第47章 将属上帝的归给祂
§1
第47章 将属上帝的归给祂
§2
Chap. 47—Giving to God His Own
§3
主已赐给祂子民一道现代信息；这信息记载在《玛拉基书》第三章中。主用来说明祂的要求的方法，还有比祂在这一章所用的更明显更有力的吗？{6T384.1}[1]
§4
The Lord has given His people a message for this time. It is presented in the third chapter of Malachi. How could the Lord present His requirements in a clearer or more forcible manner than He has done in this chapter??{6T 384.1}[1]
§5
人人都当记得上帝对我们所有的要求，乃是一切其它要求的基础。上帝丰丰富富地赐给我们，然而祂和人所定的合约，乃是从他所有的财物中，取出十分之一来归还祂。主施恩将祂的财宝托付祂的管家，但对于十分之一，祂却说：这是我的。上帝既然将祂的产业赐与人，因此人也须按所赐的，忠心将自己所有财物的十分之一，归还上帝。这种独特的安排原是耶稣基督亲自作出的。{6T384.2}[2]
§6
All should remember that God’s claims upon us underlie every other claim. He gives to us bountifully, and the contract which He has made with man is that a tenth of his possessions shall be returned to God. The Lord graciously entrusts to His stewards His treasures, but of the tenth He says: This is Mine. Just in proportion as God has given His property to man, so man is to return to God a faithful tithe of all his substance. This distinct arrangement was made by Jesus Christ Himself.?{6T 384.2}[2]
§7
这事包含严肃永远的后果，而且它太神圣了，不可任由人的意愿去处理。对于这事，我们不该以为有自由照自己所选择的去处理，为了响应上帝的要求，我们理当按时将当纳的保存起来，分别为圣，以供祂工作之用。{6T384.3}[3]
§8
This work involves solemn and eternal results, and it is too sacred to be left to human impulse. We should not feel free to deal with this matter as we choose. In answer to the claims of God, regular reserves should be set apart as sacred to His work.?{6T 384.3}[3]
§9
【初熟的果子】
§10
除了十分之一以外，主也要我们将所有进益的初熟果子献给祂。这些乃是祂所保留的，以便丰足地维持祂在地上的工作。主的仆人们不应因供应不济而受限制，祂的使者也不应在提供生命之道的工作上，感受不便。他们在传讲真理之时，自当供应无缺，以便推进这在适当的时期所必须完成的工作，使之发生最佳的最能救人的感化力。慈善之事必须去作，穷苦受难的人必须救济，也当拨付捐献，维持此举。特别是在新开工的地方，真理的旗帜尚未树立起来，这种工作必须去作。倘若一切号称属上帝的人，无论老幼都各尽本分，那么仓库就必不致缺乏了。倘若各人都忠心缴纳十分之一，又将自己进项中初熟的果子献给主，则圣工的费用，就必得到充分的供给。可惜上帝的律法没有受到尊重或服从，因此便招致了穷困的压迫。{6T384.4}[4]
§11
【The First Fruits】
§12
Besides the tithe the Lord demands the first fruits of all our increase. These He has reserved in order that His work in the earth may be amply sustained. The Lord’s servants are not to be limited to a meager supply. His messengers should not be handicapped in their work of holding forth the word of life. As they teach the truth they should have means to invest for the advancement of the work, which must be done at the right time in order to have the best and most saving influence. Deeds of mercy must be done; the poor and suffering must be aided. Gifts and offerings should be appropriated for?this purpose. Especially in new fields, where the standard of truth has never yet been uplifted, this work must be done. If all the professed people of God, both old and young, would do their duty, there would be no dearth in the treasury. If all would pay a faithful tithe and devote to the Lord the first fruits of their increase, there would be a full supply of funds for His work. But the law of God is not respected or obeyed, and this has brought a pressure of want.?{6T 384.4}[4]
§13
【当记念穷人】
§14
当从生活中革除一切的奢侈浪费，因为我们工作的时间不多了。我们四周耳目所及，无非是穷困苦难。多少家庭需要粮食；多少孩子饥饿啼哭！多少人家徒四壁，缺乏适当的家具和被褥。许多人寄身于穷街陋巷，穷困潦倒。穷人的冤声已上达于天，上帝已经看到而且也听到了。然而，却有许多人仍在自我炫耀。在他们的同胞缺衣乏食，受苦受难时，他们却花费大量钱财在他们的餐桌上，并且暴饮贪食，远过于他们所需要的。这班自私自利，妄用上帝钱财的人，来日将如何交账啊！凡是不顾上帝为穷人所作之安排的人，必有一日会发觉不但劫夺了自己的同胞，更因而夺了上帝，盗用了祂的财物。{6T385.1}[5]
§15
【Remember the Poor】
§16
Every extravagance should be cut out of our lives, for the time we have for work is short. All around us we see want and suffering. Families are in need of food; little ones are crying for bread. The houses of the poor lack proper furniture and bedding. Many live in mere hovels which are almost destitute of conveniences. The cry of the poor reaches to heaven. God sees; God hears. But many glorify themselves. While their fellow men are poor and hungry, suffering for want of food, they expend much on their tables and eat far more than they require. What an account men will by and by have to render for their selfish use of God’s money! Those who disregard the provision God has made for the poor will find not only that they have robbed their fellow men, but that in robbing them they have robbed God and have embezzled His goods.?{6T 385.1}[5]
§17
【万有都是属上帝的】
§18
人所享受的一切美福，无不出自上帝的宏恩。祂是那伟大而仁厚的赐与者。祂的爱在祂为人类所作充分的准备上，已向众人表露无遗了。祂赐给我们宽容的时期，以便塑造进入天庭的品格。祂之所以要我们将所有的为祂保留一部分，并不是因为祂有任何的需要。{6T385.2}[6]
§19
【All Things Belong to God】
§20
All the good that man enjoys comes because of the mercy of God. He is the great and bountiful Giver. His love is manifest to all in the abundant provision made for man. He has given us probationary time in which to form characters for the courts above. And it is not?because He needs anything that He asks us to reserve a part of our possessions for Him.?{6T 385.2}[6]
§21
主在伊甸园中创造了各样的树，可以悦人的眼目，其上的果子好作食物；祂吩咐亚当夏娃，叫他们随意享受祂所厚赐的一切。唯一的例外，便是那棵分别善恶树上的果子，他们不可吃。上帝保留这棵树，特为用来时常提醒人想到祂对万有的所有权。这样，上帝也给他们一个机会，使之藉着完全顺从祂的要求，表明他们对祂的信赖。{6T386.1}[7]
§22
The Lord created every tree in Eden pleasant to the eyes and good for food, and He bade Adam and Eve freely enjoy His bounties. But He made one exception. Of the tree of knowledge of good and evil they were not to eat. This tree God reserved as a constant reminder of His ownership of all. Thus He gave them opportunity to demonstrate their faith and trust in Him by their perfect obedience to His requirements.?{6T 386.1}[7]
§23
上帝在我们身上的要求权也是如此。祂将祂的财物交在人的手中，但却要人忠心将十分之一拨出为祂工作而用，祂要人将这一部分全然送入祂的仓库。因为这原是属祂的，理应缴纳给祂；这也是分别为圣的，当为神圣的目的而用，就是供应那将救恩信息传至普天下各处的人。上帝保留这一份，为的是使财物能川流不息地归入祂的仓库，以便将真理的光散布给远近各方的人。藉着忠心顺从这种要求，我们就表示承认万有都是属上帝的。{6T386.2}[8]
§24
So it is with God’s claims upon us. He places His treasures in the hands of men, but requires that one tenth shall be faithfully laid aside for His work. He requires this portion to be placed in His treasury. It is to be rendered to Him as His own; it is sacred and is to be used for sacred purposes, for the support of those who carry the message of salvation to all parts of the world. He reserves this portion, that means may ever be flowing into His treasure house and that the light of truth may be carried to those who are nigh and those who are afar off. By faithfully obeying this requirement we acknowledge that all belongs to God.?{6T 386.2}[8]
§25
难道主无权向我们作这种要求吗？祂因为爱我们，想要救我们脱离死亡，不是曾将祂的独生子赐给我们吗？难道我们还不该将感恩的捐献全然送入祂的仓库，好在地上推进祂的国度吗？既然上帝是我们一切财物的所有者，难道我们还不存心感激，自动地奉献乐意捐和感恩捐，藉以表达我们承认祂对我们的身，心，灵，以及财产的主权吗？倘若人人都尊从了上帝的计划，则目前财物就必流入祂的仓库；而所有供给传道人进入新的地区，以及帮助工人与传道人联合在世上各黑暗之处高举真理旗帜的费用，也必丰富有余了。{6T386.3}[9]
§26
And has not the Lord a right to demand this of us? Did He not give His only-begotten Son because He loved us and desired to save us from death? And shall not our gratitude offerings flow into His treasury to be drawn therefrom to advance His kingdom in the earth? Since God is the owner of all our goods, shall not gratitude to Him prompt us to make freewill offerings and thank offerings, thus acknowledging His ownership of soul, body, spirit, and property? Had God’s plan been followed, means would now be flowing into His treasury; and funds to enable ministers to enter new fields, and workers to unite with ministers in lifting up the standard of truth in the dark places of the earth, would be abundant.?{6T 386.3}[9]
§27
【无可推诿】
§28
上帝的物当归给上帝，这原是一种天定的计划；而且这一计划又是如此地简明易晓，因此无论男女，若误解或借故规避上帝托付给他的这种本分与责任，都是无法辞咎的。凡声称看不出自己具有这种责任的人，便是向天上的世界，向教会，同时也向世人显明他们是不愿意理会这简明的要求。他们以为遵从上帝的计划，就必令自己的财产受到亏损。他们因自私的贪婪之心，竟企图将全部资财，连本带利，据为己有，专为个人的利益而用。{6T387.1}[10]
§29
【Without Excuse】
§30
It is a heaven-appointed plan that men should return to the Lord His own; and this is so plainly stated that men and women have no excuse for misunderstanding or evading the duties and responsibilities God has laid upon them. Those who claim that they cannot see this to be their duty, reveal to the heavenly universe, to the church, and to the world that they do not want to see this plainly stated requirement. They think that by following the Lord’s plan they would detract from their own possessions. In the covetousness of their selfish souls they desire to have the whole capital, both principal and interest, to use for their own benefit.?{6T 387.1}[10]
§31
上帝将祂的手放在人所有的财产上，说：我是宇宙之主，这些财物也是我的。你们所扣留不缴的十分之一，原是我准备供养我的仆人，作为向那仍处在黑暗地区而不明白我律法的人宣讲圣经之用。你们用我所保留的款项来满足你们个人的欲望，便是夺取了我所预先准备要给多人得到的亮光。你们本来有机会可以向我表示忠诚，但你们却没有这样行，你们既已夺取了我，偷盗了我所保留的款项。“咒诅就临到你们身上”（玛3:9）。{6T387.2}[11]
§32
God lays His hand upon all man’s possessions, saying: I am the owner of the universe, and these goods are Mine. The tithe you have withheld I reserve for the support of My servants in their work of opening the Scriptures to those who are in the regions of darkness, who do not understand My law. In using My reserve fund to gratify your own desires you have robbed souls of the light which I made provision for them to receive. You have had opportunity to show loyalty to Me, but you have not done this. You have robbed Me; you have stolen My reserve fund. “Ye are cursed with a curse.”?Malachi 3:9.?{6T 387.2}[11]
§33
【另一次的机会】
§34
主是恒久忍耐又有恩慈的，祂给那些已经犯此大恶的人另一个机会，说：“现在你们要转向我，我就转向你们。”但他们却说：“我们如何才是转向呢”（玛3:7）？这班人将财物花在侍奉自我、满足自我的事上，好像他们的财物并非借来的，而是自己固有的一般。他们的良心已经败坏到顽梗不化的程度，以致看不出自己所行的大恶是如何地阻碍了真理的进展。{6T387.3}[12]
§35
【Another Opportunity】
§36
The Lord is long-suffering and gracious, and to those who have done this wickedness He gives another opportunity. “Return unto Me,” He says, “and I will return unto you.” But they say: “Wherein shall we return?”?Verse 7. Their means have been made to flow in channels of self-service and self-glorification as if their goods were their own and not lent treasures. Their perverted consciences have become so hard and unimpressible that they do not see the great wickedness they have done in so?hedging up the way that the cause of truth could not advance.?{6T 387.3}[12]
§37
有限的世人虽然擅自使用了上帝所保留的钱财，就是那原应用以宣扬救恩，将救主之爱的佳音传给将亡之人的钱财，又因自私拦阻真理的道路，他们却反问道：“我们在何事上夺取祢的供物呢？”上帝回答说：“就是你们在当纳的十分之一和当献的供物上。因你们通国的人都夺取我的供物，咒诅就临到你们身上。”全世界都在参加夺取上帝供物的事。人们将上帝借给他们的钱财，都花费在放荡，嬉游，狂欢，宴乐，以及种种无耻纵欲的事上。但是上帝说：“我必临近你们，施行审判”（玛3:8,9,5）。在那大日，整个的世界要作一次总清算，那时各人要按自己所行的接受判决。{6T388.1}[13]
§38
Man, finite man, though using for himself the talents which God has reserved to publish salvation, to send the glad news of a Saviour’s love to perishing souls, though hedging up the way by his selfishness, inquires: “Wherein have we robbed Thee?” God answers: “In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation.”?Verses 8, 9. The whole world is engaged in robbing God. With the money He has lent them, men indulge in dissipation, in amusements, revelings, feasting, and disgraceful indulgences. But God says: “I will come near to you to judgment.”?Verse 5. The whole world will have an account to settle in that great day when everyone shall receive sentence according to his deeds.?{6T 388.1}[13]
§39
【应许之福】
§40
上帝亲自保证赐福给凡遵守祂诫命的人说：“你们要将当纳的十分之一全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。万军之耶和华说，我必为你们斥责蝗虫，不容它毁坏你们的土产。你们田间的葡萄树在未熟之先，也不掉果子。万军之耶和华说：万国必称你们为有福的，因你们的地必成为喜乐之地”（玛3:10-12）。{6T388.2}[14]
§41
【The Blessing】
§42
God pledges Himself to bless those who obey His commandments. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.”?Verses 10-12.?{6T 388.2}[14]
§43
人们既有了这些真理亮光的话语摆在面前，怎能大胆地忽略这一明明白白的本分呢？既然顺从上帝的条件，就必在属世和属灵的事物上蒙祂赐福；而不顺从意味着上帝的咒诅，他们怎么还敢违背上帝呢？撒但原是个破坏者。上帝既不能赐福给那些不肯作祂忠心管家的人；因此祂就只能允许撒但遂行其败坏的工作。我们目击各种各类的灾难以各种程度降在地上，其原因何在？原来是主没有运用祂约束的能力。世人已经漠视了上帝的道；他们活在世上，好像是没有上帝似的。正如挪亚时代地上的居民一般，他们拒绝想到上帝。罪恶盛行到了令人惊慌的程度，地上的庄稼已经成熟可以收割了。{6T388.3}[15]
§44
With these words of light and truth before them, how dare men neglect so plain a duty? How dare they disobey God when obedience to His requirements means His blessing in both temporal and spiritual things, and disobedience means the curse of God? Satan is the?destroyer. God cannot bless those who refuse to be faithful stewards. All He can do is to permit Satan to accomplish his destroying work. We see calamities of every kind and in every degree coming upon the earth, and why? The Lord’s restraining power is not exercised. The world has disregarded the word of God. They live as though there were no God. Like the inhabitants of the Noachic world, they refuse to have any thought of God. Wickedness prevails to an alarming extent, and the earth is ripe for the harvest.?{6T 388.3}[15]
§45
【发怨言的人】
§46
“耶和华说：‘你们用话顶撞我。你们还说：我们用什么话顶撞了祢呢？’你们说：事奉上帝是徒然的，遵守上帝所吩咐的，在万军之耶和华面前苦苦斋戒，有什么益处呢？如今我们称狂傲的人为有福，并且行恶的人得建立。他们虽然试探上帝，却得脱离灾难”（玛3:13-15）。这些怨言是那班扣留属上帝之物的人所发的。上帝请他们试试祂，要他们将当纳的十分之一全然送入仓库，看祂是否倾福与他们。但他们却存心违抗，反倒埋怨上帝；同时还夺取上帝的供物，盗用祂的货财。及至他们恶行昭著，无可掩饰，他们却说：我竟遭灾蒙难，收成欠佳；而恶人却反倒兴旺；看起来遵守上帝所吩咐的，真不合算。{6T389.1}[16]
§47
【The Complainers】
§48
“Your words have been stout against Me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against Thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.”?Verses 13-15. Those who withhold from God His own make these complaints. The Lord asks them to prove Him by bringing their tithe into His storehouse to see whether He will not pour them out a blessing. But they cherish rebellion in their hearts and complain of God; at the same time they rob Him and embezzle His goods. When their sin is presented before them, they say: I have had adversity; my crops have been poor; but the wicked are prospered; it does not pay to keep the ordinance of the Lord.?{6T 389.1}[16]
§49
然而上帝并不想叫人在祂面前悲伤地行走。那班如此埋怨上帝的人遭灾蒙难，原是自作自受。他们夺取了上帝的供物，将原应缴入祂府库的钱作为自私之用，以致祂的圣工受了拦阻。他们未曾实行上帝所定规的计划，在这事上显出了对祂不忠。在上帝使他们兴旺之时，祂要他们将属祂的一份交出来，但他们却摇头否认那是他们当尽的本分。他们既然闭住自己心中的眼睛，自然看不出来。殊不知他们扣留了主的款项，拦阻了祂所期望必须完成的工作。在运用祂所托管的财物上，上帝并未受到尊敬。因此，祂就让咒诅临到他们身上，容行毁坏的来毁坏他们的果子，又使各种灾难落在他们的头上。{6T389.2}[17]
§50
But God does not want any to walk mournfully before Him. Those who thus complain of God have brought their adversity on themselves. They have robbed God, and His cause has been hindered because the money that should have flowed into His treasury was used for selfish purposes. They showed their disloyalty to God by failing to carry out His prescribed plan. When God prospered them, and they were asked to give Him His portion, they shook their heads and could not see that it was their duty. They closed the eyes of their understanding, that they might not see. They withheld the Lord’s money and hindered the work which He designed to have done. God was not honored by the use made of His entrusted goods. Therefore He let the curse fall upon them, permitting the spoiler to destroy their fruits and to bring calamities upon them.?{6T 389.2}[17]
§51
【“敬畏耶和华的”】
§52
《玛拉基书》三章十六节又提到另外一班态度全然相反的人，这班人聚集一起，并不是要对上帝吹毛求疵，乃是要述说祂的荣耀，宣讲祂的恩慈。他们已忠心克尽自己的本分，将属上帝的献给上帝了。他们所作的见证叫天使也歌唱欢呼；对于上帝，他们也没有丝毫怨言。因为凡行在光中的人一定忠于职守，克尽本分，既不埋怨，也不挑错。他们所说的尽都是鼓励，希望，和满有信心的话语，只有那班侍奉自我，不愿将属上帝之物归给祂的人，才会埋怨。{6T390.1}[18]
§53
【“They that Feared the Lord”】
§54
In?Malachi 3:16?an opposite class is brought to view, a class that meet together, not to find fault with God, but to speak of His glory and tell of His mercies. These have been faithful in their duty. They have given to the Lord His own. Testimonies are borne by them that make the heavenly angels sing and rejoice. These have no complaints to make against God. Those who walk in the light, who are faithful and true in doing their duty, are not heard complaining and finding fault. They speak words of courage, hope, and faith. It is those who serve themselves, who do not give God His own, that complain.?{6T 390.1}[18]
§55
“那时，敬畏耶和华的彼此谈论，耶和华侧耳而听，且有记念册在祂面前，记录那敬畏耶和华、思念祂名的人。万军之耶和华说：在我所定的日子，他们必属我，特特归我。我必怜恤他们，如同人怜恤服事自己的儿子。那时你们必归回，将善人和恶人、事奉上帝的和不事奉上帝的分别出来”（玛3:16-18）。{6T390.2}[19]
§56
“They that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.”?Verses 16-18.?{6T 390.2}[19]
§57
诚心慷慨的报偿，乃是心思意念得到引导，与圣灵发生更密切的交往。{6T390.3}[20]
§58
The reward of whole-souled liberality is the leading of mind and heart to a closer fellowship with the Spirit.?{6T 390.3}[20]
§59
凡发觉自己不幸而债台高筑的人，千万不可将属上帝的一份挪来偿还同伴的债。他应该认为自己是在这一类的事上受着考验，而且将属上帝的款项留为己用，也就是夺取那位厚赐与人者的供物了。他为自己所有的一切，对上帝原是负债人，如果再以主所保留的偿付所欠世人的债，那么他便是双重的负债人了，在天上的簿册中，他的名下要写着“对上帝不忠”的字样。他在将主的钱财拨充个人方便之用的这件事上，将来要向上帝交帐。并且他这种误用上帝财物所显出来的缺少原则，也必在处理其它事项上表现出来。不但如此，凡与他个人业务有关的事件，莫不会有同样的表现。像这样夺取上帝供物的人，正在习之成性，将要自行断送进入上帝天家的权利。{6T391.1}[21]
§60
The man who has been unfortunate, and finds himself in debt, should not take the Lord’s portion to cancel his debts to his fellow men. He should consider that in these transactions he is being tested, and that in reserving the Lord’s portion for his own use he is robbing the Giver. He is debtor to God for all that he has, but he becomes a double debtor when he uses the Lord’s reserved fund in paying debts to human beings. “Unfaithfulness to God” is written against his name in the books of heaven. He has an account to settle with God for appropriating the Lord’s means for his own convenience. And the want of principle shown in his misappropriation of God’s means will be revealed in his management of other matters. It will be seen in all matters connected with his own business. The man who will rob God is cultivating traits of character that will cut him off from admittance into the family of God above.?{6T 391.1}[21]
§61
一个人如果将财物作为自私的用途，便证明他对上帝的不忠，同时也表示这管理财物的人，不配受上天更高尚的委托。{6T391.2}[22]
§62
A selfish use of riches proves one unfaithful to God, and unfits the steward of means for the higher trust of heaven.?{6T 391.2}[22]
§63
行善的道路和机会到处皆有。新的需要不住的发现，各布道区的工作也因缺少经济而受到阻滞。除非上帝的子民醒悟，认清事情的真相，则这一切工作势非放弃不可。但愿你们不要等到临终才留下遗嘱，乃当趁着有生之日，将钱财早作合理的处置。{6T391.3}[23]
§64
There are channels everywhere through which benevolence may flow. Needs are constantly arising, missions are handicapped for want of means. These must be abandoned unless God’s people awake to the true state of things. Wait not until your death to make your will, but dispose of your means while you live.?{6T 391.3}[23]