men in regard to truth, or have you found no time from your business cares and perplexities to devote to this work? It is a crime to use the bounties of God as you have done, to diminish your physical strength and separate your affections from God. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. You cannot love this world and love the truth of God. Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. You are not a happy man. Your family is not a happy family. Angels of God do not come in and abide with you. When the religion of Christ rules in the heart, conscience approves, and peace and happiness reign; perplexity and trouble may surround, yet there is light in the soul. {4T 47.2}[12]
§27
尽管可能满天都是乌云，但是谦逊、仁爱和对上帝感恩，却使心中充满阳光。舍己和基督的十字架在你面前。你愿意背起十字架吗？你的孩子们已因母亲的祈祷蒙福。他们已经爱上了信仰，努力抵挡试探和过祈祷的生活。有时他们作了非常艰难的尝试；但你的榜样在他们面前，你爱世界，献身于世界，你埋头于业务，已经使他们的心从属灵的事上收回，又去注意地上的事了。撒但已在他们的路径上，要引导他们爱世界和世界上的事。他们逐渐丧失了对上帝的信心，疏忽了私下的祈祷和宗教责任，收回了他们对神圣事物的兴趣。{4T 47.3}[13]
§28
Submission, love, and gratitude to God keep sunshine in the heart, though the day may be ever so cloudy. Self-denial and the cross of Christ are before you. Will you lift the cross? Your children have been blessed by a mothers prayers. They have loved religion. They have tried to resist temptation and to live lives of prayer. Sometimes they have tried very hard; but your example before them, your love and devotion to the world, and your close application to business, have withdrawn their minds from spiritual things and turned them to earth again. Satan has been upon their track to lead them to love the world and the things of the world. They have gradually lost their confidence in God, have neglected secret prayer and religious duties, and have withdrawn their interest from holy things. {4T 47.3}[13]
§29
亲爱的E弟兄，你志在此世是大错了。你十分苛求，有时很不耐烦，有时对你的儿子要求太多。他已经变得灰心了。在你家里，一直是工作，工作，工作，从清早直到夜晚。你的大农场已给你家带来了额外的操心和重担。你一直在谈论业务；因为你心里主要想着业务，而“心里所充满的，口里就说出来”（路6:45）。你在家里的榜样高举基督和祂的救恩在你农场的利益和你得财的欲望之上了吗？你的儿女若得不到永生，他们的血就肯定会发现在他们父亲的衣服上。{4T 48.1}[14]
§30
Dear Brother E, you have made a great mistake in giving this world your ambition. You are exacting and sometimes impatient, and at times require too much of your son. He has become discouraged. At your house it has been work, work, work, from early morning until night. Your large farm has brought extra cares and burdens into your house. You have talked upon business; for business was primary in your mind, and out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Has your example in your family exalted Christ and His salvation above your farming interest and your desire for gain? If your children fail of everlasting life, the blood of their souls will surely be found on the garments of their father. {4T 48.1}[14]
§31
作母亲的忠心尽了自己的本分。当她在复活的清晨起来时，会听到主说“做得好”。她首先会问到自己的孩子，在她的后半生中，他们是她祈祷的主题。你会使他们有在道德上适于与天使作伴的美好品格呢，还是使他们被这世界的污秽所玷污呢？他们会“既脱离世上从情欲来的败坏，就得与上帝的性情有分”（彼后1:4）吗？他们会象按建宫的样式造成的柱石呢（诗144:12）；还是会成为爱世界的人，有邪恶的贪婪精神，把他们聪慧高贵的品质埋没掉呢？你的行为对于决定你儿女将来的命运大有关系。你若继续将心力用在属世的操劳和计划上，就会继续做他们的绊脚石。他们看到，你虽自称相信基督教，却没有在灵程上有任何进步，而成了道德上的矮子。确实是这样。你的心志向来专注于属世的事，结果，你在这方面的能力大为增强了。你的的确确是一个属世的商人，但上帝原是要你将自己的才能和感化力用于更高尚的呼召。{4T 48.2}[15]
§32
The mother did her duty faithfully. She will hear the Well done as she rises in the resurrection morning. Her first inquiry will be for her children, who were the burden of her prayers during the latter portion of her life. Can you present them with beautiful characters that will give them a moral fitness for the society of angels, or will they be tarnished and sullied by the pollutions of the world? Will they be found partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust? Will they be as pillars polished after the similitude of a palace; or will they be found lovers of the world, cursed with the spirit of avarice, and their bright and noble qualities buried in oblivion? Your course will do much to determine the future destiny of your children. If you continue to drown your powers of mind in worldly care and scheming, you will remain a stumbling block to them. They see that, while professing Christianity, you have made no spiritual advancement, but are morally dwarfed. This is true. Your mind has been concentrated on earthly things, and, as a result, you have developed great power in this direction. You are decidedly a worldly businessman, but God designed that you should use your ability and influence in a higher calling. {4T 48.2}[15]
§33
你被这世界神弄得眼花眼瞎了。你是何等可怕地愚顽啊！你可以积聚地上的财宝，但它会在大火灾中被消灭净尽。你现在若转向上帝，用你的钱财和感化力来荣耀祂，并且在你之先将财宝送到天上去，你就不至遭受完全的损失。{4T 49.1}[16]
§34
You are dazzled and blinded by the god of this world. Oh, what a terrible insanity is upon you! You may gather together earthly treasure, but it will be destroyed in the great conflagration. If you now return unto the Lord, use your talents of means and influence for His glory, and send your treasure before you to heaven, you will not meet with a total loss. {4T 49.1}[16]
§35
海陆的大火灾和天灾临到我们的国家，乃是上帝特别的天意安排，警告人那将要临到世界上的事。上帝希望向人说明，祂能点着人的偶像，是水不能熄灭的。大而普遍的火灾就在前头，那时今生误用了的这一切无用工都会在一昼夜被扫除净尽。积攒在天上的财宝才是安全的。没有贼能接近它，也没有蛀虫咬它。{4T 49.2}[17]
§36
The great conflagrations and the disasters by sea and land that have visited our country were the special providences of God, a warning of what is about to come upon the world. God would show man that He can kindle upon his idols a fire that water cannot quench. The great general conflagration is but just ahead, when all this wasted labor of life will be swept away in a night and day. The treasure laid up in heaven will be safe. No thief can approach nor moth corrupt it. {4T 49.2}[17]
§37
一个青年来到基督面前说：“良善的夫子，我该做什么善事才能得永生”（太19:16）？耶稣吩咐他要遵守诫命。他回答说：主啊，“这一切我都遵守了，还缺少什么呢”（太19:20）？耶稣慈爱地看着这个年轻人，如实地指出他在遵守诫命上的缺陷。他没有爱邻舍如同自己。基督向他显明了他品格的真相。他自私地贪爱财富乃是一个缺陷，若不克服，就会阻止他进入天国。“你若愿意作完全人，可去变卖你所有的，分给穷人，就必有财宝在天上；你还要来跟从我”（太19:21）。基督希望他明白，祂所要求于他的，不过是祂自己亲自经历过的。祂所要求的，是他应该效法祂的榜样。{4T 49.3}[18]
§38
A young man came to Christ and said: Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? Jesus bade him keep the commandments. He returned answer: Lord, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus looked with love upon the young man, and faithfully pointed out to him his deficiency in keeping the commandments. He did not love his neighbor as himself. Christ showed him his true character. His selfish love of riches was a defect, which, if not removed, would debar him from heaven. If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me. Christ would have him understand that He required nothing of him more than He Himself had experienced. All He asked was that he should follow His example. {4T 49.3}[18]
§39
基督撇下了自己的财富和荣耀，并且成为了贫穷，使人藉着祂的贫穷，可以成为富足。祂如今要求他为这些财富的缘故放弃地上的事，得到天国。基督知道，人若爱地上的财宝，就不会爱上帝；所以祂才对那律法师说：“你可去变卖你所有的，分给穷人，就必有财宝在天上；你还要来跟从我”（太19:21）。他是怎么接受基督的话的呢？他很高兴自己能有财宝在天上了吗？他很忧愁，因为他的产业很多。对他来说，财富就是尊荣和权力。他大量的财富使得如此处置财产似乎是一件不可能的事。{4T 49.4}[19]
§40
Christ left His riches and glory, and became poor, that man through His poverty might be made rich. He now requires him for the sake of these riches to yield earthly things and secure heaven. Christ knew that while the affections were upon worldly treasure, they would be withdrawn from God; therefore He said to the lawyer: Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me. How did he receive the words of Christ? Was he rejoiced that he could secure the heavenly treasure? He was very sorrowful, for he had great possessions. To him riches were honor and power. The great amount of his treasure made such a disposal of it seem like an impossibility. {4T 49.4}[19]
§41
这就是财富对贪财之人的危险。他所赚得愈多，愈难于慷慨；要减少他的财富，就好像要他的性命。他非但不这样做，反而转离永恒赏赐的吸引，为了要保存和增加在地上的财物。他又积聚又储藏。他若遵守诫命，他在地上的财物就不会那么多了。他怎能千方百计为自己争取，同时又能尽心、尽意、尽力爱上帝，并且爱人如己呢？他若已用自己的一部分钱财把必需品按需要分给穷人，造福自己的同胞，原会更快乐，也会存更多财宝于天上，而存较少在地上，免得他情系地上的事。{4T 50.1}[20]
§42
Here is the danger of riches to the avaricious man. The more he gains, the harder it is for him to be generous. To diminish his wealth is like parting with life. Rather than do this, he turns from the attractions of the immortal reward, in order to retain and increase his earthly possessions. He accumulates and hoards. Had he kept the commandments, his worldly possessions would not have been so great. How could he, while plotting and striving for self, love God with all his heart, and with all his mind, and with all his strength, and his neighbor as himself? Had he distributed to the necessities of the poor and blessed his fellow men with a portion of his means as their wants demanded, he would have been far happier and would have had greater heavenly treasure and less of earth upon which to place his affections. {4T 50.1}[20]
§43
基督向那来到祂面前的年轻人保证，他若愿意顺从祂的要求，就必有财宝在天上。这个爱世界的人非常忧愁。他想要天国，但他也想要保留自己的财富。他因贪爱金钱和权力而放弃了不朽的生命。这是何等卑劣的交换啊！可是许多自称遵守上帝全部诫命的人却正在做这种事。亲爱的弟兄啊，你也有做这种事的危险，但你却没有认识到这一点。不要因为我对你坦白直言此事而不愉快。上帝爱你。你对祂爱的回报是多么可怜啊！{4T 50.2}[21]
§44
Christ assured the young man who came to Him that if he would obey His requirements, he should have treasure in heaven. This world-loving man was very sorrowful. He wanted heaven, but he desired to retain his wealth. He renounced immortal life for the love of money and power. Oh, what a miserable exchange! Yet many are doing this who profess to keep all the commandments of God. You, dear brother, are in danger of doing the same, but you do not realize it. Be not offended because I lay this matter so plainly before you. God loves you. How poorly have you returned His love! {4T 50.2}[21]
§45
我蒙指示看到你起初的经验，那时你的心因真理而火热；你的心志全在研究圣经上；你在每行经文中都看到了新的荣美。于是你心中的好种发芽生长并且要结出果子荣耀上帝。但是过了一段时间之后，今生的挂虑和钱财的迷惑把撒在你心中的上帝之道的好种子给挤住了，你就没能结出果子来。真理力争在你心中掌权，但今生的挂虑和对其它事物的喜爱获得了胜利。撒但谋求藉着这世界的魅力束缚和麻痹你的道德力，使你感觉不到上帝对你的要求，他几乎取得了成功。{4T 50.3}[22]
§46
I was shown that in your first experience your heart was all aglow with the truth; your mind was absorbed in the study of the Scriptures; you saw new beauty in every line. Then the good seed sown in your heart was springing up and bearing fruit to the glory of God. But after a time the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches choked the good seed of the word of God sown in your heart, and you failed to bring forth fruit. The truth struggled for supremacy in your mind, but the cares of this life and the love of other things gained the victory. Satan sought, through the attractions of this world, to enchain you and paralyze your moral powers so that you should have no sense of Gods claims upon you, and he has nearly succeeded. {4T 50.3}[22]
§47
现在，亲爱的弟兄，你必须做出极其恳切恒切的努力，以驱逐仇敌，维护你的自由；因为他已经使你成了这世界的奴隶，直到你爱财的心成了一种支配性欲望。你的榜样对他人来说一直是不好的；自私的利益一直很显著。你表白的信仰虽然对世界说：我不是这里的公民，而是天上的；但你的行为却明明在说你是地上的居民。审判的日子要象网罗临到一切住在地上的人。你的信仰表白对生灵来说只是一个障碍。你没有相称的行为。那真实的见证者说：“我知道你的行为”（而不是你的表白）。上帝现在正在筛选祂的子民，试验他们的目的和动机。许多人会证明自己不过是糠秕，而不是麦子，他们里面毫无价值。{4T 51.1}[23]
§48
Now, dear brother, you must make a most earnest, persevering effort to dislodge the enemy and assert your liberty; for he has made you a slave to this world until your love of gain has become a ruling passion. Your example to others has been bad; selfish interests have been prominent. By profession you say to the world: My citizenship is not here, but above; while your works decidedly say that you are a dweller on the earth. As a snare shall the day of judgment come upon all who dwell on the face of the earth. Your profession is only a hindrance to souls. You have not corresponding works. I know thy works (not thy profession), says the True Witness. God is now sifting His people, testing their purposes and their motives. Many will be but as chaff--no wheat, no value in them. {4T 51.1}[23]
§49
基督已把钱财和感化力委托给你，祂已对你说过：要善用这些才干，直到我来。当主人来和祂的仆人们算账，人人都蒙召对自己如何使用所委托给他们的才干作出最严格的交代时，我亲爱的弟兄啊，你将如何经受住审查呢？你准备好交还主人双倍的银子，将本金和利息都摆在祂面前，表明你一直是明智而忠心地坚持侍奉祂的工人吗？E弟兄啊，你若随从你已多年追求的做法，你的情形就会恰当地由那个将银子包在手巾里埋在地里，就是世界上的仆人来代表。那些蒙托付才干的人，所得到的奖赏与他们在拿主的财物做买卖时付出的忠诚和恒切恳切的努力相称。{4T 51.2}[24]
§50
Christ has committed to your trust talents of means and of influence, and He has said to you: Improve these till I come. When the Master cometh and reckoneth with His servants, and all are called to the strictest account as to how they have used the talents entrusted to them, how will you, my dear brother, bear the investigation? Will you be prepared to return to the Master His talents doubled, laying before Him both principal and interest, showing that you have been a judicious as well as faithful and persevering worker in His service? Brother E, if you follow the course that you have pursued for years, your case will be correctly represented by the servant who wrapped his talent in a napkin and buried it in the earth, that is, hid it in the world. Those to whom talents were entrusted, received reward for the labor expended in exact proportion to the fidelity, perseverance, and earnest effort made in trading with their Lords goods. {4T 51.2}[24]
§51
上帝看你欠祂的债，也欠你没有亮光和真理之同胞的债。上帝已赐给你的亮光，不是要藏在斗底下，而是要放在灯台上，使一家的人都可受益。你的光应当照耀他人，启迪基督为之而死的生灵。上帝的恩典若在你心中作王，使你的思想和意志都顺服耶稣，你就会在基督和真理这边大有能力。{4T 52.1}[25]
§52
God holds you as His debtor, and also as debtor to your fellow men who have not the light and truth. God has given you light, not to hide under a bushel, but to set on a candlestick that all in the house may be benefited. Your light should shine to others to enlighten souls for whom Christ died. The grace of God ruling in your heart, and bringing your mind and thoughts into subjection to Jesus, would make you a powerful man on the side of Christ and the truth. {4T 52.1}[25]
§53
保罗说：“无论是希腊人、化外人、聪明人、愚拙人，我都欠他们的债”（罗1:14）。上帝将祂的真理启示给保罗，从而使他欠那些在黑暗中的人的债，要去光照他们。你还没有正确地意识到自己在上帝面前的责任。你是在经手主的银子。你有心智的能力，若是用在正确的方向，就会使你成为基督和祂的天使的同工。你若是已将自己的心志转入行善的方向，将真理摆在人前，现在就会有资格成为上帝成功的工人，而作为奖赏，你就会看到许多人得救，作你喜乐冠冕上的星星。{4T 52.2}[26]
§54
Said Paul: I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. God had revealed to Paul His truth, and in so doing made him a debtor to those who were in darkness, to enlighten them. You have not had a proper sense of your accountability before God. You are handling your Lords talents. You have powers of mind that if employed in the right direction would make you a co-worker with Christ and His angels. Had your mind been turned in the direction of doing good, of placing the truth before others, you would now be qualified to become a successful laborer for God, and as your reward you would see many souls saved that would be as stars in the crown of your rejoicing. {4T 52.2}[26]
§55
你的房屋和地产的价值怎能与基督替死的宝贵生灵相比呢？这些人可以藉着你得救，与你一同进入荣耀之国，但你地上的财宝却一点不能带到那里。你可以得财，并且竭尽所能热心保护照顾之，可是会有命令从主发出，一场无法扑灭的火灾会在数小时之内把你一生所积蓄的消灭净尽，成为一大堆冒烟的废墟。芝加哥就是这样。上帝的命令已经发出，使那个城市成为废墟。这不是唯一一座会意识到上帝不悦的明显记号的城市。祂已经开了头，却没有结束。祂忿怒的剑已伸在国民头上，他们的骄傲和邪恶惹动了公义之上帝的怒气。暴风雨雪、地震、旋风、火灾和刀兵会在各处造成荒凉，直到人想起那将要临到世界的事，就都吓得魂不附体（路21:26）。你不知道在你和永恒之间只有多么小的距离。你不知道自己的宽容时期多么快就会结束。{4T 52.3}[27]
§56
How can the value of your houses and lands bear comparison with that of precious souls for whom Christ died? Through your instrumentality these souls may be saved with you in the kingdom of glory, but you cannot take with you there the smallest portion of your earthly treasure. Acquire what you may, preserve it with all the jealous care you are capable of exercising, and yet the mandate may go forth from the Lord, and in a few hours a fire which no skill can quench may destroy the accumulations of your entire life and lay them a mass of smoldering ruins. This was the case with Chicago. Gods word had gone forth to lay that city in ruins. This is not the only city that will realize the visible marks of Gods displeasure. He has made a beginning, but not an end. The sword of His wrath is stretched out over the people who by their pride and wickedness have provoked the displeasure of a just God. Storms, earthquakes, whirlwinds, fire, and the sword will spread desolation everywhere, until mens hearts shall fail them for fear and for looking after those things which shall come upon the earth. You know not how small a space is between you and eternity. You know not how soon your probation may close. {4T 52.3}[27]
§57
我的弟兄啊，要做好准备，因为主必要你连本带利交还银子！拯救生灵应是每一个自称信奉基督之人毕生的工作。我们欠世人的债，因为我们蒙上帝赐予了恩典，有亮光照在我们身上，发现了真理的美丽和权能。你可以投入全部的精力积攒财宝在地上，但是当你此世的生命结束，或当基督显现时，这些财宝于你有什么益处呢？你连一分钱都带不走。你属世的尊荣和财富已把你抬举到多么高，使你忽略自己属灵的生命，你的道德价值在上帝伟大的审判台前就会把你降倒多么低。{4T 53.1}[28]
§58
Make ready, my brother, for the Master to demand your talents, both principal and interest! To save souls should be the lifework of everyone who professes Christ. We are debtors to the world for the grace given us of God, for the light which has shone upon us, and for the discovered beauty and power of the truth. You may devote your entire existence to laying up treasures upon earth, but what will they advantage you when your life here closes, or when Christ makes His appearance? Not a farthing can you take with you. And just as high as your worldly honors and riches have exalted you here to the neglect of your spiritual life, just so much lower will you sink in moral worth before the great tribunal of Gods judgment. {4T 53.1}[28]
§59
要是你的宽容时期突然结束，你的声音不再能控制你用自己的性命换来的这些财富时，这些财富会被怎样挪用呢？“人若赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有什么益处呢”（太16:26）？你的钱财若不用来提供日常生活所需和造福他人推进上帝的圣工，就不比沙子更有价值。上帝已赐给你警告和鼓励的证言，但你转耳不听。你怀疑证言。何时你回头，并且收集光线，采取证言是来自上帝的立场，你才会在信仰上安定下来，不会这样在黑暗和软弱中摇摆不定了。{4T 53.2}[29]
§60
How will this wealth for which you have bartered your soul be appropriated, should you be suddenly called to close your probation, and your voice no longer control it? What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Your means are of no more value than sand, only as used to provide for the daily necessities of life and to bless others and advance the cause of God. God has given you testimonies of warning and encouragement, but you have turned from them. You have doubted the Testimonies. When you come back and gather up the rays of light, and take the position that the Testimonies are from God, then you will be settled in your belief and will not thus waver in darkness and weakness. {4T 53.2}[29]
§61
你可以成为某地教会的一个福气。你若来就光并且行在其中，甚至现在也可以成为那里的一个柱石。上帝再次呼召你。祂设法感动你，尽管你已用自私束腰，被今生的挂虑盖住了。祂邀请你从世界收回你的爱情，将之寄托在属天的事上。你必须学习上帝的旨意，才能知道上帝的旨意，而不是随从自己的倾向和己心生来的爱好。“祢要我做什么？”应该成为你心中恳切焦急的询问。{4T 53.3}[30]
§62
You can be a blessing to the church at-----. You can be a pillar there even now if you will come to the light and walk in it. God calls after you again. He seeks to reach you, girded about with selfishness as you are, and covered with the cares of this life. He invites you to withdraw your affections from the world and place them upon heavenly things. In order to know the will of God, you must study it, rather than follow your inclinations and the natural bent of your own mind. What wilt Thou have me to do? should be the earnest, anxious inquiry of your heart. {4T 53.3}[30]
§63
上帝的忿怒必落在那些浪费了自己的光阴和侍奉玛门而不侍奉创造主的人身上。你若为上帝和天国而活，向他人指出生命之路，就会前进上进，获致更高尚更圣洁的喜乐。你就会得到奖赏，听到主说：“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人，……可以进来享受你主人的快乐”（太25:23）。基督的喜乐是看到生灵得赎得救进入祂荣耀的国。“祂因那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦难，便坐在上帝宝座的右边”（来12:2）。{4T 54.1}[31]
§64
The weight of the wrath of God will fall upon those who have misspent their time and served mammon instead of their Creator. If you live for God and heaven, pointing out the way of life to others, you will go onward and upward to higher and holier joys. You will be rewarded with the Well done, thou good and faithful servant: . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. The joy of Christ was that of seeing souls redeemed and saved in His glorious kingdom. Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. {4T 54.1}[31]
§65
获得今世的财宝，并且象你那样使用它们，使你与上帝断绝情意，最终会对你成为一个可怕的咒诅。你不花时间去读经，默想，祷告；你也没有花时间教导自己的孩子，始终将他们最高的利益摆在他们面前。上帝爱你的孩子；但他们几乎没有得到鼓励去过虔诚的生活。你若破坏他们对证言的信心，就无法感动他们。可怜易错的凡人的心智应该在属灵的事上受到训练和教育。所受的训练若都是关于世界和成功得财的，又怎能在属灵上长进呢？那是不可能的事。我的弟兄啊，你和你的家人若是将你们用来侍奉世界的志趣用一半来完善基督徒的品格和侍奉主，原可在基督耶稣里长成男女成人的身量。{4T 54.2}[32]
§66
To gain the treasures of this world, and use them as you have done to separate your affections from God, will be to you in the end a terrible curse. You do not take time to read, to meditate, or to pray; and you have not taken time to instruct your children, keeping before them their highest interest. God loves your children; but they have had little encouragement to live a religious life. If you destroy their faith in the Testimonies you cannot reach them. The minds of poor, fallible mortals should be disciplined and educated in spiritual things. When the training is all in reference to the world, and to making a success of acquiring property, how can spiritual growth be attained? It is an impossibility. You, my brother, and your family might have risen to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus had you felt one half the interest to perfect Christian character and to serve the Lord that you have had to serve the world. {4T 54.2}[32]
§67
上帝很不喜悦祂的仆人们不知道祂神圣的旨意，在属灵的悟性上是新手，却在属世的智慧和知识上挺精明。你属世的利益无法与你永恒的福利相比较。上帝有比得财更高尚的工作要你去做。你需要为自己完成一番深刻而彻底的工作。你全家的人都需要下这样的工夫，愿上帝帮助你们全都达到基督徒品格的完全。你的孩子们能够也应该成为你们所住社区之青少年们的福气。通过他们的榜样，通过他们的言谈和行为，他们可以荣耀他们的天父，给信仰增光。{4T 54.3}[33]
§68
God is not well pleased that His servants should be ignorant of His divine will, novices in spiritual understanding, but wise in worldly wisdom and knowledge. Your earthly interest can bear no comparison with your eternal welfare. God has a higher work for you to do than that of acquiring property. You need a deep and thorough work accomplished for you. Your entire family need it, and may God help you all to attain perfection of Christian character. Your children can and should be a blessing to the youth of your community. By their example, by their conversation and actions, they can glorify their heavenly Father and grace the cause of religion. {4T 54.3}[33]