第42章 遗嘱与遗产
§1
第42章 遗嘱与遗产
§2
Chap. 42 - Wills and Legacies
§3
“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”（太6:19-20）。自私自利是毁灭灵魂的罪。在这个罪名之下有贪心，就是拜偶像。万物都属于上帝。我们的亨通利达，都是上帝赐福的结果。上帝是伟大慷慨的施主。如果祂要求我们把祂所赐的财物慷慨地献上一部分给祂，这并不是说我们献上礼物，就可使祂富足，因为祂并不需要我们手上的任何财物。祂乃是藉此使我们有机会向同胞表现克己，仁爱和同情，从而得到很大的提高。从亚当的日子直至今日，在各世代中，上帝都要求人奉献财物，说：我是宇宙合法之主，因此你应将初熟之果奉献给我，要带来忠心的贡物，把我自己的还给我，从而承认我的主权，然后你可以自由保留和享用我所赐的，我也要赐福给你。“你要以财物，和一切初熟的土产，尊荣耶和华”（箴3:9）。{4T 476.3}[1]
§4
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. Selfishness is a soul-destroying sin. Under this head comes covetousness, which is idolatry. All things belong to God. All the prosperity we enjoy is the result of divine beneficence. God is the great and bountiful giver. If He requires any portion of the liberal supply He has given us, it is not that He may be enriched by our gifts, for He needs nothing from our hand; but it is that we may have an opportunity to exercise self-denial, love, and sympathy for our fellow men, and thus become highly exalted. In every dispensation, from Adams time to ours, God has claimed the property of man, saying: I am the rightful owner of the universe; therefore consecrate to Me thy first fruits, bring a tribute of loyalty, surrender to Me My own, thus acknowledging My sovereignty, and you shall be free to retain and enjoy My bounties, and My blessing shall be with you. Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase. {4T 476.3}[1]
§5
上帝的要求应该摆在第一位。如果我们在一切的进益中，先供应自己想象中的各项需要，然后把剩下的奉献给主，我们就不是奉行祂的旨意。应当在尚未动用我们的任何收入之前，抽出上帝所要求的部分，奉献给祂。在古时，祭坛上不断地焚烧感恩祭，用以表示人对上帝有无穷的义务。如果我们在世俗的业务上昌盛，那正是因为上帝赐福给我们的缘故。在这笔进项中应有一部分专用在穷人身上，另有一大部分则应用在上帝的圣工上。我们把上帝所要求的部分奉还给祂之时，其余的部分也就得以成圣并蒙福，可让我们自己使用了。但人若是扣留上帝所要求的，夺取祂的分，祂的咒诅就要临到全部的款项上。{4T 477.1}[2]
§6
Gods requirements come first. We are not doing His will if we consecrate to Him what is left of our income after all our imaginary wants have been supplied. Before any part of our earnings is consumed, we should take out and present to Him that portion which He claims. In the old dispensation an offering of gratitude was kept continually burning upon the altar, thus showing mans endless obligation to God. If we have prosperity in our secular business, it is because God blesses us. A part of this income is to be devoted to the poor, and a large portion to be applied to the cause of God. When that which God claims is rendered to Him, the remainder will be sanctified and blessed to our own use. But when a man robs God by withholding that which He requires, His curse rests upon the whole. {4T 477.1}[2]
§7
上帝以人为导管输送祂的恩典，来维持祂在世上所要推进的圣工。祂赐人财产，要人聪明地使用，而不是自私地囤积起来，或是耗于穷奢极欲的生活，衣丰履厚，华屋豪庭，享受自私的满足。祂授托金钱给人，是要人维持祂仆人担任传道士的工作，并支持祂在我们中间所设立的机构。凡以宝贵真理之光为喜乐的人，应当有火热的心愿，让真光普传各处。现今只有少数忠心的掌旗人，丝毫不规避本分，或推却责任。他们的心门及钱包对于每次促进上帝圣工的捐款总是敞开的。确实有些人似乎是乐于超过自己的本分，好像他们怕会失去良机，不能在天国的银行中投资一般。但还有些人，却是尽量地少做，他们囤积财宝，或是滥用在自己的身上，只勉强地分出一小部分来维持上帝的圣工。他们向上帝立了约或许下愿之后，又感到懊悔，若是不能全部推掉，也要拖欠得越久越好。他们尽量地少献十分之一，好似是这款归了上帝就是失去了。我们的各机构可能为经济所迫，这等人却视若无睹，对其兴衰漠不关心。可是这些机构却是上帝用来光照世界的工具。{4T 477.2}[3]
§8
God has made men the channels through which His gifts are to flow to sustain the work which He would have carried forward in the world. He has given them property to be wisely used, not selfishly hoarded or extravagantly expended in luxury and selfish gratification either in dress or in the embellishment of their houses. He has entrusted them with means with which to support His servants in their labor as preachers and missionaries, and to sustain the institutions He has established among us. Those who rejoice in the precious light of truth should feel a burning desire to have it sent everywhere. There are a few faithful standard-bearers who never flinch from duty or shirk responsibilities. Their hearts and purses are always open to every call for means to advance the cause of God. Indeed, some seem ready to exceed their duty, as though fearful that they will lose an opportunity of investing their portion in the bank of heaven. There are others who will do as little as possible. They hoard their treasure, or lavish means upon themselves, grudgingly doling out a mere pittance to sustain the cause of God. If they make a pledge or a vow to God, they afterward repent of it, and will avoid the payment of it as long as they can, if not altogether. They make their tithe as small as possible, as if afraid that that which they return to God is lost. Our various institutions may be embarrassed for means, but this class act as though it made no difference to them whether they prospered or not. And yet these are Gods instrumentalities with which to enlighten the world. {4T 477.2}[3]
§9
这些机构没有象其他同类的机构那样接受馈赠或遗产。上帝却使它们大大兴旺和蒙福，发挥巨大的益处。在我们之中，有些老年人恩典的时期即将结束，但因为没有儆醒的人去为上帝的圣工征集他们的产业，以致这些产业流入了事奉撒但之人的手中。这些钱原是上帝借给他们而应归还给祂的；然而十之有九，这些弟兄在退出人生舞台时，却用不能荣耀上帝的方式分配上帝的资财，没有分文流入主的库中。有时这些显然是良善的弟兄却被未献身的顾问所误。他们的意见是根据自己的立场，而非照上帝的心意。往往人把财产遗留给子孙，只是留下祸害。他们不爱上帝，不爱真理，因此这一切属主的钱财便流入撒但的队伍中，由他去支配了。撒但比我们为圣工收集主自己钱财的弟兄们更机警，更有眼光和手段，去为自己千方百计捞钱。有些遗嘱写得过于笼统，在法律上无效，以致圣工失去上万元。我们的弟兄们应觉得自己有责在上帝的圣工中作忠心的仆人，在这等事上运用智慧去为主收回其财产。{4T 478.1}[4]
§10
These institutions have not, like other institutions of the kind, received endowments or legacies. And yet God has greatly prospered and blessed them, and made them the means of great good. There are aged ones among us who are nearing the close of their probation; but for the want of wide-awake men to secure to the cause of God the means in their possession, it passes into the hands of those who are serving Satan. This means was only lent them of God to be returned to Him; but in nine cases out of ten these brethren, when passing from the stage of action, appropriate Gods property in a way that cannot glorify Him, for not one dollar of it will ever flow into the Lords treasury. In some cases these apparently good brethren have had unconsecrated advisers, who counseled from their own standpoint and not according to the mind of God. Property is often bequeathed to children and grandchildren only to their injury. They have no love for God or for the truth, and therefore this means, all of which is the Lords, passes into Satans ranks, to be controlled by him. Satan is much more vigilant, keen-sighted, and skillful in devising ways to secure means to himself than our brethren are to secure the Lords own to His cause. Some wills are made in so loose a manner that they will not stand the test of the law, and thus thousands of dollars have been lost to the cause. Our brethren should feel that a responsibility rests upon them, as faithful servants in the cause of God, to exercise their intellect in regard to this matter, and secure to the Lord His own. {4T 478.1}[4]
§11
许多人在这一点上显出不必要的顾忌。他们觉得自己去向老年或病弱的人谈这个问题，了解对方对自己财产的安排，似乎是踏入禁地。然而这种本分却是神圣的，正如传道救灵的本分一样。这个人的手中握有上帝的金钱或产业，现在快要放下管家的责任了，难道他要把上帝借给他，要他用于圣工上的钱财，转入犯罪作恶之人的手中，只因为他们是亲戚的缘故吗？基督徒们岂不应该觉得关心着急，为这个人未来的好处和上帝圣工的利益，让他合理合法地处置上帝所借的钱财而善予运用吗？他的弟兄们岂可袖手旁观，坐视他失去今生的产业，同时也夺取了上帝的财物呢？这件事对于他个人和对圣工，都是一种可怕的损失；因为他若把自己的钱财转入那些不关心上帝真理之人的手中，实际上就是把钱财包好埋藏在地下了。{4T 479.1}[5]
§12
Many manifest a needless delicacy on this point. They feel that they are stepping upon forbidden ground when they introduce the subject of property to the aged or to invalids in order to learn what disposition they design to make of it. But this duty is just as sacred as the duty to preach the word to save souls. Here is a man with Gods money or property in his hands. He is about to change his stewardship. Will he place the means which God has lent him to be used in His cause, in the hands of wicked men, just because they are his relatives? Should not Christian men feel interested and anxious for that mans future good as well as for the interest of Gods cause, that he shall make a right disposition of his Lords money, the talents lent him for wise improvement? Will his brethren stand by and see him losing his hold on this life and at the same time robbing the treasury of God? This would be a fearful loss to himself and to the cause; for, by placing his talent of means in the hands of those who have no regard for the truth of God, he would, to all intents and purposes, be wrapping it in a napkin and hiding it in the earth. {4T 479.1}[5]
§13
上帝希望凡跟从祂的人，在他们自己能行之时，处理好自己的钱财。有些人也许会问：“难道我们要把一切所谓我们自己的东西都卖光吗？”我们现今也许还不必作到这种地步，但我们必须乐于为基督的缘故这么做。我们必须藉着只要促进圣工需要钱财，就慷慨地使用我们的财产，来承认自己的一切财产是完全属于主的。教会需要经济，差遣布道士到国外去传扬福音，和印刷真理书刊，散遍大地象秋天的落叶一样，有些人对于此类的呼声却掩耳不闻。这等人会为自己的贪心对你辩护说，他们已安排在去世之时要慈悲为怀，并且把上帝的圣工列在他们的遗嘱之中了。因此，他们在世过着贪婪的生活，夺取上帝的十分之一及各项捐献，而在遗嘱上，只将上帝所借给他们的物资，奉还一小部分给上帝，一大部分的款项，却留传给不关心真理的亲属。这是最恶劣的抢劫。他们不但在生前，也在死后夺取了应归给上帝之物。{4T 479.2}[6]
§14
The Lord would have His followers dispense their means while they can do it themselves. Some may inquire: Must we actually dispossess ourselves of everything which we call our own? We may not be required to do this now; but we must be willing to do so for Christs sake. We must acknowledge that our possessions are absolutely His, by using of them freely whenever means is needed to advance His cause. Some close their ears to the calls made for money to be used in sending missionaries to foreign countries and in publishing the truth and scattering it like autumn leaves all over the world. Such excuse their covetousness by informing you that they have made arrangements to be charitable at death. They have considered the cause of God in their wills. Therefore they live a life of avarice, robbing God in tithes and in offerings, and in their wills return to God but a small portion of that which He has lent them, while a very large proportion is appropriated to relatives who have no interest in the truth. This is the worst kind of robbery. They rob God of His just dues, not only all through life, but also at death. {4T 479.2}[6]
§15
有些人对于来生迟迟不作准备，直到此生临终之时。这样做实在愚不可及。对于上帝圣工需款的要求，你若是迟迟不响应，直到你要把管家的责任交卸给别人之时，这也是一个大错。你所托管钱财的人，也许不会办得象你自己那么好。财主们怎敢冒这样大的危险！人若等到临死之前，才分配自己的财产，乃是奉献给死亡，而不是奉献给上帝。许多人这样行，直接抵触上帝在圣经上所明示的计划。他们若要办得好，就应当抓住当前的黄金机会，用尽力量作工，好像害怕自己会失去良机一样。{4T 480.1}[7]
§16
It is utter folly to defer to make a preparation for the future life until nearly the last hour of the present life. It is also a great mistake to defer to answer the claims of God for liberality to His cause until the time comes when you are to shift your stewardship upon others. Those to whom you entrust your talents of means may not do as well with them as you have done. How dare rich men run so great risks! Those who wait till death before they make a disposition of their property, surrender it to death rather than to God. In so doing many are acting directly contrary to the plan of God plainly stated in His word. If they would do good they must seize the present golden moments and labor with all their might, as if fearful that they may lose the favorable opportunity. {4T 480.1}[7]
§17
人若忽略明知的本分，在今生不答应上帝的要求，自己安慰良心说，在死时可将遗产献给主，这等人将来必不会得到主的嘉许，也不会得到赏赐。他们生前毫未实行克己，反而自私地尽力扣留钱财，直到死日，方才撒手。许多人计划延搁到将死之日的事，他们如果真是基督徒，就当趁他们在世强健之时实行。他们会把自己及财产都奉献给上帝，趁着自己还作祂管家的时候，就满意地执行自己的本分。他们藉着作自己财产的执行人，就可以自己应付上帝的要求，而不是把责任委卸给旁人。我们应当看自己是主财产的管家，上帝是财物至高的主人。在祂需要自己的财物之时，我们就应当交还给祂。在祂回来收取本利之日，贪心的人就要看出授托给他们的银子没有加倍，自招主对那无用仆人所宣布的厄运。{4T 480.2}[8]
§18
Those who neglect known duty by not answering to Gods claims upon them in this life, and who soothe their consciences by calculating on making their bequests at death, will receive no words of commendation from the Master, nor will they receive a reward. They practiced no self-denial, but selfishly retained their means as long as they could, yielding it up only when death claimed them. That which many propose to defer until they are about to die, if they were Christians indeed they would do while they have a strong hold on life. They would devote themselves and their property to God, and, while acting as His stewards, they would have the satisfaction of doing their duty. By becoming their own executors, they could meet the claims of God themselves, instead of shifting the responsibility upon others. We should regard ourselves as stewards of the Lords property and God as the supreme proprietor, to whom we are to render His own when He shall require it. When He shall come to receive His own with usury, the covetous will see that instead of multiplying the talents entrusted to them, they have brought upon themselves the doom pronounced upon the unprofitable servant. {4T 480.2}[8]
§19
上帝要我们看祂仆人的死亡是一场损失，因为他们所能发挥为善的影响和许多充实上帝府库的乐意捐献都失去了。用临死的遗产来代替生前的慈善捐献，是不幸的。上帝的仆人应当天天用行善事和慷慨捐献给上帝来立遗嘱。他们不应该让那献给上帝的数量比起留为己用的数量，相形见绌。他们每天立遗嘱，就必记得那些在自己感情上占最大成分的对象和朋友。他们最好的朋友就是耶稣。祂并没有留下自己的生命不给他们，而是为他们成了贫穷，叫他们因祂的贫穷可以成为富足。祂配得他们全部的心，全部的产业，与他们一切所有和所是。然而许多自称为基督徒的人，在生前把耶稣的要求置诸脑后，直到临死时才献上区区之数来羞辱主。但愿这等人要记着，这种夺取上帝财物之举，不是出于一时的冲动，而是出于详细考虑的计划，并且美其名曰，“谨守的心”（提后1:7）。他们不但在生前欺诈上帝的教会，还在死后让欺诈的行为继续下去。他们是故意这么做的。许多人满足于这一类遗嘱，把它当作临终枕头。他们的遗嘱乃是为自己身后预备的一部分，他们想把财产这样安排之后，在弥留之际，就可免掉烦恼。这等人能否高兴地想到上帝将要求他们交出管家的账呢？{4T 481.1}[9]
§20
The Lord designs that the death of His servants shall be regarded as a loss because of the influence for good which they exerted and the many willing offerings which they bestowed to replenish the treasury of God. Dying legacies are a miserable substitute for living benevolence. The servants of God should be making their wills every day in good works and liberal offerings to God. They should not allow the amount given to God to be disproportionately small when compared with that appropriated to their own use. In making their wills daily, they will remember those objects and friends that hold the largest place in their affections. Their best friend is Jesus. He did not withhold His own life from them, but for their sakes became poor, that through His poverty they might be made rich. He deserves the whole heart, the property, all that they have and are. But many professed Christians put off the claims of Jesus in life and insult Him by giving Him a mere pittance at death. Let all of this class remember that this robbery of God is not an impulsive action, but a well-considered plan which they preface by saying: Being in sound mind. After having defrauded the cause of God through life they perpetuate the fraud after death. And this is with the full consent of all the powers of the mind. Such a will many are content to cherish for a dying pillow. Their will is a part of their preparation for death and is prepared so that their possessions shall not disturb their dying hours. Can these dwell with pleasure upon the requirement that will be made of them to give an account of their stewardship? {4T 481.1}[9]
§21
我们若想得来生不朽的生命，就必须在今生的善事上富足。当审判开始，案卷展开之时，各人都要照自己的行为受报应。许多名列在教会簿册中的人，在天庭总账簿下却记有与他们不利的抢劫罪名。这些人若不肯悔改，以致无私地捐款为主作工，就一定会遭受那不义管家的厄运。{4T 481.2}[10]
§22
We must all be rich in good works in this life if we would secure the future, immortal life. When the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened, every man will be rewarded according to his works. Many names are enrolled on the church book that have robbery recorded against them in the Ledger of Heaven. And unless these repent and work for the Master with disinterested benevolence, they will certainly share in the doom of the unfaithful steward. {4T 481.2}[10]
§23
我们往往见到：一个活跃的商人突然逝世，生前毫无顷刻预警，事后查视他的事业，却看出陷于最混乱的情形中。为要清理他的遗产，律师费纵不使其倾家荡产，也必占去相当可观的部分，以致他的孤儿寡妇及基督的圣工，也都被抢夺了。凡是主钱财的忠心管家，必熟悉自己业务的情形，如同聪明人为任何意外紧急之事早作准备。要是他们的宽容时期突然结束，也不会叫那些处理其后事的人不知所措。{4T 482.1}[11]
§24
It often happens that an active businessman is cut down without a moments warning and on examination his business is found to be in a most perplexing condition. In the effort to settle his estate the lawyers fees eat up a large share, if not all, of the property, while his wife and children and the cause of Christ are robbed. Those who are faithful stewards of the Lords means will know just how their business stands, and, like wise men, they will be prepared for any emergency. Should their probation close suddenly, they would not leave such great perplexity upon those who are called to settle their estate. {4T 482.1}[11]
§25
许多人在自己似乎康健之时，不注意立遗嘱的事。但我们的弟兄对于此事应当早作预防。他们应当熟悉自己的经济现况，不让自己的业务成为混乱。他们对于财产应当善为处理，以致在无论何时都可撒手尘寰。{4T 482.2}[12]
§26
Many are not exercised upon the subject of making their wills while they are in apparent health. But this precaution should be taken by our brethren. They should know their financial standing and should not allow their business to become entangled. They should arrange their property in such a manner that they may leave it at any time. {4T 482.2}[12]
§27
立遗嘱的手续，应当经得起法律的考验。只要仍然时时按圣工的需要继续捐献，遗嘱立了之后，即或保留多时也无妨害。弟兄们哪，死亡并不会因为你们立下了遗嘱，就提前一天临到你们。在你立下遗嘱分配财产给亲戚之时，切不可忘记了上帝的圣工。你是祂的代理人，代管祂的产业；应该首先考虑祂的要求。当然啦，你的妻子儿女，也不可任其穷寒清苦，应当按他们的需要，妥予安排。但你不可一味地随从习俗，把一切无需济助的亲戚朋友，都列在遗嘱之中。{4T 482.3}[13]
§28
Wills should be made in a manner to stand the test of law. After they are drawn they may remain for years and do no harm, if donations continue to be made from time to time as the cause has need. Death will not come one day sooner, brethren, because you have made your will. In disposing of your property by will to your relatives, be sure that you do not forget Gods cause. You are His agents, holding His property; and His claims should have your first consideration. Your wife and children, of course, should not be left destitute; provision should be made for them if they are needy. But do not, simply because it is customary, bring into your will a long line of relatives who are not needy. {4T 482.3}[13]
§29
我们应当时常记着：现今人处理财产的自私制度，并非上帝的计划，而是人的筹谋。基督徒应当作改革家，打破现行的制度，对于立遗嘱存全新的看法。应当时刻记清，你所处理的乃是主的财产。上帝在此事上的旨意就是律法。如果你受人的委托，执行他的遗产，你岂不是要缜密研究那留遗嘱之人的意愿，而使其财产不至于有丝毫的误用吗？你天庭的“朋友”既将其财产委托给你，并将祂的旨意交与你，说明应如何动用，你若是用无私的心研究这旨意，属于上帝的财物就不至于被误用了。上帝已将足用的钱财交给人，只要人有感恩顺从的心，便够应付圣工一切的危急，然而人们却把圣工可耻地遗忘了。{4T 482.4}[14]
§30
Let it ever be kept in mind that the present selfish system of disposing of property is not Gods plan, but mans device. Christians should be reformers and break up this present system, giving an entirely new aspect to the formation of wills. Let the idea be ever present that it is the Lords property which you are handling. The will of God in this matter is law. If man had made you the executor of his property, would you not closely study the will of the testator, that the smallest amount might not be misapplied? Your heavenly Friend has entrusted you with property, and given you His will as to how it should be used. If this will is studied with an unselfish heart, that which belongs to God will not be misapplied. The Lords cause has been shamefully neglected, when He has provided men with sufficient means to meet every emergency, if they only had grateful, obedient hearts. {4T 482.4}[14]
§31
凡立下遗嘱的人，不可以为这事既已办妥，自己就再没有责任了；而是应当继续作工，运用上帝所托的银子，增进主的圣工。上帝已定下计划，使人人都可聪明地分配其钱财。祂并不用神迹来维持圣工。祂有少数忠心的管家正在有效地利用他们的金钱来促进圣工。舍己和善行，不但不是例外，反而应当成为惯例。上帝圣工的需要日增，需要钱款。从国内及国外不断传来呼求，要我们派使者传真理和亮光给他们。这就需要我们多派工人和多献钱款去支持他们。{4T 483.1}[15]
§32
Those who make their wills should not feel that when this is done they have no further duty; but they should be constantly at work, using the talents entrusted to them, for the upbuilding of the Lords cause. God has devised plans that all may work intelligently in the distribution of their means. He does not propose to sustain His work by miracles. He has a few faithful stewards, who are economizing and using their means to advance His cause. Instead of self-denial and benevolence being an exception, they should be the rule. The growing necessities of the cause of God require means. Calls are constantly coming in from men in our own and foreign countries for messengers to come to them with light and truth. This will necessitate more laborers and more means to support them. {4T 483.1}[15]
§33
现今只有小量的金钱流入主的库中，用来救人，而且这笔款项还是费了许多力量才得到的。如果大家能打开眼睛，见到盛行的贪心之罪怎样拦阻了上帝工作的前进，大家若是接受上帝的计划，在十分之一及捐款上忠心，工作就会有更大的成就，远胜于今；就必有许多人作坚决的改革，因为他们不敢照旧拦阻上帝圣工的推进了。教会若肯为基督献上一切，就可作出很大的工作，但她对此事却昧然不知。真正的自我牺牲的精神，可以证明福音的实际和大能，使世人不至于误会或否认，而丰富的福气就必赐给教会了。{4T 483.2}[16]
§34
Only a small amount of means flows into the Lords treasury to be appropriated to the saving of souls, and it is with hard labor that even this is obtained. If the eyes of all could be opened to see how prevailing covetousness has hindered the advancement of the work of God, and how much more might have been done had all acted up to Gods plan in tithes and offerings, there would be a decided reform on the part of many; for they would not dare to hinder the work of advancing the cause of God as they have done. The church is asleep as to the work it might do if it would give up all for Christ. A true spirit of self-sacrifice would be an argument for the reality and power of the gospel which the world could not misunderstand or gainsay, and abundant blessings would be poured upon the church. {4T 483.2}[16]
§35
我呼吁我们的弟兄们停止夺取上帝之物。有些人处在非立遗嘱不可的地步，然而在立遗嘱时，应当注意，不可把应当流入上帝库中的钱财，归到儿女的项下。这些遗嘱往往是争论纷扰的题目。圣经上赞扬上帝古代的子民，说祂被称为他们的上帝，并不以为耻；此中的原因，就是他们没有自私自利地贪求属世的财产，或在属世的快乐中追求幸福；他们乃是将自己及自己一切所有的，都交在上帝的手中。他们只是为祂的荣耀而生活，明白宣示自己寻求更美的家乡，就是在天上的家乡。对于这一等人，上帝是不会觉得羞耻的。在世人的眼中看来，他们并没有羞辱上帝。天上的大君也不以称他们作弟兄为耻。{4T 484.1}[17]
§36
I call upon our brethren to cease their robbery of God. Some are so situated that wills must be made. But in doing this, care should be taken not to give to sons and daughters means which should flow into the treasury of God. These wills often become the subject of quarrels and dissensions. It is recorded to the praise of Gods ancient people that He was not ashamed to be called their God; and the reason assigned is that instead of selfishly seeking for and coveting earthly possessions, or seeking their happiness in worldly pleasures, they placed themselves and all that they had in the hands of God. They lived only for His glory, declaring plainly that they sought a better country, even a heavenly. Of such a people God was not ashamed. They did not disgrace Him in the eyes of the world. The Majesty of heaven was not ashamed to call them brethren. {4T 484.1}[17]
§37
有许多人竭力主张自己在现今所做的之外，不能更多贡献给上帝的圣工了；但他们却没有按自己的能力奉献。主有时使他们的进款减少到他们现今所愿给的地步，藉此打开他们被自私蒙蔽的眼目。牲畜死亡，房屋或仓库失火，或农事欠收。在许多情形之下，上帝赐福气来试验人，人若在十分之一及捐献上表现不忠心，祂的福气也就收回。“少种的少收”（林后9:6）。你们作基督门徒的人哪，我们现在因基督的恩典和祂丰盛的良善，及信仰与真理的荣誉，劝你们重新奉献自己和自己的财产给上帝。鉴于基督的大爱和慈悲使祂远离天庭，到地上来受苦，克己，遭辱和受死，每一个人都应当自问说：“我欠主多少呢？”然后按照你们自己怎样感激上天赐下爱子的大礼物，献上你们的感恩捐。{4T 484.2}[18]
§38
There are many who urge that they cannot do more for Gods cause than they now do; but they do not give according to their ability. The Lord sometimes opens the eyes blinded by selfishness by simply reducing their income to the amount they are willing to give. Horses are found dead in the field or stable, houses or barns are destroyed by fire, or crops fail. In many cases God tests man with blessings, and if unfaithfulness is manifested in rendering to Him tithes and offerings, His blessing is withdrawn. He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly. By the mercies of Christ and the riches of His goodness, and for the honor of truth and religion, we beseech you who are followers of Christ to dedicate yourselves and your property anew to God. In view of the love and compassion of Christ, which brought Him from the royal courts to suffer self-denial, humiliation, and death, let each ask himself the question, How much do I owe my Lord? and then let your grateful offerings be in accordance with your appreciation of the great gift of heaven in Gods dear Son. {4T 484.2}[18]
§39
在决定捐献给上帝圣工的比例时，务必多捐献超过本分所求的，而不可短缺。应当思念这捐款是为谁而献的。这样回想就可使贪心之念逃遁。只要思考基督的大爱怎样爱我们，我们最丰厚的奉献就似乎不配蒙祂悦纳了。我们若以基督为爱的对象，那么，凡接受祂赦罪之爱的人，就不至于停下来去估计那宝贵香膏的玉瓶的价值了。贪心的犹大可以如此行；但那接受救恩礼物的人，对于这种奉献，只有恨其不能更芬芳更宝贵而已。基督徒应当自视为导管通渠，使恩泽及福惠，由众善之源流给同胞，使他们悔改，同享天庭的礼物，将颂赞和捐献，如荣耀之潮涌入天庭。{4T 485.1}[19]
§40
In determining the proportion to be given to the cause of God, be sure to exceed, rather than fall short, of the requirements of duty. Consider for whom the offering is to be made. This recollection will put covetousness to flight. Only consider the great love wherewith Christ has loved us, and our richest offerings will seem unworthy of His acceptance. When Christ is the object of our affections, those who have received His pardoning love will not stop to calculate the value of the alabaster box of precious ointment. Covetous Judas could do this; but the receiver of the gift of salvation will only regret that the offering has not a richer perfume and greater value. Christians must look upon themselves only as channels through which mercies and blessings are to flow from the Fountain of all goodness to their fellow men, by whose conversion they may send to heaven waves of glory in praise and offerings from those who thus become partakers with them of the heavenly gift. {4T 485.1}[19]