第01章 为什么会有贫穷和痛苦？
§1
第01章 为什么会有贫穷和痛苦？
§2
Chap. 01 - Why Poverty and Distress?
§3
【第一编 上帝关于苦难与贫穷的旨意】1-2章
§4
主题思想：罪熄灭了上帝放在人心里的爱。教会的工作是要重新点燃这种爱。教会要与上帝合作，根除人心中的自私自利，代之以人在起初完全的状态时心中所拥有的慈善。——《信函》1902. 34, {WM 14.1}[1]
§5
【Gem Thought__1-2chapter】
§6
Sin has extinguished the love that God placed in mans heart. The work of the church is to rekindle this love. The church is to cooperate with God by uprooting selfishness from the human heart, placing in its stead the benevolence that was in mans heart in his original state of perfection. --Letter 134, 1902. {WM 14.1}[1]
§7
怜恤人的人有福了——主耶稣说：“怜恤人的人有福了！因为他们必蒙怜恤”（太5:7）。从来没有一个时候比今天更需要施行怜悯。我们周围都有贫穷、不幸、痛苦、悲伤和行将沦亡的人。{WM 15.1}[2]
§8
【TEXT】
§9
Blessed Are the Merciful.--The Lord Jesus said, Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. There never was a time when there was greater need for the exercise of mercy than today. The poor are all around us, the distressed, the afflicted, the sorrowing, and those who are ready to perish. {WM 15.1}[2]
§10
获得财富的人，乃是藉着运用上帝所赐予他们的才能。但这些获得财富的才能赐给他们，是要他们能救济贫穷的人。这些才能原是那位使日头照好人，也照歹人，降雨给义人，也给不义的人的上帝所赐的，好藉着大地丰盛的出产满足他们一切的需要。田地已蒙上帝赐福。祂“的恩惠是为困苦人预备的”（诗68:10）。——《时兆》1892. 6.13. {WM 15.2}[3]
§11
Those who have acquired riches have acquired them through the exercise of the talents that were given them of God, but these talents for the acquiring of property were given to them that they might relieve those who are in poverty. These gifts were bestowed upon men by Him who maketh His sun to shine and His rain to fall upon the just and the unjust, that by the fruitfulness of the earth men might have abundant supplies for all their need. The fields have been blessed of God, and of His goodness He hath prepared for the poor.--Signs of the Times, June 13, 1892. {WM 15.2}[3]
§12
痛苦和悲惨不是上帝的本意——许多人因为世上充满着穷苦的人便埋怨上帝；但上帝是从来无意要这些不幸的惨剧存在的。祂从不愿意某一个人要过着穷奢极侈的生活，而同时另一些人却为生计而呼求。主是一位慈悲的上帝。——《证言》卷六273页. {WM 15.3}[4]
§13
Suffering and Misery Not Intended by God.-- There are many who complain of God because the world is so full of want and suffering, but God never meant that this misery should exist. He never meant that one man should have an abundance of the luxuries of life while the children of others cry for bread. The Lord is a God of benevolence.--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 273. {WM 15.3}[4]
§14
上帝已使人成了祂的管家，祂不应对人类的苦难、不幸、赤身和缺乏负责。主已为人人做了充足的准备。祂给了成千上万人大量的补给，用来减轻他们同胞的缺乏；但作为上帝管家的人却没有经受住考验，因为他们没有救济受苦和贫穷的人。{WM 16.1}[5]
§15
God has made men His stewards, and He is not to be charged with the sufferings, the misery, the nakedness, and the want of humanity. The Lord has made ample provision for all. He has given to thousands of men large supplies with which to alleviate the want of their fellows; but those whom God has made stewards have not stood the test, for they have failed to relieve the suffering and the needy. {WM 16.1}[5]
§16
当一直蒙上天厚赐福惠的富人没有实现上帝的计划，没有救济穷人和受压迫的人时，主就不悦，且必报应他们。他们没有理由不把上帝让他们力所能及的帮助给予邻舍。于是上帝受了羞辱，祂的品格被撒但曲解，祂被描绘成一个严厉的法官，使苦难临到祂所造的人。这种对上帝品格的曲解以假乱真，人心就因仇敌的试探而变得刚硬、敌对上帝了。撒但把他藉着使人们扣留钱财不救济穷人而亲自使人们犯下的罪恶加在上帝身上。把他自己的品性说成是上帝的品性。—《评论与通讯》1894. 6.26. {WM 16.2}[6]
§17
When men who have been abundantly blessed of Heaven with large wealth fail to carry out Gods design, and do not relieve the poor and the oppressed, the Lord is displeased and will surely visit them. They have no excuse for withholding from their neighbors the help that God has put it into their power to provide; and God is dishonored, His character is misinterpreted by Satan, and He is represented as a stern judge who causes suffering to come upon the creatures He has made. This misrepresentation of Gods character is made to appear as truth, and thus through the temptation of the enemy mens hearts are hardened against God. Satan charges upon God the very evil he himself has caused men to commit by withholding their means from the suffering. He attributes to God his own characteristics.--Review and Herald, June 26, 1894. {WM 16.2}[6]
§18
无需苦难和贫穷——人们若肯尽责任，作上主产业的忠心管家，就没有乞求食物的呼喊声，没有人因缺乏日用必须品而受痛苦，也没有衣不蔽体和有缺乏的人。使人类陷入这样的痛苦，乃是世人的不忠诚之故。假若上帝所派定作管家的人，肯按照主的旨意分派主的物资，用以成就祂赐给他们礼物的目的，这样痛苦的情形就没有了。主丰富地赐予人们许多的美物，藉以试验他们，如同祂试验比喻中的富人一样。我们若在不义之财上证明自己不忠诚，谁还把真实的财富托付我们呢？凡在世上经受住考验，被证明为忠诚的，遵守上帝要他们好怜悯的教训，用他们的钱财推进祂国度的人们，要听见主亲口对他们说：“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人”（太25:21）。—《评论与通讯》1894. 6.26.{WM 16.3}[7]
§19
There Need Be No Suffering, No Destitution.-- If men would do their duty as faithful stewards of their Lords goods, there would be no cry for bread, none suffering in destitution, none naked and in want. It is the unfaithfulness of men that brings about the state of suffering in which humanity is plunged. If those whom God has made stewards would but appropriate their Lords goods to the object for which He gave to them, this state of suffering would not exist. The Lord tests men by giving them an abundance of good things, just as He tested the rich man of the parable. If we prove ourselves unfaithful in the righteous mammon, who shall entrust to us the true riches? It will be those who have stood the test on the earth, who have been found faithful, who have obeyed the words of the Lord in being merciful, in using their means for the advancement of His kingdom, that will hear from the lips of the Master, Well done, good and faithful servant.--Ibid. {WM 16.3}[7]
§20
一些人富裕，一些人贫困——上帝为什么让一些人家富足，一些人家贫穷，对于人来说，可能永远是不解之谜，除非他们与上帝建立正确的关系，实行祂的计划，不按自己自私的想法行事。——《给传道人的证言》280页{WM 17.1}[8]
§21
Some Rich--Some Poor.--The reason why God has permitted some of the human family to be so rich and some so poor will remain a mystery to men till eternity, unless they enter into right relations with God and carry out His plans instead of acting on their own selfish ideas.--Testimonies to Ministers, p. 280. {WM 17.1}[8]
§22
鼓励仁爱与怜悯——根据上帝的旨意，常有穷人安排在我们中间，好让世人心内常有机会实践怜恤和仁爱的美德。世人应培养像基督那样的亲切与同情之心。他们不应使自己远离那些忧伤、患病、痛苦、缺乏的人。——《时兆》1892.6.13. {WM 17.2}[9]
§23
To Encourage Love and Mercy.--In the providence of God events have been so ordered that the poor are always with us, in order that there may be a constant exercise in the human heart of the attributes of mercy and love. Man is to cultivate the tenderness and compassion of Christ; he is not to separate himself from the sorrowing, the afflicted, the needy, and the distressed.--Signs of the Times, June 13, 1892. {WM 17.2}[9]
§24
在人身上培养上帝那样的品格——虽然世界需要同情，需要上帝子民的祈祷及援助，更需要在基督徒的生活上看见基督，然而上帝的子民也同样地需要有机会，好引起他们的同情心，使他们的祈祷有功效，并培养一种与那神圣的典范相似的品格。{WM 17.3}[10]
§25
To Develop a Godlike Character in Man.--While the world needs sympathy, while it needs the prayers and assistance of Gods people, while it needs to see Christ in the lives of His followers, the people of God are equally in need of opportunities that draw out their sympathies, give efficiency to their prayers, and develop in them a character like that of the divine pattern. {WM 17.3}[10]
§26
上帝把穷苦，不幸，患病，遭难的人安置在我们中间，就是要给我们这些机会。他们是基督留给教会的遗产，他们应当受照顾，象祂自己要照顾他们一样。上帝以这种方式来清除渣滓并炼净金子，赐给我们所需要的心灵与品格的教化。{WM 17.4}[11]
§27
It is to provide these opportunities that God has placed among us the poor, the unfortunate, the sick, and the suffering. They are Christs legacy to His church, and they are to be cared for as He would care for them. In this way God takes away the dross and purifies the gold, giving us that culture of heart and character which we need. {WM 17.4}[11]
§28
主尽可无需我们的合作而推进其工作。祂并不倚靠我们的金钱，我们的光阴，和我们的辛劳。然而教会在祂的眼中看来是极宝贵的，是祂珍藏珠宝的箱子，监护羊群的羊圈，祂切望见她是无瑕疵、皱纹等类的病。祂以言语所不能形容的爱渴念着她。就是为这个原因，祂赐给我们为祂作工的机会，并接受我们的服务，作为我们的爱与忠心的象征。—《证言》卷六261页. {WM 18.1}[12]
§29
The Lord could carry forward His work without our cooperation. He is not dependent on us for our money, our time, or our labor. But the church is very precious in His sight. It is the case which contains His jewels, the fold which encloses His flock, and He longs to see it without spot or blemish or any such thing. He yearns after it with unspeakable love. This is why He has given us opportunities to work for Him, and He accepts our labors as tokens of our love and loyalty.-- Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 261. {WM 18.1}[12]
§30
使我们能理解上帝的怜悯——穷人和富人都是上帝特别关心的对象。没有贫穷，我们就无法理解上帝的怜悯和慈爱，以及我们天父的同情。——《信函》 83, 1902. {WM 18.2}[13]
§31
That We May Understand the Mercy of God.-- The poor man as well as the rich man is the object of Gods special care and attention. Take away poverty, and we should have no way of understanding the mercy and love of God, no way of knowing the compassionate and sympathetic heavenly Father.--Letter 83, 1902. {WM 18.2}[13]
§32
上帝赐给我们，使我们可以分给别人——上帝赐我们福气，使我们也可以分赐给别人。当我们向祂求日用的饮食之时，祂察看我们的心，看我们是否也分赐这饮食给那些比我们更需要的人们。当我们祈求说，“上帝啊，开恩可怜我这个罪人”（路18:13），此时上帝也鉴察我们是否向自己所交游的人表示怜悯。这是我们与上帝联络的凭据，显明我们是怜悯人的，犹如我们的天父是怜悯人的一样。—《证言》卷六283, 284页. {WM 18.3}[14]
§33
God Gives to Us That We Might Give to Others.-- God imparts His blessing to us that we may impart to others. When we ask Him for our daily bread He looks into our hearts to see if we will share the same with those more needy than ourselves. When we pray God be merciful to me a sinner, He watches to see if we will manifest compassion toward those with whom we associate. This is the evidence of our connection with God, that we are merciful even as our Father in heaven is merciful.--Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 283, 284. {WM 18.3}[14]
§34
扣留阻碍了属灵的成长——没有什么比自私自利和专顾自己更能削弱一个人的灵性了。人放纵自我，忽略照料基督为之舍命者的身体和灵魂，就是不吃生命之粮，不喝救恩之泉的水。他们焦干枯萎，象一棵不结果子的树。他们是属灵的侏儒，专为自己消费；但是“人种的是什么，收的也是什么”(加6:8)。—《评论与通讯》.1895.1.15. {WM 18.4}[15]
§35
Withholding Dwarfs Spiritual Growth.--Nothing saps spirituality from the soul more quickly than to enclose it in selfishness and self-caring. Those who indulge self and neglect to care for the souls and bodies of those for whom Christ has given His life, are not eating of the bread of life or drinking of the water of the well of salvation. They are dry and sapless, like a tree that bears no fruit. They are spiritual dwarfs, who consume their means on self; but whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.--Review and Herald, Jan. 15, 1895. {WM 18.4}[15]
§36
富人因忽略了上帝计划他们应该对穷人做的工作，就变得更加骄傲，更加自负、更加自我放纵，心肠刚硬了。他们与穷人分开只是因为他们贫穷，这样就使穷人有机会变得嫉妒和猜忌。许多人变得苦毒，对那些拥有一切的人充满了仇恨，因为他们一无所有。{WM 19.1}[16]
§37
It is because the rich neglect to do the work for the poor that God designed they should do, that they grow more proud, more self-sufficient, more self-indulgent, and hardhearted. They separate the poor from them simply because they are poor, and thus give them occasion to become envious and jealous. Many become bitter, and are imbued with hatred toward those who have everything when they have nothing. {WM 19.1}[16]
§38
上帝衡量人的行为。每一个在自己的管家身份上不忠心，没有在力所能及可以弥补的时候去补救这种罪恶的人，必定不受天庭尊重。那些对穷人的需要漠不关心的人，必被算为不忠心的管家，被登记为上帝和人类的敌人。上帝委托给人钱财，是要人帮助那些需要他们帮助的人。那些乱用这些钱财的人，证明他们与基督没有联络，因为他们没有对不如他们幸运的人表现出基督的慈怜。—《评论与通讯》1895.12.10. {WM 19.2}[17]
§39
God weighs actions, and everyone who has been unfaithful in his stewardship, who has failed to remedy evils which were in his power to remedy, will be of no esteem in the courts of heaven. Those who are indifferent to the wants of the needy will be counted unfaithful stewards, and will be registered as enemies of God and man. Those who misappropriate the means that God has entrusted to them to help the very ones who need their help, prove that they have no connection with Christ, because they fail to manifest the tenderness of Christ toward those who are less fortunate than themselves.--Ibid., Dec. 10, 1895. {WM 19.2}[17]
§40
富人若跟从基督的脚踪行——富人是上帝的管家。他若跟从基督的脚踪行，保持谦卑敬虔的生活，就会藉着品格的改变，成为心里柔和谦卑的人。他认识到自己的财产不过是借来的财富，感到已有一种神圣的委托交给他，要他去替基督帮助贫穷的人和受苦的人。这种工作必带来奖赏，积攒才干和财宝在上帝的宝座旁。这样，富人就可在属灵的生活上成功，作主财物的忠心管家。—《文稿》1898. 22. {WM 19.3}[18]
§41
If the Rich Walk in Christs Footsteps.--The rich man is a steward of God, and if he walks in Christs footsteps, maintaining a humble, godly life, he becomes, through the transformation of character, meek and lowly in heart. He realizes that his possessions are only lent treasures, and he feels that a sacred trust has been committed to him to help the needy and suffering, in Christs stead. This work will bring its reward in talents and treasures laid up beside the throne of God. Thus the rich man may make a spiritual success of life, as a faithful steward of his Lords goods.--Manuscript 22, 1898. {WM 19.3}[18]
§42
受苦是完善品格的手段——救主的话也给那些受苦和丧失亲人的人带来安慰的信息。我们所受的苦不是凭空而来的。上帝“不甘心使人受苦，使人忧愁” (哀3:33)。祂允许试炼与苦难临到，“是要我们得益处，使我们在祂的圣洁上有份”(来12:10)。表面上痛苦难当的试炼，如果凭着信心去接受，就会成为一种福惠。那破坏地上快乐的残酷打击，会促使我们向天仰望。不知道有多少人，如果不是因着忧伤而到耶稣那里寻求安慰，就可能永远不会认识祂! {WM 20.1}[19]
§43
Suffering--One Means of Perfecting Character.-- The Saviours words have a message of comfort to those also who are suffering affliction or bereavement. Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground. God doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. When He permits trials and afflictions, it is for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means turning our eyes to Heaven. How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him! {WM 20.1}[19]
§44
人生的种种试炼乃是上帝的工匠，要除去我们品格中的粗糙之处和杂质。这些试炼的雕琢打磨，是一个痛苦的过程。压在磨轮下，的确是难以忍受的。但是石头经过这样的加工，就可以用来建造天上的圣殿。主绝不在无用的材料上花费这么精细的工夫。只有祂的宝石，才会按建宫的样式进行打磨。{WM 20.2}[20]
§45
The trials of life are Gods workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process; it is hard to be pressed down to the grinding wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple. Upon no useless material does the Master bestow such careful, thorough work. Only His precious stones are polished after the similitude of a palace. {WM 20.2}[20]
§46
主必为信靠祂的人作工。忠心的人必获得宝贵的胜利。他们必学到宝贵的教训，取得宝贵的经验。—《福山宝训》23, 24. {WM 20.3}[21]
§47
The Lord will work for all who put their trust in Him. Precious victories will be gained by the faithful. Precious lessons will be learned. Precious experiences will be realized.--Mount of Blessing, pp. 23, 24. {WM 20.3}[21]
§48
痛苦和灾难并不表示上帝的不悦——“耶稣过去的时候，看见一个人生来是瞎眼的。门徒问耶稣说：拉比！这人生来是瞎眼的，是谁犯了罪？是这人呢？是他父母呢？耶稣回答说：也不是这人犯了罪，也不是他父母犯了罪，是要在他身上显出上帝的作为来。”……{WM 21.1}[22]
§49
Affliction and Calamity No Indication of Gods Disfavor.--As Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from his birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. ... {WM 21.1}[22]
§50
犹太人大都相信人在今生就要受罪的刑罚。他们认为每一样苦难都是某一桩罪的刑罚。若不是受苦者本人犯了罪，便是他的父母犯了罪。固然，人间一切的痛苦都是干犯上帝律法的结果。可是这一个真理，已经被人曲解了。罪和罪一切结果的创始者撒但，已经令人看疾病和死亡是从上帝那里来的——是上帝因罪而任意独断地加在人身上的刑罚。因此，一个遭受患难或灾祸的人，另外还要背负被人看为大罪人的重担。……{WM 21.2}[23]
§51
It was generally believed by the Jews that sin is punished in this life. Every affliction was regarded as the penalty of some wrongdoing, either of the sufferer himself or of his parents. It is true that all suffering results from the transgression of Gods law, but this truth had become perverted. Satan, the author of sin and all its results, had led men to look upon disease and death as proceeding from God--as punishment arbitrarily inflicted on account of sin. Hence one upon whom some great affliction or calamity had fallen, had the additional burden of being regarded as a great sinner.... {WM 21.2}[23]
§52
上帝曾经赐下一个教训，为要防止这种错误的看法。约伯的故事说明了痛苦是撒但加在人身上的。但上帝本着怜爱的宗旨，予以掌管。只是以色列人没有看明白这个教训。约伯的朋友因错误的看法而受上帝的责备。犹太人在拒绝基的事上，犯了同样的错误。{WM 21.3}[24]
§53
God had given a lesson designed to prevent this. The history of Job had shown that suffering is inflicted by Satan, and is overruled by God for purposes of mercy. But Israel did not understand the lesson. The same error for which God had reproved the friends of Job was repeated by the Jews in their rejection of Christ. {WM 21.3}[24]
§54
犹太人对于罪恶与痛苦之关系的看法，为基督的门徒所相信。当耶稣纠正他们的错误时，祂没有说明那人受苦的原因，只告诉他们将要有的结果。上帝的作为要因此显明。祂说：“我在世上的时候，是世上的光。”于是祂用泥抹了瞎子的眼睛，打发他到西罗亚池子里去洗，这人就能看见了。这样，耶稣用实际的方法答复了门徒的问题。人们出于好奇心向祂发的问题，祂往往是用这种方法回答的。门徒不必讨论谁犯了罪，或谁没有犯罪的问题，乃是应当明白上帝使瞎眼的人重见光明的大能和慈爱。—《历代愿望》470, 471. {WM 21.4}[25]
§55
The belief of the Jews in regard to the relation of sin and suffering was held by Christs disciples. While Jesus corrected their error. He did not explain the cause of the mans affliction, but told them what would be the result. Because of it the works of God would be made manifest. As long as I am in the world, He said, I am the light of the world. Then having anointed the eyes of the blind man, He sent him to wash in the pool of Siloam, and the mans sight was restored. Thus Jesus answered the question of the disciples in a practical way, as He usually answered questions put to Him from curiosity. The disciples were not called upon to discuss the question as to who had sinned or had not sinned, but to understand the power and mercy of God in giving sight to the blind.-- The Desire of Ages, pp. 470, 471. {WM 21.4}[25]
§56
基督要通过我们被人看见和听到——上帝的旨意是要患病的、不幸的和被污鬼所附的人，都可藉着我们听见祂的声音。祂要藉着祂人间的代表，成为世人未曾过见的安慰者。祂的话要藉着祂的信徒说出来：“你们心里不要忧愁；你们信上帝，也当信我”（约14:1）。{WM 22.1}[26]
§57
Christ to Be Seen and Heard Through Us.--God designs that the sick, the unfortunate, those possessed of evil spirits, shall hear His voice through us. Through His human agents He desires to be a comforter, such as the world has never before seen. His words are to be voiced by His followers: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. {WM 22.1}[26]
§58
主必藉着每一个愿意献上自己被主使用的人作工，不仅要讲道，而且要照顾绝望的人，使无望的人心中产生希望。我们要尽自己的本分，减轻今生的痛苦。今生的痛苦和奥秘与数千年前一样黑暗阴郁。我们要有所作为：“兴起，发光！因为你的光已经来到！耶和华的荣耀发现照耀你”（赛60:1）。我们近旁就有贫穷的人，我们境内有受苦的人。我们必须设法帮助他们。靠着基督的恩典，恳切的、基督化工作的封闭泉源要被开启。靠着那全能之主的力量，我们要空前地作工。—《文稿》, 1898. 65b. {WM 22.2}[27]
§59
The Lord will work through every soul that will give himself up to be worked, not only to preach but to minister to the despairing and to inspire hope in the hearts of the hopeless. We are to act our part in relieving and softening the miseries of this life. The miseries and mysteries of this life are as dark and cloudy as they were thousands of years ago. There is something for us to do: Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. There are needy close by us; the suffering are in our very borders. We must try to help them. By the grace of Christ, the sealed fountains of earnest, Christlike work are to be unsealed. In the strength of Him who has all strength we are to work as we have never worked before.--Manuscript 65b, 1898. {WM 22.2}[27]