第27章 基督徒的成长
§1
第27章 基督徒的成长
§2
Chap. 27—Christian Growth
§3
我蒙指示，那些有了真理知识而仍容其一切能力专注于世俗的事务的人，乃是不忠实的。他们没有用好行为来使真理之光照耀别人。他们的才干几乎全用来作成精明奸巧的属世之人。他们忘了自己的才干原是上帝所赐，用以推进其圣工的。他们若忠于本分，结果就可拯救许多生灵归于救主；但是许多人却因他们的疏忽而灭亡了。{5T263.2}[1]
§4
I have been shown that those who have a knowledge of the truth, and yet allow all their powers to be absorbed in worldly interests, are unfaithful. They are not, by their good works, letting the light of truth shine to others. Nearly all their ability is devoted to becoming sharp, skillful men of the world. They forget that their talents were given them of God to be used in advancing His cause. If they were faithful to their duty, the result would be great gain of souls to the Master, but many are lost through their neglect. God calls upon those who know His will to be doers of?His word. Weakness, halfheartedness, and indecision provoke the assaults of Satan; and those who permit these traits to grow will be borne helplessly down by the surging waves of temptation. Everyone who professes the name of Christ is required to grow up to the full stature of Christ, the Christian’s living head.?{5T 263.2}[1]
§5
上帝呼召那些明白祂旨意的人，要作遵行祂话的人。软弱无力，没有诚意，以及犹疑不决，引起了撒但的攻击；凡容让这些恶习生长的人，必然毫无救助地被试探之澎湃波浪所淹没。每位称呼基督之名的人，都必须长大成人，满有基督长成的身量。祂乃是基督徒生命之元首。{5T264.1}[2]
§6
We all need a guide through the many strait places in life as much as the sailor needs a pilot over the sandy bar or up the rocky river, and where is this guide to be found? We point you, dear brethren, to the Bible. Inspired of God, written by holy men, it points out with great clearness and precision the duties of both old and young. It elevates the mind, softens the heart, and imparts gladness and holy joy to the spirit. The Bible presents a perfect standard of character; it is an infallible guide under all circumstances, even to the end of the journey of life. Take it as the man of your counsel, the rule of your daily life.?{5T 264.1}[2]
§7
我们在经历人生的许多窘隘之处，需要一个领导者，正如同水手在经过砂洲或上溯多礁的河流之时，需要一位领港员一样，这位领导者哪里可以找到呢？亲爱的弟兄们，我向你们指出的，那就是圣经。圣经是出于上帝的默示，由圣人写下来，向老幼之人极其清楚而肯定地指明其本分。它能提高思想，软化人心，并使人的心灵有圣洁之喜乐与愉悦。圣经显明品格的完全标准；它在无论何种环境下，直到生命途程结束之日，均为绝无错误的领导者。应当用圣经作你们的顾问，作你们日常生活的准则。{5T264.2}[3]
§8
Every means of grace should be diligently improved that the love of God may abound in the soul more and more, “that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness.” Your Christian life must take on vigorous and stalwart forms. You can attain to the high standard set before you in the Scriptures, and you must if you would be children of God. You cannot stand still; you must either advance or retrograde. You must have spiritual knowledge, that you “may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ,” that you may “be filled with all the fullness of God.”?{5T 264.2}[3]
§9
应当殷勤善用各种恩典，使上帝的爱在心灵中充满，多而又多，“使你们能分别是非，作诚实无过的人，直到基督的日子；并靠着耶稣基督结满了仁义的果子”（腓1:10,11）。你们的基督徒生活应当显出强壮勇敢的样式。你们可以达到圣经在你们面前所定的高尚标准，而且如果要作上帝的儿女，便必须如此。你们不能站立不动；若不前进势必后退。你们必须有属灵的知识，以致“能以和众圣徒一同明白基督的爱，是何等长阔高深，”以便“叫上帝一切所充满的，充满了你们”（弗3:18,19）。{5T264.3}[4]
§10
Many who have an intelligent knowledge of the truth, and are able to defend it by arguments, are doing nothing for the upbuilding of Christ’s kingdom. We meet them from time to time, but they bear no fresh testimonies of personal experience in the Christian life; they relate no new victories gained in the holy warfare. Instead of this you notice the same old routine, the same expressions in prayer and exhortation.?Their prayers have no new note; they express no greater intelligence in the things of God, no more earnest, living faith. Such persons are not living plants in the garden of the Lord, sending forth fresh shoots and new foliage, and the grateful fragrance of a holy life. They are not growing Christians. They have limited views and plans, and there is no expansion of mind, no valuable additions to the treasures of Christian knowledge. Their powers have not been taxed in this direction. They have not learned to view men and things as God views them, and in many cases unsanctified sympathy has injured souls and greatly crippled the cause of God. The spiritual stagnation that prevails is terrible. Many lead a formal Christian life and claim that their sins have been forgiven, when they are as destitute of any real knowledge of Christ as is the sinner.?{5T 264.3}[4]
§11
许多有真理的优越知识，能用论据为真理辩护的人，对建立基督国度却毫无贡献。我们常常遇到他们；但他们个人在基督徒生活上却没有见证出新的经验；在神圣的战争上也没有新的胜利可陈述。反之，你倒注意他们一仍旧惯，在祈祷及劝导上也是率由陈章。他们的祈祷没有新鲜的语调；在有关上帝的事上表现不出更大的理解，没有更恳切活泼的信心。这等人在主的园中不是活的树，不会发新芽，萌新叶，及吐露圣洁生活的愉快香气。他们不是长进的基督徒。他们的眼光及计划都不远大。没有扩大的思想，在基督徒知识的宝藏上也没有作可贵的充实。他们的能力未运用在这方面上。他们没有学习对于人及事物的看法象上帝的看法一样，并在许多情形之下，那不圣洁的同情心已伤害了人，及大大摧残了上帝的圣工。流行的灵性消沉之气象甚是可怕。许多人过着一种形式上的基督徒生活，声称自己的罪已蒙赦免，其实他们却对基督缺乏真正的认识，正如罪人一样。{5T264.4}[5]
§12
Brethren, will you have a stinted Christian growth, or will you make healthy progress in the divine life? Where there is spiritual health there is growth. The child of God grows up to the full stature of a man or woman in Christ. There is no limit to his improvement. When the love of God is a living principle in the soul, there are no narrow, confined views; there is love and faithfulness in warnings and reproofs; there is earnest work and a disposition to bear burdens and take responsibilities.?{5T 265.1}[5]
§13
弟兄们哪，你们在基督徒的生长上是愿意受限制呢，还是愿意在神圣的生活上有健旺的进步呢？何处有属灵的健康，何处就有生长。上帝的儿女要在基督里生长，满有男女成人的身量。他的进步是无止境的。何时上帝的爱在人的心灵中成了一种活的原理，就不会有狭窄及拘泥的见解；在警告与责备中就必有仁爱与忠实；也就有热诚的工作及负责尽职的意向。{5T265.1}[6]
§14
Some are not willing to do self-denying work. They show real impatience when urged to take some responsibility. “What need is there,” say they, of an increase of knowledge and experience? This explains it all. They feel that they are “rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing,” while heaven pronounces them poor, miserable, blind, and naked. To these the True Witness says: “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Your very self-complacency shows you to be in need of everything. You are spiritually sick and need Jesus as your physician.?{5T 265.2}[6]
§15
有些人不愿作克己的工作。在人劝勉他们去担负些责任之时，他们就表现出不耐烦地说：“加增知识及经验，究竟有何必要呢？”此语道破了一切。他们觉得自己是“富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺，”其实上天却宣布他们是困苦，可怜，贫穷，瞎眼，赤身的。那诚信真实见证者对这些人说道：“我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足；又买白衣穿上，叫你赤身的羞耻不露出来；又买眼药擦你的眼睛，使你能看见”（启3:17,18）。你们的自满自足，显明你们是样样都缺少。你们是属灵的病人，需要耶稣作你们的医师。{5T265.2}[7]
§16
In the Scriptures thousands of gems of truth lie hidden from the surface seeker. The mine of truth is never exhausted. The more you search the Scriptures with humble hearts, the greater will be your interest, and the more you will feel like exclaiming with Paul: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” Every day you should learn something new from the Scriptures. Search them as for hid treasures, for they contain the words of eternal life. Pray for wisdom and understanding to comprehend these holy writings. If you would do this you would find new glories in the word of God; you would feel that you had received new and precious light on subjects connected with the truth, and the Scriptures would be constantly receiving a new value in your estimation.?{5T 266.1}[7]
§17
在圣经中埋藏有千万真理的珍宝，是肤浅的寻求者所找不到的。真理的矿藏是永不衰竭的。你们越多虚心地查究圣经，你们的兴趣也就越大，并要越想与保罗一样感叹：“深哉，上帝丰富的智慧和知识。祂的判断何其难测！祂的踪迹何其难寻”（罗11:33）！你们每日当从圣经中学习一些新的知识。寻找它们象寻找隐藏的财宝一样，因为其中含有永生之道。应当祈求智慧及聪明，以便明了这些神圣的著作。你们若肯这样行，就必从上帝的话中找到新的荣光；你们也会觉得自己在与真理有关的题目上，已得了新鲜宝贵的亮光，并且在你们的估量中，圣经要不断地得到新的价值。{5T266.1}[8]
§18
“The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly.” Jesus says: “Behold, I come quickly.” We should keep these words ever in mind, and act as though we do indeed believe that the coming of the Lord is nigh, and that we are pilgrims and strangers upon the earth. The vital energies of the church of God must be brought into active exercise for the great object of self-renovation; every member must be an active agent for God. “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief Cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” This is a particular work, which must be carried forward in all harmony, in unity of Spirit, and in the bonds of peace. No place should be given to criticisms, doubts, and unbelief.?{5T 266.2}[8]
§19
“耶和华的大日临近，临近而且甚快”（番1:14）。耶稣说：“看哪，我必快来”（启22:7）。这些话我们当时常铭记在心，并且在行动上表示实在相信主来甚近，而我们只是在地上作旅客及寄居的。上帝教会的主要精力，都必须活泼运用在自我革新的这个大目标上；每位教友当作上帝的活泼代表。“因为我们两下藉着祂被一个圣灵所感，得以进到父面前。这样，你们不再作外人和客旅，是与圣徒同国，是上帝家里的人了。并且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶稣自己为房角石，各房靠祂联络得合式，渐渐成为主的圣殿。你们也靠祂同被建造，成为上帝藉着圣灵居住的所在”（弗2:18-22）。这是一种特别的工作，必须在完全的和谐，团结的精神，及和平的联络之下进行。不可给批评，怀疑，及不信留地步。{5T266.2}[9]
§20
The Upper Columbia and North Pacific Conferences [See footnote on page 249.] are years behind. Some who ought to be strong and established in Christ are as babes in understanding and experimental?knowledge of the workings of the Spirit of God. After years of experience they are able to comprehend only the first principles of that grand system of faith and doctrine that constitutes the Christian religion. They do not comprehend that perfection of character which will receive the commendation: “Well done.”?{5T 266.3}[9]
§21
上哥伦比亚和北太平洋各区会已落后数年。有些原应在基督里刚强稳健的人，在对于上帝圣灵运行的了解与实际经验上却有如婴孩一般。经过数年的经历之后，他们对基督教伟大信仰与教义系统的理解，也只是初步原则而已。他们没有领会那将要被主称赞为“好”的完美品格。{5T266.3}[10]
§22
Brethren, your duty, happiness, future usefulness, and final salvation call upon you to sever the tendrils of your affections from everything earthly and corruptible. There is an unsanctified sympathy that partakes of the nature of lovesick sentimentalism and is earthly, sensual. It will require no feeble effort for some of you to overcome this and change the course of your life, for you have not placed yourselves in connection with the Strength of Israel and have become enfeebled in all your faculties. Now you are loudly called upon to be diligent in the use of every means of grace, that you may be transformed in character and may grow to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.?{5T 267.1}[10]
§23
弟兄们哪，你们的本分，幸福，未来的贡献，及最后的得救，都在催促你们把自己情意的卷发从世俗及败坏的诸事上割断。有一种不圣洁的同情心，是与害相思病的伤感主义本性有份，是属地的，属情欲的。你们有些人若要胜过这种情形及改变人生的行径，决非怯弱之挣扎所能奏效的，因为你们尚未使自己与“以色列的保障”相联，并且你们的全部官能也都衰弱了。现今主大声招呼你们，要殷勤利用各种的恩赐，俾能变化品格，并在基督耶稣里长大成人，满有成年男女的身量。{5T267.1}[11]
§24
We have great victories to gain, and a heaven to lose if we do not gain them. The carnal heart must be crucified; for its tendency is to moral corruption, and the end thereof is death. Nothing but the life-giving influences of the gospel can help the soul. Pray that the mighty energies of the Holy Spirit, with all their quickening, recuperative, and transforming power, may fall like an electric shock on the palsy-stricken soul, causing every nerve to thrill with new life, restoring the whole man from his dead, earthly, sensual state to spiritual soundness. You will thus become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust; and in your souls will be reflected the image of Him by whose stripes you are healed.?{5T 267.2}[11]
§25
我们有大胜利可以获致，若得不到，就必失去天国。必须钉死属肉体的心；因为有道德败坏的倾向，而其终局便是死亡。只有福音赐人生命之感化力，才能帮助人。应当祈求圣灵的伟大活力，挟其一切苏醒，复原，及变化之能而俱来，象一道电流般刺激麻木的心魂，使每根神经有新生的震动，使人从死亡，属地，及情欲的情况中，复原到灵性健全的境遇。这样，你们就得与上帝的性情有份，脱离世上从情欲来的败坏；并且必在你们的心魂上返照那为你们受鞭伤而使你们得医治之主的形象。{5T267.2}[12]
§26
【Tithes and Offerings】
§27
The Lord requires that we return to Him in tithes and offerings a portion of the goods He has lent us. He accepts these offerings as an act of humble obedience on our part and?a grateful acknowledgment of our indebtedness to Him for all the blessings we enjoy. Then let us offer willingly, saying with David: “All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.” Withholding more than is meet tends to poverty. God will bear long with some, He will test and prove all; but His curse will surely follow the selfish, world-loving professor of truth. God knows the heart; every thought and every purpose is open to His eye. He says: “Them that honor Me I will honor, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” He knows whom to bless and who are deserving of His curse. He makes no mistakes, for angels are keeping a record of all our works and words.?{5T 267.3}[12]
§28
【十分之一与奉献】
§29
主命我们在十分之一和奉献上将祂所借给我们的财物归还一部分。祂悦纳这些奉献，作为我们谦卑顺从的一个举动，怀感恩之心承认我们所享有的一切福惠都是欠祂的债。那么就让我们乐意奉献吧，与大卫一同说：“万物都从祢而来，我们把从祢而得的献给祢”（代上29:14）。扣交所该缴纳的会使人贫穷。上帝会长久宽容忍受一些人，祂必试验考验所有人；而祂的咒诅也必随着自私、爱世界却自称信奉真理的人。上帝知道人心；每一个思想和目的在祂眼前都是赤露敞开的。祂说：“尊重我的，我必重看他；藐视我的，他必被轻视”（撒上2:30）。祂知道谁该蒙祝福谁该受咒诅。祂不会犯错，因为天使们保有一份关于我们所有言行的记录。{5T267.3}[13]
§30
When the people of God were about to build the sanctuary in the wilderness, extensive preparations were necessary. Costly materials were collected, and among them was much gold and silver. As the rightful owner of all their treasures, the Lord called for these offerings from the people; but He accepted only those that were given freely. The people offered willingly, until word was brought to Moses: “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.” And the proclamation was made to all the congregation: “Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.”?{5T 268.1}[13]
§31
当上帝的子民在旷野即将造圣所时，需要做大量的准备工作。贵重的材料收集起来，其中有大量的金银。作为他们一切财富的合法拥有者，主要求百姓奉献这些供物；但祂只悦纳乐意的奉献。百姓甘心乐意地奉献，直到有人对摩西说：“百姓为耶和华吩咐使用之工所拿来的，富富有余。”于是向全会众宣告说：“无论男女，不必再为圣所拿什么礼物来。这样才拦住百姓不再拿礼物来。因为他们所有的材料够做一切当做的物，而且有余”（出36:5-7）。{5T268.1}[14]
§32
Had some men of limited ideas been on the ground they would have opened their eyes in horror. Like Judas they would have asked: “To what purpose is this waste?” “Why not make everything in the cheapest manner?” But the sanctuary was not designed to honor man, but the God of heaven. He had given specific directions how everything was to be done. The people were to be taught that He was a being of greatness and majesty, and that He was to be worshiped with reverence and awe.?{5T 268.2}[14]
§33
要是有些思想狭隘的人在场，他们就会惊恐地睁大眼睛，象犹大一样问：“何用这样枉费呢”（太26:8）？“为什么不以最便宜的方式作每件事呢？”但是圣所原不是用来尊荣人的，而是要尊荣天上的上帝的。祂已就每件事该怎么做作了明确的指示。百姓要受到教育知道祂的伟大与威严，而且要存尊敬和敬畏的心崇拜祂。{5T268.2}[15]
§34
The house where God is worshiped should be in accordance with His character and majesty. There are small?churches that ever will be small because they place their own interests above the interests of God’s cause. While they have large, convenient houses for themselves, and are constantly improving their premises, they are content to have a most unsuitable place for the worship of God, where His holy presence is to dwell. They wonder that Joseph and Mary were obliged to find shelter in a stable, and that there the Saviour was born; but they are willing to expend upon themselves a large part of their means, while the house of worship is shamefully neglected. How often they say: “The time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.” But the word of the Lord to them is: “Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste?”?{5T 268.3}[15]
§35
敬拜上帝的圣所应该与祂的品格和威严相称。有些小教会一直发展不起来，因为他们将自己的利益置于上帝圣工的利益之上。他们自己拥有舒适的大房屋，并且在不断改善他们的住所，同时却满足于在一个极不相称的地方敬拜上帝，以容纳祂神圣的临格。他们惊讶约瑟和马利亚竟被迫在一个马棚里栖身，让救主降生在那里，他们自己却不愿花费一大部分的钱财，致使敬拜之所羞愧地被忽略了。他们常说：“建造耶和华殿的时候尚未来到。”但主对他们说：“这殿仍然荒凉，你们自己还住天花板的房屋吗”（该1:2,4）？{5T268.3}[16]
§36
The house where Jesus is to meet with His people should be neat and attractive. If there are but few believers in a place, put up a neat but humble house, and by dedicating it to God invite Jesus to come as your guest. How does He look upon His people when they have every convenience that heart could wish, but are willing to meet for His worship in a barn, some miserable, out-of-the-way building, or some cheap, forsaken apartment? You work for your friends, you expend means to make everything around them as attractive as possible; but Jesus, the One who gave everything for you, even His precious life,—He who is the Majesty of heaven, the King of kings and Lord of lords,—is favored with a place on earth but little better than the stable which was His first home. Shall we not look at these things as God looks at them? Shall we not test our motives and see what kind of faith we possess??{5T 269.1}[16]
§37
耶稣与祂子民相会之所应该是整洁而舒服的。如果某处只有一些信徒，就当建一个整洁简朴的敬拜之所，并且藉着将它奉献给上帝，邀请耶稣来作你们的贵宾。若是祂的子民很惬意地住在便利舒适的房屋里，却甘愿在一个谷仓，一所简陋不得体的房屋，或某个低劣废弃的房间里相聚敬拜祂，祂会怎么看他们呢？你们为自己的朋友作事，化钱使他们环境尽量舒服；但是你们给耶稣的，却是一个比马棚——祂第一个家——好不了多少的地方。祂曾为你们舍了一切，甚至祂的宝贵生命；祂是天上的至尊，万王之王，万主之主。我们岂不该照上帝的眼光看待这些事吗？我们岂不该省察我们的动机，看看我们拥有什么样的信心吗？{5T269.1}[17]
§38
“God loveth a cheerful giver,” and those who love Him will give freely and cheerfully when by so doing they can advance His cause and promote His glory. The Lord never requires His people to offer more than they are able, but according to their ability He is pleased to accept and bless their thank offerings. Let willing obedience and pure love bind upon the altar every offering that is made to God; for with such sacrifices He is well pleased, while those that are offered?grudgingly are an offense to Him. When churches or individuals have no heart in their offerings, but would limit the cost of carrying forward the work of God, and gauge it by their own narrow views, they show decidedly that they have no living connection with God. They are at variance with His plan and manner of working, and He will not bless them.?{5T 269.2}[17]
§39
“捐得乐意的人是上帝所喜爱的”（林后9:7），那些爱祂的人必高高兴兴地慷慨奉献，只要可以藉此推进祂的圣工、显扬祂的荣耀。主从未要祂的百姓奉献多过他们所能奉献的，而是要按照他们的能力悦纳并祝福他们感恩的奉献。要让甘心的顺从和纯洁的爱与祭坛上对上帝的每样奉献相结合；因为这样的牺牲祂甚是喜悦，而那些勉强的奉献乃是得罪祂的。何时教会或个人无心奉献，而愿限制推进上帝圣工的花费，用他们自己狭隘的见解衡量它，他们就明确地显示自己与上帝毫无活泼的联络。他们与祂的计划和作工的方式不符，祂也不会祝福他们。{5T269.2}[18]
§40
We are builders for God, and we must build upon the foundation which He has prepared for us. No man is to build upon his own foundation, independent of the plan which God has devised. There are men whom God has raised up as counselors, men whom He has taught, and whose heart and soul and life are in the work. These men are to be highly esteemed for their work’s sake. There are some who will wish to follow their own crude notions; but they must learn to receive advice and to work in harmony with their brethren, or they will sow doubt and discord that they will not care to harvest. It is the will of God that those who engage in His work shall be subject to one another. His worship must be conducted with consistency, unity, and sound judgment. God is our only sufficient helper. The laws which govern His people, their principles of thought and action, are received from Him through His word and Spirit. When His word is loved and obeyed, His children walk in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in them. They do not accept the world’s low standard, but work from the Bible standpoint.?{5T 270.1}[18]
§41
我们是为上帝建造的人。我们必须在祂为我们预备的根基上建造。任何人都不得在自己的根基上建造，不遵照上帝所定的计划。有些人是上帝所兴起来作谋士的，是受祂所教导的人。他们的心灵和生活都在圣工上。这些人为他们工作的缘故应受到高度尊敬。有些人愿意随从他们自己肤浅的看法；他们应该学习接受建议，并与弟兄们和谐同工，否则他们就会撒播怀疑及不和的种子，收他们不喜欢收的结果。上帝的旨意乃是要参加祂圣工的人彼此顺服。对祂的敬拜必须团结一致，健全明智。统管祂子民的律法，他们思想与行为的原则，都是藉着祂的道和祂的灵从祂领受的。何时祂的儿女喜爱并顺从了祂的道，他们就行在光中，决不会绊跌。他们不接受世界的低标准，而是根据圣经的立场行事。{5T270.1}[19]
§42
The selfishness which exists among God’s people is very offensive to Him. The Scriptures denounce covetousness as idolatry. No “covetous man,” says Paul, “who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” The trouble with many is that they have too little faith. Like the rich man in the parable they want to see their supplies piled up in their granaries. The world is to be warned, and God wants us wholly engaged in His work; but men have so much to do to forward their money-making projects that they have no time to push the triumphs of the cross of Christ. They have neither time nor disposition to put their intellect, tact, and energy into the cause of God.?{5T 270.2}[19]
§43
上帝子民中所存在的自私是非常得罪祂的。圣经公开指责贪心就是拜偶像。保罗说：“有贪心的，在基督和上帝的国里都是无分的。有贪心的，就与拜偶像的一样”（弗5:5）。许多人的问题出在他们的信心太小了。他们象比喻中的那个财主一样，想要看到自己的仓房充盈。世界要受到警告。上帝希望我们全部参加祂的圣工；但人们有那么多事要做，要推进他们热心赚钱的计划，以致没有时间去推进基督十字架的胜利。他们既没有时间也没有意向把他们的才智、聪明和精力投入上帝的圣工。{5T270.2}[20]
§44
Brethren and sisters, I wish to excite in your minds disgust for your present limited ideas of God’s cause and work. I want you to comprehend the great sacrifice that Christ made for you when He became poor, that through His poverty you might come into possession of eternal riches. Oh! do not, by your indifference to the eternal weight of glory which is within your reach, cause angels to weep and hide their faces in shame and disgust. Arouse from your lethargy; arouse every God-given faculty, and work for precious souls for whom Christ died. These souls, if brought to the fold of Christ, will live through the ceaseless ages of eternity; and will you plan to do as little as possible for their salvation, while, like the man with the one talent, you invest your means in the earth? Like that unfaithful servant, are you charging God with reaping where He has not sown, and gathering where He has not strewed??{5T 271.1}[20]
§45
弟兄姐妹们，我想鼓励你们放弃你们目前对于上帝的事业和工作的局限观念。我希望你们领会基督为你们做出的伟大牺牲。祂成了贫穷，好藉着祂的贫穷使你们拥有永恒的财富。不要因漠不关心你们所能获得的极重无比永远的荣耀而使众天使哭泣，羞耻而厌恶地向你们掩面。从昏睡中醒来吧。要让上帝赐给你们的每一能力都振作起来，为基督所代死的宝贵生灵作工。这些人若被带到基督的羊圈，就能得享永生。你岂能为他们的得救尽量少作计划，象那持有一千银子的人那样，把你们的钱财埋在地里吗？或是象那个不忠心的仆人一样，指责上帝没有种的地方要收割，没有散的地方要聚敛吗（太25:24）？[21]
§46
All that you have and are belongs to God. Then will you not say from the heart: “All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee”? “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase.” Paul thus exhorts his Corinthian brethren to Christian beneficence: “As ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.” In his epistle to Timothy he says: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”?{5T 271.2}[21]
§47
你们所拥有的一切和你们自己都是属于上帝的。你难道不从心里说“万物都从你而来，我们把从你而得的献给你”（代上29:14）吗？“你要以财物和一切初熟的土产尊荣耶和华”（箴3:9）。保罗劝他在哥林多的弟兄们要表现出基督徒的善行：“你们既然在信心、口才、知识、热心，和待我们的爱心上，都格外显出满足来，就当在这慈惠的事上也格外显出满足来”（林后8:7）。他在给提摩太的书信中说：“你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，也不要倚靠无定的钱财；只要倚靠那厚赐百物给我们享受的上帝。又要嘱咐他们行善，在好事上富足，甘心施舍，乐意供给人，为自己积成美好的根基，预备将来，叫他们持定那真正的生命。”（提前6:17-19）。{5T271.2}[22]
§48
Liberality is not so natural to us that we gain this virtue by accident. It must be cultivated. We must deliberately resolve that we will honor God with our substance; and then we must let nothing tempt us to rob Him of the tithes and offerings that are His due. We must be intelligent, systematic, and continuous in our acts of charity to men and our expressions?of gratitude to God for His bounties to us. This is too sacred a duty to be left to chance or to be controlled by impulse or feeling. We should regularly reserve something for God’s cause, that He may not be robbed of the portion which He claims. When we rob God we rob ourselves also. We give up the heavenly treasure for the sake of having more of this earth. This is a loss that we cannot afford to sustain. If we live so that we can have the blessing of God we shall have His prospering hand with us in our temporal affairs, but if His hand is against us He can defeat all our plans and scatter faster than we can gather.?{5T 271.3}[22]
§49
我们并不是生来就慷慨的。我们的这种美德来之不易，必须予以培养。我们要决心用我们财物尊荣上帝，不要让任何试探引诱我们抢夺祂所应得的十分之一和供献。我们在帮助别人和因上帝待我们的厚恩而向祂表示感激时应当聪明有序，持之以恒。这个本分非常神圣，不可凭着心血来潮或感情冲动。我们应该定期为上帝的圣工储备一些钱财，好使祂当得的那一份不被抢夺。当我们抢夺上帝时，我们也是在抢夺我们自己。我们为了拥有这世界更多的东西而放弃了天上的财宝。这是我们担当不起的损失。我们若要过得蒙上帝祝福的生活，就要有祂使人兴旺的手与我们一切现世的事务同在。但是祂如果出手反对我们，就会击败我们的一切计划，比我们能收聚的更快地分散出去。{5T271.3}[23]
§50
I was shown that the situation of things in these two conferences is sad indeed; but God has many precious souls here over whom He has a jealous care, and He will not leave them to be deceived and misled.?{5T 272.1}[23]