初信造就 › 第二九篇　职业

第二九篇　职业

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　　读经：
　　帖后三10~12：“我们在你们那里的时候，曾吩咐你们说，若有人不肯作工，就不可吃饭。因为我们听说，在你们中间有人不按规矩而行，什么工都不作，反倒专管闲事。我们靠主耶稣基督，吩咐劝戒这样的人，要安静作工，吃自己的饭。”
　　基督徒的职业，是一件大事。职业如果选错了，前面的路就走不好。所以基督徒必须注意到职业的拣选。
　
　
　　当神创造人的时候，神就替人安排了职业。神所分派给亚当和夏娃作的事，乃是修理看守。所以，职业乃是人类没犯罪之前就有的。亚当和夏娃当初的职业就像园丁一样，在那里看守修理神所造的伊甸园。
　　亚当和夏娃犯罪之后，地就不给他们效力，他们要汗流满面才得糊口，他们要种地才有得吃。（创三17~19）这明显给我们看见，在人堕落之后，神所规定的职业是作农夫种田。人必须汗流满面的种地，地才给人效劳，才叫人得着粮食。一直到今天，我们能够承认说，农夫比任何人都老实得多。当初神定规人应该种田。
　　到了创世记四章的时候，你看见该隐种地，亚伯牧羊。现在是加上了牧羊，可见畜牧也是神所悦纳的职业。
　　再下去，当人在地上越过越多的时候，有各种的匠人起来。有铁匠，有铜匠，有作乐器的，有打造各样铜铁利器的起来（四22）。到了巴别塔的时候，有泥瓦匠和木匠（十一3~4）（虽然盖巴别塔是不应该的，但是人在那样学习建造。所以铜匠，铁匠，作乐器的，盖造的匠人，还都是正当地职业）。
　　到创世记十二章，神拣选亚伯拉罕。亚伯拉罕也是牧人。他有许多的牛，有许多的羊。到雅各的时候，他也是有牛群和羊群。可见他们主要的职业都是畜牧。
　　以色列人在埃及是替法老烧砖作匠人。但是他们出埃及以后，神应许给他们流奶与蜜之地。这里明显有两个职业：畜牧和耕种。那地的葡萄要两个人抬（民十三23），明显是有耕种。神说，你们如果违背我，拜偶像，我要叫天像铜，地像铁，不给你们效劳（利二六19~20）。这也很明显的说，他们在迦南应许之地的职业，乃是耕种和畜牧。在旧约里，就是有这几种职业。
　
　　到了新约的时候，在马太福音主耶稣所引的比喻里，我们看见耕种是一个基本的职业。比方在十三章里，有撒种的比喻。在二十章里，有葡萄园的比喻。在路加十七章，说到有仆人耕地，或是从田里放羊回来。在约翰十章，主说好牧人为羊舍命，这是畜牧。所以耕种和畜牧是神给人规定的基本职业。
　　主呼召十二个使徒，他们大多是打鱼的人。人如果作税吏，主就要我他把这职业丢弃。但是对于渔夫，主说，你们从前是打鱼的，从今以后，我要叫你们得人如得鱼一样（太四19）。所以打鱼也是个被接受的职业。
　　路加作医生，保罗织帐棚。织帐棚和打鱼不同，是加工的制造。人耕地是直接的生产。织布，作裁缝或者作帐棚，这些都是加工的制造。
　　我只能说，从旧约到新约，神对于职业就是这样安排。主的门徒或者是作农夫，或者是作牧人，或者是作匠人，或者是打鱼，或者是加工的制造。如果再要增加一个职业，至多可以加上作工的人（不是指着作属灵工作的人）。因为新约有话说，工人得工价是应当的（提前五18）。工人，就是劳力的人，卖力的人。用劳力来得着工价，这也是圣经所许可的职业。
　
　　在圣经里，神替人安排了这么多的职业，我们可以找出一个基本的原则，就是说，人所得着的，人所接受的，乃是来自于天然。或者人把他的时间，把他的力气拿出去，来得着工价。这些是圣经里所提到职业的原则。
　
　　撒种的人，拿一粒麦子撒在地里，等一等结出许多子粒来，或者三十倍，或者六十倍，或者一百倍（太十三3，8）。一粒变作一百粒，或者变作六十粒，或者变作三十粒。你把种子种在地里，叫它生长，它结出子粒来。你看见这是从天然取得供给。天然的供给是丰富的，天然的供给是任何人都能得着的。因为神叫日头照好人，也照歹人；神降雨给义人，也给不义的人（五45）。这明显是作农业的用处。所以神的目的是要人从自然里取得供给。畜牧也是同样的原则。你牧了羊，它给你奶。你牧了羊，它给你生了许多小羊。这是生产的加增。这乃是自然所给的，而不是用其他的方法取得的。
　　到了新约，你看见有打鱼。打鱼是往河里海里去取，还是往自然去取。不会因为我往河里海里去取，就叫谁变作更穷了。我可以从水里去取，我可以变作富足，但是不会叫任何人变穷，我的羊可以生六只小羊，我的牛可以生两只小牛，但是不会因着我的羊生了小羊，我的牛生了小牛，谁家里就变穷了。我在这里种地，没有人会因我田里长了一百倍的子粒，而他们饿了，他们有损失了。所以神给人职业的基本原则，就是我有所得着，人没有损失。这就是神所安排高尚的职业。
　
　　就是保罗的织帐棚，也是同样的原则。不过，他不是直接往天然里去取。像打鱼，像畜牧，像耕种，都是直接去取得天然里的东西。而保罗在那里是加上他的工夫去制造。这一个乃是加增一个东西的价值。比方，一块布原来只值一块钱。我把它裁了，缝了，成功作帐棚，就值了两块钱。它的价值加增了，我就得着加值的工钱。这也不会因着我得着价值加增的钱的缘故，会叫任何的人变穷。没有一个人会因着保罗织帐棚的缘故，变作贫穷，受了损失。我加增这一块布的价值，因为有工夫加进去，我得着了工钱，这是正当地。所以神所给人的职业，另一个基本的原则是加增价值。
　
　　再像替人作工，作匠人，作医生，又是另外一个原则。我用我的工夫来卖钱，来得工价。虽然这不是从天然里去取得，也不是加工去制造，但是我花了那么多的工夫，出了那么多的代价，作了那么多的事，所以我有了那么多的收入。作工的得工价，也是神所许可的事。
　
　　有一个职业，圣经里特别看为不好的，就是作买卖。这一件事，我特别要请你们注意。我盼望初信的弟兄，如果有力量拣选他的职业，最好能够不作买卖。为什么缘故呢？我想先把这一个问题扩大来看，也许能够看得清楚一点。比方说，我们这里有一百个人，每个人有一百万块钱。这一百个人合在一起，就有一亿。我问你们，我如果出来作买卖，作生意，自然就想赚钱，就盼望我这一百万变作两百万。你们且不管我如何作生意，是公义还是不公义。无论如何，我作了一个月的生意之后，变作两百万。在你们中间，总是有的人的钱少了。这是定规的。因为我们一百个人，每个人都有一百万，我手里也只有一百万。即使我用最公义的方法作生意，叫我手里的钱变作两百万，总是叫你们中间有的人的钱缺了，有的人的钱少了。
　　在这里，我是基督徒，你们也是基督徒，你们是我的弟兄。我请问我赚你们的钱，我变作更富足，你们变作更贫穷，好意思么？不好意思。即使你们是外邦人、外教人，我还是基督徒。我告欣你们说，我是神的儿女，我有神儿女的体统，我有神儿女的地位。神的儿女不能叫世人更贫穷，叫自己的钱多起来。我就是用公义的方法，赚你们的钱，赚信徒的钱，我不好意思。我就是用公义的方法，赚非信徒的钱，我也不好意思。作生意，就是这一种的情形。我不能把钱从别人的口袋里，拿到我口袋里。不管用什么方法，把钱从人的口袋里转到我的口袋里来，总是叫人吃亏。这是事实。
　　但是神在圣经里所给人的基本职业，就没有这一个难处。比方我是种地的，我收了一百担米进来；不是说，因我收了一百担米，某弟兄家里，本来有十担米，现在变作九担了。我不会叫他少。我如果收了一百担米，不会叫你们中间任何人少一斤米。我如果收了一百担米，不会叫你们中间任何人变作贫穷。这一个不是叫作赚钱，这一个乃是加增丰富。你们必须分别，赚钱和加增丰富是两件完全不同的事。神不愿意他的儿女只有一个目的，就是赚钱。神是要我们的职业能够加增丰富。这一个基本原则是相当的清楚。初信的弟兄们，不要一天到晚在那里想钱。不要一直想怎样能够赚钱。请你们记得，你赚了钱，人定规少了钱。我的钱加增，就是人的钱减少，这是作买卖的原则。
　
　　我们在这里，看到三种不同的职业：一类是作买卖，一类是作工，一类就是生产。神在圣经里所规定最高的职业，就是作生产的人。从亚当起，神所特别注意的职业是生产。因为生产是我加增丰富，而不叫别人贫穷。我养了一百只羊，过了多少年，变作四百只，加增了三百只。但是这一个加增，并没有叫任何弟兄姊妹的口袋里少一块钱。你们原来家里有多少钱，仍然有多少钱。绝不会因我的羊生了小羊，你们就减少。这是在圣经里职业的基本原则。我要叫我所有的东西加增，我要叫我的丰富加增。虽然我把羊拿去卖了，我是有了钱，但是我却没有叫任何人更贫穷。
　　我盼望初信的弟兄们，如果有机会拣选职业，应该拣选加增东西的职业，不要拣选加增钱财的职业。加增钱财，而不加增东西，这是非常自私的。我们要学习加增世界的东西，而不是加增我个人的财富。这里面有极大的分别。
　　保罗的织帐棚，那又是另外一个原则。不错，他没有叫棉花更多，没有叫丝更多，没有叫布更多。可是，布因着他的裁，因着他的缝，因着他花了那么多的工夫，那么多的力气，就增加了价值。据圣经的学者说，当时的帐棚是要染的。阿福德（Dean Aford）说，保罗曾说，“看哪，我这两只手。…”（徒二十34，原文。）在他这两只手上，定规带着染帐棚的颜色，定规是不干净的。所以，保罗的织帐棚是叫东西加增价值。
　　加增丰富是好的事，加增价值也是好的事。比方说，一块木头，我把它作成椅子，这也是好的事。因为我这样作，我是加增木头的价值。虽然我不是从大自然加增丰富，但是世界因着我多了一张椅子。因着我这样作帐棚，就多加增了一个帐棚。这也不是只叫自己得利，而损害别人的。我能够作帐棚，我能够叫便宜的布变成贵价的帐棚。布变作帐棚，这是叫世界的东西加增了。这也是神所许可的一种职业。
　　初信的弟兄们，从今以后要看见，我们的职业有两个标准：我们要加增世界的丰富，我们也要加增东西的价值。实在说来，织帐棚也是加增世界的丰富。因着我的手这样作，世界的帐棚就增加了。所以加增丰富也是对的。这是神为人安排职业的基本原则。
　
　　我也读过一点经济学，我知道作买卖也有它的需要。但是，我是基督徒，我不是经济学家。不错，主耶稣也说，我们要作买卖，直到祂来。（路十九13）但那一节圣经的意思，是要我们作工像作买卖那样专心。你们知道，作买卖的人是非常专心的。只要有钱赚，什么地方都钻进去。主的意思是你有机会就得钻进去，你要这样专心的来作工。
　　我想大家都知道，作买卖是从推罗起头的。而作买卖的结果是到巴比伦。从以西结二十八章起，－以西结一直到启示录十八章止，你们看见说，发起作买卖的人是推罗的王。以西结二十八章给我们看见，推罗的王是代表撒但。“因你贸易很多，就被强暴的事充满，以致犯罪。”（16）所以请你们记得，你这一种作买卖的思想，叫自己赚钱，叫别人吃亏，叫世界的财富减少，这不是神所定规的职业，这是撒但所有的职业。这一个原则不对。
　　作买卖的原则，是我口袋里的钱加增的时候，别人口袋里的钱就减少。人一有赚钱的思想，结果很简单，这一个人的钱一多，那一个人的钱就少。总是谁的钱增加，－以西结一定有人的钱减少。全世界假定说只有－以西结二百一十亿元的钱。你富的时候，还是二百一十亿，你穷的时候，也是－以西结二百一十亿。世界上钱的数量，是有限的。可是我把别人的钱拿来，叫我的钱加增，这就叫纯商业。我不是说，把鱼打来不卖。我也不是说，把麦子收来不卖。我也不是说，羊生了小羊不卖。我也不是说，保罗把帐棚织好了不卖。我乃是说，帐棚也好，羊也好，麦子也好，鱼也好，那不是纯商业。那是把我的生产来换钱。我所得的利益，是大自然给我的。我所得的丰富，是大自然给我的。是大自然给我丰富，不是我把别人弄穷了来叫我丰富。
　　基督徒要有一个思想，我不赚人的钱。我们千万不要有任何的思想，叫任何人吃亏。我们作神儿女的人，地位是那样的高，如果要去赚世界上那样低的钱，那实在是不好看的事。比方说，－以西结一个的元首到鼓岭来，看见－以西结一个当地人害疟疾，就把奎宁丸卖给他说，“我买来是五元一颗，现在卖给你是六元一颗。”你们想那里能有这样的事？你们看见，－以西结一个国家的完首，来赚挑夫的一块钱，这一个身分不对。我告诉你们，基督徒要赚任何人的钱，那比一个元首去赚挑夫的钱更不好意思。我们的地位和他们不同，我们没有法子去赚任何人的钱。
　　我们基督徒是高贵的。基督徒有基督徒的尊荣，基督徒有基督徒的地位，基督徒有基督徒的体统。我赚了任何人的钱，都是可羞耻的事。我不能这么作来加增我的财富。我宁可去作农夫，去耕，去种。这比我去赚钱，要荣耀得多。因为神是安排大自然为我效力，这比我自己去赚钱荣耀得多。基督徒总是要有个思想，我不要赚人的钱。
　　凡是能加增物质的数量，能加增物质的价值，那样的职业在神面前是蒙悦纳的。纯商业不是神所悦纳的。你们要特别注意以西结二十八章，贸易取利的原则是从推罗王起头的。神在那里责备说，因着贸易众多，你里面就有罪。到了启示录十八章，世界快要结束，国度快要起头的时候，你们就看见巴比伦在那里受刑罚。作买卖这件事，是一直到巴比伦结束的时候。地上所有的商人，都在那里为巴比伦哀哭。你也在那里看见，地上所有的商品，第一样是金子，末了一样是人口。人口就是魂，这是同样的字。从金子到人口，没有一样不能作买卖，什么东西都能作买卖。人总是想赚钱，人总是想发财，人总是想要变作富有的的人。但是弟兄姊妹，我们要逃避这个下等的职业。
　
　　我盼望你们能够分别纯商业和生产商的不同。麦子可以卖，牛羊可以卖，帐棚可以卖，鱼也可以卖。这一个不叫作买卖。世界上所谓的作买卖乃是说，我今天向人买一百袋面粉摆在那里，等价钱高了再卖出去。我买了五十篓油摆在那里，等价钱高了再卖出去。不会因着我的缘故，麦子多了一斤，或者油多了一斤。油没有加增，麦子没有加增，可是我的钱加增了。我没有加增世界的东西，却一直加增我的财产，这是可耻的事。这是信主的人应该尽力避免的事。
　　为着生产而有买卖是可以的。若光是买进卖出，那是不可以的。如果有一个弟兄，把种地所得的拿出去卖，这是好的。如果有一个弟兄把米买进来，再卖出去，这是不好的。虽然两个都是卖，但是原则根本不一样。如果有一个弟兄把帐棚买十个进来，再把帐棚卖十个出去，这可和保罗不同行。我乃是晚上织帐棚，白天卖出去，这才是和保罗同行的。你看见这是绝对不同的事。你作了工去卖钱，这是神祝福的。你买进又卖出，心里只有一个盼望要赚钱，这不只从基督徒看是最低的职业，就是从外邦人看也是最低的职业。
　　所以作纯商业的弟兄，不能作负责弟兄。因为这样的人，对于钱不能得着释放。我们从今以后，这一条路是越过越清楚，神的儿女应该完全脱离钱的势力，才可以事奉神，教会才有路走。
　
　　牧羊的人，种地的人，是生产的人。作买卖的人，是另外一种人。又有一种人，是夹在两者中间的，就是作工的人；像医生、教师，他们是把他们的工夫拿出来。这在圣经里，也是一种好的职业。他们虽然不生产，但是他们也无所取于人。他们不从天然里有所得，也不从人身上有所得。他们乃是用自己的时间，用自己的体力，用自己的脑力，去换取他们所该得着的养生之物。作工的得工价，是应该的。这也是神在圣经里所喜欢的职业。最高的职业是生产的职业，其次是作工，花脑力或花体力来得着酬报。
　　生产的人，是从大自然里有所得，而无所取于人。作工的人，是从大自然里无所得，也无所取于人。作买卖的人，是从大自然里无所得，而有所取于人。这三种完全不同。生产的人，是从大自然里有所得，而同时对于人无所取，这是圣经里最高的职业。作工的人，是卖力的，不管脑力也好，体力也好；我花我的时间，我花我的气力，我得我所该得的，我不会叫人变作更贫穷。你付给我这么多钱，我给你作这么多工，两个能够抵消，这是神所许可的职业。纯商业作买卖的人，是无所得于大自然，而有所取于人；除了想赚钱之外，没有别的目的。这在圣经里是最低的职业。
　　今天这一条路，是相当的明显。这一个原则，也是相当的明显。盼望弟兄们，能够尽力在职业上有转机。
　
　　不过，我不愿意你们走极端的路。不要一碰著作买卖的人，就定他们的罪。因为他们没有机会拣选职业。我认识一个弟兄，当他刚从学校里出来的时候，是相当好。后来到买卖场中去，不多久心就变坏了。一天到晚，都在想赚人的钱。如果要他买东西，他就要赚你的钱。他总是在暗中要赚你的钱。这实在是不好的事。我说，这是心术败坏了。我们盼望，凡是能够由得自己拣选职业的弟兄，千万不要进到纯商业的里面去。已经在里面的弟兄，我们要帮助他，叫他看见，叫他改过来。不要和他为难，但最少这一条路得叫他清楚。
　　无论如何，纯商业不是好事。总是盼望过十年，过二十年，不作买卖变作一个风气。盼望在我们中间，盼望各处的弟兄姊妹，将来能有不作纯商业的风气。我们作神儿女的人，宁可教书，宁可去替人挑担，总是不要作纯商业。我种一块地，生产麦子，生产谷米，把这些拿出去卖。我的羊生了几只小羊，拿去卖。我的鸡生了蛋，拿去卖。我的牛有牛奶，拿去卖。我织了布，拿去卖。这些事都可作。如果是这样，人的努力越多，人所作的工越多，神所赐的祝福也越多。最怕的是，我们中间的弟兄姊妹，光是把钱赚来了许多。这是最不好的事。
　　今天，我们和各公会比，我们的弟兄姊妹是最贫穷的。如果我们不小心，我们要变作最有钱的。因为我们比人老实，我们不撒谎，我们比人殷勤；同时没有一个地方花费比我们更少的。我们又不吸烟，又不喝酒，又不住好房子。这样一来，过不多时，各地的弟兄姊妹都要发财了。你们知道，卫斯理约翰在末去世时曾说，“我替卫理会的人担心。他们又诚实，又勤劳，又不花钱，将来要变作世界上最有钱的人。”今天这话已经成为事实，各地卫斯理公会的人都是最有钱的人，结果他们的见证就完了。
　　我们盼望初信的弟兄们，总要用劳力去赚钱，而不是一手进来，一手出去那样赚了许多钱。我们的原则总是加增丰富，不是加增钱。如果这样，进来的钱就是清洁的，奉献到神那里的钱能够蒙悦纳。每一块的钱，能够有好的结果。假定有一个弟兄，作了一个篮子拿去卖，然后拿来奉献，这比一个弟兄买来十个篮子再卖出去，把所赚的利钱拿来奉献，要好得多。虽然奉献的钱数一样，但是那一个钱不一样。盼望许多弟兄姊妹能够看见这一个原则。要就是劳力，要就是生产，这两个原则都是对的。买卖，我不能禁止，我也不敢禁止。不过我说，要尽力量不作纯商业的事。无论如何，这是拖基督徒下水的。盼望初信的弟兄们，在职业上，都能够讨神的喜悦。
　　读经：
　　帖后三10~12：“我们在你们那里的时候，曾吩咐你们说，若有人不肯作工，就不可吃饭。因为我们听说，在你们中间有人不按规矩而行，什么工都不作，反倒专管闲事。我们靠主耶稣基督，吩咐劝戒这样的人，要安静作工，吃自己的饭。”
　　基督徒的职业，是一件大事。职业如果选错了，前面的路就走不好。所以基督徒必须注意到职业的拣选。
　
　
　　当神创造人的时候，神就替人安排了职业。神所分派给亚当和夏娃作的事，乃是修理看守。所以，职业乃是人类没犯罪之前就有的。亚当和夏娃当初的职业就像园丁一样，在那里看守修理神所造的伊甸园。
　　亚当和夏娃犯罪之后，地就不给他们效力，他们要汗流满面才得糊口，他们要种地才有得吃。（创三17~19）这明显给我们看见，在人堕落之后，神所规定的职业是作农夫种田。人必须汗流满面的种地，地才给人效劳，才叫人得着粮食。一直到今天，我们能够承认说，农夫比任何人都老实得多。当初神定规人应该种田。
　　到了创世记四章的时候，你看见该隐种地，亚伯牧羊。现在是加上了牧羊，可见畜牧也是神所悦纳的职业。
　　再下去，当人在地上越过越多的时候，有各种的匠人起来。有铁匠，有铜匠，有作乐器的，有打造各样铜铁利器的起来（四22）。到了巴别塔的时候，有泥瓦匠和木匠（十一3~4）（虽然盖巴别塔是不应该的，但是人在那样学习建造。所以铜匠，铁匠，作乐器的，盖造的匠人，还都是正当地职业）。
　　到创世记十二章，神拣选亚伯拉罕。亚伯拉罕也是牧人。他有许多的牛，有许多的羊。到雅各的时候，他也是有牛群和羊群。可见他们主要的职业都是畜牧。
　　以色列人在埃及是替法老烧砖作匠人。但是他们出埃及以后，神应许给他们流奶与蜜之地。这里明显有两个职业：畜牧和耕种。那地的葡萄要两个人抬（民十三23），明显是有耕种。神说，你们如果违背我，拜偶像，我要叫天像铜，地像铁，不给你们效劳（利二六19~20）。这也很明显的说，他们在迦南应许之地的职业，乃是耕种和畜牧。在旧约里，就是有这几种职业。
　
　　到了新约的时候，在马太福音主耶稣所引的比喻里，我们看见耕种是一个基本的职业。比方在十三章里，有撒种的比喻。在二十章里，有葡萄园的比喻。在路加十七章，说到有仆人耕地，或是从田里放羊回来。在约翰十章，主说好牧人为羊舍命，这是畜牧。所以耕种和畜牧是神给人规定的基本职业。
　　主呼召十二个使徒，他们大多是打鱼的人。人如果作税吏，主就要我他把这职业丢弃。但是对于渔夫，主说，你们从前是打鱼的，从今以后，我要叫你们得人如得鱼一样（太四19）。所以打鱼也是个被接受的职业。
　　路加作医生，保罗织帐棚。织帐棚和打鱼不同，是加工的制造。人耕地是直接的生产。织布，作裁缝或者作帐棚，这些都是加工的制造。
　　我只能说，从旧约到新约，神对于职业就是这样安排。主的门徒或者是作农夫，或者是作牧人，或者是作匠人，或者是打鱼，或者是加工的制造。如果再要增加一个职业，至多可以加上作工的人（不是指着作属灵工作的人）。因为新约有话说，工人得工价是应当的（提前五18）。工人，就是劳力的人，卖力的人。用劳力来得着工价，这也是圣经所许可的职业。
　
　　在圣经里，神替人安排了这么多的职业，我们可以找出一个基本的原则，就是说，人所得着的，人所接受的，乃是来自于天然。或者人把他的时间，把他的力气拿出去，来得着工价。这些是圣经里所提到职业的原则。
　
　　撒种的人，拿一粒麦子撒在地里，等一等结出许多子粒来，或者三十倍，或者六十倍，或者一百倍（太十三3，8）。一粒变作一百粒，或者变作六十粒，或者变作三十粒。你把种子种在地里，叫它生长，它结出子粒来。你看见这是从天然取得供给。天然的供给是丰富的，天然的供给是任何人都能得着的。因为神叫日头照好人，也照歹人；神降雨给义人，也给不义的人（五45）。这明显是作农业的用处。所以神的目的是要人从自然里取得供给。畜牧也是同样的原则。你牧了羊，它给你奶。你牧了羊，它给你生了许多小羊。这是生产的加增。这乃是自然所给的，而不是用其他的方法取得的。
　　到了新约，你看见有打鱼。打鱼是往河里海里去取，还是往自然去取。不会因为我往河里海里去取，就叫谁变作更穷了。我可以从水里去取，我可以变作富足，但是不会叫任何人变穷，我的羊可以生六只小羊，我的牛可以生两只小牛，但是不会因着我的羊生了小羊，我的牛生了小牛，谁家里就变穷了。我在这里种地，没有人会因我田里长了一百倍的子粒，而他们饿了，他们有损失了。所以神给人职业的基本原则，就是我有所得着，人没有损失。这就是神所安排高尚的职业。
　
　　就是保罗的织帐棚，也是同样的原则。不过，他不是直接往天然里去取。像打鱼，像畜牧，像耕种，都是直接去取得天然里的东西。而保罗在那里是加上他的工夫去制造。这一个乃是加增一个东西的价值。比方，一块布原来只值一块钱。我把它裁了，缝了，成功作帐棚，就值了两块钱。它的价值加增了，我就得着加值的工钱。这也不会因着我得着价值加增的钱的缘故，会叫任何的人变穷。没有一个人会因着保罗织帐棚的缘故，变作贫穷，受了损失。我加增这一块布的价值，因为有工夫加进去，我得着了工钱，这是正当地。所以神所给人的职业，另一个基本的原则是加增价值。
　
　　再像替人作工，作匠人，作医生，又是另外一个原则。我用我的工夫来卖钱，来得工价。虽然这不是从天然里去取得，也不是加工去制造，但是我花了那么多的工夫，出了那么多的代价，作了那么多的事，所以我有了那么多的收入。作工的得工价，也是神所许可的事。
　
　　有一个职业，圣经里特别看为不好的，就是作买卖。这一件事，我特别要请你们注意。我盼望初信的弟兄，如果有力量拣选他的职业，最好能够不作买卖。为什么缘故呢？我想先把这一个问题扩大来看，也许能够看得清楚一点。比方说，我们这里有一百个人，每个人有一百万块钱。这一百个人合在一起，就有一亿。我问你们，我如果出来作买卖，作生意，自然就想赚钱，就盼望我这一百万变作两百万。你们且不管我如何作生意，是公义还是不公义。无论如何，我作了一个月的生意之后，变作两百万。在你们中间，总是有的人的钱少了。这是定规的。因为我们一百个人，每个人都有一百万，我手里也只有一百万。即使我用最公义的方法作生意，叫我手里的钱变作两百万，总是叫你们中间有的人的钱缺了，有的人的钱少了。
　　在这里，我是基督徒，你们也是基督徒，你们是我的弟兄。我请问我赚你们的钱，我变作更富足，你们变作更贫穷，好意思么？不好意思。即使你们是外邦人、外教人，我还是基督徒。我告欣你们说，我是神的儿女，我有神儿女的体统，我有神儿女的地位。神的儿女不能叫世人更贫穷，叫自己的钱多起来。我就是用公义的方法，赚你们的钱，赚信徒的钱，我不好意思。我就是用公义的方法，赚非信徒的钱，我也不好意思。作生意，就是这一种的情形。我不能把钱从别人的口袋里，拿到我口袋里。不管用什么方法，把钱从人的口袋里转到我的口袋里来，总是叫人吃亏。这是事实。
　　但是神在圣经里所给人的基本职业，就没有这一个难处。比方我是种地的，我收了一百担米进来；不是说，因我收了一百担米，某弟兄家里，本来有十担米，现在变作九担了。我不会叫他少。我如果收了一百担米，不会叫你们中间任何人少一斤米。我如果收了一百担米，不会叫你们中间任何人变作贫穷。这一个不是叫作赚钱，这一个乃是加增丰富。你们必须分别，赚钱和加增丰富是两件完全不同的事。神不愿意他的儿女只有一个目的，就是赚钱。神是要我们的职业能够加增丰富。这一个基本原则是相当的清楚。初信的弟兄们，不要一天到晚在那里想钱。不要一直想怎样能够赚钱。请你们记得，你赚了钱，人定规少了钱。我的钱加增，就是人的钱减少，这是作买卖的原则。
　
　　我们在这里，看到三种不同的职业：一类是作买卖，一类是作工，一类就是生产。神在圣经里所规定最高的职业，就是作生产的人。从亚当起，神所特别注意的职业是生产。因为生产是我加增丰富，而不叫别人贫穷。我养了一百只羊，过了多少年，变作四百只，加增了三百只。但是这一个加增，并没有叫任何弟兄姊妹的口袋里少一块钱。你们原来家里有多少钱，仍然有多少钱。绝不会因我的羊生了小羊，你们就减少。这是在圣经里职业的基本原则。我要叫我所有的东西加增，我要叫我的丰富加增。虽然我把羊拿去卖了，我是有了钱，但是我却没有叫任何人更贫穷。
　　我盼望初信的弟兄们，如果有机会拣选职业，应该拣选加增东西的职业，不要拣选加增钱财的职业。加增钱财，而不加增东西，这是非常自私的。我们要学习加增世界的东西，而不是加增我个人的财富。这里面有极大的分别。
　　保罗的织帐棚，那又是另外一个原则。不错，他没有叫棉花更多，没有叫丝更多，没有叫布更多。可是，布因着他的裁，因着他的缝，因着他花了那么多的工夫，那么多的力气，就增加了价值。据圣经的学者说，当时的帐棚是要染的。阿福德（Dean Aford）说，保罗曾说，“看哪，我这两只手。…”（徒二十34，原文。）在他这两只手上，定规带着染帐棚的颜色，定规是不干净的。所以，保罗的织帐棚是叫东西加增价值。
　　加增丰富是好的事，加增价值也是好的事。比方说，一块木头，我把它作成椅子，这也是好的事。因为我这样作，我是加增木头的价值。虽然我不是从大自然加增丰富，但是世界因着我多了一张椅子。因着我这样作帐棚，就多加增了一个帐棚。这也不是只叫自己得利，而损害别人的。我能够作帐棚，我能够叫便宜的布变成贵价的帐棚。布变作帐棚，这是叫世界的东西加增了。这也是神所许可的一种职业。
　　初信的弟兄们，从今以后要看见，我们的职业有两个标准：我们要加增世界的丰富，我们也要加增东西的价值。实在说来，织帐棚也是加增世界的丰富。因着我的手这样作，世界的帐棚就增加了。所以加增丰富也是对的。这是神为人安排职业的基本原则。
　
　　我也读过一点经济学，我知道作买卖也有它的需要。但是，我是基督徒，我不是经济学家。不错，主耶稣也说，我们要作买卖，直到祂来。（路十九13）但那一节圣经的意思，是要我们作工像作买卖那样专心。你们知道，作买卖的人是非常专心的。只要有钱赚，什么地方都钻进去。主的意思是你有机会就得钻进去，你要这样专心的来作工。
　　我想大家都知道，作买卖是从推罗起头的。而作买卖的结果是到巴比伦。从以西结二十八章起，－以西结一直到启示录十八章止，你们看见说，发起作买卖的人是推罗的王。以西结二十八章给我们看见，推罗的王是代表撒但。“因你贸易很多，就被强暴的事充满，以致犯罪。”（16）所以请你们记得，你这一种作买卖的思想，叫自己赚钱，叫别人吃亏，叫世界的财富减少，这不是神所定规的职业，这是撒但所有的职业。这一个原则不对。
　　作买卖的原则，是我口袋里的钱加增的时候，别人口袋里的钱就减少。人一有赚钱的思想，结果很简单，这一个人的钱一多，那一个人的钱就少。总是谁的钱增加，－以西结一定有人的钱减少。全世界假定说只有－以西结二百一十亿元的钱。你富的时候，还是二百一十亿，你穷的时候，也是－以西结二百一十亿。世界上钱的数量，是有限的。可是我把别人的钱拿来，叫我的钱加增，这就叫纯商业。我不是说，把鱼打来不卖。我也不是说，把麦子收来不卖。我也不是说，羊生了小羊不卖。我也不是说，保罗把帐棚织好了不卖。我乃是说，帐棚也好，羊也好，麦子也好，鱼也好，那不是纯商业。那是把我的生产来换钱。我所得的利益，是大自然给我的。我所得的丰富，是大自然给我的。是大自然给我丰富，不是我把别人弄穷了来叫我丰富。
　　基督徒要有一个思想，我不赚人的钱。我们千万不要有任何的思想，叫任何人吃亏。我们作神儿女的人，地位是那样的高，如果要去赚世界上那样低的钱，那实在是不好看的事。比方说，－以西结一个的元首到鼓岭来，看见－以西结一个当地人害疟疾，就把奎宁丸卖给他说，“我买来是五元一颗，现在卖给你是六元一颗。”你们想那里能有这样的事？你们看见，－以西结一个国家的完首，来赚挑夫的一块钱，这一个身分不对。我告诉你们，基督徒要赚任何人的钱，那比一个元首去赚挑夫的钱更不好意思。我们的地位和他们不同，我们没有法子去赚任何人的钱。
　　我们基督徒是高贵的。基督徒有基督徒的尊荣，基督徒有基督徒的地位，基督徒有基督徒的体统。我赚了任何人的钱，都是可羞耻的事。我不能这么作来加增我的财富。我宁可去作农夫，去耕，去种。这比我去赚钱，要荣耀得多。因为神是安排大自然为我效力，这比我自己去赚钱荣耀得多。基督徒总是要有个思想，我不要赚人的钱。
　　凡是能加增物质的数量，能加增物质的价值，那样的职业在神面前是蒙悦纳的。纯商业不是神所悦纳的。你们要特别注意以西结二十八章，贸易取利的原则是从推罗王起头的。神在那里责备说，因着贸易众多，你里面就有罪。到了启示录十八章，世界快要结束，国度快要起头的时候，你们就看见巴比伦在那里受刑罚。作买卖这件事，是一直到巴比伦结束的时候。地上所有的商人，都在那里为巴比伦哀哭。你也在那里看见，地上所有的商品，第一样是金子，末了一样是人口。人口就是魂，这是同样的字。从金子到人口，没有一样不能作买卖，什么东西都能作买卖。人总是想赚钱，人总是想发财，人总是想要变作富有的的人。但是弟兄姊妹，我们要逃避这个下等的职业。
　
　　我盼望你们能够分别纯商业和生产商的不同。麦子可以卖，牛羊可以卖，帐棚可以卖，鱼也可以卖。这一个不叫作买卖。世界上所谓的作买卖乃是说，我今天向人买一百袋面粉摆在那里，等价钱高了再卖出去。我买了五十篓油摆在那里，等价钱高了再卖出去。不会因着我的缘故，麦子多了一斤，或者油多了一斤。油没有加增，麦子没有加增，可是我的钱加增了。我没有加增世界的东西，却一直加增我的财产，这是可耻的事。这是信主的人应该尽力避免的事。
　　为着生产而有买卖是可以的。若光是买进卖出，那是不可以的。如果有一个弟兄，把种地所得的拿出去卖，这是好的。如果有一个弟兄把米买进来，再卖出去，这是不好的。虽然两个都是卖，但是原则根本不一样。如果有一个弟兄把帐棚买十个进来，再把帐棚卖十个出去，这可和保罗不同行。我乃是晚上织帐棚，白天卖出去，这才是和保罗同行的。你看见这是绝对不同的事。你作了工去卖钱，这是神祝福的。你买进又卖出，心里只有一个盼望要赚钱，这不只从基督徒看是最低的职业，就是从外邦人看也是最低的职业。
　　所以作纯商业的弟兄，不能作负责弟兄。因为这样的人，对于钱不能得着释放。我们从今以后，这一条路是越过越清楚，神的儿女应该完全脱离钱的势力，才可以事奉神，教会才有路走。
　
　　牧羊的人，种地的人，是生产的人。作买卖的人，是另外一种人。又有一种人，是夹在两者中间的，就是作工的人；像医生、教师，他们是把他们的工夫拿出来。这在圣经里，也是一种好的职业。他们虽然不生产，但是他们也无所取于人。他们不从天然里有所得，也不从人身上有所得。他们乃是用自己的时间，用自己的体力，用自己的脑力，去换取他们所该得着的养生之物。作工的得工价，是应该的。这也是神在圣经里所喜欢的职业。最高的职业是生产的职业，其次是作工，花脑力或花体力来得着酬报。
　　生产的人，是从大自然里有所得，而无所取于人。作工的人，是从大自然里无所得，也无所取于人。作买卖的人，是从大自然里无所得，而有所取于人。这三种完全不同。生产的人，是从大自然里有所得，而同时对于人无所取，这是圣经里最高的职业。作工的人，是卖力的，不管脑力也好，体力也好；我花我的时间，我花我的气力，我得我所该得的，我不会叫人变作更贫穷。你付给我这么多钱，我给你作这么多工，两个能够抵消，这是神所许可的职业。纯商业作买卖的人，是无所得于大自然，而有所取于人；除了想赚钱之外，没有别的目的。这在圣经里是最低的职业。
　　今天这一条路，是相当的明显。这一个原则，也是相当的明显。盼望弟兄们，能够尽力在职业上有转机。
　
　　不过，我不愿意你们走极端的路。不要一碰著作买卖的人，就定他们的罪。因为他们没有机会拣选职业。我认识一个弟兄，当他刚从学校里出来的时候，是相当好。后来到买卖场中去，不多久心就变坏了。一天到晚，都在想赚人的钱。如果要他买东西，他就要赚你的钱。他总是在暗中要赚你的钱。这实在是不好的事。我说，这是心术败坏了。我们盼望，凡是能够由得自己拣选职业的弟兄，千万不要进到纯商业的里面去。已经在里面的弟兄，我们要帮助他，叫他看见，叫他改过来。不要和他为难，但最少这一条路得叫他清楚。
　　无论如何，纯商业不是好事。总是盼望过十年，过二十年，不作买卖变作一个风气。盼望在我们中间，盼望各处的弟兄姊妹，将来能有不作纯商业的风气。我们作神儿女的人，宁可教书，宁可去替人挑担，总是不要作纯商业。我种一块地，生产麦子，生产谷米，把这些拿出去卖。我的羊生了几只小羊，拿去卖。我的鸡生了蛋，拿去卖。我的牛有牛奶，拿去卖。我织了布，拿去卖。这些事都可作。如果是这样，人的努力越多，人所作的工越多，神所赐的祝福也越多。最怕的是，我们中间的弟兄姊妹，光是把钱赚来了许多。这是最不好的事。
　　今天，我们和各公会比，我们的弟兄姊妹是最贫穷的。如果我们不小心，我们要变作最有钱的。因为我们比人老实，我们不撒谎，我们比人殷勤；同时没有一个地方花费比我们更少的。我们又不吸烟，又不喝酒，又不住好房子。这样一来，过不多时，各地的弟兄姊妹都要发财了。你们知道，卫斯理约翰在末去世时曾说，“我替卫理会的人担心。他们又诚实，又勤劳，又不花钱，将来要变作世界上最有钱的人。”今天这话已经成为事实，各地卫斯理公会的人都是最有钱的人，结果他们的见证就完了。
　　我们盼望初信的弟兄们，总要用劳力去赚钱，而不是一手进来，一手出去那样赚了许多钱。我们的原则总是加增丰富，不是加增钱。如果这样，进来的钱就是清洁的，奉献到神那里的钱能够蒙悦纳。每一块的钱，能够有好的结果。假定有一个弟兄，作了一个篮子拿去卖，然后拿来奉献，这比一个弟兄买来十个篮子再卖出去，把所赚的利钱拿来奉献，要好得多。虽然奉献的钱数一样，但是那一个钱不一样。盼望许多弟兄姊妹能够看见这一个原则。要就是劳力，要就是生产，这两个原则都是对的。买卖，我不能禁止，我也不敢禁止。不过我说，要尽力量不作纯商业的事。无论如何，这是拖基督徒下水的。盼望初信的弟兄们，在职业上，都能够讨神的喜悦。
　　读经：　　帖撒罗尼迦后书三章十至十二节：“我们在你们那里的时候，曾吩咐你们说，若有人不肯作工，就不可吃饭。因为我们听说，在你们中间有人不按规矩而行，什么工都不作，反倒专管闲事。我们靠主耶稣基督，吩咐劝戒这样的人，要安静作工，吃自己的饭。”
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帖后3:10  
我们在你们那里的时候，也曾将这事嘱咐你们，若有人不愿作工，就不可吃饭。
帖后3:11  
因我们听说，在你们中间有些人不按规矩而行，什么工都不作，反倒好管闲事。
帖后3:12  
我们在主耶稣基督里，嘱咐并劝勉这样的人，要安静作工，吃自己的饭。
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　　基督徒的职业，是一件大事。职业如果选错了，前面的路就走不好。所以基督徒必须注意到职业的拣选。
　
　
　　当神创造人的时候，神就替人安排了职业。神所分派给亚当和夏娃作的事，乃是修理看守。所以，职业乃是人类没犯罪之前就有的。亚当和夏娃当初的职业就像园丁一样，在那里看守修理神所造的伊甸园。　　亚当和夏娃犯罪之后，地就不给他们效力，他们要汗流满面才得糊口，他们要种地才有得吃。（创三17~19）这明显给我们看见，在人堕落之后，神所规定的职业是作农夫种田。人必须汗流满面的种地，地才给人效劳，才叫人得着粮食。一直到今天，我们能够承认说，农夫比任何人都老实得多。当初神定规人应该种田。
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创3:17  
又对亚当说，你既听妻子的话，吃了我所吩咐你不可吃的那树上的果子，地必因你的缘故受咒诅；你必终身劳苦，才能从地里得吃的。
创3:18  
地必给你长出荆棘和蒺藜来，你也要吃田间的菜蔬。
创3:19  
你必汗流满面才得糊口，直到你归了土，因为你是从土取出的；你本是尘土，仍要归于尘土。
创世记一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　到了创世记四章的时候，你看见该隐种地，亚伯牧羊。现在是加上了牧羊，可见畜牧也是神所悦纳的职业。
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创世记四章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　再下去，当人在地上越过越多的时候，有各种的匠人起来。有铁匠，有铜匠，有作乐器的，有打造各样铜铁利器的起来（四22）。到了巴别塔的时候，有泥瓦匠和木匠（十一3~4）（虽然盖巴别塔是不应该的，但是人在那样学习建造。所以铜匠，铁匠，作乐器的，盖造的匠人，还都是正当地职业）。　　到创世记十二章，神拣选亚伯拉罕。亚伯拉罕也是牧人。他有许多的牛，有许多的羊。到雅各的时候，他也是有牛群和羊群。可见他们主要的职业都是畜牧。
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创世记十二章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　以色列人在埃及是替法老烧砖作匠人。但是他们出埃及以后，神应许给他们流奶与蜜之地。这里明显有两个职业：畜牧和耕种。那地的葡萄要两个人抬（民十三23），明显是有耕种。神说，你们如果违背我，拜偶像，我要叫天像铜，地像铁，不给你们效劳（利二六19~20）。这也很明显的说，他们在迦南应许之地的职业，乃是耕种和畜牧。在旧约里，就是有这几种职业。
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民13:23  
他们到了以实各谷，从那里砍了葡萄树的一枝，上头有一挂葡萄，两个人用杠抬着，又带了些石榴和无花果来。
利26:19  
我必打碎你们因势力而有的骄傲，又要使你们的天如铁，你们的地如铜。
利26:20  
你们要徒然劳力，因为你们的地必无出产，其上的树也不结果子。
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　　到了新约的时候，在马太福音主耶稣所引的比喻里，我们看见耕种是一个基本的职业。比方在十三章里，有撒种的比喻。在二十章里，有葡萄园的比喻。在路加十七章，说到有仆人耕地，或是从田里放羊回来。在约翰十章，主说好牧人为羊舍命，这是畜牧。所以耕种和畜牧是神给人规定的基本职业。
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马太福音十三章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
马太福音二十章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
路加福音十七章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
约翰福音十章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　主呼召十二个使徒，他们大多是打鱼的人。人如果作税吏，主就要我他把这职业丢弃。但是对于渔夫，主说，你们从前是打鱼的，从今以后，我要叫你们得人如得鱼一样（太四19）。所以打鱼也是个被接受的职业。
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太4:19  
耶稣对他们说，来跟从我，我要使你们作得人的渔夫。
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　　路加作医生，保罗织帐棚。织帐棚和打鱼不同，是加工的制造。人耕地是直接的生产。织布，作裁缝或者作帐棚，这些都是加工的制造。　　我只能说，从旧约到新约，神对于职业就是这样安排。主的门徒或者是作农夫，或者是作牧人，或者是作匠人，或者是打鱼，或者是加工的制造。如果再要增加一个职业，至多可以加上作工的人（不是指着作属灵工作的人）。因为新约有话说，工人得工价是应当的（提前五18）。工人，就是劳力的人，卖力的人。用劳力来得着工价，这也是圣经所许可的职业。
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提前5:18  
因为经上说，“牛踹谷的时候，不可笼住它的嘴。”又说，“作工的配得工价。”
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　　在圣经里，神替人安排了这么多的职业，我们可以找出一个基本的原则，就是说，人所得着的，人所接受的，乃是来自于天然。或者人把他的时间，把他的力气拿出去，来得着工价。这些是圣经里所提到职业的原则。
　
　　撒种的人，拿一粒麦子撒在地里，等一等结出许多子粒来，或者三十倍，或者六十倍，或者一百倍（太十三3，8）。一粒变作一百粒，或者变作六十粒，或者变作三十粒。你把种子种在地里，叫它生长，它结出子粒来。你看见这是从天然取得供给。天然的供给是丰富的，天然的供给是任何人都能得着的。因为神叫日头照好人，也照歹人；神降雨给义人，也给不义的人（五45）。这明显是作农业的用处。所以神的目的是要人从自然里取得供给。畜牧也是同样的原则。你牧了羊，它给你奶。你牧了羊，它给你生了许多小羊。这是生产的加增。这乃是自然所给的，而不是用其他的方法取得的。
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太13:3  
祂就用比喻对他们讲许多事，说，看哪，那撒种的出去撒种。
太13:8  
但有的落在好土里，就结果实，有的一百倍，有的六十倍，有的三十倍。
马太福音一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
太5:45  
你们就可以作你们诸天之上父的儿子；因为祂叫祂的日头上升，照恶人，也照好人；降雨给义人，也给不义的人。
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　　到了新约，你看见有打鱼。打鱼是往河里海里去取，还是往自然去取。不会因为我往河里海里去取，就叫谁变作更穷了。我可以从水里去取，我可以变作富足，但是不会叫任何人变穷，我的羊可以生六只小羊，我的牛可以生两只小牛，但是不会因着我的羊生了小羊，我的牛生了小牛，谁家里就变穷了。我在这里种地，没有人会因我田里长了一百倍的子粒，而他们饿了，他们有损失了。所以神给人职业的基本原则，就是我有所得着，人没有损失。这就是神所安排高尚的职业。
　
　　就是保罗的织帐棚，也是同样的原则。不过，他不是直接往天然里去取。像打鱼，像畜牧，像耕种，都是直接去取得天然里的东西。而保罗在那里是加上他的工夫去制造。这一个乃是加增一个东西的价值。比方，一块布原来只值一块钱。我把它裁了，缝了，成功作帐棚，就值了两块钱。它的价值加增了，我就得着加值的工钱。这也不会因着我得着价值加增的钱的缘故，会叫任何的人变穷。没有一个人会因着保罗织帐棚的缘故，变作贫穷，受了损失。我加增这一块布的价值，因为有工夫加进去，我得着了工钱，这是正当地。所以神所给人的职业，另一个基本的原则是加增价值。
　
　　再像替人作工，作匠人，作医生，又是另外一个原则。我用我的工夫来卖钱，来得工价。虽然这不是从天然里去取得，也不是加工去制造，但是我花了那么多的工夫，出了那么多的代价，作了那么多的事，所以我有了那么多的收入。作工的得工价，也是神所许可的事。
　
　　有一个职业，圣经里特别看为不好的，就是作买卖。这一件事，我特别要请你们注意。我盼望初信的弟兄，如果有力量拣选他的职业，最好能够不作买卖。为什么缘故呢？我想先把这一个问题扩大来看，也许能够看得清楚一点。比方说，我们这里有一百个人，每个人有一百万块钱。这一百个人合在一起，就有一亿。我问你们，我如果出来作买卖，作生意，自然就想赚钱，就盼望我这一百万变作两百万。你们且不管我如何作生意，是公义还是不公义。无论如何，我作了一个月的生意之后，变作两百万。在你们中间，总是有的人的钱少了。这是定规的。因为我们一百个人，每个人都有一百万，我手里也只有一百万。即使我用最公义的方法作生意，叫我手里的钱变作两百万，总是叫你们中间有的人的钱缺了，有的人的钱少了。　　在这里，我是基督徒，你们也是基督徒，你们是我的弟兄。我请问我赚你们的钱，我变作更富足，你们变作更贫穷，好意思么？不好意思。即使你们是外邦人、外教人，我还是基督徒。我告欣你们说，我是神的儿女，我有神儿女的体统，我有神儿女的地位。神的儿女不能叫世人更贫穷，叫自己的钱多起来。我就是用公义的方法，赚你们的钱，赚信徒的钱，我不好意思。我就是用公义的方法，赚非信徒的钱，我也不好意思。作生意，就是这一种的情形。我不能把钱从别人的口袋里，拿到我口袋里。不管用什么方法，把钱从人的口袋里转到我的口袋里来，总是叫人吃亏。这是事实。　　但是神在圣经里所给人的基本职业，就没有这一个难处。比方我是种地的，我收了一百担米进来；不是说，因我收了一百担米，某弟兄家里，本来有十担米，现在变作九担了。我不会叫他少。我如果收了一百担米，不会叫你们中间任何人少一斤米。我如果收了一百担米，不会叫你们中间任何人变作贫穷。这一个不是叫作赚钱，这一个乃是加增丰富。你们必须分别，赚钱和加增丰富是两件完全不同的事。神不愿意他的儿女只有一个目的，就是赚钱。神是要我们的职业能够加增丰富。这一个基本原则是相当的清楚。初信的弟兄们，不要一天到晚在那里想钱。不要一直想怎样能够赚钱。请你们记得，你赚了钱，人定规少了钱。我的钱加增，就是人的钱减少，这是作买卖的原则。
　
　　我们在这里，看到三种不同的职业：一类是作买卖，一类是作工，一类就是生产。神在圣经里所规定最高的职业，就是作生产的人。从亚当起，神所特别注意的职业是生产。因为生产是我加增丰富，而不叫别人贫穷。我养了一百只羊，过了多少年，变作四百只，加增了三百只。但是这一个加增，并没有叫任何弟兄姊妹的口袋里少一块钱。你们原来家里有多少钱，仍然有多少钱。绝不会因我的羊生了小羊，你们就减少。这是在圣经里职业的基本原则。我要叫我所有的东西加增，我要叫我的丰富加增。虽然我把羊拿去卖了，我是有了钱，但是我却没有叫任何人更贫穷。　　我盼望初信的弟兄们，如果有机会拣选职业，应该拣选加增东西的职业，不要拣选加增钱财的职业。加增钱财，而不加增东西，这是非常自私的。我们要学习加增世界的东西，而不是加增我个人的财富。这里面有极大的分别。　　保罗的织帐棚，那又是另外一个原则。不错，他没有叫棉花更多，没有叫丝更多，没有叫布更多。可是，布因着他的裁，因着他的缝，因着他花了那么多的工夫，那么多的力气，就增加了价值。据圣经的学者说，当时的帐棚是要染的。阿福德（Dean Aford）说，保罗曾说，“看哪，我这两只手。…”（徒二十34，原文。）在他这两只手上，定规带着染帐棚的颜色，定规是不干净的。所以，保罗的织帐棚是叫东西加增价值。
--------本段经节汇集--------
徒20:34  
我这两只手常供给我和同伴的需用，这是你们自己知道的。
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　　加增丰富是好的事，加增价值也是好的事。比方说，一块木头，我把它作成椅子，这也是好的事。因为我这样作，我是加增木头的价值。虽然我不是从大自然加增丰富，但是世界因着我多了一张椅子。因着我这样作帐棚，就多加增了一个帐棚。这也不是只叫自己得利，而损害别人的。我能够作帐棚，我能够叫便宜的布变成贵价的帐棚。布变作帐棚，这是叫世界的东西加增了。这也是神所许可的一种职业。　　初信的弟兄们，从今以后要看见，我们的职业有两个标准：我们要加增世界的丰富，我们也要加增东西的价值。实在说来，织帐棚也是加增世界的丰富。因着我的手这样作，世界的帐棚就增加了。所以加增丰富也是对的。这是神为人安排职业的基本原则。
　
　　我也读过一点经济学，我知道作买卖也有它的需要。但是，我是基督徒，我不是经济学家。不错，主耶稣也说，我们要作买卖，直到祂来。（路十九13）但那一节圣经的意思，是要我们作工像作买卖那样专心。你们知道，作买卖的人是非常专心的。只要有钱赚，什么地方都钻进去。主的意思是你有机会就得钻进去，你要这样专心的来作工。
--------本段经节汇集--------
路19:13  
便叫了他的十个奴仆来，交给他们十锭银子，对他们说，你们去作生意，直等我回来。
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　　我想大家都知道，作买卖是从推罗起头的。而作买卖的结果是到巴比伦。从以西结二十八章起，一直到启示录十八章止，你们看见说，发起作买卖的人是推罗的王。以西结二十八章给我们看见，推罗的王是代表撒但。“因你贸易很多，就被强暴的事充满，以致犯罪。”（16）所以请你们记得，你这一种作买卖的思想，叫自己赚钱，叫别人吃亏，叫世界的财富减少，这不是神所定规的职业，这是撒但所有的职业。这一个原则不对。
--------本段经节汇集--------
以西结书二十八章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
启示录十八章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
以西结书二十八章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
结28:16  
因你贸易很多，你中间就被强暴的事充满，以致你犯了罪。所以我将你当作俗污之物，从神的山驱逐你。遮掩约柜的基路伯啊，我已将你从发光如火的宝石中除灭。
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　　作买卖的原则，是我口袋里的钱加增的时候，别人口袋里的钱就减少。人一有赚钱的思想，结果很简单，这一个人的钱一多，那一个人的钱就少。总是谁的钱增加，一定有人的钱减少。全世界假定说只有二百一十亿元的钱。你富的时候，还是二百一十亿，你穷的时候，也是二百一十亿。世界上钱的数量，是有限的。可是我把别人的钱拿来，叫我的钱加增，这就叫纯商业。我不是说，把鱼打来不卖。我也不是说，把麦子收来不卖。我也不是说，羊生了小羊不卖。我也不是说，保罗把帐棚织好了不卖。我乃是说，帐棚也好，羊也好，麦子也好，鱼也好，那不是纯商业。那是把我的生产来换钱。我所得的利益，是大自然给我的。我所得的丰富，是大自然给我的。是大自然给我丰富，不是我把别人弄穷了来叫我丰富。　　基督徒要有一个思想，我不赚人的钱。我们千万不要有任何的思想，叫任何人吃亏。我们作神儿女的人，地位是那样的高，如果要去赚世界上那样低的钱，那实在是不好看的事。比方说，一个的元首到鼓岭来，看见一个当地人害疟疾，就把奎宁丸卖给他说，“我买来是五元一颗，现在卖给你是六元一颗。”你们想那里能有这样的事？你们看见，一个国家的完首，来赚挑夫的一块钱，这一个身分不对。我告诉你们，基督徒要赚任何人的钱，那比一个元首去赚挑夫的钱更不好意思。我们的地位和他们不同，我们没有法子去赚任何人的钱。　　我们基督徒是高贵的。基督徒有基督徒的尊荣，基督徒有基督徒的地位，基督徒有基督徒的体统。我赚了任何人的钱，都是可羞耻的事。我不能这么作来加增我的财富。我宁可去作农夫，去耕，去种。这比我去赚钱，要荣耀得多。因为神是安排大自然为我效力，这比我自己去赚钱荣耀得多。基督徒总是要有个思想，我不要赚人的钱。　　凡是能加增物质的数量，能加增物质的价值，那样的职业在神面前是蒙悦纳的。纯商业不是神所悦纳的。你们要特别注意以西结二十八章，贸易取利的原则是从推罗王起头的。神在那里责备说，因着贸易众多，你里面就有罪。到了启示录十八章，世界快要结束，国度快要起头的时候，你们就看见巴比伦在那里受刑罚。作买卖这件事，是一直到巴比伦结束的时候。地上所有的商人，都在那里为巴比伦哀哭。你也在那里看见，地上所有的商品，第一样是金子，末了一样是人口。人口就是魂，这是同样的字。从金子到人口，没有一样不能作买卖，什么东西都能作买卖。人总是想赚钱，人总是想发财，人总是想要变作富有的的人。但是弟兄姊妹，我们要逃避这个下等的职业。
--------本段经节汇集--------
以西结书二十八章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
启示录十八章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　我盼望你们能够分别纯商业和生产商的不同。麦子可以卖，牛羊可以卖，帐棚可以卖，鱼也可以卖。这一个不叫作买卖。世界上所谓的作买卖乃是说，我今天向人买一百袋面粉摆在那里，等价钱高了再卖出去。我买了五十篓油摆在那里，等价钱高了再卖出去。不会因着我的缘故，麦子多了一斤，或者油多了一斤。油没有加增，麦子没有加增，可是我的钱加增了。我没有加增世界的东西，却一直加增我的财产，这是可耻的事。这是信主的人应该尽力避免的事。　　为着生产而有买卖是可以的。若光是买进卖出，那是不可以的。如果有一个弟兄，把种地所得的拿出去卖，这是好的。如果有一个弟兄把米买进来，再卖出去，这是不好的。虽然两个都是卖，但是原则根本不一样。如果有一个弟兄把帐棚买十个进来，再把帐棚卖十个出去，这可和保罗不同行。我乃是晚上织帐棚，白天卖出去，这才是和保罗同行的。你看见这是绝对不同的事。你作了工去卖钱，这是神祝福的。你买进又卖出，心里只有一个盼望要赚钱，这不只从基督徒看是最低的职业，就是从外邦人看也是最低的职业。　　所以作纯商业的弟兄，不能作负责弟兄。因为这样的人，对于钱不能得着释放。我们从今以后，这一条路是越过越清楚，神的儿女应该完全脱离钱的势力，才可以事奉神，教会才有路走。
　
　　牧羊的人，种地的人，是生产的人。作买卖的人，是另外一种人。又有一种人，是夹在两者中间的，就是作工的人；像医生、教师，他们是把他们的工夫拿出来。这在圣经里，也是一种好的职业。他们虽然不生产，但是他们也无所取于人。他们不从天然里有所得，也不从人身上有所得。他们乃是用自己的时间，用自己的体力，用自己的脑力，去换取他们所该得着的养生之物。作工的得工价，是应该的。这也是神在圣经里所喜欢的职业。最高的职业是生产的职业，其次是作工，花脑力或花体力来得着酬报。　　生产的人，是从大自然里有所得，而无所取于人。作工的人，是从大自然里无所得，也无所取于人。作买卖的人，是从大自然里无所得，而有所取于人。这三种完全不同。生产的人，是从大自然里有所得，而同时对于人无所取，这是圣经里最高的职业。作工的人，是卖力的，不管脑力也好，体力也好；我花我的时间，我花我的气力，我得我所该得的，我不会叫人变作更贫穷。你付给我这么多钱，我给你作这么多工，两个能够抵消，这是神所许可的职业。纯商业作买卖的人，是无所得于大自然，而有所取于人；除了想赚钱之外，没有别的目的。这在圣经里是最低的职业。　　今天这一条路，是相当的明显。这一个原则，也是相当的明显。盼望弟兄们，能够尽力在职业上有转机。
　
　　不过，我不愿意你们走极端的路。不要一碰著作买卖的人，就定他们的罪。因为他们没有机会拣选职业。我认识一个弟兄，当他刚从学校里出来的时候，是相当好。后来到买卖场中去，不多久心就变坏了。一天到晚，都在想赚人的钱。如果要他买东西，他就要赚你的钱。他总是在暗中要赚你的钱。这实在是不好的事。我说，这是心术败坏了。我们盼望，凡是能够由得自己拣选职业的弟兄，千万不要进到纯商业的里面去。已经在里面的弟兄，我们要帮助他，叫他看见，叫他改过来。不要和他为难，但最少这一条路得叫他清楚。　　无论如何，纯商业不是好事。总是盼望过十年，过二十年，不作买卖变作一个风气。盼望在我们中间，盼望各处的弟兄姊妹，将来能有不作纯商业的风气。我们作神儿女的人，宁可教书，宁可去替人挑担，总是不要作纯商业。我种一块地，生产麦子，生产谷米，把这些拿出去卖。我的羊生了几只小羊，拿去卖。我的鸡生了蛋，拿去卖。我的牛有牛奶，拿去卖。我织了布，拿去卖。这些事都可作。如果是这样，人的努力越多，人所作的工越多，神所赐的祝福也越多。最怕的是，我们中间的弟兄姊妹，光是把钱赚来了许多。这是最不好的事。　　今天，我们和各公会比，我们的弟兄姊妹是最贫穷的。如果我们不小心，我们要变作最有钱的。因为我们比人老实，我们不撒谎，我们比人殷勤；同时没有一个地方花费比我们更少的。我们又不吸烟，又不喝酒，又不住好房子。这样一来，过不多时，各地的弟兄姊妹都要发财了。你们知道，卫斯理约翰在末去世时曾说，“我替卫理会的人担心。他们又诚实，又勤劳，又不花钱，将来要变作世界上最有钱的人。”今天这话已经成为事实，各地卫斯理公会的人都是最有钱的人，结果他们的见证就完了。　　我们盼望初信的弟兄们，总要用劳力去赚钱，而不是一手进来，一手出去那样赚了许多钱。我们的原则总是加增丰富，不是加增钱。如果这样，进来的钱就是清洁的，奉献到神那里的钱能够蒙悦纳。每一块的钱，能够有好的结果。假定有一个弟兄，作了一个篮子拿去卖，然后拿来奉献，这比一个弟兄买来十个篮子再卖出去，把所赚的利钱拿来奉献，要好得多。虽然奉献的钱数一样，但是那一个钱不一样。盼望许多弟兄姊妹能够看见这一个原则。要就是劳力，要就是生产，这两个原则都是对的。买卖，我不能禁止，我也不敢禁止。不过我说，要尽力量不作纯商业的事。无论如何，这是拖基督徒下水的。盼望初信的弟兄们，在职业上，都能够讨神的喜悦。
　Scripture Reading: 2 Thes. 3:10-12
　Occupation is very important to a Christian. If one chooses a wrong occupation, he will not be able to go on in a positive way. A Christian must pay attention to the matter of choosing an occupation.
　
Ⅰ
　
THE GOD-ORDAINED OCCUPATIONS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURE
　
A
　
In the Old Testament Age
　After God created man, He prepared an occupation for him. God assigned Adam and Eve the job of guarding and keeping the garden. The matter of occupation existed before man sinned. Adam and Eve’s occupation in the beginning was that of a gardener; they guarded and kept the garden of Eden which God had created.
　After Adam and Eve sinned, the earth no longer rendered service to them. They had to eat in the sweat of their face and till the ground so they could eat (Gen. 3:17-19). This shows us clearly that after man’s fall, his God-ordained occupation was to be a farmer and to till the ground. Man has to till the ground in the sweat of his face in order for the earth to yield food to him. To this day farmers are still the most honest kind of people. In the beginning God ordained man to till the ground.
　In Genesis 4 Cain was a tiller of the ground and Abel was a keeper of sheep. Here sheep farming came in. This shows us that shepherding is also an occupation that is acceptable to God.
　After this, when men began to multiply on the earth, there arose all kinds of craftsmen. There were blacksmiths, coppersmiths, makers of musical instruments, and artificers in brass and iron (4:21-22). By the time of the tower of Babel, there were bricklayers and carpenters (11:3-4). (Although building the tower of Babel was wrong, men were nevertheless learning to build. Hence the coppersmith, blacksmith, maker of musical instruments, and craftsman are all proper occupations.)
　In Genesis 12 God chose Abraham. He was a herdsman. He had many cattle and sheep. Jacob also had flocks of cattle and sheep. This shows that their main occupation was animal husbandry.
　When the Israelites were in Egypt, they worked as craftsmen, burning bricks for Pharaoh. But after they came out of Egypt, God promised them a land flowing with milk and honey. Clearly, we see two occupations: raising livestock and farming. The grapes of the land required two people to carry them. This proves that there was farming. God said that if the Israelites disobeyed Him and worshipped idols, He would cause the heavens to be as brass and the earth to be as iron; the heavens and the earth would not work for the Israelites. This shows clearly that the occupations in the promised land of Canaan consisted of tilling the earth and raising livestock. These were the occupations in the Old Testament.
　
B
　
In the New Testament Age
　The Lord Jesus’ parables in the Gospel of Matthew show us that farming is a basic occupation in the New Testament age. For example, in chapter thirteen we have the parable of the sower, and in chapter twenty we have the parable of the vineyard. Luke 17 speaks of a slave coming back from plowing or tending sheep in the field. In John 10 the Lord said that the good Shepherd laid down His life for the sheep. Therefore, raising livestock and farming are the basic God-ordained occupations for men.
　The Lord called twelve apostles, most of whom were fishermen. The one who was a tax collector was told by the Lord to drop his occupation. But it was as if He said to the fishermen, “Once you were fishermen. But from now on, I will make you fishers of men.” This shows that fishing is also an acceptable occupation.
　Luke was a physician, and Paul was a tentmaker. Tentmaking is different from fishing. With tentmaking, labor is added to basic raw material. Tilling the ground produces material directly. Making fabrics, tailoring, or making tents add labor to raw material to manufacture finished goods.
　I can only say that from the Old Testament to the New Testament, God has arranged certain occupations. The Lord’s disciples were either farmers, shepherds, craftsmen, fishermen, or manufacturers. If there were any other occupations at all, the most we can include is “workmen” (not the workers who do spiritual work), because the New Testament says, “The workman is worthy of his pay” (1 Tim 5:18). A workman is one who labors manually or who sells his labor. Obtaining wages by manual labor is also an acceptable occupation in the Bible.
　
Ⅱ
　
THE PRINCIPLE OF OCCUPATIONS
　From these God-approved occupations in the Bible, we can see a basic principle: Man must receive or take from nature, or he must earn his wages in exchange for his time and labor. These are the principles of occupation outlined in the Bible.
　
A
　
Receiving from Nature— Increasing Abundance
　The sower sows a grain of wheat into the ground. After some time it bears many grains, a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold (Matt. 13:3, 8). One grain becomes a hundred, sixty, or thirty grains. One seed is sown into the ground, but it grows and bears many grains. This is to receive from nature. Nature is rich in its supply, and anyone can extract from it. God causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust (5:45). This clearly hints that God sends these things for the purpose of farming. God intends for man to obtain his supply from nature. The same principle applies to livestock farming. One raises sheep which give milk or bear many lambs. This is an increase of production. It is something supplied by nature, not something acquired by other means.
　In the New Testament we see fishing as an occupation. Fishing takes something from the rivers and seas. This again is to receive from nature. We do not make anyone poorer by fishing from the rivers and the seas. We can become rich by taking something from the rivers, and these riches will not make anyone poor. When my sheep bears six lambs or my cow bears two calves, no family becomes poorer because of this. When I till the ground, no one is hungry or suffers loss because my field has brought forth grain a hundredfold. The basic principle of a God-approved occupation is to gain without incurring loss to anyone. This is the kind of noble occupation that God ordains.
　
B
　
Manufacturing—Adding Value
　The same principle applies to Paul’s tentmaking. He did not receive directly from nature. Fishing, raising livestock, and farming receive from nature directly. But Paul manufactured something by adding value to his raw material. This increases the value of goods. A piece of fabric may cost one dollar. When I cut it, sew it, and make a tent out of it, it costs two dollars. Its value has increased, and my wage is the increased value of the good. I do not make anyone poorer by receiving money from the increased value. No one became poorer or suffered loss through Paul’s tentmaking. When I increase the value of a piece of fabric, it is only proper that I receive my wages because I have put in time and skill. Therefore, another principle of a God-approved occupation is that it increases the value of goods.
　
C
　
Working for Wages
　Another principle can be found in hired laborers, craftsmen, and medical doctors. In such cases one earns his money and wages through his own labor. This neither takes from nature nor adds value to raw materials, but one puts in his labor, pays a price, and provides a service to receive his income. The reward that comes as a result of one’s labor is also acceptable to God.
　
D
　
What the Bible Disapproves of—Trading
　There is one occupation of which the Bible particularly disapproves. Please pay special attention to this matter. If a new believer has the ability to choose his profession, I hope that he will not take trading as his occupation. Why? We should consider this matter from a broader perspective. Perhaps that will give us a clearer picture. Suppose there are one hundred persons here and each one has a million dollars. If we put them all together, we will have a hundred million dollars. Suppose I begin to trade as one of them. Naturally, I would want to make money. I would like my one million dollars to become two million dollars. Forget for a moment how I handle my business, whether it is done righteously or unrighteously. After a month I have two million dollars. This means that someone must have less money. This must be the case because there are only one hundred persons, each of whom had only one million dollars. Even if I conducted my business in the most righteous way, I would still have caused someone to lose money when I increased my money to two million.
　I am a Christian, and let us say that you are a Christian also. You are my brother. Does it look good for me to make money and become richer by making you poorer? Certainly not. Even if you are a Gentile and a heathen, I am a Christian. I am a child of God, and I have my standing and status as a child of God. God’s children should not cause an unbeliever to become poorer by increasing their own money. I would feel bad even if I employed righteous means to gain other believers’ money. I would feel equally bad if I used righteous means to gain an unbeliever’s money. This is what it is like to engage in trade. You cannot take money from another’s pocket and put it into your own pocket. It does not matter how you do it. As long as you turn the money in another’s pocket into your money, you are causing a loss to others. This is a fact.
　Of course, the basic God-approved occupations in the Bible pose no such problem. Suppose I am a tiller of the ground, and I have harvested a hundred loads of rice. This will not cause another brother’s possession to be reduced from ten loads down to nine loads. I cannot cause him to have any reduction. My hundred loads of rice will not reduce anything from anyone or cause anyone to become poorer. This is not making money; this is increasing the abundance of the land. We must completely differentiate between the two: Making money and increasing the abundance are two different things altogether. God does not want His children to make money just for the sake of making money. God wants our occupation to increase the abundance. This basic principle is quite clear. A new believer should not have his mind occupied with money day and night. Do not try to constantly consider how you can make money. Please remember that as long as you have made some money, others have lost money. The principle of trade is that when one’s money increases, the money of others decreases.
　
Ⅲ
　
CHOOSING FROM THREE DIFFERENT KINDS OF OCCUPATIONS
　Here we see three different kinds of occupations. One is to trade, another is to work, and the third is to produce. The highest occupation God has ordained in the Bible is the one that produces. Since Adam, God’s eyes have been on occupations that produce, because production increases the abundance of the earth rather than imposing poverty on others. If I raise a hundred sheep and after a certain number of years they have become four hundred, I have increased by three hundred sheep. This increase does not decrease a single dollar from any brother’s or sister’s pocket. How much money you have at home will not change. You will not have less just because my sheep has brought forth lambs. This is the basic scriptural principle of occupation. I should always be increasing and should always be adding to riches. I may sell my sheep and receive money. But in so doing, I have not made anyone poorer.
　If a new believer has the chance to choose his own occupation, I hope he will choose one that will increase goods rather than increase his money. To increase money but not goods is very selfish. We need to learn to increase the things of the earth, not to increase our personal wealth. There is a great difference between the two.
　Paul’s tentmaking shows us another principle. He did not increase the amount of cotton, silk, or fabric. But because of his cutting, sewing, effort, and energy, he increased the value of the raw material. According to Bible scholars, tents at that time had to be dyed. Dean Alford told us that when Paul said, “These hands,” in Acts 20:34, he was referring to the unavoidable stain of the dye of the tents on his hands. Paul’s tentmaking was something that increased the value of goods.
　It is good to increase the riches of the earth. It is also good to increase the value of goods. Suppose I make a chair from a piece of wood. This is good, because by doing so, I have increased the value of the wood. Although I have not increased the abundance in nature, the world has one more chair through me. The world had one more tent when Paul made a tent. This does not benefit oneself at the expense of others. One can make a tent; he can turn a cheap fabric into a valuable tent. Turning fabric into a tent increases the goods of this world. This is also an occupation that is acceptable to God.
　A new believer must see that there are two criteria to a proper occupation. One must either increase the abundance of the earth or increase the value of goods. Actually, when one makes a tent, he is also increasing the abundance of the world. Because of the work of one’s hands, the number of tents in this world has increased. Therefore, it is also right to say that this increases the abundance of the world. This is the basic principle of God’s ordained occupations for men.
　
Ⅳ
　
AVOIDING PURE COMMERCE
　I have studied economics a little. I know that there is the need for commerce. But I am a Christian; I am not an economist. While the Lord Jesus did say that we needed to do business until He comes (Luke 19:13), that verse means that we should give ourselves to our work like a businessman giving himself to his business. We know that a businessman has to devote himself to his business. He will get into any situation as long as there is money in it for him. The Lord meant that we should grasp every opportunity. We must give ourselves to our work in such a way.
　Commerce began with Tyre, and it ends up in Babylon. We find this from Ezekiel 28 to Revelation 18. The one who invented commerce is the prince of Tyre. Ezekiel 28 shows us that the prince of Tyre represents Satan. “By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned” (v. 16). Bear in mind that commerce always makes money for oneself at the expense of others and at the expense of decreasing the riches of the world. This is not the kind of occupation that God wants. This is the occupation which belongs to Satan. The principle behind such an occupation is wrong.
　The principle of commerce is to increase the money in one’s pocket by decreasing the money in another’s pocket. Once the idea of making money comes into a person’s mind, the result is very simple—one will get more money while another will have less. Once someone’s money increases, there must be others whose money decreases. Suppose there are only twenty-one billion dollars in the whole world. Whether you are rich or poor, the total amount of money remains the same. The total amount of money in the world is limited. For my money to increase, I have to take it from others. This is pure commerce. I am not saying that after catching some fish, one cannot sell it. Neither am I saying that after harvesting a crop, producing a lamb, or making a tent, one cannot sell it. I am saying that making tents, raising lambs, harvesting crops, and catching fish are not pure commerce. Those occupations exchange production for money. I derive my benefit from nature. The abundance I receive comes from nature. It is nature that gives me the abundance; I do not become richer by making others poorer.
　Christians must not try to make money from other people. Never harbor any thought of taking advantage of others. As God’s children, we have a high standard. It does not look good for us to try to rack up the lowly money of the world. Suppose the president of a foreign nation comes to Kuling and finds a local native infected with malaria. Suppose he tries to sell him some quinine pills, saying, “I bought them for five dollars per pill. Now I am selling them to you for six dollars per pill.” What kind of story would that be? It does not match the status of a nation’s president to earn a dollar from a coolie. For a Christian to earn someone else’s money is even worse than a president taking money from a coolie. Our status is different. We cannot make money from anyone.
　Christians are noble people; we have our dignity, our standing, and our principles. It is a shame for us to make money from anyone. We cannot increase our wealth this way. I would rather be a farmer who tills and plants. This is more glorious than making money from others. God has prepared nature to work for us, and we will be more noble if we do not try to make money from others. Christians must have the thought that they will not earn money at the expense of other human beings.
　Any occupation that increases the quantity and value of goods is acceptable to God. But pure commerce is not acceptable to God. Please pay special attention to Ezekiel 28. The principle of aggrandizement through trade began with the prince of Tyre. God rebuked him, saying, “By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence.” In Revelation 18 the world has come to an end and the kingdom is about to begin. There we see Babylon being judged. Commerce continues throughout history until the end of Babylon. All the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for Babylon. There we also see all the goods of the earth. The first is gold and the last are the souls of men. Everything is open for purchase and for sale, from gold to the souls of men. Man always thinks of making money and becoming rich. But brothers and sisters, we must flee from this low occupation.
　
Ⅴ
　
PURE COMMERCE BEING DIFFERENT FROM PRODUCTION
　I hope you can differentiate between pure commerce and production. Wheat, cows, sheep, tents, and fish can be sold. This is not the commerce we are talking about. The so-called commerce in the world means that today I buy one hundred sacks of flour from another person. I store them until the price goes up and then I sell them. Or I buy fifty tins of oil and put them away until the price goes up and then sell them. The wheat or oil has not increased its volume because of me. The oil has not increased, neither has the wheat. But my money has increased. I have not increased the goods of the world, yet my wealth has increased. This is a shameful thing. This is one thing that believers should try to avoid at all cost.
　It is all right to buy and sell for the sake of taking care of our production. But it is wrong to buy and sell for the sake of buying and selling. It is right for a brother to sell products from his farm. But it is wrong for the same brother to buy rice and then sell it again. Although both are selling, the principles are altogether different. If a brother buys ten tents and resells them, he does not have the same occupation as Paul’s. If I make tents at night and then sell them in the morning, I have the same occupation as Paul’s. The two are absolutely different. If you labor on something and then sell what you have labored on, this is something that can be blessed by God. But if you buy something and then sell it, hoping in your heart that you will make money in the process, you are engaging in the lowest occupation, not only from a Christian’s point of view, but also from a Gentile’s as well.
　No brother engaging in pure commerce can be a responsible brother, for such a person can never be fully delivered from money. Our way is becoming clearer and clearer. God’s children must be fully delivered from the power of mammon. This is the only way for them to serve God and for the church to have a way to go on.
　
Ⅵ
　
THE OCCUPATIONS WHICH ARE PLEASING TO GOD
　Both shepherds and farmers are producers. Merchants belong to another category. There is a third kind of people who come in between these two. They are workers, like doctors and teachers, who work with their skills. These are also good occupations according to the Bible. Although they are not producing anything, they are not extorting anything from others either. They do not receive anything from nature, but they do not take anything from people either. They maintain their livelihood by utilizing their own contribution of time, energy, and mental power. The workman is worthy of his pay. This is one scriptural occupation that is acceptable to God. We can say that the highest occupation is the occupation which produces. The second highest is the occupation that works with skills and that receives rewards by contributing intellectual or physical strength.
　The producer takes from nature and receives nothing from men. The worker takes nothing from nature and receives nothing from men. The merchant receives nothing from nature but takes things from men. These are three totally different kinds of occupations. The producer obtains something from nature while taking nothing from men. This is the highest occupation in the Bible. The worker puts in his energy, whether mental or physical. He puts in his time and energy to earn what he deserves. He does not make others poorer. Others pay him for the service he renders, and the interests of both parties balance out each other. This is an occupation acceptable to God. The merchant who deals with pure commerce receives nothing from nature but receives something from men. He has no other motive than to make money. This is the lowest occupation according to the Bible.
　Today the way is clear, and the principle is also clear. We hope that all the brothers would try to have a turn in their occupations.
　
Ⅶ
　
THE WAY TO GO ON
　I do not wish to see anyone taking the extreme way. Do not condemn those who are engaged in commerce as soon as you meet them. They did not have the opportunity to choose their occupation. I knew a brother who was quite pure when he left school. After he went into business, his heart gradually became corrupt. He tried to make money day and night. If you wanted him to buy something for you, he would try to make some money in the process. He always tried to make some money from others. This is too poor. I believe such a person has been corrupted in his heart. We hope that anyone who can choose his own occupation will not go into pure commerce. We must open the eyes of those who are already in it and help them to have a change. Do not embarrass them, but at least show them the way clearly.
　Pure commerce is never a good thing. We hope that ten or twenty years from now, it will be a tradition among us that no one goes into pure commerce. Hopefully, in the future all the brothers and sisters among us will build up the habit of shunning pure commerce. As God’s children, we would rather be teachers or manual laborers; we would not go into pure commerce. We would till the land and harvest wheat, barley, or rice and then sell the harvest. We would raise lambs from our sheep and then sell them. We would have our hen lay eggs and then sell them. We would have our cow produce milk and then sell it. We would make fabric and then sell it. We can do all these things. The more we work and produce, the more God will bless. The worst thing that can happen to us is that our brothers and sisters simply make a great deal of money. Nothing could be worse than this.
　Today our brothers and sisters are the poorest among all those in the other denominations. If we are not careful, we could become the richest. Because we are more honest, diligent, and frugal than others, and because we do not lie, smoke, drink, or live in big mansions, it is possible that within a short time, all of the brothers and sisters will become wealthy. John Wesley once said before he died, “I am concerned for our people in the Methodist assembly. They are honest, diligent, and frugal. Soon they will become the richest people in the world.” Such a word has indeed come true today. The Methodists are the richest people in the world. But their testimony has been lost as a result.
　We hope that all the new believers will earn their living by their own labor. We hope that they will not make money by taking in with one hand and taking out with the other. Our principle is to increase the abundance of the land, not the money in the world. If we do this, the money we receive will be clean, and when we offer it to God, it will be acceptable to Him. Every dollar will end up in a good place. Suppose a brother makes a basket and sells it and then offers the money to the Lord. This is much better than another brother who buys ten baskets, sells them, and then offers up his profit to the Lord. The amount of money offered may be the same, but the nature of the money is different. We hope that many brothers and sisters will see this principle. We must either labor with our hands or we must produce something. Both are according to the proper principles. I cannot forbid anyone from going into the business of pure commerce, but I would advise everyone to try his best to avoid pure commerce. This occupation will always drag a Christian down. We hope that the new believers among us will please the Lord in their choice of occupations.
 
　　读经：

　　帖撒罗尼迦后书三章十至十二节：“我们在你们那里的时候，曾吩咐你们说，若有人不肯作工，就不可吃饭。因为我们听说，在你们中间有人不按规矩而行，什么工都不作，反倒专管闲事。我们靠主耶稣基督，吩咐劝戒这样的人，要安静作工，吃自己的饭。”

　　基督徒的职业，是一件大事。职业如果选错了，前面的路就走不好。所以基督徒必须注意到职业的拣选。
 
　Scripture Reading: 2 Thes. 3:10-12

　Occupation is very important to a Christian. If one chooses a wrong occupation, he will not be able to go on in a positive way. A Christian must pay attention to the matter of choosing an occupation.
　　当神创造人的时候，神就替人安排了职业。神所分派给亚当和夏娃作的事，乃是修理看守。所以，职业乃是人类没犯罪之前就有的。亚当和夏娃当初的职业就像园丁一样，在那里看守修理神所造的伊甸园。

　　亚当和夏娃犯罪之后，地就不给他们效力，他们要汗流满面才得糊口，他们要种地才有得吃。（创三17~19）这明显给我们看见，在人堕落之后，神所规定的职业是作农夫种田。人必须汗流满面的种地，地才给人效劳，才叫人得着粮食。一直到今天，我们能够承认说，农夫比任何人都老实得多。当初神定规人应该种田。

　　到了创世记四章的时候，你看见该隐种地，亚伯牧羊。现在是加上了牧羊，可见畜牧也是神所悦纳的职业。

　　再下去，当人在地上越过越多的时候，有各种的匠人起来。有铁匠，有铜匠，有作乐器的，有打造各样铜铁利器的起来（四22）。到了巴别塔的时候，有泥瓦匠和木匠（十一3~4）（虽然盖巴别塔是不应该的，但是人在那样学习建造。所以铜匠，铁匠，作乐器的，盖造的匠人，还都是正当地职业）。

　　到创世记十二章，神拣选亚伯拉罕。亚伯拉罕也是牧人。他有许多的牛，有许多的羊。到雅各的时候，他也是有牛群和羊群。可见他们主要的职业都是畜牧。

　　以色列人在埃及是替法老烧砖作匠人。但是他们出埃及以后，神应许给他们流奶与蜜之地。这里明显有两个职业：畜牧和耕种。那地的葡萄要两个人抬（民十三23），明显是有耕种。神说，你们如果违背我，拜偶像，我要叫天像铜，地像铁，不给你们效劳（利二六19~20）。这也很明显的说，他们在迦南应许之地的职业，乃是耕种和畜牧。在旧约里，就是有这几种职业。
 
　After God created man, He prepared an occupation for him. God assigned Adam and Eve the job of guarding and keeping the garden. The matter of occupation existed before man sinned. Adam and Eve’s occupation in the beginning was that of a gardener; they guarded and kept the garden of Eden which God had created.

　After Adam and Eve sinned, the earth no longer rendered service to them. They had to eat in the sweat of their face and till the ground so they could eat (Gen. 3:17-19). This shows us clearly that after man’s fall, his God-ordained occupation was to be a farmer and to till the ground. Man has to till the ground in the sweat of his face in order for the earth to yield food to him. To this day farmers are still the most honest kind of people. In the beginning God ordained man to till the ground.

　In Genesis 4 Cain was a tiller of the ground and Abel was a keeper of sheep. Here sheep farming came in. This shows us that shepherding is also an occupation that is acceptable to God.

　After this, when men began to multiply on the earth, there arose all kinds of craftsmen. There were blacksmiths, coppersmiths, makers of musical instruments, and artificers in brass and iron (4:21-22). By the time of the tower of Babel, there were bricklayers and carpenters (11:3-4). (Although building the tower of Babel was wrong, men were nevertheless learning to build. Hence the coppersmith, blacksmith, maker of musical instruments, and craftsman are all proper occupations.)

　In Genesis 12 God chose Abraham. He was a herdsman. He had many cattle and sheep. Jacob also had flocks of cattle and sheep. This shows that their main occupation was animal husbandry.

　When the Israelites were in Egypt, they worked as craftsmen, burning bricks for Pharaoh. But after they came out of Egypt, God promised them a land flowing with milk and honey. Clearly, we see two occupations: raising livestock and farming. The grapes of the land required two people to carry them. This proves that there was farming. God said that if the Israelites disobeyed Him and worshipped idols, He would cause the heavens to be as brass and the earth to be as iron; the heavens and the earth would not work for the Israelites. This shows clearly that the occupations in the promised land of Canaan consisted of tilling the earth and raising livestock. These were the occupations in the Old Testament.
　　到了新约的时候，在马太福音主耶稣所引的比喻里，我们看见耕种是一个基本的职业。比方在十三章里，有撒种的比喻。在二十章里，有葡萄园的比喻。在路加十七章，说到有仆人耕地，或是从田里放羊回来。在约翰十章，主说好牧人为羊舍命，这是畜牧。所以耕种和畜牧是神给人规定的基本职业。

　　主呼召十二个使徒，他们大多是打鱼的人。人如果作税吏，主就要我他把这职业丢弃。但是对于渔夫，主说，你们从前是打鱼的，从今以后，我要叫你们得人如得鱼一样（太四19）。所以打鱼也是个被接受的职业。

　　路加作医生，保罗织帐棚。织帐棚和打鱼不同，是加工的制造。人耕地是直接的生产。织布，作裁缝或者作帐棚，这些都是加工的制造。

　　我只能说，从旧约到新约，神对于职业就是这样安排。主的门徒或者是作农夫，或者是作牧人，或者是作匠人，或者是打鱼，或者是加工的制造。如果再要增加一个职业，至多可以加上作工的人（不是指着作属灵工作的人）。因为新约有话说，工人得工价是应当的（提前五18）。工人，就是劳力的人，卖力的人。用劳力来得着工价，这也是圣经所许可的职业。
 
　The Lord Jesus’ parables in the Gospel of Matthew show us that farming is a basic occupation in the New Testament age. For example, in chapter thirteen we have the parable of the sower, and in chapter twenty we have the parable of the vineyard. Luke 17 speaks of a slave coming back from plowing or tending sheep in the field. In John 10 the Lord said that the good Shepherd laid down His life for the sheep. Therefore, raising livestock and farming are the basic God-ordained occupations for men.

　The Lord called twelve apostles, most of whom were fishermen. The one who was a tax collector was told by the Lord to drop his occupation. But it was as if He said to the fishermen, “Once you were fishermen. But from now on, I will make you fishers of men.” This shows that fishing is also an acceptable occupation.

　Luke was a physician, and Paul was a tentmaker. Tentmaking is different from fishing. With tentmaking, labor is added to basic raw material. Tilling the ground produces material directly. Making fabrics, tailoring, or making tents add labor to raw material to manufacture finished goods.

　I can only say that from the Old Testament to the New Testament, God has arranged certain occupations. The Lord’s disciples were either farmers, shepherds, craftsmen, fishermen, or manufacturers. If there were any other occupations at all, the most we can include is “workmen” (not the workers who do spiritual work), because the New Testament says, “The workman is worthy of his pay” (1 Tim 5:18). A workman is one who labors manually or who sells his labor. Obtaining wages by manual labor is also an acceptable occupation in the Bible.
　　在圣经里，神替人安排了这么多的职业，我们可以找出一个基本的原则，就是说，人所得着的，人所接受的，乃是来自于天然。或者人把他的时间，把他的力气拿出去，来得着工价。这些是圣经里所提到职业的原则。
 
　From these God-approved occupations in the Bible, we can see a basic principle: Man must receive or take from nature, or he must earn his wages in exchange for his time and labor. These are the principles of occupation outlined in the Bible.
　　撒种的人，拿一粒麦子撒在地里，等一等结出许多子粒来，或者三十倍，或者六十倍，或者一百倍（太十三3，8）。一粒变作一百粒，或者变作六十粒，或者变作三十粒。你把种子种在地里，叫它生长，它结出子粒来。你看见这是从天然取得供给。天然的供给是丰富的，天然的供给是任何人都能得着的。因为神叫日头照好人，也照歹人；神降雨给义人，也给不义的人（五45）。这明显是作农业的用处。所以神的目的是要人从自然里取得供给。畜牧也是同样的原则。你牧了羊，它给你奶。你牧了羊，它给你生了许多小羊。这是生产的加增。这乃是自然所给的，而不是用其他的方法取得的。

　　到了新约，你看见有打鱼。打鱼是往河里海里去取，还是往自然去取。不会因为我往河里海里去取，就叫谁变作更穷了。我可以从水里去取，我可以变作富足，但是不会叫任何人变穷，我的羊可以生六只小羊，我的牛可以生两只小牛，但是不会因着我的羊生了小羊，我的牛生了小牛，谁家里就变穷了。我在这里种地，没有人会因我田里长了一百倍的子粒，而他们饿了，他们有损失了。所以神给人职业的基本原则，就是我有所得着，人没有损失。这就是神所安排高尚的职业。
 
　The sower sows a grain of wheat into the ground. After some time it bears many grains, a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold (Matt. 13:3, 8). One grain becomes a hundred, sixty, or thirty grains. One seed is sown into the ground, but it grows and bears many grains. This is to receive from nature. Nature is rich in its supply, and anyone can extract from it. God causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust (5:45). This clearly hints that God sends these things for the purpose of farming. God intends for man to obtain his supply from nature. The same principle applies to livestock farming. One raises sheep which give milk or bear many lambs. This is an increase of production. It is something supplied by nature, not something acquired by other means.

　In the New Testament we see fishing as an occupation. Fishing takes something from the rivers and seas. This again is to receive from nature. We do not make anyone poorer by fishing from the rivers and the seas. We can become rich by taking something from the rivers, and these riches will not make anyone poor. When my sheep bears six lambs or my cow bears two calves, no family becomes poorer because of this. When I till the ground, no one is hungry or suffers loss because my field has brought forth grain a hundredfold. The basic principle of a God-approved occupation is to gain without incurring loss to anyone. This is the kind of noble occupation that God ordains.
　　就是保罗的织帐棚，也是同样的原则。不过，他不是直接往天然里去取。像打鱼，像畜牧，像耕种，都是直接去取得天然里的东西。而保罗在那里是加上他的工夫去制造。这一个乃是加增一个东西的价值。比方，一块布原来只值一块钱。我把它裁了，缝了，成功作帐棚，就值了两块钱。它的价值加增了，我就得着加值的工钱。这也不会因着我得着价值加增的钱的缘故，会叫任何的人变穷。没有一个人会因着保罗织帐棚的缘故，变作贫穷，受了损失。我加增这一块布的价值，因为有工夫加进去，我得着了工钱，这是正当地。所以神所给人的职业，另一个基本的原则是加增价值。
 
　The same principle applies to Paul’s tentmaking. He did not receive directly from nature. Fishing, raising livestock, and farming receive from nature directly. But Paul manufactured something by adding value to his raw material. This increases the value of goods. A piece of fabric may cost one dollar. When I cut it, sew it, and make a tent out of it, it costs two dollars. Its value has increased, and my wage is the increased value of the good. I do not make anyone poorer by receiving money from the increased value. No one became poorer or suffered loss through Paul’s tentmaking. When I increase the value of a piece of fabric, it is only proper that I receive my wages because I have put in time and skill. Therefore, another principle of a God-approved occupation is that it increases the value of goods.
　　再像替人作工，作匠人，作医生，又是另外一个原则。我用我的工夫来卖钱，来得工价。虽然这不是从天然里去取得，也不是加工去制造，但是我花了那么多的工夫，出了那么多的代价，作了那么多的事，所以我有了那么多的收入。作工的得工价，也是神所许可的事。
 
　Another principle can be found in hired laborers, craftsmen, and medical doctors. In such cases one earns his money and wages through his own labor. This neither takes from nature nor adds value to raw materials, but one puts in his labor, pays a price, and provides a service to receive his income. The reward that comes as a result of one’s labor is also acceptable to God.
　　有一个职业，圣经里特别看为不好的，就是作买卖。这一件事，我特别要请你们注意。我盼望初信的弟兄，如果有力量拣选他的职业，最好能够不作买卖。为什么缘故呢？我想先把这一个问题扩大来看，也许能够看得清楚一点。比方说，我们这里有一百个人，每个人有一百万块钱。这一百个人合在一起，就有一亿。我问你们，我如果出来作买卖，作生意，自然就想赚钱，就盼望我这一百万变作两百万。你们且不管我如何作生意，是公义还是不公义。无论如何，我作了一个月的生意之后，变作两百万。在你们中间，总是有的人的钱少了。这是定规的。因为我们一百个人，每个人都有一百万，我手里也只有一百万。即使我用最公义的方法作生意，叫我手里的钱变作两百万，总是叫你们中间有的人的钱缺了，有的人的钱少了。

　　在这里，我是基督徒，你们也是基督徒，你们是我的弟兄。我请问我赚你们的钱，我变作更富足，你们变作更贫穷，好意思么？不好意思。即使你们是外邦人、外教人，我还是基督徒。我告欣你们说，我是神的儿女，我有神儿女的体统，我有神儿女的地位。神的儿女不能叫世人更贫穷，叫自己的钱多起来。我就是用公义的方法，赚你们的钱，赚信徒的钱，我不好意思。我就是用公义的方法，赚非信徒的钱，我也不好意思。作生意，就是这一种的情形。我不能把钱从别人的口袋里，拿到我口袋里。不管用什么方法，把钱从人的口袋里转到我的口袋里来，总是叫人吃亏。这是事实。

　　但是神在圣经里所给人的基本职业，就没有这一个难处。比方我是种地的，我收了一百担米进来；不是说，因我收了一百担米，某弟兄家里，本来有十担米，现在变作九担了。我不会叫他少。我如果收了一百担米，不会叫你们中间任何人少一斤米。我如果收了一百担米，不会叫你们中间任何人变作贫穷。这一个不是叫作赚钱，这一个乃是加增丰富。你们必须分别，赚钱和加增丰富是两件完全不同的事。神不愿意他的儿女只有一个目的，就是赚钱。神是要我们的职业能够加增丰富。这一个基本原则是相当的清楚。初信的弟兄们，不要一天到晚在那里想钱。不要一直想怎样能够赚钱。请你们记得，你赚了钱，人定规少了钱。我的钱加增，就是人的钱减少，这是作买卖的原则。
 
　There is one occupation of which the Bible particularly disapproves. Please pay special attention to this matter. If a new believer has the ability to choose his profession, I hope that he will not take trading as his occupation. Why? We should consider this matter from a broader perspective. Perhaps that will give us a clearer picture. Suppose there are one hundred persons here and each one has a million dollars. If we put them all together, we will have a hundred million dollars. Suppose I begin to trade as one of them. Naturally, I would want to make money. I would like my one million dollars to become two million dollars. Forget for a moment how I handle my business, whether it is done righteously or unrighteously. After a month I have two million dollars. This means that someone must have less money. This must be the case because there are only one hundred persons, each of whom had only one million dollars. Even if I conducted my business in the most righteous way, I would still have caused someone to lose money when I increased my money to two million.

　I am a Christian, and let us say that you are a Christian also. You are my brother. Does it look good for me to make money and become richer by making you poorer? Certainly not. Even if you are a Gentile and a heathen, I am a Christian. I am a child of God, and I have my standing and status as a child of God. God’s children should not cause an unbeliever to become poorer by increasing their own money. I would feel bad even if I employed righteous means to gain other believers’ money. I would feel equally bad if I used righteous means to gain an unbeliever’s money. This is what it is like to engage in trade. You cannot take money from another’s pocket and put it into your own pocket. It does not matter how you do it. As long as you turn the money in another’s pocket into your money, you are causing a loss to others. This is a fact.

　Of course, the basic God-approved occupations in the Bible pose no such problem. Suppose I am a tiller of the ground, and I have harvested a hundred loads of rice. This will not cause another brother’s possession to be reduced from ten loads down to nine loads. I cannot cause him to have any reduction. My hundred loads of rice will not reduce anything from anyone or cause anyone to become poorer. This is not making money; this is increasing the abundance of the land. We must completely differentiate between the two: Making money and increasing the abundance are two different things altogether. God does not want His children to make money just for the sake of making money. God wants our occupation to increase the abundance. This basic principle is quite clear. A new believer should not have his mind occupied with money day and night. Do not try to constantly consider how you can make money. Please remember that as long as you have made some money, others have lost money. The principle of trade is that when one’s money increases, the money of others decreases.
　　我们在这里，看到三种不同的职业：一类是作买卖，一类是作工，一类就是生产。神在圣经里所规定最高的职业，就是作生产的人。从亚当起，神所特别注意的职业是生产。因为生产是我加增丰富，而不叫别人贫穷。我养了一百只羊，过了多少年，变作四百只，加增了三百只。但是这一个加增，并没有叫任何弟兄姊妹的口袋里少一块钱。你们原来家里有多少钱，仍然有多少钱。绝不会因我的羊生了小羊，你们就减少。这是在圣经里职业的基本原则。我要叫我所有的东西加增，我要叫我的丰富加增。虽然我把羊拿去卖了，我是有了钱，但是我却没有叫任何人更贫穷。

　　我盼望初信的弟兄们，如果有机会拣选职业，应该拣选加增东西的职业，不要拣选加增钱财的职业。加增钱财，而不加增东西，这是非常自私的。我们要学习加增世界的东西，而不是加增我个人的财富。这里面有极大的分别。

　　保罗的织帐棚，那又是另外一个原则。不错，他没有叫棉花更多，没有叫丝更多，没有叫布更多。可是，布因着他的裁，因着他的缝，因着他花了那么多的工夫，那么多的力气，就增加了价值。据圣经的学者说，当时的帐棚是要染的。阿福德（Dean Aford）说，保罗曾说，“看哪，我这两只手。…”（徒二十34，原文。）在他这两只手上，定规带着染帐棚的颜色，定规是不干净的。所以，保罗的织帐棚是叫东西加增价值。

　　加增丰富是好的事，加增价值也是好的事。比方说，一块木头，我把它作成椅子，这也是好的事。因为我这样作，我是加增木头的价值。虽然我不是从大自然加增丰富，但是世界因着我多了一张椅子。因着我这样作帐棚，就多加增了一个帐棚。这也不是只叫自己得利，而损害别人的。我能够作帐棚，我能够叫便宜的布变成贵价的帐棚。布变作帐棚，这是叫世界的东西加增了。这也是神所许可的一种职业。

　　初信的弟兄们，从今以后要看见，我们的职业有两个标准：我们要加增世界的丰富，我们也要加增东西的价值。实在说来，织帐棚也是加增世界的丰富。因着我的手这样作，世界的帐棚就增加了。所以加增丰富也是对的。这是神为人安排职业的基本原则。
 
　Here we see three different kinds of occupations. One is to trade, another is to work, and the third is to produce. The highest occupation God has ordained in the Bible is the one that produces. Since Adam, God’s eyes have been on occupations that produce, because production increases the abundance of the earth rather than imposing poverty on others. If I raise a hundred sheep and after a certain number of years they have become four hundred, I have increased by three hundred sheep. This increase does not decrease a single dollar from any brother’s or sister’s pocket. How much money you have at home will not change. You will not have less just because my sheep has brought forth lambs. This is the basic scriptural principle of occupation. I should always be increasing and should always be adding to riches. I may sell my sheep and receive money. But in so doing, I have not made anyone poorer.

　If a new believer has the chance to choose his own occupation, I hope he will choose one that will increase goods rather than increase his money. To increase money but not goods is very selfish. We need to learn to increase the things of the earth, not to increase our personal wealth. There is a great difference between the two.

　Paul’s tentmaking shows us another principle. He did not increase the amount of cotton, silk, or fabric. But because of his cutting, sewing, effort, and energy, he increased the value of the raw material. According to Bible scholars, tents at that time had to be dyed. Dean Alford told us that when Paul said, “These hands,” in Acts 20:34, he was referring to the unavoidable stain of the dye of the tents on his hands. Paul’s tentmaking was something that increased the value of goods.

　It is good to increase the riches of the earth. It is also good to increase the value of goods. Suppose I make a chair from a piece of wood. This is good, because by doing so, I have increased the value of the wood. Although I have not increased the abundance in nature, the world has one more chair through me. The world had one more tent when Paul made a tent. This does not benefit oneself at the expense of others. One can make a tent; he can turn a cheap fabric into a valuable tent. Turning fabric into a tent increases the goods of this world. This is also an occupation that is acceptable to God.

　A new believer must see that there are two criteria to a proper occupation. One must either increase the abundance of the earth or increase the value of goods. Actually, when one makes a tent, he is also increasing the abundance of the world. Because of the work of one’s hands, the number of tents in this world has increased. Therefore, it is also right to say that this increases the abundance of the world. This is the basic principle of God’s ordained occupations for men.
　　我也读过一点经济学，我知道作买卖也有它的需要。但是，我是基督徒，我不是经济学家。不错，主耶稣也说，我们要作买卖，直到祂来。（路十九13）但那一节圣经的意思，是要我们作工像作买卖那样专心。你们知道，作买卖的人是非常专心的。只要有钱赚，什么地方都钻进去。主的意思是你有机会就得钻进去，你要这样专心的来作工。

　　我想大家都知道，作买卖是从推罗起头的。而作买卖的结果是到巴比伦。从以西结二十八章起，一直到启示录十八章止，你们看见说，发起作买卖的人是推罗的王。以西结二十八章给我们看见，推罗的王是代表撒但。“因你贸易很多，就被强暴的事充满，以致犯罪。”（16）所以请你们记得，你这一种作买卖的思想，叫自己赚钱，叫别人吃亏，叫世界的财富减少，这不是神所定规的职业，这是撒但所有的职业。这一个原则不对。

　　作买卖的原则，是我口袋里的钱加增的时候，别人口袋里的钱就减少。人一有赚钱的思想，结果很简单，这一个人的钱一多，那一个人的钱就少。总是谁的钱增加，一定有人的钱减少。全世界假定说只有二百一十亿元的钱。你富的时候，还是二百一十亿，你穷的时候，也是二百一十亿。世界上钱的数量，是有限的。可是我把别人的钱拿来，叫我的钱加增，这就叫纯商业。我不是说，把鱼打来不卖。我也不是说，把麦子收来不卖。我也不是说，羊生了小羊不卖。我也不是说，保罗把帐棚织好了不卖。我乃是说，帐棚也好，羊也好，麦子也好，鱼也好，那不是纯商业。那是把我的生产来换钱。我所得的利益，是大自然给我的。我所得的丰富，是大自然给我的。是大自然给我丰富，不是我把别人弄穷了来叫我丰富。

　　基督徒要有一个思想，我不赚人的钱。我们千万不要有任何的思想，叫任何人吃亏。我们作神儿女的人，地位是那样的高，如果要去赚世界上那样低的钱，那实在是不好看的事。比方说，一个的元首到鼓岭来，看见一个当地人害疟疾，就把奎宁丸卖给他说，“我买来是五元一颗，现在卖给你是六元一颗。”你们想那里能有这样的事？你们看见，一个国家的完首，来赚挑夫的一块钱，这一个身分不对。我告诉你们，基督徒要赚任何人的钱，那比一个元首去赚挑夫的钱更不好意思。我们的地位和他们不同，我们没有法子去赚任何人的钱。

　　我们基督徒是高贵的。基督徒有基督徒的尊荣，基督徒有基督徒的地位，基督徒有基督徒的体统。我赚了任何人的钱，都是可羞耻的事。我不能这么作来加增我的财富。我宁可去作农夫，去耕，去种。这比我去赚钱，要荣耀得多。因为神是安排大自然为我效力，这比我自己去赚钱荣耀得多。基督徒总是要有个思想，我不要赚人的钱。

　　凡是能加增物质的数量，能加增物质的价值，那样的职业在神面前是蒙悦纳的。纯商业不是神所悦纳的。你们要特别注意以西结二十八章，贸易取利的原则是从推罗王起头的。神在那里责备说，因着贸易众多，你里面就有罪。到了启示录十八章，世界快要结束，国度快要起头的时候，你们就看见巴比伦在那里受刑罚。作买卖这件事，是一直到巴比伦结束的时候。地上所有的商人，都在那里为巴比伦哀哭。你也在那里看见，地上所有的商品，第一样是金子，末了一样是人口。人口就是魂，这是同样的字。从金子到人口，没有一样不能作买卖，什么东西都能作买卖。人总是想赚钱，人总是想发财，人总是想要变作富有的的人。但是弟兄姊妹，我们要逃避这个下等的职业。
 
　I have studied economics a little. I know that there is the need for commerce. But I am a Christian; I am not an economist. While the Lord Jesus did say that we needed to do business until He comes (Luke 19:13), that verse means that we should give ourselves to our work like a businessman giving himself to his business. We know that a businessman has to devote himself to his business. He will get into any situation as long as there is money in it for him. The Lord meant that we should grasp every opportunity. We must give ourselves to our work in such a way.

　Commerce began with Tyre, and it ends up in Babylon. We find this from Ezekiel 28 to Revelation 18. The one who invented commerce is the prince of Tyre. Ezekiel 28 shows us that the prince of Tyre represents Satan. “By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned” (v. 16). Bear in mind that commerce always makes money for oneself at the expense of others and at the expense of decreasing the riches of the world. This is not the kind of occupation that God wants. This is the occupation which belongs to Satan. The principle behind such an occupation is wrong.

　The principle of commerce is to increase the money in one’s pocket by decreasing the money in another’s pocket. Once the idea of making money comes into a person’s mind, the result is very simple—one will get more money while another will have less. Once someone’s money increases, there must be others whose money decreases. Suppose there are only twenty-one billion dollars in the whole world. Whether you are rich or poor, the total amount of money remains the same. The total amount of money in the world is limited. For my money to increase, I have to take it from others. This is pure commerce. I am not saying that after catching some fish, one cannot sell it. Neither am I saying that after harvesting a crop, producing a lamb, or making a tent, one cannot sell it. I am saying that making tents, raising lambs, harvesting crops, and catching fish are not pure commerce. Those occupations exchange production for money. I derive my benefit from nature. The abundance I receive comes from nature. It is nature that gives me the abundance; I do not become richer by making others poorer.

　Christians must not try to make money from other people. Never harbor any thought of taking advantage of others. As God’s children, we have a high standard. It does not look good for us to try to rack up the lowly money of the world. Suppose the president of a foreign nation comes to Kuling and finds a local native infected with malaria. Suppose he tries to sell him some quinine pills, saying, “I bought them for five dollars per pill. Now I am selling them to you for six dollars per pill.” What kind of story would that be? It does not match the status of a nation’s president to earn a dollar from a coolie. For a Christian to earn someone else’s money is even worse than a president taking money from a coolie. Our status is different. We cannot make money from anyone.

　Christians are noble people; we have our dignity, our standing, and our principles. It is a shame for us to make money from anyone. We cannot increase our wealth this way. I would rather be a farmer who tills and plants. This is more glorious than making money from others. God has prepared nature to work for us, and we will be more noble if we do not try to make money from others. Christians must have the thought that they will not earn money at the expense of other human beings.

　Any occupation that increases the quantity and value of goods is acceptable to God. But pure commerce is not acceptable to God. Please pay special attention to Ezekiel 28. The principle of aggrandizement through trade began with the prince of Tyre. God rebuked him, saying, “By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence.” In Revelation 18 the world has come to an end and the kingdom is about to begin. There we see Babylon being judged. Commerce continues throughout history until the end of Babylon. All the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for Babylon. There we also see all the goods of the earth. The first is gold and the last are the souls of men. Everything is open for purchase and for sale, from gold to the souls of men. Man always thinks of making money and becoming rich. But brothers and sisters, we must flee from this low occupation.
　　我盼望你们能够分别纯商业和生产商的不同。麦子可以卖，牛羊可以卖，帐棚可以卖，鱼也可以卖。这一个不叫作买卖。世界上所谓的作买卖乃是说，我今天向人买一百袋面粉摆在那里，等价钱高了再卖出去。我买了五十篓油摆在那里，等价钱高了再卖出去。不会因着我的缘故，麦子多了一斤，或者油多了一斤。油没有加增，麦子没有加增，可是我的钱加增了。我没有加增世界的东西，却一直加增我的财产，这是可耻的事。这是信主的人应该尽力避免的事。

　　为着生产而有买卖是可以的。若光是买进卖出，那是不可以的。如果有一个弟兄，把种地所得的拿出去卖，这是好的。如果有一个弟兄把米买进来，再卖出去，这是不好的。虽然两个都是卖，但是原则根本不一样。如果有一个弟兄把帐棚买十个进来，再把帐棚卖十个出去，这可和保罗不同行。我乃是晚上织帐棚，白天卖出去，这才是和保罗同行的。你看见这是绝对不同的事。你作了工去卖钱，这是神祝福的。你买进又卖出，心里只有一个盼望要赚钱，这不只从基督徒看是最低的职业，就是从外邦人看也是最低的职业。

　　所以作纯商业的弟兄，不能作负责弟兄。因为这样的人，对于钱不能得着释放。我们从今以后，这一条路是越过越清楚，神的儿女应该完全脱离钱的势力，才可以事奉神，教会才有路走。
 
　I hope you can differentiate between pure commerce and production. Wheat, cows, sheep, tents, and fish can be sold. This is not the commerce we are talking about. The so-called commerce in the world means that today I buy one hundred sacks of flour from another person. I store them until the price goes up and then I sell them. Or I buy fifty tins of oil and put them away until the price goes up and then sell them. The wheat or oil has not increased its volume because of me. The oil has not increased, neither has the wheat. But my money has increased. I have not increased the goods of the world, yet my wealth has increased. This is a shameful thing. This is one thing that believers should try to avoid at all cost.

　It is all right to buy and sell for the sake of taking care of our production. But it is wrong to buy and sell for the sake of buying and selling. It is right for a brother to sell products from his farm. But it is wrong for the same brother to buy rice and then sell it again. Although both are selling, the principles are altogether different. If a brother buys ten tents and resells them, he does not have the same occupation as Paul’s. If I make tents at night and then sell them in the morning, I have the same occupation as Paul’s. The two are absolutely different. If you labor on something and then sell what you have labored on, this is something that can be blessed by God. But if you buy something and then sell it, hoping in your heart that you will make money in the process, you are engaging in the lowest occupation, not only from a Christian’s point of view, but also from a Gentile’s as well.

　No brother engaging in pure commerce can be a responsible brother, for such a person can never be fully delivered from money. Our way is becoming clearer and clearer. God’s children must be fully delivered from the power of mammon. This is the only way for them to serve God and for the church to have a way to go on.
　　牧羊的人，种地的人，是生产的人。作买卖的人，是另外一种人。又有一种人，是夹在两者中间的，就是作工的人；像医生、教师，他们是把他们的工夫拿出来。这在圣经里，也是一种好的职业。他们虽然不生产，但是他们也无所取于人。他们不从天然里有所得，也不从人身上有所得。他们乃是用自己的时间，用自己的体力，用自己的脑力，去换取他们所该得着的养生之物。作工的得工价，是应该的。这也是神在圣经里所喜欢的职业。最高的职业是生产的职业，其次是作工，花脑力或花体力来得着酬报。

　　生产的人，是从大自然里有所得，而无所取于人。作工的人，是从大自然里无所得，也无所取于人。作买卖的人，是从大自然里无所得，而有所取于人。这三种完全不同。生产的人，是从大自然里有所得，而同时对于人无所取，这是圣经里最高的职业。作工的人，是卖力的，不管脑力也好，体力也好；我花我的时间，我花我的气力，我得我所该得的，我不会叫人变作更贫穷。你付给我这么多钱，我给你作这么多工，两个能够抵消，这是神所许可的职业。纯商业作买卖的人，是无所得于大自然，而有所取于人；除了想赚钱之外，没有别的目的。这在圣经里是最低的职业。

　　今天这一条路，是相当的明显。这一个原则，也是相当的明显。盼望弟兄们，能够尽力在职业上有转机。
 
　Both shepherds and farmers are producers. Merchants belong to another category. There is a third kind of people who come in between these two. They are workers, like doctors and teachers, who work with their skills. These are also good occupations according to the Bible. Although they are not producing anything, they are not extorting anything from others either. They do not receive anything from nature, but they do not take anything from people either. They maintain their livelihood by utilizing their own contribution of time, energy, and mental power. The workman is worthy of his pay. This is one scriptural occupation that is acceptable to God. We can say that the highest occupation is the occupation which produces. The second highest is the occupation that works with skills and that receives rewards by contributing intellectual or physical strength.

　The producer takes from nature and receives nothing from men. The worker takes nothing from nature and receives nothing from men. The merchant receives nothing from nature but takes things from men. These are three totally different kinds of occupations. The producer obtains something from nature while taking nothing from men. This is the highest occupation in the Bible. The worker puts in his energy, whether mental or physical. He puts in his time and energy to earn what he deserves. He does not make others poorer. Others pay him for the service he renders, and the interests of both parties balance out each other. This is an occupation acceptable to God. The merchant who deals with pure commerce receives nothing from nature but receives something from men. He has no other motive than to make money. This is the lowest occupation according to the Bible.

　Today the way is clear, and the principle is also clear. We hope that all the brothers would try to have a turn in their occupations.
　　不过，我不愿意你们走极端的路。不要一碰著作买卖的人，就定他们的罪。因为他们没有机会拣选职业。我认识一个弟兄，当他刚从学校里出来的时候，是相当好。后来到买卖场中去，不多久心就变坏了。一天到晚，都在想赚人的钱。如果要他买东西，他就要赚你的钱。他总是在暗中要赚你的钱。这实在是不好的事。我说，这是心术败坏了。我们盼望，凡是能够由得自己拣选职业的弟兄，千万不要进到纯商业的里面去。已经在里面的弟兄，我们要帮助他，叫他看见，叫他改过来。不要和他为难，但最少这一条路得叫他清楚。

　　无论如何，纯商业不是好事。总是盼望过十年，过二十年，不作买卖变作一个风气。盼望在我们中间，盼望各处的弟兄姊妹，将来能有不作纯商业的风气。我们作神儿女的人，宁可教书，宁可去替人挑担，总是不要作纯商业。我种一块地，生产麦子，生产谷米，把这些拿出去卖。我的羊生了几只小羊，拿去卖。我的鸡生了蛋，拿去卖。我的牛有牛奶，拿去卖。我织了布，拿去卖。这些事都可作。如果是这样，人的努力越多，人所作的工越多，神所赐的祝福也越多。最怕的是，我们中间的弟兄姊妹，光是把钱赚来了许多。这是最不好的事。

　　今天，我们和各公会比，我们的弟兄姊妹是最贫穷的。如果我们不小心，我们要变作最有钱的。因为我们比人老实，我们不撒谎，我们比人殷勤；同时没有一个地方花费比我们更少的。我们又不吸烟，又不喝酒，又不住好房子。这样一来，过不多时，各地的弟兄姊妹都要发财了。你们知道，卫斯理约翰在末去世时曾说，“我替卫理会的人担心。他们又诚实，又勤劳，又不花钱，将来要变作世界上最有钱的人。”今天这话已经成为事实，各地卫斯理公会的人都是最有钱的人，结果他们的见证就完了。

　　我们盼望初信的弟兄们，总要用劳力去赚钱，而不是一手进来，一手出去那样赚了许多钱。我们的原则总是加增丰富，不是加增钱。如果这样，进来的钱就是清洁的，奉献到神那里的钱能够蒙悦纳。每一块的钱，能够有好的结果。假定有一个弟兄，作了一个篮子拿去卖，然后拿来奉献，这比一个弟兄买来十个篮子再卖出去，把所赚的利钱拿来奉献，要好得多。虽然奉献的钱数一样，但是那一个钱不一样。盼望许多弟兄姊妹能够看见这一个原则。要就是劳力，要就是生产，这两个原则都是对的。买卖，我不能禁止，我也不敢禁止。不过我说，要尽力量不作纯商业的事。无论如何，这是拖基督徒下水的。盼望初信的弟兄们，在职业上，都能够讨神的喜悦。
 
　I do not wish to see anyone taking the extreme way. Do not condemn those who are engaged in commerce as soon as you meet them. They did not have the opportunity to choose their occupation. I knew a brother who was quite pure when he left school. After he went into business, his heart gradually became corrupt. He tried to make money day and night. If you wanted him to buy something for you, he would try to make some money in the process. He always tried to make some money from others. This is too poor. I believe such a person has been corrupted in his heart. We hope that anyone who can choose his own occupation will not go into pure commerce. We must open the eyes of those who are already in it and help them to have a change. Do not embarrass them, but at least show them the way clearly.

　Pure commerce is never a good thing. We hope that ten or twenty years from now, it will be a tradition among us that no one goes into pure commerce. Hopefully, in the future all the brothers and sisters among us will build up the habit of shunning pure commerce. As God’s children, we would rather be teachers or manual laborers; we would not go into pure commerce. We would till the land and harvest wheat, barley, or rice and then sell the harvest. We would raise lambs from our sheep and then sell them. We would have our hen lay eggs and then sell them. We would have our cow produce milk and then sell it. We would make fabric and then sell it. We can do all these things. The more we work and produce, the more God will bless. The worst thing that can happen to us is that our brothers and sisters simply make a great deal of money. Nothing could be worse than this.

　Today our brothers and sisters are the poorest among all those in the other denominations. If we are not careful, we could become the richest. Because we are more honest, diligent, and frugal than others, and because we do not lie, smoke, drink, or live in big mansions, it is possible that within a short time, all of the brothers and sisters will become wealthy. John Wesley once said before he died, “I am concerned for our people in the Methodist assembly. They are honest, diligent, and frugal. Soon they will become the richest people in the world.” Such a word has indeed come true today. The Methodists are the richest people in the world. But their testimony has been lost as a result.

　We hope that all the new believers will earn their living by their own labor. We hope that they will not make money by taking in with one hand and taking out with the other. Our principle is to increase the abundance of the land, not the money in the world. If we do this, the money we receive will be clean, and when we offer it to God, it will be acceptable to Him. Every dollar will end up in a good place. Suppose a brother makes a basket and sells it and then offers the money to the Lord. This is much better than another brother who buys ten baskets, sells them, and then offers up his profit to the Lord. The amount of money offered may be the same, but the nature of the money is different. We hope that many brothers and sisters will see this principle. We must either labor with our hands or we must produce something. Both are according to the proper principles. I cannot forbid anyone from going into the business of pure commerce, but I would advise everyone to try his best to avoid pure commerce. This occupation will always drag a Christian down. We hope that the new believers among us will please the Lord in their choice of occupations.

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