第20章 为穷人服务
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第20章 为穷人服务
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Chap. 20 - Ministry to the Poor
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【第七编 穷人】20-24章
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主题思想：真正的基督徒是穷人的朋友。他对待困惑不幸的弟兄，如同人对待一种美妙、柔弱、敏感的植物一样。上帝希望祂的工人，在有病受苦的人中间作为祂恩典和慈爱的使者。祂正看着我们，要知道我们如何彼此相待，在与高位的、卑贱的、富有的、贫穷的、自由的和为奴的人交往上，是不是象基督一样。……{WM 168.1}[1]
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【Gem Thought__20-24Chapter】
§6
A true Christian is the poor mans friend. He deals with his perplexed and unfortunate brother as one would deal with a delicate, tender, sensitive plant. God wants His workers to move among the sick and suffering as messengers of His love and mercy. He is looking upon us, to see how we are treating one another, whether we are Christlike in our dealing with all, high or low, rich or poor, free or bond. . . . {WM 168.1}[1]
§7
当你们遇见饱经忧患，备受欺压，而不知从何处求援的人，要用心去帮助他们。上帝的旨意并不是要祂的儿女闭关自守，不关心比他们不幸之人的福利。当记着基督是为他们而死的，正如祂为你舍命一样。安慰和仁慈将为你启开帮助他们的门路，以获得他们的信任，鼓舞他们的盼望和勇气。——《信函》1887. 30. {WM 168.2}[2]
§8
When you meet those who are careworn and oppressed, who know not which way to turn to find relief, put your hearts into the work of helping them. It is not Gods purpose that His children shall shut themselves up to themselves, taking no interest in the welfare of those less fortunate than themselves. Remember that for them as well as for you Christ has died. Conciliation and kindness will open the way for you to help them, to win their confidence, to inspire them with hope and courage.--Letter 30, 1887. {WM 168.2}[2]
§9
福音最优美可爱之处——福音是要传给穷人的。福音显得最优美可爱的，莫过于它被带到十分缺乏与需要之地的时候。它向每一个岗位的人传达它的律例，管制他们的责任，而它的应许则鼓励他们履行自己的责任。那正是它的光最清晰最有力地照射出来的时候。上帝之道的真理进入农夫的茅舍，照亮了黑白穷人原始的村落。那公义日头的光线给痛苦有病的人带来了喜乐。上帝的天使也在那里，所表现的单纯信心使得干硬的面包片和一杯水成为盛宴。曾经被厌恶被撇弃的人，因信心和蒙赦宥得以提拔享有上帝儿女的尊严。他们既被提拔超越世界，就在基督耶稣里坐在天上。他们或许没有属世的财宝，但他们已找到了那重价的珠子。赦罪的救主欢迎贫穷和无知的人，给他们吃那从天上降下来的粮，使他们畅饮生命之水。——《信函》1901. 113 {WM 169.1}[3]
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【TEXT】
§11
The Gospel in Its Greatest Loveliness.--Unto the poor the gospel is to be preached. Never does the gospel put on an aspect of greater loveliness than when it is brought to the most needy and destitute regions. To men of every station it delivers its precepts, which regulate their duties, and its promises, which nerve them to the discharge of their duties. Then it is that the light of the gospel shines forth in its most radiant clearness and its greatest power. Truth from the Word of God enters the hovel of the peasant and lights up the rude cottages of the poor, both black and white. Rays from the Sun of Righteousness bring gladness to the sick and suffering. Angels of God are there, and the simple faith shown makes the crust of bread and the cup of water as a banquet of luxury. Those who have been loathed and abandoned are raised through faith and pardon to the dignity of sons and daughters of God. Lifted above all in the world, they sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. They have no earthly treasure, but they have found the pearl of great price. The sin-pardoning Saviour receives the poor and ignorant and gives them to eat of the bread which comes down from heaven. They drink of the water of life.--Letter 113, 1901. {WM 169.1}[3]
§12
耶稣与穷人联合——瞧不起穷人已成了时尚。……但是主耶稣曾成了穷人，祂同情贫穷、被弃、受压迫的人，并且宣布凡向他们表示的侮辱都象对祂本人做的一样。我既看到自称上帝儿女的人那么缺乏曾激励基督的同情、温柔与仁爱，就越来越惊讶。但愿南北每一家教会都充满我们主所教导的精神！—《文稿》1891. 6. {WM 170.1}[4]
§13
Jesus Associated Himself With the Poor.--It has become fashionable to look down upon the poor. . . . But Jesus, the Master, was poor, and He sympathizes with the poor, the discarded, the oppressed, and declares that every insult shown to them is as if shown to Himself. I am more and more surprised as I see those who claim to be children of God possessing so little of the sympathy, tenderness, and love which actuated Christ. Would that every church, North and South, were imbued with the spirit of our Lords teaching!--Manuscript 6, 1891. {WM 170.1}[4]
§14
基督来为穷人服务——基督披上人性的外衣站在人类面前。祂的态度充满同情和慈爱，连最贫穷的人也不怕靠近祂。祂对众人满怀仁慈，容易被最卑微的人接近。祂挨家挨户医治病人，供应饥饿的人，安慰伤心的人，抚慰受苦的人，对灰心的人说平安的话。——《信函》1903.117. {WM 170.2}[5]
§15
Christ Came to Minister to the Poor.--Christ stood at the head of humanity in the garb of humanity. So full of sympathy and love was His attitude that the poorest was not afraid to come to Him. He was kind to all, easily approached by the most lowly. He went from house to house, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, comforting the mourners, soothing the afflicted, speaking peace to the distressed.--Letter 117, 1903. {WM 170.2}[5]
§16
“耶稣来到拿撒勒，就是祂长大的地方。在安息日，照祂平常的规矩进了会堂，站起来要念圣经。有人把先知以赛亚的书交给祂，祂就打开，找到一处写着说：主的灵在我身上，因为祂用膏膏我，叫我传福音给贫穷的人；差遣我报告：被掳的得释放，瞎眼的得看见，叫那受压制的得自由，报告上帝悦纳人的禧年”（路4:16-19）。{WM 170.3}[6]
§17
And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. {WM 170.3}[6]
§18
这是对基督工作的极好描述。法利赛人和撒都该人藐视穷人。饱学的人和富有的人忽视穷人，好像他们的财富和知识使他们比穷人更有价值似的。但耶稣宣布：祂的工作是要鼓励、安慰和帮助最需要的人。—《文稿》1898. 65b. {WM 171.1}[7]
§19
This is a wonderful description of Christs work. The Pharisees and Sadducees despised the poor. The learned and rich neglected them, as though their wealth and knowledge made them of more value than those who were poor. But Jesus declared that it was His work to give encouragement and comfort and help where it was most needed.--Manuscript 65b, 1898. {WM 171.1}[7]
§20
基督如何唤醒心灵饥渴的人——基督的主要工作是传福音给贫穷的人。祂选择照顾非常贫困、无知的人。祂简明地向他们敞开他们可以领受的福气，从而唤醒他们的心灵渴慕真理，就是生命的粮。基督的生活乃是凡跟从祂之人的榜样。—《文稿》1906. 103. {WM 171.2}[8]
§21
How Christ Awakened Soul Hunger.--Christs chief work was in the preaching of the gospel to the poor. He chose to minister to the needy, the ignorant. In simplicity He opened before them the blessings they might receive, and thus He awakened their souls hunger for the truth, the bread of life. Christs life is an example to all His followers.--Manuscript 103, 1906. {WM 171.2}[8]
§22
福音神性的证据——基督在穷人中间遇到了最大的成功，每一个人对于这等人，无论有没有学问，都可发现有足够的事可做。穷人需要安慰和同情，因为有些人若无援手自己绝不能恢复。在为这些人做工时，基督的门徒就会履行自己的使命。这是福音事工最高级的证书。福音若是出于人，原会受到富人和权贵们的欢迎；但福音却将轻蔑倾倒在财富与势力上，并且号召凡接受福音的人做基督的工作，帮助那些穷困、受轻视、被抛弃、受痛苦的人。{WM 171.3}[9]
§23
The Evidence of the Divinity of the Gospel.-- Christ met with the greatest success among the poor, and with this class every human being, whether learned or unlearned, may find abundance to do. The poor need comfort and sympathy, for there are those who without a helping hand will never recover themselves. In working for these Christs disciples will fulfill their commission. This is the highest credential of the gospel ministry. Had the gospel been of men, it would have been popular with the rich and mighty; but it pours contempt upon the rich and mighty, and calls upon all who accept it to work the works of Christ, helping those who are destitute, despised, forsaken, afflicted. {WM 171.3}[9]
§24
那些因为爱基督和爱人而持定这工作的人，必定会以基督的路线作工。这世界是一个麻疯病院，但基督来要医治病人，安慰伤心的人，宣告被掳的得释放，使瞎子重见光明。福音就是恢复的本质，所以基督要我们劝伤心、绝望和受苦的人持住祂的能力；因为耶和华悦纳人的禧年已经来到。—《文稿》1898. 65b. {WM 171.4}[10]
§25
Those who take hold of the work for the love of Christ and the love of souls will work in Christs lines. This world is a lazar house of disease, but Christ came to heal the sick, to comfort the brokenhearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, to give sight to the blind. The gospel is the very essence of restoration, and Christ would have us bid the brokenhearted, the hopeless, and the afflicted, take hold His strength; for the acceptable year of the Lord has come.--Manuscript 65b, 1898. {WM 171.4}[10]
§26
基督教是穷人的安慰——基督的宗教与贫穷之间有联系。基督教是穷人的安慰。有一种虚假的宗教，危害凡提倡它之人的心灵，教导说自私的愿望和享乐就是快乐的要旨。但财主和拉撒路的比喻却向我们说明这是错误的。到了一个时候，财主会愿意放弃所拥有的一切去和曾经贫穷而且满身疮痛的拉撒路交换位置。{WM 172.1}[11]
§27
Christianity the Solace of the Poor.--There is a connection between the religion of Christ and poverty. Christianity is the solace of the poor. There is a false religion, endangering the souls of all who advance it, that teaches that selfish pleasure and enjoyment is the sum of happiness. But the parable of the rich man and Lazarus shows us that this is false. There came a time when the rich man would have given all he possessed to have exchanged places with Lazarus, once poor, and covered with sores. {WM 172.1}[11]
§28
在基督的人性中，有金线将相信祂、倚靠祂的穷人与祂自己的爱心绑在一起。祂是大医师。祂在我们的世界担当了我们的软弱，背负了我们的重担。祂是一切疾病的强大医治者。祂虽成了贫穷，却是一切良善、一切福气的中心。对于一切献上自己的能力作上帝儿女之人的，祂乃是能力之库。—《文稿》1898. 22. {WM 172.2}[12]
§29
In the humanity of Christ there are golden threads that bind the believing, trusting poor man to His own soul of infinite love. He is the great physician. In our world He bore our infirmities and carried our burdens. He is the mighty Healer of all diseases. He was poor, and yet He was the center of all goodness, all blessings. He is a reservoir of power to all to consecrate their powers to the work of becoming sons of God.--Manuscript 22, 1898. {WM 172.2}[12]
§30
基督消除了贫穷的烙印——基督永远是穷人的朋友。祂选择贫穷，并且藉着使贫穷成为自己的命运来尊荣了贫穷。祂藉着祝福穷人，既上帝国度的继承人，永远使贫穷脱离了受人嘲笑的耻辱。这种人是祂的工作。祂藉着自己分别为圣过了贫穷的一生，救赎贫穷脱离了它的羞辱。祂采取与穷人在一起的立场，以便消除世人加在贫穷身上的烙印。祂知道爱财的危险。祂知道这种爱毁了许多人。它使那些富有的人处于放纵想要显大之心的位置。它教导他们瞧不起那些正在受贫困压迫的人。它发展人心的弱点，显明富人虽有大量财富，在上帝面前却不富足。{WM 172.3}[13]
§31
Christ Lifted the Stigma From Poverty.--Christ has ever been the poor mans friend. He chose poverty, and honored it by making it His lot. He has stripped from it forever the reproach of scorn by blessing the poor, the inheritors of Gods kingdom. Such was His work. By consecrating Himself to a life of poverty He redeemed poverty from its humiliation. He took His position with the poor that He might lift from poverty the stigma that the world had attached to it. He knew the danger of the love of riches. He knew that this love is ruinous to many souls. It places those who are rich where they indulge every wish for grandeur. It teaches them to look down on those who are suffering the pressure of poverty. It develops the weakness of human minds and shows that notwithstanding the abundance of wealth, the rich are not rich toward God. {WM 172.3}[13]
§32
许多人的品格已因对世上富人的错误估计而受了影响。拥有房屋和地产的人，因人们的尊敬而受到赞美和欺骗，可能会瞧不起穷人，其实穷人拥有富人所没有的美德。当在圣所的金天平上受衡量时，自私贪婪的富人会显出亏欠，而本着信心惟独依靠上帝有德行和良善的穷人，却会被宣布要在上帝的国中承受永恒的财富。—《文稿》1898. 22. {WM 173.1}[14]
§33
The characters of many have been molded by the false estimate placed on the worldly rich man. The man possessed of houses and lands, lauded and deceived by the respect given him, may look down upon the poor man, who possesses virtues that the rich man does not. When weighed in the golden scales of the sanctuary, the selfish, covetous rich man will be found wanting, while the poor man, who has depended in faith upon God alone for his virtue and goodness, will be pronounced heir to eternal riches in the kingdom of God.--Manuscript 22, 1898. {WM 173.1}[14]
§34
世界的伟人解决不了问题——在大城市之中，一方面有许多可怜无靠的穷人，连衣食住也几乎没有着落；但是在同一座城市中，也有一班锦衣玉食，穷奢极侈之辈，将其所有的金钱消耗在华贵的邸厦和自身的服饰上，或是更进一步，就是虚掷在放纵肉欲，沉湎烟酒，以及其他足以毁伤脑力，紊乱神经，与降低灵性的事物之中，那些穷困之人所发的呼声，已经达到上帝面前。……{WM 173.2}[15]
§35
Worlds Great Men Cannot Solve the Problem.-- In the great cities there are multitudes living in poverty and wretchedness, well-nigh destitute of food, shelter, and clothing; while in the same cities are those who have more than heart could wish, who live luxuriously, spending their money on richly furnished houses, on personal adornment, or worse still, upon the gratification of sensual appetites, upon liquor, tobacco, and other things that destroy the powers of the brain, unbalance the mind, and debase the soul. The cries of starving humanity are coming up before God. . . . {WM 173.2}[15]
§36
世界上的人，就连教育家和政治家，也没有几个能明白现在社会之所以呈此景象的原因。执政的人也无法解决目前道德败坏，罪行增多，以及饥饿穷困等问题。他们虽极力要想出一种更可靠的基础来处理人类的事业，但这种计划等于泡影。如果人对于上帝之道的教训多加留意，就必寻得解决这些困惑人的难题的办法来。——《证言》卷九12，13页. {WM 173.3}[16]
§37
There are not many, even among educators and statesmen, who comprehend the causes that underlie the present state of society. Those who hold the reins of government are not able to solve the problem of moral corruption, poverty, pauperism, and increasing crime. They are struggling in vain to place business operations on a more secure basis. If men would give more heed to the teaching of Gods Word, they would find a solution of the problems that perplex them.--Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 12, 13. {WM 173.3}[16]
§38
上帝抑制以色列中不平等的计划——这要在一切人的心中留下深刻的印象，要他们知道穷人在这属上帝的世界上与富人有相等的权利。这就是我们慈悲的创造主所作的安排，为要减轻穷乏和遭难之人的痛苦，使他们的生活多少有一点光明，有一点温暖。{WM 174.1}[17]
§39
Gods Plan for Israel to Check Inequality.--It was to be impressed upon the minds of all that the poor have as much right to a place in Gods world as have the more wealthy. Such were the provisions made by our merciful Creator, to lessen suffering, to bring some ray of hope, to flash some gleam of sunshine, into the life of the destitute and distressed. {WM 174.1}[17]
§40
耶和华要在人过于贪爱产业和权势的心欲上加以限制。社会上若是有一班人不断地积攒财富，另一班人一直趋于贫乏落魄，就必产生许多的弊病。如果不加以限制，富人的势力就必发展到独占垄断的地步，而穷人虽然在上帝看来各方面都与富人有相同的价值，终必被他们较为兴盛的弟兄看为卑贱，并加以苦待。这一种压迫必致惹起穷人的愤恨，使他们感到绝望，甚至铤而走险，如此就必败坏社会风纪，并打开各样罪恶的门户。上帝所设定的条例是要增进社会地位的平等。安息年和禧年的安排，必可大大矫正这期间国家在社会和政治问题上所发生的错误。{WM 174.2}[18]
§41
The Lord would place a check upon the inordinate love of property and power. Great evils would result from the continued accumulation of wealth by one class and the poverty and degradation of another. Without some restraint the power of the wealthy would become a monopoly, and the poor, though in every respect fully as worthy in Gods sight, would be regarded and treated as inferior to their more prosperous brethren. The sense of this oppression would arouse the passions of the poorer class. There would be a feeling of despair and desperation which would tend to demoralize society and open the door to crimes of every description. The regulations that God established were designed to promote social equality. The provisions of the sabbatical year and the jubilee would, in a great measure, set right that which during the interval had gone wrong in the social and political economy of the nation. {WM 174.2}[18]
§42
这些条例对于富人和穷人是一样有帮助的。这办法必能克制人贪婪和自高的心欲，而培养慈善的高尚精神；各阶层之间既存在着善意和信任，就必增进社会的秩序和政权的巩固。我们各人都是人类社会的一分子，是彼此密切相连的；所以我们所作帮助人造就人的事，终必反过来帮助并造就自己。彼此依靠的定理运行于社会各阶层之间。穷人靠富人并不比富人靠穷人更多。穷人固然要求分享上帝所赐予富人的福惠，但富人却需要穷人忠诚的服务，以及他们的脑力和体力；这些就是穷人的资本。……{WM 174.3}[19]
§43
These regulations were designed to bless the rich no less than the poor. They would restrain avarice and a disposition for self-exaltation and would cultivate a noble spirit of benevolence; and by fostering good-will and confidence between all classes they would promote social order, the stability of government. We are all woven together in the great web of humanity, and whatever we can do to benefit and uplift others will reflect in blessing upon ourselves. The law of mutual dependence runs through all classes of society. The poor are not more dependent upon the rich than are the rich upon the poor. While the one class ask a share in the blessings which God has bestowed upon their wealthier neighbors, the other need the faithful service, the strength of brain and bone and muscle, that are the capital of the poor. . . . {WM 174.3}[19]
§44
有许多人非常热烈地主张人人应在上帝所赐今生的福惠上有平均的享受。但这不是创造主的旨意。不同的生活状况乃是上帝用来试验并培育人品格的一种方法。然而祂的意思是要那些拥有世上产业的人，看自己不过是上帝财物的管家，受祂委托用这经济来为受苦和穷乏的人造福。{WM 175.1}[20]
§45
There are many who urge with great enthusiasm that all men should have an equal share in the temporal blessings of God. But this was not the purpose of the Creator. A diversity of condition is one of the means by which God designs to prove and develop character. Yet He intends that those who have worldly possessions shall regard themselves merely as stewards of His goods, as entrusted with means to be employed for the benefit of the suffering and the needy. {WM 175.1}[20]
§46
基督已经说过，我们常有穷人和我们同在；而且祂把自己与祂受苦的子民视同一体。我们的救赎主同情祂地上的儿女中最穷苦最卑微的人。祂告诉我们，这些就是祂在地上的代表。祂把这些人放在我们中间，是要在我们心中唤起祂那对于受痛苦受压迫之人的爱心。基督悦纳我们向他们所显示的怜恤和慈爱，如同是向祂显示的一样。反之，我们向他们所表示的残忍或疏忽，也算是苦待了祂。——《先祖与先知》534-536页. {WM 175.2}[21]
§47
Christ has said that we shall have the poor always with us, and He unites His interest with that of His suffering people. The heart of our Redeemer sympathizes with the poorest and lowliest of His earthly children. He tells us that they are His representatives on earth. He has placed them among us to awaken in our hearts the love that He feels toward the suffering and oppressed. Pity and benevolence shown to them are accepted by Christ as if shown to Himself. An act of cruelty or neglect toward them is regarded as though done to Him.--Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 534-536. {WM 175.2}[21]
§48
基督在人的绝境中看到机会——基督看见那些在各方面都贫乏的人，看见被人恶待还是温柔的人、遭受丧亲之痛的人，看见饥渴慕义似乎从不满足的人，看见许多无能力开始作工的人，便感到乐观。有许多足使传道人丧胆的事态，主对之却好像是欢迎一般。藉着到那些非常需要帮助之人所在地的方会见他们，祂看到帮助他们的机会。{WM 175.3}[22]
§49
Christ Sees Opportunity in Mans Extremity.-- Christs heart is cheered by the sight of those who are poor in every sense of the term; cheered by His view of the ill-used ones who are meek and of those bowed down with the sorrows of bereavement; cheered by the seemingly unsatisfied hungering after righteousness, by the inability of many to begin. He welcomes, as it were, the very condition of things that would discourage many ministers. He sees an opportunity to help those who are so much in need of help by meeting them where they are. {WM 175.3}[22]
§50
主耶稣纠正我们错误的敬虔，把在世上艰难地方为贫苦缺乏之人作工的担子，委托给那些能体恤愚昧和迷途者的男男女女。主教导这些工人如何去对付这些情况。他们见到可以进去作医疗布道工作地区的门户开了，就会受到鼓励。他们既少有自恃的心，就将一切的荣耀归于上帝，一点儿也不归于自己。救主临格要帮助人开始工作，藉着那些手脚虽然笨拙，内心却容易感到同情的人去做事，减轻如此增多的祸患。祂藉着那些能从悲惨中看出怜悯，从损失一切中看出收获的人作工。当世上的光经过时，在诸般艰难困苦中便出现特权，在混乱中出现正义的秩序，在人的经验中看似失败之处看到上帝的成功和智慧。……{WM 176.1}[23]
§51
The Lord Jesus corrects our erring piety, giving the burden of this work for the poor and needy in the rough places to men and women of adaptability who have hearts that can feel for the ignorant and for those who are out of the way. The Lord teaches them how to meet these cases. These workers will be encouraged as they see doors opening for them to enter places where they can do medical missionary work. Having little self-confidence, they give God all the glory, taking none of it to themselves. The Saviour is present to help to make a beginning through those whose hands are rough and unskilled, but whose hearts are susceptible to pity and awakened to do something to relieve the woes so abundant. He works through those who can discern mercy in misery, gain in the loss of all things. When the Light of the world passeth by, privileges appear in all hardships, right and order in confusion, the success and wisdom of God in that which has seemed to be failure in human experience. . . . {WM 176.1}[23]
§52
基督向饥渴慕义的人宣布了祝福。在《路加福音》中我们读到：“你们贫穷的人有福了”（路6:20）。穷人所受的欺人试探不及富人所受的百分之一。在《马太福音》中我们读到：“虚心的人有福了！因为天国是他们的”（太5:3）！虚心意味着要从上帝丰盛的恩典中得到财富的供应。——《信函》1902. 100. {WM 176.2}[24]
§53
Christ pronounces His blessing upon those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. In Luke we read, Blessed be ye poor. The poor have not a hundredth part of the delusive temptations of the rich. In Matthew we read, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Poverty of spirit signifies wealth to be supplied by the riches of the grace of God.--Letter 100, 1902. {WM 176.2}[24]
§54
假如地上消除了贫穷——缺乏和贫穷总是有的。无论知识和道德水平多么高，无论我们达到多么高的文明，贫穷总是会继续，好显示上帝恩典的丰盛，持久纪念这些话的真实性：“万军之耶和华说：不是倚靠势力，不是倚靠才能，乃是倚靠我的灵方能成事”（亚4:6）。上帝若是从地上消除贫穷，不会对基督教有益处。这样就会关闭现在为运用信心敞开着的一扇门——藉着良善的福音感动受苦之人内心的一个手段。藉着基督徒的慷慨，可以接触别无他法可以接触的人。它是福音的助手。——《信函》1902. 83. {WM 177.1}[25]
§55
If Poverty Were Removed From the Earth.--Want and poverty there will always be. However high the standard of knowledge and morality may be, whatever heights we may reach in civilization, poverty will always continue, as a display of the riches of the grace of God, a standing memorial to the truth of the words, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. It would not be for the benefit of Christianity for the Lord to remove poverty from the earth. Thus a door would be closed that is now open for the exercise of faith--a means whereby the hearts of the afflicted can be reached by the gospel of goodness. By Christian liberality souls are reached that could be reached in no other way. It is the helping hand of the gospel.--Letter 83, 1902. {WM 177.1}[25]