9. Manna issue 60 - The Role of Money in Christian Living 基督徒生活金錢的角色
The Role of Money in Christian Living
What is the right attitude?
基督徒生活金錢的角色
何為正確的態度？
Vincent Yeung—Cambridge, UK 英國劍橋
EXCESSIVE RICHES 暴富
My first taste of business class travel was a gratifying experience
that illustrated the comfort and privilege that money can bring.
It allowed me to bypass the check-in, security, and boarding queues
and avoid the annoying mass that congregated at the waiting lounge.
我首次體驗商務艙旅行是一次令人滿意的經歷，
充分說明了金錢可以帶來的舒適和特權。
它讓我可以跳過辦理登機手續，安檢以及登機排隊，
避開了聚集候機室煩人的群眾。
I was showered with endless supplies of champagne and fresh juice.
For the first time, I could sleep flat on the plane
without the need to fight for a few millimeters of space with my fellow passengers.
The cabin crew even called me by my name,
and I was no longer labeled as passenger 40A!
我得到香檳和新鮮果汁源源不絕的供應。
這是我第一次能夠在飛機上平躺入睡，
不需要與其他乘客去爭奪幾毫米的空間。
機組人員甚至用我的名字，稱呼我，
而我不再是那個標記 40A 的乘客！
However, luxury comes with a cost
—it is expensive to keep up with this opulent lifestyle.
Morally, it is hardly justifiable
to spend ten times the cost of an economy class ticket to fly business.
An average person in the bottom billion is living on less than $1 a day.1
It is obscene to spend 10,000 times that on a plane ticket.
然而，奢華伴隨著代價
—要維持這種豪華的生活方式十分昂貴。
從道德上來說，很難合理化，
花費十倍經濟艙的票價來搭乘商務艙。
在底層十億人口的一位普通人每天生活花費不到1美元。1
花費超過一萬倍的金錢在機票上，簡直令人憎惡。
Psychologically, this experience raised my aspirations and expectations,
which made it difficult to “trade down” to a pedestrian lifestyle.
It is human instinct to avoid harm and pursue advancement and a comfortable life.
從心理學角度來看，這段經歷提升了我的渴望和期望，
那使得降級回歸到路人的生活方式變得很困難。
人類的本能就是迴避傷害，追求進步和舒適的生活。
As the majority of the population
is now involved in the production of services and goods
that enhance human comfort and living conditions,
we are devoting more of our time to entertainment and enjoyment.
隨著大眾現今投入於生產服務與商品，
以提升人類舒適感和生活條件，
我們會投入更多自已的時間於娛樂和享受之中。
Christians often hold an ambivalent view on money,
the accumulation of wealth, and its uses.
But Jesus’ warning on the risks of excessive riches
should sound the alarm bell in many believers’minds.2
基督徒對於金錢，積累財富及使用金錢往往持有矛盾的看法。
但耶穌提出警告過度富有的風險，
應該可在許多信徒的心中敲響警鐘。2
It is difficult to define what is acceptable and unacceptable.
My example of business travel can’t even compare to hiring private jets.
To complicate the matter, our lifestyles are often funded by debt.
Instead of saving for a holiday, a car, or a house,
we borrow money to gratify ourselves now and pay for it later.
要定義何事為可以接受，何事為不可接受，確實很困難。
我商務旅行的例子，甚至無法相比於租用私人飛機。
更複雜的是，我們的生活方式時常是由債務支撐的。
不再為度假，汽車或房屋存錢，
而我們借錢來滿足自已當下的享樂，且後續才支付。
How do we strike a balance between prudent accumulation and use of money
without having to lead an ascetic and frugal lifestyle?
我們如何取得謹慎存錢與使用金錢之間的平衡，
而不必過著禁慾節儉的生活呢？
Money is a tool, a means to an end,
but it must neither be our master, nor should we serve it.
金錢是一種工具，是達成目標的手段，
但它絕不能成為我們的主人，我們也不應該服事它。
MONEY: OUR SERVANT OR MASTER? 金錢：我們的僕人或主人？
The financial system is vital to the functioning of a modern society,
and money is central to it.
We no longer live in a society that trades on goods we produce
in exchange for other goods and services.
Money is a necessity in life.
金融體系對於現代社會的運作很重要，
而金錢則是其核心。
我們已不再生活於交易自產商品的社會，
來交換別人的商品與服務。
金錢是生活的必需品。
However, for some, mammon has become a god and an object of love.3
They love the comfort, privilege, and power that money can bring.4
然而對某些人而言，瑪門已成為他們的神和喜愛的對象。3
他們喜愛金錢所能帶來的舒適，特權與勢力。4
The advances in mass multimedia are feeding a celebrity cult
that has grown outside the circle of movie stars and singers
to include athletes, celebrity chefs, and lifestyle gurus.
Their lives are chronicled through photographs and blogs
on the Internet and on reality shows and the news.
大眾媒體的進步正餵養一種名人邪教崇拜儀式，
這種情況已經增長超越了電影明星和歌手的範疇，
可以涵蓋運動員，名廚和生活時尚大師。
他們的生活詳盡記錄在網絡，實際秀和新聞的影像及部落閣中。
People are startled and yet mesmerized
by their wealth, appearance, fame, and lavish lifestyle.
They start to desire the same luxuries and privileges.
However, they often resort to borrowing and speculation to pay for a better life.
人們感到驚訝且著迷，
因為他們有財富，美貌，名聲和奢華的時尚生活。
他們亦開始渴望擁有同樣的奢華與特權。
然而，他們往往訴諸借貸和投機來支應更好的生活。
Money is not inherently evil;
there is nothing wrong with lending or borrowing money,
although strict rules concerning both were applied in Moses’ time.5
We are encouraged to work, build property, and save for rainy days.6
金錢本就不是邪惡的；
借貸金錢並沒有什麼不對，
儘管在摩西的時代，借貸這兩種行為都有嚴格的規則。5
我們受到鼓勵去工作、建立資產，並為不時之需而儲備。6
Enjoyment is not a prohibition either.
As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:13,
“every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor
—it is the gift of God.”
享受也沒有被禁止。
正如傳道書三章 13 節所說，
“13人人吃喝，在他一切勞碌中享福，
—這也是神的恩賜。”
Money is a tool, a means to an end,
but it must neither be our master,
nor should we serve it.
金錢是一種工具，是達成目標的手段，
但它絕不能成為我們的主人，
我們也不應該服事它。
BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE 聖經的角度
Do not Love Money 不要貪愛錢財
Our attitude towards money and the application of it
are dictated by our relationship with God.
God demands our unflagging devotion to Him,
which is enshrined and subsumed in the first commandment:
“You shall have no other gods before Me”
(Ex 20:3).
Yet love toward money has usurped God’s place in many people’s hearts.
我們對金錢的態度及其運用方式，
是由我們與神的關係所決定的。
神要求我們給祂不懈的專注，
這就是第一條誡命所神聖封藏與歸納的：
“3除了我以外，你不可有別的神。”
（出 20：3）。
然而，貪愛金錢的心已經篡奪了許多人內心神的地位。
What is prohibited is the love of money and our services to it:
所被禁止的事情，是貪愛錢財及我們去服事它：
“No one can serve two masters;
for either he will hate the one and love the other,
or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.”
(Mt 6:24)
“24一個人不能事奉兩個主；
不是惡這個，愛那個，
就是重這個，輕那個。
你們不能又事奉神，又事奉瑪門（瑪門：財利的意思）。”
（太 6：24）
The love and desire to accumulate more money is a gateway to all kind of evils.7
Love and desire become a “lust,”
an act of reaching out frantically to acquire wealth.
In the search for money, morality is set aside and errant and sinful behavior ensues.8
The milk contamination scandal in China and Madoff’s Ponzi scheme
are just two examples of what can happen
when people have lost sight of their moral values.
貪愛渴望積累多的錢財是進入各種罪惡的大門。7
這種貪愛與渴望演變成“貪慾”，
是一種瘋狂向外追求財富的行為。
追逐金錢時，道德被拋諸腦後，而錯誤和罪惡的行為接著來。 8
中國\奶粉污染的醜聞和馬多夫的龐氏騙局，
就是可能所會發生事件的兩個例子，
當眾人已經忽略了自已的道德觀。
A total devotion to money can make a person rich for himself
but cannot make him rich toward God.9
Those who serve money are warned against over-reliance on uncertain riches.10
The rich fools are satisfied with the wealth that they have gathered,
believing that they can fall back on it in hard times.
This false sense of security turns their attention away from God.11
完全投入金錢可以使人本身致富，
但卻不能使他在神面前富足。9
那些事奉金錢的人得到警告不要過度依賴無常的財富。10
愚昧的富人滿足於自己所積聚的財富，
以為在困難之時他們可以倚靠它。
這種虛假的安全感轉變他們的注意力去離開神。11
In the wrong hands, money becomes unrighteous.12
Money pampers the rich with comfort and power;
their wealth leads them to believe they are different, exquisite, and out of this world.
Exclusivity and uniqueness are the selling points of many services and products.
在錯誤的人手中，金錢會變成不義。 12
金錢以舒適與權力寵愛富人；
他們的財富使他們相信，自己與眾不同，高貴且超乎世界。
許多服務和產品的賣點就是獨佔性與唯一性。
Money and power are intertwined:
money buys influence, influence confers privilege and connections,
which in turn generates money for the wealthy.
金錢與權力相互交纏：
金錢獲得影響力，影響力帶來特權與人脈，
這轉而又為富人帶來金錢。
The prophets vociferously warned against reliance on wealth, power, and alliances
instead of trusting in the living God.13
眾先知強烈警告不要依賴財富，權力和結盟，
反而應當信靠永生的神。13
A Healthy View Toward Money 面對金錢健康的看法
In Proverbs 30:8, 9, Agur declares,
在箴言 30 篇 8-9 節，亞古珥宣告，
Give me neither poverty nor riches
— Feed me with the food allotted to me;
Lest I be full and deny You,
And say, “Who is the LORD?”
Or lest I be poor and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
8使我也不貧窮也不富足；
賜給我需用的飲食，
9恐怕我飽足不認你，
說：耶和華是誰呢？
又恐怕我貧窮就偷竊，
以致褻瀆我神的名。
Excessive wealth can corrupt,
but the lack of money is equally harmful.
Our overwhelming need to quench our daily hunger can become a distraction
that hinders us from honoring God or behaving morally.14
Many crimes are driven by desperation and poverty.
超額的財富會腐化人心，
但缺乏金錢同樣另人受傷。
止息日常溫飽極度的需求可能會另人分心，
阻礙我們去榮耀神或有好行為。
許多犯罪行為都是由於絕望和貧窮所產生的。
There is nothing wrong with accumulating wealth.
The ants are commended for storing food during good times.15
Abraham, Isaac, and Job were blessed with material blessings,16
but their great possessions did not hinder their relationship with God.
Their wealth did not appear out of the blue;
it was accumulated through a combination
of God’s blessing, hard work, and sensible management.
積累錢財並無沒有問題。
螞蟻認可在好時間時儲存食物。15
亞伯拉罕，以撒和約伯也蒙受物質的祝福，16
他們的財富並不是馮空出現；
而是神祝福，努力工作，明智管理全部合在一起而累積而成的。
Jesus did not condemn the rich because of their material wealth.
It was their attitude towards wealth
that hindered the rich from entering into the heavenly kingdom.
耶穌並未因為富人的物質財富而譴責他們。
而是他們財富的態度，
才會阻礙富人進入天國。
Money can open many doors and avenues
as well as expose us to temptations and snares.17
The power that riches bring blinds people to their social responsibilities.18
It is not their enjoyment of riches
but rather their selfishness and insensitivity toward suffering that is condemned.19
金錢能打開啟許多大門和道路，
但我們也會曝露自已去面臨誘惑與陷阱。17
財富帶來的權力會遮掩眾人行使自身的社會責任。18
受譴責的事，並非是財富與其帶來的享受，
而是財富對他人苦難隨之而來的自私和冷漠，受到譴責。19
The well-off are entrusted with God’s blessing
and should act faithfully and responsibly
while maintaining their relationship with Him.20
They are in an influential and powerful position to do mercy and justice.
隨著神祝福託負的順遂，
應當忠心負責的執行，
並保持自已與神的關係。
他們處於具有影響力及權勢的位置，可以施行慈愛與公義。
Make Good Use of God’s Blessings 好好利用神的祝福
The Bible never advocates suffering for suffering’s sake,
and indulgence and pleasure-seeking are likewise discouraged.21
Lifestyles that are driven by pleasure-seeking, self-indulgence,
showing off, and the lack of self-control should be a warning for us.22
聖經從未提倡為受苦的原故而去受苦，
同樣的也不鼓勵去放縱與追求享樂。21
那些為享樂，放縱，自我炫耀和沒有自制所驅動的生活方式，
才應該是我們的警鐘。
We need to always act modestly,
doing our part to contribute to the well-being of society.
When we devote sufficient time to God and His ministry,
we can enjoy our possessions and the fruit of our work.
Even if we are not rich,
we have been blessed by God to live comfortably
and so should act sensibly and consider the impact of our actions.
我們需要始終保持謙遜，
盡力為社會的福祉付出。
當我們奉獻給神及事工足夠的時間時，
我們就能享受自己的財物和勞力的成果。
即使我們並不富有，
我們仍然蒙神的祝福，能夠舒適的生活，
因此應當理智行事，思考自己行為的衝擊。
We need to consider how to make good use of the material wealth God has given us.23
Before we spend we need to ask ourselves:
Am I setting a good example for others to follow?
Will my purchase arouse envy and strife,
inadvertently causing more harm than good?
Am I spending money on top brands, products, or services that are not necessary,
too complex to understand, and even extravagant?
我們要考慮如何善用神給我們的物質財富。23
在花費之前，我們需要問自己：
我是否給他人樹立了一個良好的榜樣？
我的採購是否會引起嫉妒和紛爭，
無意中造成更多的傷害，而沒有好處呢？
我是否花錢購買不必要的高端品牌，產品或服務，
太過於複雜而難以理解，且甚至是太過奢華呢？
We should not drive expensive gasguzzling cars
that pollute the environment even if we could easily afford it.
We should not be wasteful, changing our wardrobe every year,
or buying too much food and subsequently throwing some of it away uneaten.
我們不應該駕駛昂貴高油耗的汽車，
它們會污染環境，即使我們能輕易負擔。
我們不應該浪費，每年更換自已衣櫃的服裝，
或是採購過多的食物，而後來丟掉其中一些沒吃。
If we have decided to spend top money on a luxury cabin on a cruise holiday,
perhaps we can consider trading down.
We know that it only costs a few thousand US dollars to build a church in Africa
—why not put our money to good use?
如果我們已經決定要花很多錢去購買一次假期郵輪的豪華艙，
或許我們可以考慮降級消費。
我們知道，非洲建一座教堂只需花費幾千美元
—為什麼自已的金錢不善加利用呢？
Our small sacrifice in booking a cheaper cabin
and offering the difference will bring a lot of joy to many,
and it is a way to fulfill God’s grace and love24
that is pleasing to both God and man.25
我們小小的犧牲去選擇較便宜的艙位，
並捐出差額將可以給許多人帶來喜悅，
這是完成神恩典和慈愛的一種方式，24
這會給神與人都感到喜悅。
Cornelius’ devotion and kindness26
appeared to be a contributing factor in his election as a child of God.
King David accumulated vast amounts of wealth in his lifetime
and put them to good use by offering them for the construction of the temple.
His offerings moved his officials to act likewise.27
The apostolic church is the quintessence of true religion28
and manifestation of God’s love.29
哥尼流的奉獻和善行，
看起來就是他被揀選成為神子女的一個決定性因素。
大衛王一生積累了大量的財富，
並且善加利用財富，奉獻來建造聖殿。
他的奉獻感動了他的眾官員跟隨效法。27
使徒教會就是真正宗教的典範，28
且展現了神的慈愛。29
However life unfolds before us,
we should be satisfied with what we have30
and be thankful to God however little or much we possess.
無論我們面前生命是如何展開，
我們都應該知足自己所擁有的，30
並且感謝神，無論我們擁有的是多或少。
Jesus led an exemplary lifestyle:
He ate and drank in public31 and dined with the rich and powerful,32
yet He was ready to sleep rough33 and fast and pray in the desert and mountains.
耶穌過著模範的生活方式：
祂在公共場合吃喝31，並與富人和權貴一起用餐，32
然而祂卻準備好露宿街頭，並在沙漠和荒山中禁食禱告。
Similarly, Paul was no stranger to the hospitality of wealthy believers,34
but he was equally at home in prison.35
No wonder he could say,
“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound,”
and
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
(Phil 4:12, 13).
同樣的，保羅對富有信徒的款待並不陌生，
但在監獄裡他也能安然自處。
難怪他會說：
“12我知道怎樣處卑賤，也知道怎樣處豐富”，
並且
“13我靠著那加給我力量的，凡事都能做。”
（腓 4：12，13）。
Trade up or down, exaltation or humiliation,
they are only transient affairs in our worldly lives,36
merely the concerns of the world.37
In my travels I have seen the dazzling height of human excess
as well as the dejected poverty of the bottom billion.
I feel content in a top-notch hotel in the financial center of Beijing
and I am equally happy to lie on the carpet floors of churches in the UK
or the hard floorboards of churches in Asia.
無論購買高貴或低俗，高昇或卑微，
在我們世上的生活中都只是短暫的事件，36
僅僅是世上的憂慮而已。37
在我的旅途中，我曾看過了人類極度奢華炫麗的高度，
同時也見過底層數十億人無奈的貧困。
我在北京金融中心的一流高檔旅店感到滿足，
我也同樣樂於躺在英國教會的地毯上，
或是亞洲教會的硬木地板上。
We should make the most of what life offers.
I will lie down and sleep well on my flat seat on the plane,
knowing that it is only second best to my usual bed
and that the next time it could be a hard surface somewhere in the world.
我們應該充分利用生活所可提供的一切。
我會在飛機上躺下自已平躺座位並好好入睡，
知道這只是僅次於自已平常床鋪的第二好選擇，
而下一次就可能是躺在世界某個地方的堅硬表面上。
1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7905174.stm
2. Mk 10:25
3. Lk 16:13
4. Prov 22:7
5. Ex 22:25
6. Prov 24:27, 30:25
7. 1 Tim 6:10
8. Hos 12:8
9. Lk 12:21
10. 1 Tim 6:17
11. Isa 47:8
12. Lk 16:11
13. Jer 2:36, 37; Hos 14:3; Isa 30:1, 2
14. 2 Kgs 6:25-28
15. Prov 30:25
16. Gen 13:6, Gen 26:16, Job 1:3
17. 1 Tim 6:9
18. Prov 22:7
19. Amos 6:6
20. Lk 16:11
21. Gal 5:13
22. 2 Tim 3:1-5
23. Lk 16:8-31
24. 2 Cor 8:8, 9
25. Phil 4:17
26. Acts 10:2
27. 1 Chr 29:1-7
28. Act 2:44, 45; Jas 1:27
29. 1 Jn 3:16-18
30. 1 Tim 6:6
31. Mt 11:19
32. Lk 7:36, 19:5
33. Lk 9:58
34. Acts 16:14, 15
35. Acts 16:25
36. Jas 1:9, 10
37. Mt 6:25-34
1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7905174.stm
2. 可 10：25
3. 路 16：13
4. 箴 22：7
5. 出 22：25
6. 箴 24：27，30：25
7. 提前 6：10
8. 何 12：8
9. 路 12：21
10. 提前 6：17
11. 賽 47：8
12. 路 16：11
13. 耶 2：36，37；何 14：3；賽 30：1，2
14. 王下 6：25-28
15. 箴 30：25
16. 創 13：6，創 26：16，伯 1：3
17. 提前 6：9
18. 箴 22：7
19. 摩 6：6
20. 路 16：11
21. 加 5：13
22. 提後 3：1-5
23. 路 16：8-31
24. 林後 8：8，9
25. 腓 4：17
26. 徒 10：2
27. 代上 1 29：1-7
28. 徒 2：44，45；雅 1：27
29. 約壹 3：16-18
30. 提前 6：6
31. 太 11：19
32. 路 7：36，19：5
33. 路 9：58
34. 徒 16：14，15
35. 徒 16：25
36. 雅 1：9，10
37. 太 6：25-34
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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