第05章 资金状况
§1
第05章 资金状况Chap. 5—Finance【工资】
§2
能干的文字布道士和传道人应该得到足够的工作报酬。然而谁也不要抱着在今生得奖赏的期望作工；他们应当定睛于赛跑结束时的奖赏。{MC56.1}[1]
§3
【Wages】
§4
The efficient colporteur as well as the minister should have a sufficient remuneration for his services. But none should labor with the expectation of receiving their reward in this life; their eyes should be fixed steadfastly upon the prize at the end of the race.?{MC 56.1}[1]
§5
心中以上帝圣工为念的工人，必不会坚持最高的薪金。他不会像我们有些青年那样辩称，除非他把外貌装饰得时髦雅致，和住在最好的旅馆里，就不会有人买他的书。凡是这样的人都不要参加文字布道工作。文字布道士所需要的，不是无懈可击的外表，花花公子或纨绔子弟的口才，而是在容貌上反映出诚实和忠贞的品格。温和仁爱的性情在面容上所留下的印象，使老练的眼光也看不见欺诈，察不出什么浮夸的举动。{MC56.2}[2]
§6
The worker who has the cause of God at heart will not insist on receiving the largest remuneration. He will not plead as some of our youth have done, that unless he can make a stylish and elegant appearance, and board at the best hotels, he will not be patronized. Let all such be excused from entering the work. What the canvasser needs is not the faultless apparel or the address of the dandy or the fop, but that honesty and integrity of character which is reflected in the countenance. Kindness and gentleness leave their impress upon the face, and the practised eye sees no deception, detects no pomposity.?{MC 56.2}[2]
§7
我们的弟兄们除非有意让真理被人误解和误表，就当在拣选文字布道士上十分谨慎。对于一切真正的工人，自当给予优惠的工资，但却不可增加到要收买文字布道士的程度，因为这样行是会伤害他们的，使他们成为自私及挥霍无度的人。应当设法以真正布道工作的精神及保证成功所必要的资格，来感动他们。{MC56.3}[3]
§8
Unless our brethren are willing for the truth to be misrepresented and misapprehended, they must exercise discretion in selecting canvassers and colporteurs. All real workers should receive good pay; but the sum should not in anywise be increased to buy canvassers; for this course hurts them. It makes them selfish and spendthrifts. Seek to impress them with the spirit of true missionary work, and with the qualifications essential to success.?{MC 56.3}[3]
§9
有些在文字布道园地的工人不作任何牺牲。若是前途都已预备妥当，并可得到最高的待遇，他们就愿意参加这项工作。有许多的诱惑勾引文字布道士去推销通俗流行的书报，许以厚薪重利，以致许多人就不肯领受较少的待遇，去推销关于现代真理的书报。因此我们也加增待遇，提高到与其他出版商所出的相等，结果，推销我们的书报给世人的费用就很大；许多文字布道士得钱很容易，同时花钱也很随便。{MC56.4}[4]
§10
Some of the workers in the canvassing field are making no sacrifices. When the way is all?prepared for them, and they can secure the highest commission, they are willing to enter the field. Many inducements are presented to canvassers to handle popular books; large commissions are offered them; and many refuse to work for less in circulating books that treat on present truth. Therefore the inducements have been increased to correspond to those offered by other publishers; and as a consequence the expense of getting our publications before the people is large; many of the canvassers obtain their money easily, and spend it freely.?{MC 56.4}[4]
§11
青年人可被训练去做比现今所成就的更佳的工作，并且在经济方面也可比现今所费的更节省。应当举起旗号，让克己牺牲而爱上帝爱人的人来参加工人的队伍。应当让那些不希望安逸，而要在各种困难挫折之中勇敢及有胆量的人前来。也当让那些自己赏识我们书报的价值，而能使其得享美名的人前来。{MC57.1}[5]
§12
Young men can be trained to do much better work than has been done, and on much less pay than many have received. Lift up the standard, and let the self-denying and self-sacrificing, the lovers of God and of humanity, join the army of workers. Let them come, not expecting ease, but to be brave and of good courage under rebuffs and hardships. Let those come who can give a good report of our publications, because they themselves appreciate their value.?{MC 57.1}[5]
§13
在主的各部门工作上，都必须实行节约。现代青年的自然倾向，是疏忽节约，轻看节约，将之与吝啬、小气相混淆。然而节约符合最宽宏最慷慨的观念和感情。人若不实行节约，就决不能有真正的慷慨。无论何人，不应以研究经济之道及节省零碎费用为不值得的事。基督行了一件显著神迹以后说：“把剩下的零碎收拾起来，免得有糟踏的”（约6:12）。{MC57.2}[6]
§14
【Economy】
§15
Economy is needed in every department of the Lord’s work. The natural turn of youth in this age is to neglect and despise economy, and to confound it with narrowness and stinginess. But economy is consistent with the most broad and liberal views and feelings. Where it is not practised, there can be no true liberality. No one should think it beneath him to study the best means of saving the fragments. After Christ had performed a notable miracle,?He said, “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.”?John 6:12.?{MC 57.2}[6]
§16
许多差旅费用的开销是不必要的。昔日信仰这信息的先贤们，心中十分关切上帝的圣工，甚至于旅馆里每餐只需二角五分钱的饭，他们也很少到那里去吃一餐的。然而现今男女青年大都没有受过经济节俭的训练，以致随处浪费而又浪费。有些家庭真是浪费得恶劣，若能合理地节省其费用，就足以养活另一家人。若是我们的青年人在旅行之时能将所花的钱一一详细记账，他们就可看出漏洞之所在了。早期的职工们在出门旅行之时，常常不吃热的饭食，现今的青年们虽不必刻苦到那样的地步，但也可学习用比他们所认为必需的更少的钱数来供应自己真正的需要。既有人实行克己牺牲，以便捐钱给上帝的圣工；那么，在教会内的职工们也当尽力节省自己的费用，来实行克己牺牲。我们的一切职工，最好能研究古时的瓦典西传道士的历史，并效法他们克己牺牲的榜样。{MC58.1}[7]
§17
Quite a sum may be expended in hotel bills that are not all necessary. The cause of God lay so near the hearts of the pioneers in this message that they seldom took a meal at a hotel, even though the cost was but twenty-five cents each. But young men and young women generally are not educated to economize; and everywhere waste follows waste. In some families there is a wicked waste of material which, if reasonable economy were exercised, would be sufficient to support another family. If, while traveling, our youth will keep an exact account of the money they spend, item by item, as it is their duty to do, their eyes will be opened to see the leak. While they may not be called upon to deprive themselves of warm meals, as the early workers did in their itinerant life, they may learn to supply their real wants with much less expense than they now think necessary. There are persons who practise self-denial in order to give means to the cause of God; then let the workers in the service of God in any line also practise self-denial by limiting their expense as far as possible. It would be well for all our workers to study the history of the Waldensian missionaries, and to approach the imitation of their example of sacrifice and self-denial.?{MC 58.1}[7]
§18
【诚实的需要】
§19
文字布道士若走邪道，说谎话或行骗，就必失去自尊心。他也许不觉得上帝在观察和洞悉他的一切业务活动，他也许不知道圣天使在衡量他的动机及细听他的言语，他也许没想到将来要照着自己的行为受报应；但即使他的不正当行为能瞒过人和上帝的鉴察而只有自己知道，这也足以降低他的心思及人格。一件行为虽不足以断定其品格，但已足以破坏品格的栅栏，以致下次试探来时就更容易受惑，终至于在业务上养成了欺诈不诚实的习惯，人也不能信任他了。{MC58.2}[8]
§20
【The Need of Integrity】
§21
If the canvasser pursues a wrong course, if he utters falsehood or practises deception, he loses his own self-respect.?He may not be conscious that God sees him, and is acquainted with every business transaction, that holy angels are weighing his motives and listening to his words, and that his reward will be according to his works; but even if it were possible to conceal his wrong-doing from both human and divine inspection, his own knowledge of the sin is degrading to mind and character. One act does not determine the character, but it breaks down the barrier, and the next temptation is more readily entertained, until finally a habit of prevarication and dishonesty in business is formed, and the man can not be trusted.?{MC 58.2}[8]
§22
在家庭和教会里，言行显然矛盾却不予重视的人真是太多了。有些青年表里不一。看似诚实忠厚，其实正像粉饰的坟墓，外面好看，里面污秽。他们的心染满了罪的污点；天庭的簿子上，也是这样记录着。他们的心思经过了一番的造作，已变得刚硬麻木了。但到了上帝的大日，他们的品格若在圣所的天平上显出亏欠，他们所要遭遇的祸患，则是他们现今所没想到的。真理，贵重而毫无玷污的真理，应当成为品格的一部分。{MC59.1}[9]
§23
In the family and in the church there are too many who make little account of glaring inconsistencies. There are young men who appear what they are not. They seem honest and true; but they are like whited sepulchers, fair without, but full of corruption within. The heart is spotted, stained with sin; thus the record stands in the heavenly courts. A process has been going on in the mind that has made them callous, past feeling. But if their characters, weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, are pronounced wanting in the great day of God, it will be a calamity that they do not now comprehend. Truth, precious, untarnished truth, is to be a part of the character.?{MC 59.1}[9]
§24
人生的道路，无论你选取哪一方向，总是危机四伏的。教会中无论哪一部门的职工，若是对自身的永恒利益抱疏忽不关心的态度，就要遭遇重大的损失。试探者会前来接近他们，为他们的脚步张下罗网，并引他们走上无定向之路。惟有那些以纯正原理保障其心的人，才有安全。他们会像大卫那样祷告说：“我的脚踏定了祢的路径，我的两脚未曾滑跌”（诗17:5）。我们必须时刻与心中的自私和败坏作战。虽然恶人似乎往往顺利，但是凡忘记上帝的人，即或是一时片刻忘记，总必行在危险的路上。他们或许不觉到危险，然而在他们觉悟之前，习惯就像铁链那样把他们绑住，使他们作自己所儿戏之罪恶的奴隶。上帝轻视他们的行径，祂的福气必不随着他们。生与死摆在每一个工人面前。他们有最强烈的动机可以藉着顺从上帝的律法而选择生。{MC59.2}[10]
§25
Whatever way is chosen, the path of life is beset with perils. If the workers in any branch of the cause become careless and inattentive to their eternal interests, they are meeting with great loss. The tempter will find access to them.?He will spread nets for their feet, and will lead them in uncertain paths. Those only are safe whose hearts are garrisoned with pure principles. Like David they will pray, “Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.”?Psalm 17:5. A constant battle must be kept up with the selfishness and corruption of the human heart. Often the wicked seem to be prospered in their way; but those who forget God, even for an hour or a moment, are in a dangerous path. They may not realize its perils, but ere they are aware, habit, like an iron band, holds them in subjection to the evil with which they have tampered. God despises their course, and unless they turn from their evil ways, His blessing can not attend them. Life and death are set before every worker, and the strongest motives are presented to induce them to choose life by obedience to God’s law.?{MC 59.2}[10]
§26
我见过有些青年没有感到这工作的重要性也未与上天联络就来担任这种工作。他们故意置身于试探之途以显自己的勇气。他们笑别人的愚蠢，以为自己知道正路，并知道自己当怎样行动。他们想自己能何其轻易地抵挡试探！以为他们会跌倒，真是多么无谓！然而，他们并没有以上帝为保障。撒但已为他们预备了一种诡秘的陷阱，结果就使他们成了愚人的笑柄。{MC60.1}[11]
§27
I have seen that some young men undertake this work without having a sense of its importance, and without connecting themselves with Heaven. They place themselves in the way of temptation to show their bravery. They laugh at the folly of others. They boast that they know the right way; they know how to conduct themselves. How easily they can resist temptation! how vain to think of their falling! But they make not God their defense. Satan has an insidious snare prepared for them, and they become the sport of fools.?{MC 60.1}[11]
§28
我们从良心上拆去了一重保障，放纵一种恶习，疏忽一次责任的高要求，都可成为迷途的开始，终必使你与那事奉撒但的人为伍，而同时口中还时时自称爱上帝并为其圣工牺牲呢。一时的欠考虑，一步的失足，都可使你一生的方针趋向错误之途。{MC60.2}[12]
§29
One safeguard removed from the conscience, the indulgence of one evil habit, a single neglect?of the high claims of duty, may be the beginning of a course of deception that will pass you into the ranks of those who are serving Satan, while you are all the time professing to love God and to be sacrificing for His cause. A moment of thoughtlessness, a single misstep, may turn the whole current of your life in the wrong direction.?{MC 60.2}[12]
§30
凡是手中有罪的污迹，或是心中未与上帝和好的人，决不应该参加文字布道工作，因为这种人一定会使真理的圣工受羞辱。凡在传道的工作上效劳的人，必须有上帝引导他们。他们应当谨慎，在正直的路上有正确的开始，然后要安静而稳健地步步前进。他们应当有坚定意志，因为撒但决心努力打倒他们。{MC61.1}[13]
§31
No one whose hands are defiled with sin, or whose heart is not right with God, should have any part in the work of the canvasser or the colporteur; for such persons will surely dishonor the cause of truth. Those who are workers in the missionary field need God to guide them. They should be careful to start right, and then press quietly and firmly on in the path of rectitude. They should be decided; for Satan is determined and persevering in his efforts for their overthrow.?{MC 61.1}[13]
§32
在这项工作中，必有许多的试探，将考验青年人所养成的习惯和所获得之宗教原则的纯正和力量。{MC61.2}[14]
§33
In this work there will be many temptations that will test whatever integrity and strength of religious principles and habits young men have acquired.?{MC 61.2}[14]
§34
整个人生乃是一个短暂的考验时期。那些从事文字布道这种重要工作的人，必须不断谨慎自守，免得让撒但占便宜。大量小试探会袭击主正在试验的人，他若坚持原则稳如磐石，乃是因为他时刻倚靠主上帝。“总要披戴主耶稣基督，不要为肉体安排，去放纵私欲”（罗13:14）。心灵真诚的呼声应当是：“耶和华啊，请说，仆人敬听”（撒上3:9）。{MC61.3}[15]
§35
The whole period of life is a brief season of trial. Those who engage in a work so important as the canvassing work must constantly guard self, lest Satan obtain the advantage. A multitude of petty temptations will assail the one whom the Lord is testing, and if he stands firm as a rock to principle it is because he makes the Lord God his trust every moment. “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”?Romans 13:14. Let the sincere cry of the soul be, “Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth.”?The work is halting because gospel principles are disregarded by so many who claim to be following Christ. Some have brought themselves and their families into most distressing circumstances through poor management in book-canvassing. They have run in debt, and have borrowed money of men not of our faith.?{MC 61.3}[15]
§36
许多自称跟从基督的人因为无视福音的原则而使工作停滞不前。一些人因为在推销书报上不善经营，使自己和家庭陷入非常困窘的境况中。他们欠下债务，并向与我们不同信仰的人借钱。{MC62.1}[16]
§37
With the work of scattering our publications and advocating the truth, some have mingled scheming, buying and selling. This makes a bad combination. As they labor to obtain advantage for themselves, they are allured by the prospect of buying things for less and selling them for more than their value. Therefore the world regards them as sharpers, men who will gain advantage for themselves without considering the case of others. They do not keep the commandments of God; for they do not love their neighbor as themselves.?{MC 62.1}[16]
§38
有些人把推销我们书刊和宣扬真理的工作，与投机买卖混杂在一起。这种混杂是很不好的。他们既为自己的利益操劳，就受到诱惑进行低价购进，高价出售的买卖，让世人看他们是奸商，专门损人利己。他们没有遵守上帝的诫命；因为他们没有爱邻舍如同自己。{MC62.2}[17]
§39
Some have engaged in canvassing for other books than those bearing on present truth. Because they professed to be Christians, they were trusted. Their claim to be Seventh-day Adventists led their employers to put confidence in them, and it was not thought necessary to place them under restrictions. Some had a very low standard of righteousness and honesty, and they took advantage of this confidence. They squandered the money taken for books, money that belonged to their employers. They made false statements; and some even committed theft, forgery, and robbery.[17]
§40
有些人推销别的书而不是关于现代真理的书。他们因自称是基督徒受到了信任。他们自称是安息日复临信徒，使雇主很信任他们，没有想到必需约束他们。有些人的公义和诚实标准很低下，便利用了这种信任。他们浪费了书刊的利润，本属于雇主的钱财。他们说假话，有些人甚至犯了偷窃、伪造和抢夺的罪。一些这样做的人将之看做得利的机会，彼此笑谈此事。然而这些不诚实的交易每一笔都记在天上的册子中，一直留到审判的时候，除非犯罪的人认罪、悔改、赔偿，求上帝在他的名下写上赦免。{MC62.3}[18]
§41
Several of those who did this thought it a good opportunity, and laughed with one another over the matter. But every one of these dishonest transactions is registered in the books of heaven, and there it will remain until the Judgment, unless by confession, repentance, and restitution, the guilty one shall ask God to write pardon against his name.?{MC 62.2}[18]
§42
在审判的日子，许多人会显出亏欠；他们经过上帝的试验之后，发现不配得永生。上帝不能信任他们进天国。这是永远的决定。凡在最小的事上不忠心的人，不能委以更大的责任。人人都要按着自己的行为受审判；因为他们的行为决定了他们的品格。不诚实划算吗？决不划算，因为即使在宽容时期没有查出来，在最后算账的日子，一切也都会赤露敞开。{MC63.1}[19]
§43
In the day of Judgment many will be found wanting; they have been tested and proved by God and have been found unworthy of eternal life. God could not trust them in heaven. The decision will be made for eternity; he who is not faithful in that which is least can not be trusted with greater responsibilities. All will be judged by their works; for these have determined their character. Is it a paying business to be dishonest?—Never; for even should there be no detection in probationary time, everything will be laid open in the day of final reckoning.?{MC 63.1}[19]
§44
懒惰和散漫不是基督徒的树所结的果子。在经手主的财物上，无人能撒谎或不诚实而仍在上帝面前无罪。凡那样行的人，就是在行为上否认基督。他们虽然自称遵行和教授上帝的诫命，却没有维护上帝律法的原则。{MC63.2}[20]
§45
Laziness and indolence are not the fruit borne upon the Christian tree. No soul can practise prevarication or dishonesty in handling the Lord’s goods, and stand guiltless before God. All who do this are in action denying Christ. While they profess to keep the commandments of God, and claim to teach them, they fail to maintain the principles of God’s law.?{MC 63.2}[20]
§46
主的财物应当忠心处理。主已将生命，健康，及推理的能力付托给人，祂已将体力和脑力赐给人去运用；人岂可不忠心殷勤地使用这些恩赐来荣耀祂的名呢？我们的弟兄们曾否想到自己必须为所得的一切才干交账呢？他们是聪明地经营主的财物，还是任意挥霍祂的物资，并且被天庭写下为不忠心的仆人呢？许多人耗费主的钱财在所谓狂欢的快乐中；他们没有得到克己的经验，却把金钱耗费在虚荣的事上，并不背十字架跟从耶稣。许多曾蒙上帝特赐宝贵机会的人，已虚耗了自己的人生，而今正陷于痛苦穷乏的境地。{MC63.3}[21]
§47
The Lord’s goods should be handled with faithfulness. The Lord has entrusted men with life and health and reasoning powers; He has given them physical and mental strength to be?exercised; and should not these gifts be faithfully and diligently employed to His name’s glory? Have our brethren considered that they must give an account for all the talents placed in their possession? Have they traded wisely with their Lord’s goods, or have they spent His substance recklessly, and are they written in heaven as unfaithful servants? Many are spending their Lord’s money in riotous enjoyment, so-called; they are not gaining an experience in self-denial, but are spending money on vanities, and are failing to bear the cross after Jesus. Many who were privileged with precious, God-given opportunities, have wasted their lives, and are now found in suffering and want.?{MC 63.3}[21]
§48
上帝要我们在各部工作上有确切的进步。凡与上帝圣工有关的事务，都应当有更加精确的特色。可惜我们现今尚未坚决实行这不可少的改良。{MC64.1}[22]
§49
God calls for decided improvement to be made in the various branches of the work. The business done in connection with the cause of God must be marked with greater precision and exactness. There has not been firm, decided effort to bring about essential reform.?{MC 64.1}[22]
§50
【出版社的债务】
§51
有些文字布道士，老少都有，在工作上显出疏懒的态度，实足表明他们还有重要的教训要学。我已看见有许多人所做的，是散乱的工作。有些人已养成有缺陷的习惯，这种缺陷已被带入上帝的工作之中。{MC64.2}[23]
§52
【Debts to the Publishing-Houses】
§53
The loose way in which canvassers, both old and young, have performed their work, shows that they have important lessons to learn. Much haphazard work has been presented before me. Some have established themselves in deficient habits, and this deficiency has been brought into the work of God.?{MC 64.2}[23]
§54
由于文字布道士不能结清债务，书报发行所已深受债务之累。文字布道士由出版社领到书报，若要他们迅速付款，他们就以为受了虐待；然而若要继续开展业务，唯一之道就是要迅速付账。{MC64.3}[24]
§55
The tract and missionary societies have been deeply involved in debt through the failure of canvassers to meet their indebtedness. Canvassers have felt that they were ill-treated if required?to pay promptly for the books received from the publishing-house. Yet to require prompt remittal is the only way in which to carry on business.?{MC 64.3}[24]
§56
我们须有适当的安排，以便文字布道士不必透支而足能维持生计。这道试探之门必须严予关闭。一个文字布道士无论如何诚实，在工作上总不免有些情形会出现，对他来说会成为厉害的试探。{MC65.1}[25]
§57
Matters should be so arranged that canvassers shall have enough to live on without overdrawing. This door of temptation must be closed and barred. However honest a canvasser may be, circumstances will arise in his work which will be a sore temptation to him.?{MC 65.1}[25]
§58
在陷入困难时，有些文字布道士便指望从库中提钱帮助他们脱离困境，而这只能使他们再次陷入困境，再要求帮助。那些在主的库中作忠心管家的人，务要警醒注意，不可因这样提钱而使供应枯竭。人们若是不能藉着推销书报将每一块钱合法地带到库中，便要让他们就此止步。他们若是不能把钱财带到库中，反而抢夺主的府库，就不应参加销售书报的工作。{MC65.2}[26]
§59
When they get into difficulty, some canvassers expect that money is to be drawn from the treasury to help them out, only to get into strait places again, and again to require help. Those who are stewards of the means in the treasury must keep a sharp lookout to see that the supply is not exhausted by these draughts. When men can not by canvassing bring into the treasury every dollar that belongs to it rightly, let them stop just where they are. They should not engage in canvassing unless they can bring means into the treasury, instead of robbing it.?{MC 65.2}[26]
§60
人人都需实行节约。哪个工人管理自己事务的方式都不应招致债务。还没挣到钱就从库中提钱的做法乃是一个网罗。这样财力就会受限，以致工人们无法在传道工作上得到供养。何时一个人若是自愿卷入债务，便是陷身于撒但为生灵铺设的网罗中。{MC65.3}[27]
§61
All must practise economy. No worker should manage his affairs in a way to incur debt. The practise of drawing money from the treasury before it is earned is a snare. In this way the resources are limited, so that laborers can not be supported in missionary work. When one voluntarily becomes involved in debt, he is entangling himself in one of Satan’s nets which he sets for souls.?{MC 65.3}[27]