第57章 节约与克己
§1
第57章 节约与克己
§2
Chap. 57 - Economy and Self-Denial
§3
在钱财支出上节约，是基督化智慧的一个卓越方面。那些在我们的各机构中身居要职的人没有充分考虑这个问题。金钱是上帝给人的一个极好的恩赐。它在上帝儿女的手中乃是饥饿之人的食物，干渴之人的饮料，赤身之人的衣服，受压迫之人的保护和病人得到健康的手段。不可将钱财不必要地浪费在满足骄傲或野心上。{4T 571.1}[1]
§4
Economy in the outlay of means is an excellent branch of Christian wisdom. This matter is not sufficiently considered by those who occupy responsible positions in our institutions. Money is an excellent gift of God. In the hands of His children it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, and raiment for the naked; it is a defense for the oppressed and a means of health to the sick. Means should not be needlessly or lavishly expended for the gratification of pride or ambition. {4T 571.1}[1]
§5
为了满足人们真实的需要，宗教原则的坚定宗旨必须成为控制的力量。当基督徒与世俗的人聚在一起时，他们不可与不圣洁的人同化。两者之间必须保持鲜明的对比。他们是两个主人的仆人。一等人力求持守顺从上帝要求的谦卑道路，就是纯朴、温柔和谦卑之路，效法他们的模范基督耶稣。另一等人却在各方面都与前一等人相反。他们是世界的仆人，热心渴望在奢侈的服装和食欲的满足上随从世界的时尚。这就是基督赐给那些在疗养院的人做指定工作的园地。他们不可就近世人的标准，离开主为赎民所筑要他们行在其间的高尚道路，以此来缩短我们和俗人之间的距离；而要让基督徒生活中所显出的吸引力——在我们日常的工作中，在将食欲控制在理智之下，保持服装的简朴和从事圣洁的交谈中所实行的原则——成为一盏明灯，不断光照那些有错误习惯之人的道路。{4T 571.2}[2]
§6
In order to meet the real wants of the people, the stern motives of religious principle must be a controlling power. When Christians and worldlings are brought together, the Christian element is not to assimilate with the unsanctified. The contrast between the two must be kept sharp and positive. They are servants of two masters. One class strive to keep the humble path of obedience to Gods requirements,--the path of simplicity, meekness, and humility,--imitating the Pattern, Christ Jesus. The other class are in every way the opposite of the first. They are servants of the world, eager and ambitious to follow its fashions in extravagant dress and in the gratification of appetite. This is the field in which Christ has given those connected with the sanitarium their appointed work. We are not to lessen the distance between us and worldlings by coming to their standard, stepping down from the high path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. But the charms exhibited in the Christians life--the principles carried out in our daily work, in holding appetite under the control of reason, maintaining simplicity in dress, and engaging in holy conversation--will be a light continually shining upon the pathway of those whose habits are false. {4T 571.2}[2]
§7
有些软弱空虚的人，思想没有深度，没有原则的力量，愚昧到足以被热爱时尚的人影响和败坏，以致脱离福音的简朴。他们若看到那些自称改革者的人在环境的允许下放纵食欲，并且按照世上的习惯着装，这些自我放纵的奴隶就会在错误的习惯上更加坚定。他们认为自己没有偏离正路太远，不必做出重大的改变。上帝的子民应当坚定地支持正义的标准，并且发挥一种影响力，纠正那些一贯追求时尚之人的错误习惯，打破撒但在这些可怜人身上的魔咒。世俗的人应当在他们自己的奢侈铺张和跟从基督之改革者们的简朴之间看到明显的差异。{4T 571.3}[3]
§8
There are weak and vain ones who have no depth of mind or power of principle, who are foolish enough to be influenced and corrupted from the simplicity of the gospel by the devotees of fashion. If they see that those who profess to be reformers are, as far as their circumstances will admit, indulging the appetite and dressing after the customs of the world, the slaves of self-indulgence will become confirmed in their perverse habits. They conclude that they are not so far out of the way after all, and that no great change need be made by them. The people of God should firmly uphold the standard of right and exert an influence to correct the wrong habits of those who have been worshiping at the shrine of fashion, and break the spell which Satan has had over these poor souls. Worldlings should see a marked contrast between their own extravagance and the simplicity of reformers who are followers of Christ. {4T 571.3}[3]
§9
人生成功的秘诀在于谨慎尽责地关注小事。上帝造了简单的叶子，小小的花，草的叶片，也同样用心地创造了世界。坚强美好品格的匀称结构是由个人尽本分的行为建造起来的。人人都应学会在最小的事上忠心，也在最大的责任上忠心。他们的工作若不包括忠心、勤奋、节俭地照料小事，就经不起上帝的检查。{4T 572.1}[4]
§10
The secret of lifes success is in a careful, conscientious attention to the little things. God makes the simple leaf, the tiny flower, the blade of grass, with as much care as He creates a world. The symmetrical structure of a strong, beautiful character is built up by individual acts of duty. All should learn to be faithful in the least as well as in the greatest duty. Their work cannot bear the inspection of God unless it is found to include a faithful, diligent, economical care for the little things. {4T 572.1}[4]
§11
凡在我们各机构工作的人，都应该热心注意什么都不要浪费，即使这事不在指定给他们的工作范围。每一个人都可以在节约方面有所作为。人人都应做自己的工作，不是为了赢得人们的称赞，而是要做得能经得往上帝的详细审查。{4T 572.2}[5]
§12
All who are connected with our institutions should have a jealous care that nothing be wasted, even if the matter does not come under the very part of the work assigned them. Everyone can do something toward economizing. All should perform their work, not to win praise of men, but in such a manner that it may bear the scrutiny of God. {4T 572.2}[5]
§13
有一次，基督曾给祂的门徒以一番值得细心注意的，有关节俭的教训。祂行了一个神迹，给数千饥饿的听祂教训的会众吃饱；然而在大家都吃而且吃饱之后，祂却不许糟蹋剩下的零碎。那位在他们需要之时能藉其神力供给他们食物的主，吩咐祂的门徒把剩下的零碎收拾起来，免得有糟蹋的。这个教训不但是为生存于基督那时代的人，也是为我们的益处而赐下的。上帝的圣子关心世人今生的需要。祂虽然能够随时任意摆设筵席，却绝不忽略筵席所剩下的零碎。我们机构的工人也很可以听从这个教训：“把剩下的零碎收拾起来，免得有糟蹋的”（约6:12）。这是众人的本分；而那些身居领导职位的人应该作出榜样。{4T 572.3}[6]
§14
Christ once gave His disciples a lesson upon economy which is worthy of careful attention. He wrought a miracle to feed the hungry thousands who had listened to His teachings; yet after all had eaten and were satisfied, He did not permit the fragments to be wasted. He who could, in their necessity, feed the vast multitude by His divine power, bade His disciples gather up the fragments, that nothing might be lost. This lesson was given as much for our benefit as for those living in Christs day. The Son of God has a care for the necessities of temporal life. He did not neglect the broken fragments after the feast, although He could make such a feast whenever He chose. The workers in our institutions would do well to heed this lesson: Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. This is the duty of all; and those who occupy a leading position should set the example. {4T 572.3}[6]
§15
凡慷慨解囊响应维持上帝圣工的呼求，并解救穷乏受苦者的人，决不是在业务管理方面松懈、散漫、拖拉的人。他们时时谨慎，以免入不敷出。他们基于原则而实行节俭；他们觉得节俭是他们的本分，以便有所奉献。{4T 573.1}[7]
§16
Those whose hands are open to respond to the calls for means to sustain the cause of God and to relieve the suffering and the needy are not the ones who are found loose and lax and dilatory in their business management. They are always careful to keep their outgoes within their income. They are economical from principle; they feel it their duty to save, that they may have something to give. {4T 573.1}[7]
§17
有些工人象以色列人一样，容让败坏的食欲和放纵的旧习惯叫嚷着作主。他们象古时的以色列人一样渴望得到埃及的韭菜和葱。凡在这些机构工作的人，都应当坚持生命和健康的定律，藉自己的榜样表明，他们丝毫不赞同别人的错误习惯。{4T 573.2}[8]
§18
Some of the workers, like the children of Israel, allow perverted appetite and old habits of indulgence to clamor for the victory. They long, as did ancient Israel, for the leeks and onions of Egypt. All connected with these institutions should strictly adhere to the laws of life and health, and thus give no countenance, by their example, to the wrong habits of others. {4T 573.2}[8]
§19
正是在小事上犯罪最初引人远离上帝。亚当和夏娃因着吃禁果这一宗罪，就给世界打开了祸患的洪闸。有些人可能视那个过犯为小事一桩，但我们看到它的结果却非同小可。天上的天使拥有比我们更广阔更高尚的行动范围，但正义对他们和对我们来说是同一回事。{4T 573.3}[9]
§20
It is transgression in the little things that first leads the soul away from God. By their one sin in partaking of the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve opened the floodgates of woe upon the world. Some may regard that transgression as a very little thing, but we see that its consequences were anything but small. The angels in heaven have a wider and more elevated sphere of action than we, but right with them and right with us are one and the same thing. {4T 573.3}[9]
§21
引导正确的管理人员责备目前存在的错误并要求所有的工人都公正、节俭和舍己的，并非自私吝啬的精神。在这些事上保护我们各机构的权益并不有损尊严。那些自己就忠心的人，自然会期望他人也忠心。严格的正直应该主导管理人员的行为，并实行于所有在他们指导下工作的人身上。{4T 573.4}[10]
§22
It is not a mean, penurious spirit that would lead the proper officers to reprove existing wrongs and require from all the workers justice, economy, and self-denial. It is no coming down from proper dignity to guard the interests of our institutions in these matters. Those who are faithful themselves, naturally look for faithfulness in others. Strict integrity should govern the dealings of the managers and should be enforced upon all who labor under their direction. {4T 573.4}[10]
§23
有原则的人不需要锁钥的限制；也不需要别人看守。他们会始终真诚高尚地行事，在独自一人没有别人看见他们的时候和在公共的场合一样。他们不会因任何数量的好处或自私的利益而玷污自己的心灵。他们蔑视卑鄙的行为。虽然没有别人知道，但他们自己知道，而这会摧毁他们的自尊。那些在小事上不忠心尽责的人，就算有律法、约束和处罚管制，也不愿实行改革。{4T 573.5}[11]
§24
Men of principle need not the restriction of locks and keys; they do not need to be watched and guarded. They will deal truly and honorably at all times, alone, with no eye upon them, as well as in public. They will not bring a stain upon their souls for any amount of gain or selfish advantage. They scorn a mean act. Although no one else might know it, they would know it themselves, and this would destroy their self-respect. Those who are not conscientious and faithful in little things would not be reformed were there laws and restrictions and penalties upon the point. {4T 573.5}[11]
§25
现今有道德毅力，能以抵抗试探，尤其是在食欲方面，并能实行克己自制的人，真是凤毛麟角。对于有些人来说，他们见到别人进食第三餐，便有了无力抵抗的太强试探，而幻想自己正在肚饿。其实这种感觉并不是胃要求食物，而是出于那未经坚定原则强化，和未受克己训练的头脑的欲望。克己自制和自我约束的墙垣，不应一下子就被攻破而倒塌。外邦人的使徒保罗说：“我是攻克己身，叫身服我，恐怕我传福音给别人，自己反被弃绝了”（林前9:27）。{4T 574.1}[12]
§26
Few have moral stamina to resist temptation, especially of the appetite, and to practice self-denial. To some it is a temptation too strong to be resisted to see others eat the third meal; and they imagine they are hungry, when the feeling is not a call of the stomach for food, but a desire of the mind that has not been fortified with firm principle and disciplined to self-denial. The walls of self-control and self-restriction should not in a single instance be weakened and broken down. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, says: I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. {4T 574.1}[12]
§27
凡在小事上不能得胜的人，不会有道德力量去抵挡更大的试探。凡力求使诚实为人生日常事物的主导原则的人，需要警惕自己不要“贪图一个人的金、银、衣服”（徒20:33）。他们若有衣有食就知足了，就容易保守自己的心和手不被贪婪和不诚实所玷污。{4T 574.2}[13]
§28
Those who do not overcome in little things will have no moral power to withstand greater temptations. All who seek to make honesty the ruling principle in the daily business of life will need to be on their guard that they covet no mans silver, or gold, or apparel. While they are content with convenient food and clothing, it will be found an easy matter to keep the heart and hands from the defilement of covetousness and dishonesty. {4T 574.2}[13]
§29
童年时期和青少年时期形成的习惯，在使男男女女成为智力上的伟人或矮子跛子上的影响力，比任何天赋都大；因为最佳的才干也可因错误的习惯而变得扭曲衰弱。品格在很大程度上是在早年决定的。青少年时期形成正确善良的习惯，通常会影响人的一生。在多数情况下，那些敬畏上帝和尊重正义的人，在世界能将其罪恶的形像印在心灵上之前，就已学到了这个教训。成年男女一般象坚硬的岩石那样不易受到新的感动；但年轻人是易受影响的，容易形成正确的品格。{4T 574.3}[14]
§30
The habits formed in childhood and youth have more influence than any natural endowment in making men and women intellectually great or dwarfed and crippled; for the very best talents may, through wrong habits, become warped and enfeebled. To a great extent the character is determined in early years. Correct, virtuous habits formed in youth will generally mark the course of the individual through life. In most cases those who reverence God and honor the right will be found to have learned this lesson before the world could stamp its images of sin upon the soul. Men and women of mature age are generally as insensible to new impressions as is the hardened rock; but youth is impressible, and a right character may then be easily formed. {4T 574.3}[14]
§31
那些在我们的各机构工作的人，在许多方面都有最佳的优势，可以养成正确的习惯。谁也不会被置于试探接触不到之处，因为每一个人的品格上都有弱点，若受到攻击就有危险。那些自称信奉基督之名的人，不应该象自以为义的法利赛人一样，很高兴地叙述自己的好行为，而应感到必须以不住的警醒保守支持道德本性。他们应当象忠心的哨兵一样保护心灵的堡垒，决不要以为自己可以片刻放松警惕。他们唯一的保障在于恳切的祷告和活泼的信心。{4T 575.1}[15]
§32
Those who are employed in our institutions have, in many respects, the best advantages for the formation of correct habits. None will be placed beyond the reach of temptation, for in every character there are weak points that are in danger when assailed. Those who profess the name of Christ should not, like the self-righteous Pharisee, find great pleasure in recounting their good deeds, but all should feel the necessity of keeping the moral nature braced by constant watchfulness. Like faithful sentinels they should guard the citadel of the soul, never feeling that they may relax their vigilance for a moment. In earnest prayer and living faith is their only safety. {4T 575.1}[15]
§33
那些开始漫不经心地行路的人，在他们意识到之前，他们的脚就会陷在网罗里，是他们自己不可能解脱的。人人都应以诚实正直为一个既定的原则。他们无论贫富，无论有朋友还是独自一人，无论会临到什么，都应该靠着上帝的力量下定决心，不让任何影响使他们去犯一个至小的错误。大家都应当认识到，上帝在我们中间设立的这些机构的兴旺，在一定的程度上有赖于他们个人。{4T 575.2}[16]
§34
Those who begin to be careless of their steps will find that, before they are aware of it, their feet are entangled in a web from which it is impossible for them to extricate themselves. It should be a fixed principle with all to be truthful and honest. Whether they are rich or poor, whether they have friends or are left alone, come what will, they should resolve in the strength of God that no influence shall lead them to commit the least wrong act. One and all should realize that upon them, individually, depends in a measure the prosperity of the institutions which God has established among us. {4T 575.2}[16]