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初信造就 › 第二八篇　理财之法

第二八篇　理财之法

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　　读经：
　　路六38：“你们要给人，就必有给你们的；并且用－路加福音十足的升斗，连摇带按，上尖下流的，倒在你们怀里；因为你们用什么量器量给人，也必用什么量器量给你们。”
　　提前六7~10：“因为我们没有带什么到世上来，也不能带什么去；只要有衣有食，就当知足。但那些想要发财的人，就陷在迷惑，落在网罗，和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。贪财是万恶之根；有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己剌透了。”
　　提前六17~19：“你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，也不要倚靠无定的钱财；只要倚靠那厚赐百物给我们享受的神。又要嘱咐他们行善，在好事上富足，甘心施舍，乐意供给人，为自己积成美好的根基，预备将来，叫他们持定那真正的生命。”
　　林后九6：“少种的少收，多种的多收；这话是真的。”
　　玛三10：“万军之耶和华说，你们要将当纳的十分之一，全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敝开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。”
　　箴十一24：“有施散的，却更增添；有吝惜过度的，反致穷乏。”
　　腓四15~19：“腓立比人哪，你们也知道我初传福音，离了马其顿的时候，论到授受的事，除了你们以外，并没有别的教会供给我；就是我在帖撒罗尼迦，你们也一次两次的，打发人供给我的需用。我并不求什么馈送，所求的就是你们的果子渐渐增多，归在你们的账上。但我样样都有，并且有余；我已经充足，因我从以巴弗提受了你们的馈送，当作极美的香气，为神所收纳所喜悦的祭物。我的神必照祂荣耀的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足。”
　
　　今天我们要提到奉献钱财和施舍的事。一个人在变卖一切之后，自然而然逐渐还要有收入，钱还要回头来，那应该怎样处理呢？一个人一次把所有的钱都舍了，不是说，钱在这一个人身上就再没有力量了。有的人，也许一次把钱舍了，以后钱在他身上逐渐又会有力量，他又会把钱看作是属乎自己的。所以，信徒在神面前，应当学习继续的把钱往外给。
　　基督徒理财的方法，和不信的人理财的方法完全不一样。基督徒理财的方法乃是给。不信的人理财的方法，乃是积蓄。今天我们要提起的问题，乃是基督徒应该如何活在地上，才会永远不缺少？神应许我们活在地上不缺少。天上的飞鸟没有缺少粮食，地上的百合花没有缺少美衣，神的儿女也不会缺少衣食。神的儿女如果有缺乏，定规有缘故，有毛病。所有在收入上有困难的弟兄姊妹，都是因为没有按着神的原则来理财。
　　你们如果有一次将你们的理财一起变卖来跟从主，从今以后就要抱着神的原则来作。如果你不按着神所定规的方法来作，你就必进入因苦的地步。许多神的儿女，都要学习理财。我告诉你们，若不学习如何管理自己的钱，就会碰着许多难处。今天我们就是来看，我怎样才能得着神的富足？
　
　　我们信徒活在地上，我们的衣食，我们一切的需用，都得仰望神。如果没有神的怜悯，我们就没有法子过日子。就是财主，也得靠神。在抗战期间，我们看见许多财主也没有衣，也没有食。许多人有一天要后悔。保罗说，不要倚靠无定的钱财。人若贪财，就多愁苦。只有信靠主的人，虽然也许没有什么积，但是主不给我们有难处，主能够供给我们一切的需用。不过我们需要知道，神供给人是有条件的。
　　神如果能够养活天上这么多的飞鸟，神也能够养活我们。老实说，如果有人要养活这么多的飞鸟是不成功的，如果有人要下肥料去养活地上那么多的百合花，也是不成功的。但是，神有够多的丰富，可以养活天上的飞鸟，可以养活地上的百合花。神也有够多的丰富，可以养活神的儿女。神不要我们有一个缺乏，没有法子生活。所有的人，陷落到缺乏的时候，都是由于自己有毛病，都是由于没有按着神的方法来理财。我们如果按着神所定规的律来用钱，我们就不会落到贫穷里。
　　我们再读路六38。这一段圣经告诉我们，神是供给什么种的人。你们必须看见，神肯供给。神如果要供给，像出埃及记里所说的，叫你吃得呕出来，叫你吃得讨厌了，这在神没有难处。千万不要想神是贫穷的。千山的牛是祂的，万山的羊是祂的，所有的都是祂的，但为什么神的儿女贫穷？为什么神的儿女缺乏？不是神不能供给。但是，我们必须作一件事，合乎神的条件，才能得着神的供给。祷告得答应是有条件的，连得救恩还是有条件的，就是相信。每一件事都有它的条件，必须我们作得对，才能够得着。照样，我们要得着神的供应，也要满足神的要求。祂的要求是什么呢？乃是给人。主说，“你们要给人，就必有给你们的。”
　
　　我曾看见好几位弟兄，情形相当困难，都是因为他们的给不行，不是因为他们的收入不行。圣经里给我们看见一个基本的原则：要丰富，就得给；要贫穷，就可保留。谁在那里只为自己着想，谁定规是贫穷的人。谁在那里学习给人，他定规丰富。神的话怎么说，就是怎么一回事。你们如果要避免贫穷，你们就要常常给。你越拿出去，神越给你。你肯把你所有余的给人，人也欢喜在将来的时候，把他所有余的给你。你如果把二十分之一给人，人也把二十分之一给你。你如果把一千分之一给人，人也把一千分之一给你。
　　你用什么量器量给人，人也用什么量器量给你。你怎么对待你的弟兄姊妹，神也按着你待人的度量来待你。你肯把养生的给人，人也就把养生的给你。你把你毫无用处，绝不会用的给人；人也就把毫无用处，绝不会用的给你。许多人的收入出毛病，是因为支出出毛病。人如果支出不出毛病，他的收入很不容易出毛病。神的话相当清楚。你给人，主就给你。你不给人，主也不给你。许多人只有信心求神给他钱，可是没有信心把钱给出去，怪不得他也不能有信心从神那里把钱收进来。
　　弟兄们，从你们一开始作基督徒，就要在用钱上学习一个基本的功课。基督徒有一特别的理财方法；我要怎样收入，我就得怎样支出。换句话说，基督徒的理财是量出为入。世界上的人是量入为出，我们是量出为入。你如果出去多少，你就会进来多少。所以一切爱财的人，一切斤斤较量的人，都是不能接受神的钱的人，都是不能受神的供给的人。
　　所有的弟兄姊妹都知道，他应当仰望神来顾到他的需要。但是只有一种的人，是神肯供给他的需要的，就是肯拿出来的人。主在这里用的字很奇妙；祂是说，“用十足的升斗。”当神给人的时候，绝没有计较，从来是宽宏的。我们的神，从来是阔的。我们神的杯从来是洋溢的。神从来不小气。祂说，祂如果给我们的话，就是十足的升斗。祂给人的时候，乃是连摇带按。你们买过米么？许多卖米的人，不肯让你摇一摇升斗，稍微一量就倒出来。但是主说，连摇带按。不只，还要上尖下流。我告诉你，我们的神，是这样阔的神。祂能够连摇带按，上尖下流的给你。不过祂说一句话；你们用什么量器量给人，也用什么量器量给你们。你如果是计较的给人，算得很精明的给人；当神感动人来供给你的时候，也是算得很精明的给你。
　　你要给人，人才给你。许多人根本没有学给人，却老要神听他的祷告。你必须先给人，才能有收入。所以无论什么时候，若没有给你的，定规是你这几天，在给人的事情上出毛病。我信主蒙恩，到今天已经二十几年了，我能够作这样的见证。你在给人的事上出了毛病，你就会缺乏。
　
　
　　英国莫尔先生是生命和信心报的主笔，他在主面前有许多长处。认识圣经是他的长处之一。他是靠着主过日子的人，常常缺乏，常常有试炼。因为他认识路六38这一节圣经，所以每一次他有缺乏的时候，总是对他的妻子说，这几天我们在给的事上定规出了问题。他不是说，家里东西一点都没有了。乃是说，这几天，“给”出了问题。
　　有一次，莫尔家里差不多什么都没有了，英国人顶要紧的是面粉，连这个他都没有了。等了一两天，什么东西都没有人送来。他就对妻子说，定规我们家里有东西太多。你看见他不是求主给面粉，反而是说，定规我们东西太多，所以主不给。他们就跪下来祷告，求主给他们看见，在家里有什么东西多了。祷告完起来，就从屋顶小楼起，把每一件东西都看过，问问看这一件是不是太多。连小孩子的东西也都看过了，都是仅仅够用。他就对主说，家里实在没有多的东西。主，你不给我，是你错了。停了一停，他对他的妻子说，主不会错，定规是在我们家里的东西太多。他们又查，查到地下室，看见前些日子人送他们的一箱奶油。他看见这一箱的奶油，就非常欢喜，对他的妻子说，这一定是多的。
　　他们两个年纪都相当老，这一个功课已经学了许多年。他们知道主的话：你们给人，就必有给你们的。他们就很急的，要将这一箱奶油给人。要拿给谁呢？他在那里是负责的人，他就把所有穷的弟兄姊妹看一看，无论谁都送他一块。两个老夫妻，把这一箱奶油用刀切成一块一块包起来，就送到这些弟兄姊妹家里去。这样一包一包送完以后，就对他的妻子说，现在我们样样都清楚了。他们就跪下来，祷告说，“主，我提醒你一句话，你曾说过：‘你们要给人，就必有给你们的。’请你记念，我没有面粉了。”
　　那一天大约是礼拜六，在这么多接受他奶油的人家中，有一家是一个很穷的姊妹，而且是残废的，－路加一天到晚躺在床上。她好些日子都是吃面包，没有吃奶油。所以她祷告说，“主，求你怜悯我，给我一点奶油。”她祷告不多的时候，莫尔来了，送她一块奶油。她就因此感谢主。等一等，她仰起头来说，“虽然我们的弟兄莫尔，什么都不缺少，把奶油送给我吃；但是，如果他有缺少，主，求你听他的祷告。”因为莫尔从来不叫人看见他有缺少，人根本不觉得他有缺少；并且还有人在那里传说，莫尔是一个很有钱的弟兄。他常常给人东西，像这一次，又买了许多奶油，分送给这么多人。但这一个姊妹，在那里祷告说，“如果他有缺少，求你听他的祷告。”大约就是在那一天，没有过两三个钟点，莫尔就收到两袋的面粉，他的难处就过去了。
　　我告诉你们，神的话每一句都应当相信。有许多人有一个难处，就是不把神的话当作神的话来相信。莫尔就是把神的话当作神的话来相信。凡不给人的，定规没有人给你。你如果给人，就定规有给你的。所以，我们要学习给人。不是给人就完了，给人乃是叫神给我们。这是基督徒理财的原则。你家里的东西一多，你别盼望神来给你。
　　曾有一位同工告诉我说，二十几年来，钱留在我们手里，定规出事情。在给人的事情上有毛病，在收入上也定规有毛病。总是越想要人的越没有，越给人的就越有。许多人把自己所有的抓在手里，所以神让他只抓那一点。他们没有学习给。给的恩典如果不在你身上，神的恩典也就不在你身上。你对于人没有恩典，神在你身上也就缺少恩典。
　
　　关于这一件事，我想我可以作许多的见证。但是我不想这样作，只把我第一次学的说一说。一九二三年，魏光禧弟兄请我到他的地方─建瓯─去，离福州有五百里。那时我还在学校读书，魏弟兄是我的同学。我要上建瓯去的时候，就问魏弟兄：“路费要多少？”他说，“上水要几十块钱。”我就说，“祷告看看，主如果要我去，我就能去。”
　　那个时候，我手里没有钱，所以就祷告：“如果主要我去，必须给我钱。”祷告后主也给我钱，大概是十几块或者二十块。还有银角，大概是一百多个。这一笔钱，大概还差两三倍。过了不久，魏弟兄写信来催说，什么都预备好了。我也打电报去说要去。我就定规在一礼拜五动身。就在那个礼拜四的早起，我想到这一句话：“你们要给人，就必有给你们的。”我里面有一点怕，要把钱都给人，可以。但如果主不给我，不能动身，就为难了。
　　但是，我心里的感觉越过越深。我心里一直觉得说，应该把钞票都送出去，把银角留着为自己。我想，给谁呢？就有一个意思，要给一个有家庭的弟兄。我不敢说顺服，也不敢说不顺服，我就说，“主，我在这里，如果你要送给这一位弟兄，你就叫我在半路上碰见他。”我就起来走出去。刚走到半路，那位弟兄迎面而来，我一看见，心虽然冷下来，但也已经预备好了。就过去对他说，“弟兄，主叫我把这个摆在你手里。”说了，就走了。我走了两步，就流下泪来。我说，“我已经打电报给魏弟兄，说去。现在钱送出去了，叫我怎么去呢？”但是另一面，心里非常舒服。因为主说，你给了人，就必有给你的。
　　所以当我回去的时候，就对主说，“主，你应当给我了。时候到了，明天要上船了。”但是礼拜四这一天没有钱，礼拜五要动身了，还没有钱。有一位弟兄来送我，这时候还没有钱。这位弟兄把我带到船上，我一上船就想，不成了。因为我没有离开过福州，没有到过内地。再朝西走，一个人也不认识。那一天我离开家，一路一直祷告；祷告到上了船，祷告到那位弟兄离开，祷告到躺在船板上睡觉。我说，“主，我给了人，你不给我，这是你的事。”那一天，我是坐民船到洪山桥，再坐小火轮到水口，到了小火轮上的时候，我从上面走到下面，从下面走到上面，走了好几转。我想，“神如果要给我，我也多走两次，叫神容易一点，看看神有没有安排。”但是不行，船上没有一个认识的人。虽然如此，我心里总是说，“你如果给了人，我就给你。”
　　这样，一直到了第二天下午，大概是四、五点钟的时候，船快到水口。到水口之后，就得坐民船，民船是相当贵。我手里所有的钱，付了小火轮的钱之后，还剩下七十几角。我觉得相当为难。那个时候，我祷告说，“主，现在到水口了，要不要买票回福州去？”我转念一想，只要能去就好。就说，“主，我不求你给我钱，只求你叫我能到建瓯就行。”这一个祷告之后，心里非常平安。
　　我站在小火轮的船头上，船还没有到水口，就有一只小船靠上来，船夫问我说，“先生，你是上南平，还是上建瓯？”我说，“上建瓯。”他说，“我带你去。”我说，“多少钱？”他说，“七十角。”我一听，就知道主有预备，我就定规去。他就把我的行李，搬到他的船上。按规矩，到建瓯总要七、八十元。我问他说，“为什么你给我这样便宜？”他说，“不是我给你便宜，是因为这只船被一个县政府的人包去，他是在前舱，答应我在后舱可以另外搭一个客人。这样，我可以赚一些钱作伙食。”我记得，那一天我还把剩下的钱买一点菜，买一点肉。就是这样，我就到了建瓯。
　　等到要从建瓯回来，那可难了，我身上一共只有十二角，我买了大约一元的东西，还剩下两角。所以那边的聚会快结束的时候，我就一直的祷告。有一天，有一位鹿腓利先生，（他是剑桥七位之一）请我去吃饭。他说，“倪先生，这一次你上来，我们得很大的帮助。这一次你回去的路费，好不好由我来负责？”我一听这话，一面快乐，一面觉得不对。我说，“已经有一位负责的了。”他听见这话，说了一声对不起，就不再提了。我回来的时候，心里很懊悔，这一件事给我打掉了。但一面祷告，心里很平安。
　　这样又等了一天。第三天，我要动身，我口袋里只有两角钱，没有办法应付下水，我相当的作难。魏弟兄的父亲，魏弟兄家里的人，都送我。魏弟兄和我一同走，行李已经先挑走了。我就祷告说，“主啊！你把我带到建瓯来，你不能让我回不去。是你负我的责任，你不能让人进来。如果我错了，我肯承认我的错，但是我不相信我错了。”我一直说，“这一个责任是你的。你说，你给人，就必有给你的。”走到半路上，腓利先生派一个人送一封信给我。打开来读，他说，“我知道有人负责。可是神叫我觉得，在你这一次来建瓯的事上，我应当有分在里面。你好不好让一个年长的弟兄，有一点分在里面？请你收这一点钱。”当时我接受这钱。我说，“神，这一个时候的钱，是对的。”我就用这些钱作路费。我记得当我回来的时候，还有余钱印一期复兴报。
　　回来之后，我就去找我的同工。到了他的家，他的师母一看见我进去，就说，“倪先生，我要问你一件事。你离开福州，为什么送我丈夫二十块钱？为什么你把钱一塞给他，马上就跑？”我说，“没有别的，是因我祷告了一天，主给我看见说，该送给他，我从家里出去，在路上碰见他，所以就把钱给了他。”她说，“那一天晚上，是我们家里最末了的一顿饭，最末了的一点菜。你的钱来的时候，米也买了一担，柴也买了许多斤。一直到前几天，主才给我们另外一点钱。那一次，我们一连三天等候在主面前。”我没有把我的故事告诉她，就出来了。当我走下那一个坡的时候，我心里说，“到底我没有把那二十块钱留给自己用。我如果把这钱留在我的口袋里，那二十块就死掉了。但那二十块钱送出去，就有用了。”在路上我就仰起头来，对主说，“路加六章，我是第一次看见。”我在那里，就把我自己再一次奉献给主。我说，“从今天起，我定规要给。我不愿意有一文钱留在我手里是懒惰的钱。”
　　我盼望，我要把钱送出去，替神行神迹。我要把钱送出去，当作神听祷告的答应。我不愿意把钱留在我手里，懒惰没有用。我不敢说，在这一件给的事情上，有多少的经过。也许给，比人多一点。也许收，也比人多一点。在中国，难得有人像我一样，从我手里收进了那么多，也从我手里给了那么多。你们姑且听了，当作是狂语。我说，“宁可让我的钱出去行神迹，宁可让我的钱出去作祷告的答应，不要让钱懒惰了没有用。我今天用不着它，我要把它送出去；等到我需用的时候，它会回来，并且比送出去的还要多。”
　　初信的弟兄，从起头就得学理财的方法。我个人不愿意说许多的故事，不过我要作见证。我想，自从－路加一九二三年起，我用到最末了的一块钱的次数，并不输于中国所有的弟兄们。主的话是说，“你给人，就必有给你的。”我一直在学习这一个。我给别人，我的需要祂就给。我知道，只有给人的，才有给他的。－路加一次过一次，我越过越看见，我给人是容易的给，主给我也是容易的给。我宁可得一个名声：倪弟兄有钱。我的确是有钱，我的手总是给的。我总是让钱出去，一直的出去。但是出去之后，回来总是多出了多少倍。我们的神，从来不是吝啬的神。
　
　　基督徒理财的方法，不是把钱握在手里。你越握，钱越死。你越握，钱越没有，就像水一样化了。你越给，钱越多。如果神的儿女都学习给，神要到处行神迹。钱握在手里，总是叫神的儿女都变作贫穷的人。凡是一直把钱拿在手里，不能给出去的，神不能信托他。你越会给，神越给你。
　
　　请读林后九6：“少种的少收，多种的多收。”这也是圣经里所说理财的原则。基督徒送钱给人，是拿出去种，不是拿出去丢。不是多丢多收，少丢少收。神乃是说，多种的多收，少种的少收。你是拿出去种。你盼望不盼望你的钱长？你如果盼望你的钱长，你就得拿出去种。你拿得出去，就长。你拿不出去，就不长。
　　弟兄姊妹们，我们能不能愚昧到一个地步，没有种的地方想收割？多少求供给的祷告，神不能听。因为你是残忍的人，没有种的地方想收割，没有散的地方想聚敛。那是不可能的事。为什么不拿出一点钱去种？有那么多困难的弟兄，有那么多困难的姊妹，你为什么不种钱在他身上，让你到一个时候能够收成？凡是把钱握在手里越牢的人，那一个人越得不着。所以你们要看见，在这里，这一幅图画是非常的美。这些哥林多人送钱给耶路撒冷的人，顾念他们的需要，保罗说，这不是丢，这是种。请你们记得，我们能够把钱当作种子用。你如果遇见困难的弟兄姊妹，顾念他们的难处，神就能够让那一个钱长，会有三十倍，六十倍，一百倍的收成。盼望你们多多的把钱拿出去种。
　　初信的弟兄姊妹，要学习把钱拿出去种，等到你们自己有需要的时候，能够收你们所种的。你们不能收你们所没有种的。有许多弟兄，越作越穷。有多少，吃多少，当然就没有了。有一担，你留下五十斤去种，明年就有收成。明年再留下五十斤，再去种，后年就又有收成。要种，就不要吃。许多人老是吃，从来不种，所以等到有需要的时候，就不能收。如果今天有一班青年的弟兄，能够拿钱去种在弟兄身上，然后跪下来对神说，“神啊，我现在种在弟兄身上。当我有需要的时候，我要收成。”你要看见，神尊重祂自己的话。
　
　　不只这样，你们要看见，在旧约里神对以色列人说，“你们要将当纳的十分之一，全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。”（玛三10）这是同样的原则。
　　在那个时候，以色列人穷到没有办法，困苦到没有办法，他们如何能实行玛拉基三章的话？以色列人要问：“我十担的米不够吃，－玛拉基九担就够吃么？十袋的面粉不够吃，－玛拉基九袋就够吃么？”这是属血气的人，愚昧的人说的话。神就责备说，人所不能作的事，神能作。神说，“你如果把我所赐给你的十分之一送入我的仓库，以此试试我，是不是替你打开天上的窗户，把祝福倾倒下来，－玛拉基一直倾倒到你无处可容！”
　　我告诉你们，－玛拉基十担是贫穷的原因，－玛拉基九担是丰富的原因。人以为手里越多越好。但是拿在手里的，是贫穷的基本原因。我奉献给神，就变作祝福的基本原因。那另外的一担，在我的手里，就变作我的咒诅；在神的仓库里，就变作我的祝福。以色列人的原则，就是在这里。如果你把该奉献给神的留在家里，自然你就看见贫穷。你把它留着，反而是贫穷。
　
　　再读箴十一24：“有施散的，却更增添；有吝惜过度的，反致穷乏。”许多人没有散的，反而无所留。许多人散了的，反而得了富足。这是神的话所给我们看见，基督徒理财的原则。
　
　　你们再看一处，是相当奇妙的事。你们看见以利亚在迦密山上为着降雨祷告神（王上十八）。那是一个大旱的时候，旱到一个地步，王出去找水。王手下的大臣，也出去找水。可见那时候，水是何等的少。以利亚在山上为神重修祭坛，要把祭献上，以利亚就吩咐人挑水来，倒在祭坛和祭物上。
　　那时候，水是何等的宝贝呢！因为连王都出去找水。但是以利亚说，要把水倒下去。一担的水，两担的水，三担的水，一直倒到水流在坛四围像河一样。天上的水还没有降下来，雨还没有降下来，先倒下这些水，不是可惜了么？雨如果不降下，倒掉这些水，岂不是太可惜了么？但是，以利亚叫他们挑水来，倒下。他自己跪下祷告，求神降火烧掉坛上的祭物。神听他的祷告，就降了大雨。我告诉你们，你们要天上降下大雨来，先要把你们的水浇上去。你们如果舍不得你们的水，天上的水就不降下来。
　　许多人的难处就在这里。他把自己所有的握得顶牢，却要神听他的祷告。神虽然要叫地上不干旱，但是人得把水倒上去。以人的思想来说，凡事要留退步。若是雨不降下，起码还有几担水。但是计算有几担水在手里的人，永远看不见天上的水。要看见天上降水的人，都得像以利亚一样，能舍得手里的水。什么都得出去。如果在初信的人身上，不能脱离钱的能力，不能蒙拯救从钱出来，我告诉你们，教会的道路永远不能走得正直。所以我盼望你们在这里要作一个奉献的人，将你们的一切都摆上为着神。
　
　　腓四19，是一节很特别的圣经。哥林多的人是舍不得钱的人，腓立比的人是很舍得钱的。保罗是一次一次的受腓立比人的供给。但是，保罗对腓立比的人说，我的神必供给你们一切的需要，我的神要照着基督的丰富，照着基督荣耀的丰富，来供给你们的需要。你们觉得腓立比四章的特别么？他特别的说，“我的神必…使给你们一切所需用的都充足。”收钱之人的神，接受馈送之人的神，要供给这些馈送之人的需用。
　　这是相当清楚地。你们一次过一次，－腓立比一直顾念我的需要，我的神就会供给你们的需用。断没有不供给人，而神供给他的。今天许多人抓住腓四19，但是他根本没有看见腓四19。因为祂不是给求的人，祂乃是给“给”的人。只有给的人，能够抓住腓四19。不给的人，不能抓住腓四19。你要给人，然后你才能说，“神啊，今天你要照着在基督里的丰富，供给我一切的需要。”只有腓立比的人，神才能供给他一切的需要。只有在给的原则上的人，神才能供给他的需用。
　　当你坛里的面没有的时候，当你瓶里的油没有的时候，请你记得，你所仅有的一把，要先替以利亚作一个饼，先给神的仆人吃。先用那几滴的油，那一把的面，作饼给先知吃；等一等，这一把的面，这几滴的油，能够叫你吃三年零六个月。谁曾听见过，－腓立比一瓶的油能够吃三年零六个月？我告诉你们，你把你的一点油，你的一点面，先作一个饼给神的先知吃。你没有了，就看见那一瓶油能够养活你三年零六个月（参路四25~26，王上十七8~16）。本来给你吃一次都不够，但是你拿出去，你反而得着养活。这一个，是基督徒理财的方法。
　
　　全部新约旧约，都是一样的教训。贫穷不是基督徒的路。神不要我们贫穷，神不要我们困苦。如果在我们中间，有贫穷，有困苦，就是因为人把钱握紧了。你越爱自己，你越宝贝自己，你就越挨饿。你看钱越重，你这一个人越穷。别的事我不能作见证，这一个我能。把钱抓得越紧，越舍不得的人，就越穷，这是定规的。在这二十年中，我看见许许多多这样的事。我愿意我们把钱释放出去，叫钱在地上行走，叫钱去作事，给神去听祷告，去行神迹。当我们有需要的时候，神会安排。
　　不只你们在神手里，连撒但也在神手里。千山的牛是祂的，万山的羊是祂的。只有愚昧的人，才以为钱是我自己赚出来的。初信的人要看见，奉献是我们该作的事。应当把赚来的钱送出去，要顾念贫穷的弟兄姊妹。不要作愚昧的人，总是接受，为着自己积蓄，把钱藏起来。基督徒的路是在乎给。总是把所有的往外拿，你就看见说，钱在教会里都是活的。当你有需要的时候，天上的飞鸟都会替你效力。当你有需要的时候，神会行神迹。
　　你需要把你自己摆在神的话语里，否则神就没有办法按着祂的话成功在你身上。要先把自己给神，然后一直把钱给出去，好叫神能够给你。
　　读经：
　　路六38：“你们要给人，就必有给你们的；并且用－路加福音十足的升斗，连摇带按，上尖下流的，倒在你们怀里；因为你们用什么量器量给人，也必用什么量器量给你们。”
　　提前六7~10：“因为我们没有带什么到世上来，也不能带什么去；只要有衣有食，就当知足。但那些想要发财的人，就陷在迷惑，落在网罗，和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。贪财是万恶之根；有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己剌透了。”
　　提前六17~19：“你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，也不要倚靠无定的钱财；只要倚靠那厚赐百物给我们享受的神。又要嘱咐他们行善，在好事上富足，甘心施舍，乐意供给人，为自己积成美好的根基，预备将来，叫他们持定那真正的生命。”
　　林后九6：“少种的少收，多种的多收；这话是真的。”
　　玛三10：“万军之耶和华说，你们要将当纳的十分之一，全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敝开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。”
　　箴十一24：“有施散的，却更增添；有吝惜过度的，反致穷乏。”
　　腓四15~19：“腓立比人哪，你们也知道我初传福音，离了马其顿的时候，论到授受的事，除了你们以外，并没有别的教会供给我；就是我在帖撒罗尼迦，你们也一次两次的，打发人供给我的需用。我并不求什么馈送，所求的就是你们的果子渐渐增多，归在你们的账上。但我样样都有，并且有余；我已经充足，因我从以巴弗提受了你们的馈送，当作极美的香气，为神所收纳所喜悦的祭物。我的神必照祂荣耀的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足。”
　
　　今天我们要提到奉献钱财和施舍的事。一个人在变卖一切之后，自然而然逐渐还要有收入，钱还要回头来，那应该怎样处理呢？一个人一次把所有的钱都舍了，不是说，钱在这一个人身上就再没有力量了。有的人，也许一次把钱舍了，以后钱在他身上逐渐又会有力量，他又会把钱看作是属乎自己的。所以，信徒在神面前，应当学习继续的把钱往外给。
　　基督徒理财的方法，和不信的人理财的方法完全不一样。基督徒理财的方法乃是给。不信的人理财的方法，乃是积蓄。今天我们要提起的问题，乃是基督徒应该如何活在地上，才会永远不缺少？神应许我们活在地上不缺少。天上的飞鸟没有缺少粮食，地上的百合花没有缺少美衣，神的儿女也不会缺少衣食。神的儿女如果有缺乏，定规有缘故，有毛病。所有在收入上有困难的弟兄姊妹，都是因为没有按着神的原则来理财。
　　你们如果有一次将你们的理财一起变卖来跟从主，从今以后就要抱着神的原则来作。如果你不按着神所定规的方法来作，你就必进入因苦的地步。许多神的儿女，都要学习理财。我告诉你们，若不学习如何管理自己的钱，就会碰着许多难处。今天我们就是来看，我怎样才能得着神的富足？
　
　　我们信徒活在地上，我们的衣食，我们一切的需用，都得仰望神。如果没有神的怜悯，我们就没有法子过日子。就是财主，也得靠神。在抗战期间，我们看见许多财主也没有衣，也没有食。许多人有一天要后悔。保罗说，不要倚靠无定的钱财。人若贪财，就多愁苦。只有信靠主的人，虽然也许没有什么积，但是主不给我们有难处，主能够供给我们一切的需用。不过我们需要知道，神供给人是有条件的。
　　神如果能够养活天上这么多的飞鸟，神也能够养活我们。老实说，如果有人要养活这么多的飞鸟是不成功的，如果有人要下肥料去养活地上那么多的百合花，也是不成功的。但是，神有够多的丰富，可以养活天上的飞鸟，可以养活地上的百合花。神也有够多的丰富，可以养活神的儿女。神不要我们有一个缺乏，没有法子生活。所有的人，陷落到缺乏的时候，都是由于自己有毛病，都是由于没有按着神的方法来理财。我们如果按着神所定规的律来用钱，我们就不会落到贫穷里。
　　我们再读路六38。这一段圣经告诉我们，神是供给什么种的人。你们必须看见，神肯供给。神如果要供给，像出埃及记里所说的，叫你吃得呕出来，叫你吃得讨厌了，这在神没有难处。千万不要想神是贫穷的。千山的牛是祂的，万山的羊是祂的，所有的都是祂的，但为什么神的儿女贫穷？为什么神的儿女缺乏？不是神不能供给。但是，我们必须作一件事，合乎神的条件，才能得着神的供给。祷告得答应是有条件的，连得救恩还是有条件的，就是相信。每一件事都有它的条件，必须我们作得对，才能够得着。照样，我们要得着神的供应，也要满足神的要求。祂的要求是什么呢？乃是给人。主说，“你们要给人，就必有给你们的。”
　
　　我曾看见好几位弟兄，情形相当困难，都是因为他们的给不行，不是因为他们的收入不行。圣经里给我们看见一个基本的原则：要丰富，就得给；要贫穷，就可保留。谁在那里只为自己着想，谁定规是贫穷的人。谁在那里学习给人，他定规丰富。神的话怎么说，就是怎么一回事。你们如果要避免贫穷，你们就要常常给。你越拿出去，神越给你。你肯把你所有余的给人，人也欢喜在将来的时候，把他所有余的给你。你如果把二十分之一给人，人也把二十分之一给你。你如果把一千分之一给人，人也把一千分之一给你。
　　你用什么量器量给人，人也用什么量器量给你。你怎么对待你的弟兄姊妹，神也按着你待人的度量来待你。你肯把养生的给人，人也就把养生的给你。你把你毫无用处，绝不会用的给人；人也就把毫无用处，绝不会用的给你。许多人的收入出毛病，是因为支出出毛病。人如果支出不出毛病，他的收入很不容易出毛病。神的话相当清楚。你给人，主就给你。你不给人，主也不给你。许多人只有信心求神给他钱，可是没有信心把钱给出去，怪不得他也不能有信心从神那里把钱收进来。
　　弟兄们，从你们一开始作基督徒，就要在用钱上学习一个基本的功课。基督徒有一特别的理财方法；我要怎样收入，我就得怎样支出。换句话说，基督徒的理财是量出为入。世界上的人是量入为出，我们是量出为入。你如果出去多少，你就会进来多少。所以一切爱财的人，一切斤斤较量的人，都是不能接受神的钱的人，都是不能受神的供给的人。
　　所有的弟兄姊妹都知道，他应当仰望神来顾到他的需要。但是只有一种的人，是神肯供给他的需要的，就是肯拿出来的人。主在这里用的字很奇妙；祂是说，“用十足的升斗。”当神给人的时候，绝没有计较，从来是宽宏的。我们的神，从来是阔的。我们神的杯从来是洋溢的。神从来不小气。祂说，祂如果给我们的话，就是十足的升斗。祂给人的时候，乃是连摇带按。你们买过米么？许多卖米的人，不肯让你摇一摇升斗，稍微一量就倒出来。但是主说，连摇带按。不只，还要上尖下流。我告诉你，我们的神，是这样阔的神。祂能够连摇带按，上尖下流的给你。不过祂说一句话；你们用什么量器量给人，也用什么量器量给你们。你如果是计较的给人，算得很精明的给人；当神感动人来供给你的时候，也是算得很精明的给你。
　　你要给人，人才给你。许多人根本没有学给人，却老要神听他的祷告。你必须先给人，才能有收入。所以无论什么时候，若没有给你的，定规是你这几天，在给人的事情上出毛病。我信主蒙恩，到今天已经二十几年了，我能够作这样的见证。你在给人的事上出了毛病，你就会缺乏。
　
　
　　英国莫尔先生是生命和信心报的主笔，他在主面前有许多长处。认识圣经是他的长处之一。他是靠着主过日子的人，常常缺乏，常常有试炼。因为他认识路六38这一节圣经，所以每一次他有缺乏的时候，总是对他的妻子说，这几天我们在给的事上定规出了问题。他不是说，家里东西一点都没有了。乃是说，这几天，“给”出了问题。
　　有一次，莫尔家里差不多什么都没有了，英国人顶要紧的是面粉，连这个他都没有了。等了一两天，什么东西都没有人送来。他就对妻子说，定规我们家里有东西太多。你看见他不是求主给面粉，反而是说，定规我们东西太多，所以主不给。他们就跪下来祷告，求主给他们看见，在家里有什么东西多了。祷告完起来，就从屋顶小楼起，把每一件东西都看过，问问看这一件是不是太多。连小孩子的东西也都看过了，都是仅仅够用。他就对主说，家里实在没有多的东西。主，你不给我，是你错了。停了一停，他对他的妻子说，主不会错，定规是在我们家里的东西太多。他们又查，查到地下室，看见前些日子人送他们的一箱奶油。他看见这一箱的奶油，就非常欢喜，对他的妻子说，这一定是多的。
　　他们两个年纪都相当老，这一个功课已经学了许多年。他们知道主的话：你们给人，就必有给你们的。他们就很急的，要将这一箱奶油给人。要拿给谁呢？他在那里是负责的人，他就把所有穷的弟兄姊妹看一看，无论谁都送他一块。两个老夫妻，把这一箱奶油用刀切成一块一块包起来，就送到这些弟兄姊妹家里去。这样一包一包送完以后，就对他的妻子说，现在我们样样都清楚了。他们就跪下来，祷告说，“主，我提醒你一句话，你曾说过：‘你们要给人，就必有给你们的。’请你记念，我没有面粉了。”
　　那一天大约是礼拜六，在这么多接受他奶油的人家中，有一家是一个很穷的姊妹，而且是残废的，－路加一天到晚躺在床上。她好些日子都是吃面包，没有吃奶油。所以她祷告说，“主，求你怜悯我，给我一点奶油。”她祷告不多的时候，莫尔来了，送她一块奶油。她就因此感谢主。等一等，她仰起头来说，“虽然我们的弟兄莫尔，什么都不缺少，把奶油送给我吃；但是，如果他有缺少，主，求你听他的祷告。”因为莫尔从来不叫人看见他有缺少，人根本不觉得他有缺少；并且还有人在那里传说，莫尔是一个很有钱的弟兄。他常常给人东西，像这一次，又买了许多奶油，分送给这么多人。但这一个姊妹，在那里祷告说，“如果他有缺少，求你听他的祷告。”大约就是在那一天，没有过两三个钟点，莫尔就收到两袋的面粉，他的难处就过去了。
　　我告诉你们，神的话每一句都应当相信。有许多人有一个难处，就是不把神的话当作神的话来相信。莫尔就是把神的话当作神的话来相信。凡不给人的，定规没有人给你。你如果给人，就定规有给你的。所以，我们要学习给人。不是给人就完了，给人乃是叫神给我们。这是基督徒理财的原则。你家里的东西一多，你别盼望神来给你。
　　曾有一位同工告诉我说，二十几年来，钱留在我们手里，定规出事情。在给人的事情上有毛病，在收入上也定规有毛病。总是越想要人的越没有，越给人的就越有。许多人把自己所有的抓在手里，所以神让他只抓那一点。他们没有学习给。给的恩典如果不在你身上，神的恩典也就不在你身上。你对于人没有恩典，神在你身上也就缺少恩典。
　
　　关于这一件事，我想我可以作许多的见证。但是我不想这样作，只把我第一次学的说一说。一九二三年，魏光禧弟兄请我到他的地方─建瓯─去，离福州有五百里。那时我还在学校读书，魏弟兄是我的同学。我要上建瓯去的时候，就问魏弟兄：“路费要多少？”他说，“上水要几十块钱。”我就说，“祷告看看，主如果要我去，我就能去。”
　　那个时候，我手里没有钱，所以就祷告：“如果主要我去，必须给我钱。”祷告后主也给我钱，大概是十几块或者二十块。还有银角，大概是一百多个。这一笔钱，大概还差两三倍。过了不久，魏弟兄写信来催说，什么都预备好了。我也打电报去说要去。我就定规在一礼拜五动身。就在那个礼拜四的早起，我想到这一句话：“你们要给人，就必有给你们的。”我里面有一点怕，要把钱都给人，可以。但如果主不给我，不能动身，就为难了。
　　但是，我心里的感觉越过越深。我心里一直觉得说，应该把钞票都送出去，把银角留着为自己。我想，给谁呢？就有一个意思，要给一个有家庭的弟兄。我不敢说顺服，也不敢说不顺服，我就说，“主，我在这里，如果你要送给这一位弟兄，你就叫我在半路上碰见他。”我就起来走出去。刚走到半路，那位弟兄迎面而来，我一看见，心虽然冷下来，但也已经预备好了。就过去对他说，“弟兄，主叫我把这个摆在你手里。”说了，就走了。我走了两步，就流下泪来。我说，“我已经打电报给魏弟兄，说去。现在钱送出去了，叫我怎么去呢？”但是另一面，心里非常舒服。因为主说，你给了人，就必有给你的。
　　所以当我回去的时候，就对主说，“主，你应当给我了。时候到了，明天要上船了。”但是礼拜四这一天没有钱，礼拜五要动身了，还没有钱。有一位弟兄来送我，这时候还没有钱。这位弟兄把我带到船上，我一上船就想，不成了。因为我没有离开过福州，没有到过内地。再朝西走，一个人也不认识。那一天我离开家，一路一直祷告；祷告到上了船，祷告到那位弟兄离开，祷告到躺在船板上睡觉。我说，“主，我给了人，你不给我，这是你的事。”那一天，我是坐民船到洪山桥，再坐小火轮到水口，到了小火轮上的时候，我从上面走到下面，从下面走到上面，走了好几转。我想，“神如果要给我，我也多走两次，叫神容易一点，看看神有没有安排。”但是不行，船上没有一个认识的人。虽然如此，我心里总是说，“你如果给了人，我就给你。”
　　这样，一直到了第二天下午，大概是四、五点钟的时候，船快到水口。到水口之后，就得坐民船，民船是相当贵。我手里所有的钱，付了小火轮的钱之后，还剩下七十几角。我觉得相当为难。那个时候，我祷告说，“主，现在到水口了，要不要买票回福州去？”我转念一想，只要能去就好。就说，“主，我不求你给我钱，只求你叫我能到建瓯就行。”这一个祷告之后，心里非常平安。
　　我站在小火轮的船头上，船还没有到水口，就有一只小船靠上来，船夫问我说，“先生，你是上南平，还是上建瓯？”我说，“上建瓯。”他说，“我带你去。”我说，“多少钱？”他说，“七十角。”我一听，就知道主有预备，我就定规去。他就把我的行李，搬到他的船上。按规矩，到建瓯总要七、八十元。我问他说，“为什么你给我这样便宜？”他说，“不是我给你便宜，是因为这只船被一个县政府的人包去，他是在前舱，答应我在后舱可以另外搭一个客人。这样，我可以赚一些钱作伙食。”我记得，那一天我还把剩下的钱买一点菜，买一点肉。就是这样，我就到了建瓯。
　　等到要从建瓯回来，那可难了，我身上一共只有十二角，我买了大约一元的东西，还剩下两角。所以那边的聚会快结束的时候，我就一直的祷告。有一天，有一位鹿腓利先生，（他是剑桥七位之一）请我去吃饭。他说，“倪先生，这一次你上来，我们得很大的帮助。这一次你回去的路费，好不好由我来负责？”我一听这话，一面快乐，一面觉得不对。我说，“已经有一位负责的了。”他听见这话，说了一声对不起，就不再提了。我回来的时候，心里很懊悔，这一件事给我打掉了。但一面祷告，心里很平安。
　　这样又等了一天。第三天，我要动身，我口袋里只有两角钱，没有办法应付下水，我相当的作难。魏弟兄的父亲，魏弟兄家里的人，都送我。魏弟兄和我一同走，行李已经先挑走了。我就祷告说，“主啊！你把我带到建瓯来，你不能让我回不去。是你负我的责任，你不能让人进来。如果我错了，我肯承认我的错，但是我不相信我错了。”我一直说，“这一个责任是你的。你说，你给人，就必有给你的。”走到半路上，腓利先生派一个人送一封信给我。打开来读，他说，“我知道有人负责。可是神叫我觉得，在你这一次来建瓯的事上，我应当有分在里面。你好不好让一个年长的弟兄，有一点分在里面？请你收这一点钱。”当时我接受这钱。我说，“神，这一个时候的钱，是对的。”我就用这些钱作路费。我记得当我回来的时候，还有余钱印一期复兴报。
　　回来之后，我就去找我的同工。到了他的家，他的师母一看见我进去，就说，“倪先生，我要问你一件事。你离开福州，为什么送我丈夫二十块钱？为什么你把钱一塞给他，马上就跑？”我说，“没有别的，是因我祷告了一天，主给我看见说，该送给他，我从家里出去，在路上碰见他，所以就把钱给了他。”她说，“那一天晚上，是我们家里最末了的一顿饭，最末了的一点菜。你的钱来的时候，米也买了一担，柴也买了许多斤。一直到前几天，主才给我们另外一点钱。那一次，我们一连三天等候在主面前。”我没有把我的故事告诉她，就出来了。当我走下那一个坡的时候，我心里说，“到底我没有把那二十块钱留给自己用。我如果把这钱留在我的口袋里，那二十块就死掉了。但那二十块钱送出去，就有用了。”在路上我就仰起头来，对主说，“路加六章，我是第一次看见。”我在那里，就把我自己再一次奉献给主。我说，“从今天起，我定规要给。我不愿意有一文钱留在我手里是懒惰的钱。”
　　我盼望，我要把钱送出去，替神行神迹。我要把钱送出去，当作神听祷告的答应。我不愿意把钱留在我手里，懒惰没有用。我不敢说，在这一件给的事情上，有多少的经过。也许给，比人多一点。也许收，也比人多一点。在中国，难得有人像我一样，从我手里收进了那么多，也从我手里给了那么多。你们姑且听了，当作是狂语。我说，“宁可让我的钱出去行神迹，宁可让我的钱出去作祷告的答应，不要让钱懒惰了没有用。我今天用不着它，我要把它送出去；等到我需用的时候，它会回来，并且比送出去的还要多。”
　　初信的弟兄，从起头就得学理财的方法。我个人不愿意说许多的故事，不过我要作见证。我想，自从－路加一九二三年起，我用到最末了的一块钱的次数，并不输于中国所有的弟兄们。主的话是说，“你给人，就必有给你的。”我一直在学习这一个。我给别人，我的需要祂就给。我知道，只有给人的，才有给他的。－路加一次过一次，我越过越看见，我给人是容易的给，主给我也是容易的给。我宁可得一个名声：倪弟兄有钱。我的确是有钱，我的手总是给的。我总是让钱出去，一直的出去。但是出去之后，回来总是多出了多少倍。我们的神，从来不是吝啬的神。
　
　　基督徒理财的方法，不是把钱握在手里。你越握，钱越死。你越握，钱越没有，就像水一样化了。你越给，钱越多。如果神的儿女都学习给，神要到处行神迹。钱握在手里，总是叫神的儿女都变作贫穷的人。凡是一直把钱拿在手里，不能给出去的，神不能信托他。你越会给，神越给你。
　
　　请读林后九6：“少种的少收，多种的多收。”这也是圣经里所说理财的原则。基督徒送钱给人，是拿出去种，不是拿出去丢。不是多丢多收，少丢少收。神乃是说，多种的多收，少种的少收。你是拿出去种。你盼望不盼望你的钱长？你如果盼望你的钱长，你就得拿出去种。你拿得出去，就长。你拿不出去，就不长。
　　弟兄姊妹们，我们能不能愚昧到一个地步，没有种的地方想收割？多少求供给的祷告，神不能听。因为你是残忍的人，没有种的地方想收割，没有散的地方想聚敛。那是不可能的事。为什么不拿出一点钱去种？有那么多困难的弟兄，有那么多困难的姊妹，你为什么不种钱在他身上，让你到一个时候能够收成？凡是把钱握在手里越牢的人，那一个人越得不着。所以你们要看见，在这里，这一幅图画是非常的美。这些哥林多人送钱给耶路撒冷的人，顾念他们的需要，保罗说，这不是丢，这是种。请你们记得，我们能够把钱当作种子用。你如果遇见困难的弟兄姊妹，顾念他们的难处，神就能够让那一个钱长，会有三十倍，六十倍，一百倍的收成。盼望你们多多的把钱拿出去种。
　　初信的弟兄姊妹，要学习把钱拿出去种，等到你们自己有需要的时候，能够收你们所种的。你们不能收你们所没有种的。有许多弟兄，越作越穷。有多少，吃多少，当然就没有了。有一担，你留下五十斤去种，明年就有收成。明年再留下五十斤，再去种，后年就又有收成。要种，就不要吃。许多人老是吃，从来不种，所以等到有需要的时候，就不能收。如果今天有一班青年的弟兄，能够拿钱去种在弟兄身上，然后跪下来对神说，“神啊，我现在种在弟兄身上。当我有需要的时候，我要收成。”你要看见，神尊重祂自己的话。
　
　　不只这样，你们要看见，在旧约里神对以色列人说，“你们要将当纳的十分之一，全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。”（玛三10）这是同样的原则。
　　在那个时候，以色列人穷到没有办法，困苦到没有办法，他们如何能实行玛拉基三章的话？以色列人要问：“我十担的米不够吃，－玛拉基九担就够吃么？十袋的面粉不够吃，－玛拉基九袋就够吃么？”这是属血气的人，愚昧的人说的话。神就责备说，人所不能作的事，神能作。神说，“你如果把我所赐给你的十分之一送入我的仓库，以此试试我，是不是替你打开天上的窗户，把祝福倾倒下来，－玛拉基一直倾倒到你无处可容！”
　　我告诉你们，－玛拉基十担是贫穷的原因，－玛拉基九担是丰富的原因。人以为手里越多越好。但是拿在手里的，是贫穷的基本原因。我奉献给神，就变作祝福的基本原因。那另外的一担，在我的手里，就变作我的咒诅；在神的仓库里，就变作我的祝福。以色列人的原则，就是在这里。如果你把该奉献给神的留在家里，自然你就看见贫穷。你把它留着，反而是贫穷。
　
　　再读箴十一24：“有施散的，却更增添；有吝惜过度的，反致穷乏。”许多人没有散的，反而无所留。许多人散了的，反而得了富足。这是神的话所给我们看见，基督徒理财的原则。
　
　　你们再看一处，是相当奇妙的事。你们看见以利亚在迦密山上为着降雨祷告神（王上十八）。那是一个大旱的时候，旱到一个地步，王出去找水。王手下的大臣，也出去找水。可见那时候，水是何等的少。以利亚在山上为神重修祭坛，要把祭献上，以利亚就吩咐人挑水来，倒在祭坛和祭物上。
　　那时候，水是何等的宝贝呢！因为连王都出去找水。但是以利亚说，要把水倒下去。一担的水，两担的水，三担的水，一直倒到水流在坛四围像河一样。天上的水还没有降下来，雨还没有降下来，先倒下这些水，不是可惜了么？雨如果不降下，倒掉这些水，岂不是太可惜了么？但是，以利亚叫他们挑水来，倒下。他自己跪下祷告，求神降火烧掉坛上的祭物。神听他的祷告，就降了大雨。我告诉你们，你们要天上降下大雨来，先要把你们的水浇上去。你们如果舍不得你们的水，天上的水就不降下来。
　　许多人的难处就在这里。他把自己所有的握得顶牢，却要神听他的祷告。神虽然要叫地上不干旱，但是人得把水倒上去。以人的思想来说，凡事要留退步。若是雨不降下，起码还有几担水。但是计算有几担水在手里的人，永远看不见天上的水。要看见天上降水的人，都得像以利亚一样，能舍得手里的水。什么都得出去。如果在初信的人身上，不能脱离钱的能力，不能蒙拯救从钱出来，我告诉你们，教会的道路永远不能走得正直。所以我盼望你们在这里要作一个奉献的人，将你们的一切都摆上为着神。
　
　　腓四19，是一节很特别的圣经。哥林多的人是舍不得钱的人，腓立比的人是很舍得钱的。保罗是一次一次的受腓立比人的供给。但是，保罗对腓立比的人说，我的神必供给你们一切的需要，我的神要照着基督的丰富，照着基督荣耀的丰富，来供给你们的需要。你们觉得腓立比四章的特别么？他特别的说，“我的神必…使给你们一切所需用的都充足。”收钱之人的神，接受馈送之人的神，要供给这些馈送之人的需用。
　　这是相当清楚地。你们一次过一次，－腓立比一直顾念我的需要，我的神就会供给你们的需用。断没有不供给人，而神供给他的。今天许多人抓住腓四19，但是他根本没有看见腓四19。因为祂不是给求的人，祂乃是给“给”的人。只有给的人，能够抓住腓四19。不给的人，不能抓住腓四19。你要给人，然后你才能说，“神啊，今天你要照着在基督里的丰富，供给我一切的需要。”只有腓立比的人，神才能供给他一切的需要。只有在给的原则上的人，神才能供给他的需用。
　　当你坛里的面没有的时候，当你瓶里的油没有的时候，请你记得，你所仅有的一把，要先替以利亚作一个饼，先给神的仆人吃。先用那几滴的油，那一把的面，作饼给先知吃；等一等，这一把的面，这几滴的油，能够叫你吃三年零六个月。谁曾听见过，－腓立比一瓶的油能够吃三年零六个月？我告诉你们，你把你的一点油，你的一点面，先作一个饼给神的先知吃。你没有了，就看见那一瓶油能够养活你三年零六个月（参路四25~26，王上十七8~16）。本来给你吃一次都不够，但是你拿出去，你反而得着养活。这一个，是基督徒理财的方法。
　
　　全部新约旧约，都是一样的教训。贫穷不是基督徒的路。神不要我们贫穷，神不要我们困苦。如果在我们中间，有贫穷，有困苦，就是因为人把钱握紧了。你越爱自己，你越宝贝自己，你就越挨饿。你看钱越重，你这一个人越穷。别的事我不能作见证，这一个我能。把钱抓得越紧，越舍不得的人，就越穷，这是定规的。在这二十年中，我看见许许多多这样的事。我愿意我们把钱释放出去，叫钱在地上行走，叫钱去作事，给神去听祷告，去行神迹。当我们有需要的时候，神会安排。
　　不只你们在神手里，连撒但也在神手里。千山的牛是祂的，万山的羊是祂的。只有愚昧的人，才以为钱是我自己赚出来的。初信的人要看见，奉献是我们该作的事。应当把赚来的钱送出去，要顾念贫穷的弟兄姊妹。不要作愚昧的人，总是接受，为着自己积蓄，把钱藏起来。基督徒的路是在乎给。总是把所有的往外拿，你就看见说，钱在教会里都是活的。当你有需要的时候，天上的飞鸟都会替你效力。当你有需要的时候，神会行神迹。
　　你需要把你自己摆在神的话语里，否则神就没有办法按着祂的话成功在你身上。要先把自己给神，然后一直把钱给出去，好叫神能够给你。
　　读经：　　路加福音六章三十八节：“你们要给人，就必有给你们的；并且用十足的升斗，连摇带按，上尖下流的，倒在你们怀里；因为你们用什么量器量给人，也必用什么量器量给你们。”
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路6:38  
你们要给人，就必有给你们的，用十足的量器，连摇带按，上尖下流地倒在你们怀里；因为你们用什么量器量给人，也必用什么量器量给你们。
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　　提摩太前书六章七至十节：“因为我们没有带什么到世上来，也不能带什么去；只要有衣有食，就当知足。但那些想要发财的人，就陷在迷惑，落在网罗，和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。贪财是万恶之根；有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己剌透了。”
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提前6:7  
因为我们没有带什么到世界来，也不能带什么去；
提前6:8  
只要有养生与遮身之物，就当以此为足。
提前6:9  
但那些想要发财的人，就陷在试诱、网罗和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉溺在败坏和灭亡中。
提前6:10  
因为贪财是万恶之根，有人贪恋钱财，就受迷惑，离弃了信仰，用许多苦痛把自己刺透了。
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　　提摩太前书六章十七至十九节：“你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，也不要倚靠无定的钱财；只要倚靠那厚赐百物给我们享受的神。又要嘱咐他们行善，在好事上富足，甘心施舍，乐意供给人，为自己积成美好的根基，预备将来，叫他们持定那真正的生命。”
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提前6:17  
你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人，不要心思高傲，也不要寄望于无定的钱财，只要寄望于那将百物丰富地供给我们享受的神；
提前6:18  
又要嘱咐他们行善，在善事上富足，甘心分授，乐意与人同享，
提前6:19  
为着将来，替自己积存美好的根基作宝藏，叫他们持定那真实的生命。
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　　哥林多后书九章六节：“少种的少收，多种的多收；这话是真的。”
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林后9:6  
还有，少种的少收，多种的多收。
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　　玛拉基书三章十节：“万军之耶和华说，你们要将当纳的十分之一，全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敝开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。”
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玛3:10  
万军之耶和华说，你们要将当纳的十分之一，全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。
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　　箴言十一章二十四节：“有施散的，却更增添；有吝惜过度的，反致穷乏。”
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箴11:24  
有人施散，却更增添；有人吝惜过度，反致穷乏。
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　　腓立比书四章十五至十九节：“腓立比人哪，你们也知道我初传福音，离了马其顿的时候，论到授受的事，除了你们以外，并没有别的教会供给我；就是我在帖撒罗尼迦，你们也一次两次的，打发人供给我的需用。我并不求什么馈送，所求的就是你们的果子渐渐增多，归在你们的账上。但我样样都有，并且有余；我已经充足，因我从以巴弗提受了你们的馈送，当作极美的香气，为神所收纳所喜悦的祭物。我的神必照祂荣耀的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足。”
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腓4:15  
腓立比人哪，你们也知道我初传福音，离开马其顿的时候，在授受的账上，除了你们以外，并没有一个召会与我有交通；
腓4:16  
就是我在帖撒罗尼迦，你们也一次两次的，打发人供给我的需用。
腓4:17  
我并不寻求什么馈送，只寻求你们的果子增多，归入你们的账上。
腓4:18  
但我一切都收到了，并且有余，我已经充足，因我从以巴弗提受了你们的馈送，如同馨香之气，可收纳的祭物，是神所喜悦的。
腓4:19  
我的神必在荣耀中，照着祂的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足。
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　　今天我们要提到奉献钱财和施舍的事。一个人在变卖一切之后，自然而然逐渐还要有收入，钱还要回头来，那应该怎样处理呢？一个人一次把所有的钱都舍了，不是说，钱在这一个人身上就再没有力量了。有的人，也许一次把钱舍了，以后钱在他身上逐渐又会有力量，他又会把钱看作是属乎自己的。所以，信徒在神面前，应当学习继续的把钱往外给。　　基督徒理财的方法，和不信的人理财的方法完全不一样。基督徒理财的方法乃是给。不信的人理财的方法，乃是积蓄。今天我们要提起的问题，乃是基督徒应该如何活在地上，才会永远不缺少？神应许我们活在地上不缺少。天上的飞鸟没有缺少粮食，地上的百合花没有缺少美衣，神的儿女也不会缺少衣食。神的儿女如果有缺乏，定规有缘故，有毛病。所有在收入上有困难的弟兄姊妹，都是因为没有按着神的原则来理财。　　你们如果有一次将你们的理财一起变卖来跟从主，从今以后就要抱着神的原则来作。如果你不按着神所定规的方法来作，你就必进入因苦的地步。许多神的儿女，都要学习理财。我告诉你们，若不学习如何管理自己的钱，就会碰着许多难处。今天我们就是来看，我怎样才能得着神的富足？
　
　　我们信徒活在地上，我们的衣食，我们一切的需用，都得仰望神。如果没有神的怜悯，我们就没有法子过日子。就是财主，也得靠神。在抗战期间，我们看见许多财主也没有衣，也没有食。许多人有一天要后悔。保罗说，不要倚靠无定的钱财。人若贪财，就多愁苦。只有信靠主的人，虽然也许没有什么积，但是主不给我们有难处，主能够供给我们一切的需用。不过我们需要知道，神供给人是有条件的。　　神如果能够养活天上这么多的飞鸟，神也能够养活我们。老实说，如果有人要养活这么多的飞鸟是不成功的，如果有人要下肥料去养活地上那么多的百合花，也是不成功的。但是，神有够多的丰富，可以养活天上的飞鸟，可以养活地上的百合花。神也有够多的丰富，可以养活神的儿女。神不要我们有一个缺乏，没有法子生活。所有的人，陷落到缺乏的时候，都是由于自己有毛病，都是由于没有按着神的方法来理财。我们如果按着神所定规的律来用钱，我们就不会落到贫穷里。　　我们再读路加六章三十八节。这一段圣经告诉我们，神是供给什么种的人。你们必须看见，神肯供给。神如果要供给，像出埃及记里所说的，叫你吃得呕出来，叫你吃得讨厌了，这在神没有难处。千万不要想神是贫穷的。千山的牛是祂的，万山的羊是祂的，所有的都是祂的，但为什么神的儿女贫穷？为什么神的儿女缺乏？不是神不能供给。但是，我们必须作一件事，合乎神的条件，才能得着神的供给。祷告得答应是有条件的，连得救恩还是有条件的，就是相信。每一件事都有它的条件，必须我们作得对，才能够得着。照样，我们要得着神的供应，也要满足神的要求。祂的要求是什么呢？乃是给人。主说，“你们要给人，就必有给你们的。”
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你们要给人，就必有给你们的，用十足的量器，连摇带按，上尖下流地倒在你们怀里；因为你们用什么量器量给人，也必用什么量器量给你们。
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　　我曾看见好几位弟兄，情形相当困难，都是因为他们的给不行，不是因为他们的收入不行。圣经里给我们看见一个基本的原则：要丰富，就得给；要贫穷，就可保留。谁在那里只为自己着想，谁定规是贫穷的人。谁在那里学习给人，他定规丰富。神的话怎么说，就是怎么一回事。你们如果要避免贫穷，你们就要常常给。你越拿出去，神越给你。你肯把你所有余的给人，人也欢喜在将来的时候，把他所有余的给你。你如果把二十分之一给人，人也把二十分之一给你。你如果把一千分之一给人，人也把一千分之一给你。　　你用什么量器量给人，人也用什么量器量给你。你怎么对待你的弟兄姊妹，神也按着你待人的度量来待你。你肯把养生的给人，人也就把养生的给你。你把你毫无用处，绝不会用的给人；人也就把毫无用处，绝不会用的给你。许多人的收入出毛病，是因为支出出毛病。人如果支出不出毛病，他的收入很不容易出毛病。神的话相当清楚。你给人，主就给你。你不给人，主也不给你。许多人只有信心求神给他钱，可是没有信心把钱给出去，怪不得他也不能有信心从神那里把钱收进来。　　弟兄们，从你们一开始作基督徒，就要在用钱上学习一个基本的功课。基督徒有一特别的理财方法；我要怎样收入，我就得怎样支出。换句话说，基督徒的理财是量出为入。世界上的人是量入为出，我们是量出为入。你如果出去多少，你就会进来多少。所以一切爱财的人，一切斤斤较量的人，都是不能接受神的钱的人，都是不能受神的供给的人。　　所有的弟兄姊妹都知道，他应当仰望神来顾到他的需要。但是只有一种的人，是神肯供给他的需要的，就是肯拿出来的人。主在这里用的字很奇妙；祂是说，“用十足的升斗。”当神给人的时候，绝没有计较，从来是宽宏的。我们的神，从来是阔的。我们神的杯从来是洋溢的。神从来不小气。祂说，祂如果给我们的话，就是十足的升斗。祂给人的时候，乃是连摇带按。你们买过米么？许多卖米的人，不肯让你摇一摇升斗，稍微一量就倒出来。但是主说，连摇带按。不只，还要上尖下流。我告诉你，我们的神，是这样阔的神。祂能够连摇带按，上尖下流的给你。不过祂说一句话；你们用什么量器量给人，也用什么量器量给你们。你如果是计较的给人，算得很精明的给人；当神感动人来供给你的时候，也是算得很精明的给你。　　你要给人，人才给你。许多人根本没有学给人，却老要神听他的祷告。你必须先给人，才能有收入。所以无论什么时候，若没有给你的，定规是你这几天，在给人的事情上出毛病。我信主蒙恩，到今天已经二十几年了，我能够作这样的见证。你在给人的事上出了毛病，你就会缺乏。
　
　
　　英国莫尔先生是生命和信心报的主笔，他在主面前有许多长处。认识圣经是他的长处之一。他是靠着主过日子的人，常常缺乏，常常有试炼。因为他认识路加六章三十八节这一节圣经，所以每一次他有缺乏的时候，总是对他的妻子说，这几天我们在给的事上定规出了问题。他不是说，家里东西一点都没有了。乃是说，这几天，“给”出了问题。
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路6:38  
你们要给人，就必有给你们的，用十足的量器，连摇带按，上尖下流地倒在你们怀里；因为你们用什么量器量给人，也必用什么量器量给你们。
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　　有一次，莫尔家里差不多什么都没有了，英国人顶要紧的是面粉，连这个他都没有了。等了一两天，什么东西都没有人送来。他就对妻子说，定规我们家里有东西太多。你看见他不是求主给面粉，反而是说，定规我们东西太多，所以主不给。他们就跪下来祷告，求主给他们看见，在家里有什么东西多了。祷告完起来，就从屋顶小楼起，把每一件东西都看过，问问看这一件是不是太多。连小孩子的东西也都看过了，都是仅仅够用。他就对主说，家里实在没有多的东西。主，你不给我，是你错了。停了一停，他对他的妻子说，主不会错，定规是在我们家里的东西太多。他们又查，查到地下室，看见前些日子人送他们的一箱奶油。他看见这一箱的奶油，就非常欢喜，对他的妻子说，这一定是多的。　　他们两个年纪都相当老，这一个功课已经学了许多年。他们知道主的话：你们给人，就必有给你们的。他们就很急的，要将这一箱奶油给人。要拿给谁呢？他在那里是负责的人，他就把所有穷的弟兄姊妹看一看，无论谁都送他一块。两个老夫妻，把这一箱奶油用刀切成一块一块包起来，就送到这些弟兄姊妹家里去。这样一包一包送完以后，就对他的妻子说，现在我们样样都清楚了。他们就跪下来，祷告说，“主，我提醒你一句话，你曾说过：‘你们要给人，就必有给你们的。’请你记念，我没有面粉了。”　　那一天大约是礼拜六，在这么多接受他奶油的人家中，有一家是一个很穷的姊妹，而且是残废的，一天到晚躺在床上。她好些日子都是吃面包，没有吃奶油。所以她祷告说，“主，求你怜悯我，给我一点奶油。”她祷告不多的时候，莫尔来了，送她一块奶油。她就因此感谢主。等一等，她仰起头来说，“虽然我们的弟兄莫尔，什么都不缺少，把奶油送给我吃；但是，如果他有缺少，主，求你听他的祷告。”因为莫尔从来不叫人看见他有缺少，人根本不觉得他有缺少；并且还有人在那里传说，莫尔是一个很有钱的弟兄。他常常给人东西，像这一次，又买了许多奶油，分送给这么多人。但这一个姊妹，在那里祷告说，“如果他有缺少，求你听他的祷告。”大约就是在那一天，没有过两三个钟点，莫尔就收到两袋的面粉，他的难处就过去了。　　我告诉你们，神的话每一句都应当相信。有许多人有一个难处，就是不把神的话当作神的话来相信。莫尔就是把神的话当作神的话来相信。凡不给人的，定规没有人给你。你如果给人，就定规有给你的。所以，我们要学习给人。不是给人就完了，给人乃是叫神给我们。这是基督徒理财的原则。你家里的东西一多，你别盼望神来给你。　　曾有一位同工告诉我说，二十几年来，钱留在我们手里，定规出事情。在给人的事情上有毛病，在收入上也定规有毛病。总是越想要人的越没有，越给人的就越有。许多人把自己所有的抓在手里，所以神让他只抓那一点。他们没有学习给。给的恩典如果不在你身上，神的恩典也就不在你身上。你对于人没有恩典，神在你身上也就缺少恩典。
　
　　关于这一件事，我想我可以作许多的见证。但是我不想这样作，只把我第一次学的说一说。一九二三年，魏光禧弟兄请我到他的地方─建瓯─去，离福州有五百里。那时我还在学校读书，魏弟兄是我的同学。我要上建瓯去的时候，就问魏弟兄：“路费要多少？”他说，“上水要几十块钱。”我就说，“祷告看看，主如果要我去，我就能去。”　　那个时候，我手里没有钱，所以就祷告：“如果主要我去，必须给我钱。”祷告后主也给我钱，大概是十几块或者二十块。还有银角，大概是一百多个。这一笔钱，大概还差两三倍。过了不久，魏弟兄写信来催说，什么都预备好了。我也打电报去说要去。我就定规在一礼拜五动身。就在那个礼拜四的早起，我想到这一句话：“你们要给人，就必有给你们的。”我里面有一点怕，要把钱都给人，可以。但如果主不给我，不能动身，就为难了。　　但是，我心里的感觉越过越深。我心里一直觉得说，应该把钞票都送出去，把银角留着为自己。我想，给谁呢？就有一个意思，要给一个有家庭的弟兄。我不敢说顺服，也不敢说不顺服，我就说，“主，我在这里，如果你要送给这一位弟兄，你就叫我在半路上碰见他。”我就起来走出去。刚走到半路，那位弟兄迎面而来，我一看见，心虽然冷下来，但也已经预备好了。就过去对他说，“弟兄，主叫我把这个摆在你手里。”说了，就走了。我走了两步，就流下泪来。我说，“我已经打电报给魏弟兄，说去。现在钱送出去了，叫我怎么去呢？”但是另一面，心里非常舒服。因为主说，你给了人，就必有给你的。　　所以当我回去的时候，就对主说，“主，你应当给我了。时候到了，明天要上船了。”但是礼拜四这一天没有钱，礼拜五要动身了，还没有钱。有一位弟兄来送我，这时候还没有钱。这位弟兄把我带到船上，我一上船就想，不成了。因为我没有离开过福州，没有到过内地。再朝西走，一个人也不认识。那一天我离开家，一路一直祷告；祷告到上了船，祷告到那位弟兄离开，祷告到躺在船板上睡觉。我说，“主，我给了人，你不给我，这是你的事。”那一天，我是坐民船到洪山桥，再坐小火轮到水口，到了小火轮上的时候，我从上面走到下面，从下面走到上面，走了好几转。我想，“神如果要给我，我也多走两次，叫神容易一点，看看神有没有安排。”但是不行，船上没有一个认识的人。虽然如此，我心里总是说，“你如果给了人，我就给你。”　　这样，一直到了第二天下午，大概是四、五点钟的时候，船快到水口。到水口之后，就得坐民船，民船是相当贵。我手里所有的钱，付了小火轮的钱之后，还剩下七十几角。我觉得相当为难。那个时候，我祷告说，“主，现在到水口了，要不要买票回福州去？”我转念一想，只要能去就好。就说，“主，我不求你给我钱，只求你叫我能到建瓯就行。”这一个祷告之后，心里非常平安。　　我站在小火轮的船头上，船还没有到水口，就有一只小船靠上来，船夫问我说，“先生，你是上南平，还是上建瓯？”我说，“上建瓯。”他说，“我带你去。”我说，“多少钱？”他说，“七十角。”我一听，就知道主有预备，我就定规去。他就把我的行李，搬到他的船上。按规矩，到建瓯总要七、八十元。我问他说，“为什么你给我这样便宜？”他说，“不是我给你便宜，是因为这只船被一个县政府的人包去，他是在前舱，答应我在后舱可以另外搭一个客人。这样，我可以赚一些钱作伙食。”我记得，那一天我还把剩下的钱买一点菜，买一点肉。就是这样，我就到了建瓯。　　等到要从建瓯回来，那可难了，我身上一共只有十二角，我买了大约一元的东西，还剩下两角。所以那边的聚会快结束的时候，我就一直的祷告。有一天，有一位鹿腓利先生，（他是剑桥七位之一）请我去吃饭。他说，“倪先生，这一次你上来，我们得很大的帮助。这一次你回去的路费，好不好由我来负责？”我一听这话，一面快乐，一面觉得不对。我说，“已经有一位负责的了。”他听见这话，说了一声对不起，就不再提了。我回来的时候，心里很懊悔，这一件事给我打掉了。但一面祷告，心里很平安。
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约翰福音一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
约翰福音一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　这样又等了一天。第三天，我要动身，我口袋里只有两角钱，没有办法应付下水，我相当的作难。魏弟兄的父亲，魏弟兄家里的人，都送我。魏弟兄和我一同走，行李已经先挑走了。我就祷告说，“主啊！你把我带到建瓯来，你不能让我回不去。是你负我的责任，你不能让人进来。如果我错了，我肯承认我的错，但是我不相信我错了。”我一直说，“这一个责任是你的。你说，你给人，就必有给你的。”走到半路上，腓利先生派一个人送一封信给我。打开来读，他说，“我知道有人负责。可是神叫我觉得，在你这一次来建瓯的事上，我应当有分在里面。你好不好让一个年长的弟兄，有一点分在里面？请你收这一点钱。”当时我接受这钱。我说，“神，这一个时候的钱，是对的。”我就用这些钱作路费。我记得当我回来的时候，还有余钱印一期复兴报。　　回来之后，我就去找我的同工。到了他的家，他的师母一看见我进去，就说，“倪先生，我要问你一件事。你离开福州，为什么送我丈夫二十块钱？为什么你把钱一塞给他，马上就跑？”我说，“没有别的，是因我祷告了一天，主给我看见说，该送给他，我从家里出去，在路上碰见他，所以就把钱给了他。”她说，“那一天晚上，是我们家里最末了的一顿饭，最末了的一点菜。你的钱来的时候，米也买了一担，柴也买了许多斤。一直到前几天，主才给我们另外一点钱。那一次，我们一连三天等候在主面前。”我没有把我的故事告诉她，就出来了。当我走下那一个坡的时候，我心里说，“到底我没有把那二十块钱留给自己用。我如果把这钱留在我的口袋里，那二十块就死掉了。但那二十块钱送出去，就有用了。”在路上我就仰起头来，对主说，“路加六章，我是第一次看见。”我在那里，就把我自己再一次奉献给主。我说，“从今天起，我定规要给。我不愿意有一文钱留在我手里是懒惰的钱。”
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路加福音六章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　我盼望，我要把钱送出去，替神行神迹。我要把钱送出去，当作神听祷告的答应。我不愿意把钱留在我手里，懒惰没有用。我不敢说，在这一件给的事情上，有多少的经过。也许给，比人多一点。也许收，也比人多一点。在中国，难得有人像我一样，从我手里收进了那么多，也从我手里给了那么多。你们姑且听了，当作是狂语。我说，“宁可让我的钱出去行神迹，宁可让我的钱出去作祷告的答应，不要让钱懒惰了没有用。我今天用不着它，我要把它送出去；等到我需用的时候，它会回来，并且比送出去的还要多。”　　初信的弟兄，从起头就得学理财的方法。我个人不愿意说许多的故事，不过我要作见证。我想，自从一九二三年起，我用到最末了的一块钱的次数，并不输于中国所有的弟兄们。主的话是说，“你给人，就必有给你的。”我一直在学习这一个。我给别人，我的需要祂就给。我知道，只有给人的，才有给他的。一次过一次，我越过越看见，我给人是容易的给，主给我也是容易的给。我宁可得一个名声：倪弟兄有钱。我的确是有钱，我的手总是给的。我总是让钱出去，一直的出去。但是出去之后，回来总是多出了多少倍。我们的神，从来不是吝啬的神。
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路得记一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　基督徒理财的方法，不是把钱握在手里。你越握，钱越死。你越握，钱越没有，就像水一样化了。你越给，钱越多。如果神的儿女都学习给，神要到处行神迹。钱握在手里，总是叫神的儿女都变作贫穷的人。凡是一直把钱拿在手里，不能给出去的，神不能信托他。你越会给，神越给你。
　
　　请读林后九章六节：“少种的少收，多种的多收。”这也是圣经里所说理财的原则。基督徒送钱给人，是拿出去种，不是拿出去丢。不是多丢多收，少丢少收。神乃是说，多种的多收，少种的少收。你是拿出去种。你盼望不盼望你的钱长？你如果盼望你的钱长，你就得拿出去种。你拿得出去，就长。你拿不出去，就不长。
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林后9:6  
还有，少种的少收，多种的多收。
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　　弟兄姊妹们，我们能不能愚昧到一个地步，没有种的地方想收割？多少求供给的祷告，神不能听。因为你是残忍的人，没有种的地方想收割，没有散的地方想聚敛。那是不可能的事。为什么不拿出一点钱去种？有那么多困难的弟兄，有那么多困难的姊妹，你为什么不种钱在他身上，让你到一个时候能够收成？凡是把钱握在手里越牢的人，那一个人越得不着。所以你们要看见，在这里，这一幅图画是非常的美。这些哥林多人送钱给耶路撒冷的人，顾念他们的需要，保罗说，这不是丢，这是种。请你们记得，我们能够把钱当作种子用。你如果遇见困难的弟兄姊妹，顾念他们的难处，神就能够让那一个钱长，会有三十倍，六十倍，一百倍的收成。盼望你们多多的把钱拿出去种。
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出埃及记没有六十章，请检查。
 出埃及记没有一百章，请检查。
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　　初信的弟兄姊妹，要学习把钱拿出去种，等到你们自己有需要的时候，能够收你们所种的。你们不能收你们所没有种的。有许多弟兄，越作越穷。有多少，吃多少，当然就没有了。有一担，你留下五十斤去种，明年就有收成。明年再留下五十斤，再去种，后年就又有收成。要种，就不要吃。许多人老是吃，从来不种，所以等到有需要的时候，就不能收。如果今天有一班青年的弟兄，能够拿钱去种在弟兄身上，然后跪下来对神说，“神啊，我现在种在弟兄身上。当我有需要的时候，我要收成。”你要看见，神尊重祂自己的话。
　
　　不只这样，你们要看见，在旧约里神对以色列人说，“你们要将当纳的十分之一，全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。”（玛三10）这是同样的原则。
--------本段经节汇集--------
玛3:10  
万军之耶和华说，你们要将当纳的十分之一，全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。
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　　在那个时候，以色列人穷到没有办法，困苦到没有办法，他们如何能实行玛拉基三章的话？以色列人要问：“我十担的米不够吃，九担就够吃么？十袋的面粉不够吃，九袋就够吃么？”这是属血气的人，愚昧的人说的话。神就责备说，人所不能作的事，神能作。神说，“你如果把我所赐给你的十分之一送入我的仓库，以此试试我，是不是替你打开天上的窗户，把祝福倾倒下来，一直倾倒到你无处可容！”
--------本段经节汇集--------
玛拉基书三章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　我告诉你们，十担是贫穷的原因，九担是丰富的原因。人以为手里越多越好。但是拿在手里的，是贫穷的基本原因。我奉献给神，就变作祝福的基本原因。那另外的一担，在我的手里，就变作我的咒诅；在神的仓库里，就变作我的祝福。以色列人的原则，就是在这里。如果你把该奉献给神的留在家里，自然你就看见贫穷。你把它留着，反而是贫穷。
　
　　再读箴言十一章二十四节：“有施散的，却更增添；有吝惜过度的，反致穷乏。”许多人没有散的，反而无所留。许多人散了的，反而得了富足。这是神的话所给我们看见，基督徒理财的原则。
--------本段经节汇集--------
箴11:24  
有人施散，却更增添；有人吝惜过度，反致穷乏。
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　　你们再看一处，是相当奇妙的事。你们看见以利亚在迦密山上为着降雨祷告神（王上十八）。那是一个大旱的时候，旱到一个地步，王出去找水。王手下的大臣，也出去找水。可见那时候，水是何等的少。以利亚在山上为神重修祭坛，要把祭献上，以利亚就吩咐人挑水来，倒在祭坛和祭物上。　　那时候，水是何等的宝贝呢！因为连王都出去找水。但是以利亚说，要把水倒下去。一担的水，两担的水，三担的水，一直倒到水流在坛四围像河一样。天上的水还没有降下来，雨还没有降下来，先倒下这些水，不是可惜了么？雨如果不降下，倒掉这些水，岂不是太可惜了么？但是，以利亚叫他们挑水来，倒下。他自己跪下祷告，求神降火烧掉坛上的祭物。神听他的祷告，就降了大雨。我告诉你们，你们要天上降下大雨来，先要把你们的水浇上去。你们如果舍不得你们的水，天上的水就不降下来。　　许多人的难处就在这里。他把自己所有的握得顶牢，却要神听他的祷告。神虽然要叫地上不干旱，但是人得把水倒上去。以人的思想来说，凡事要留退步。若是雨不降下，起码还有几担水。但是计算有几担水在手里的人，永远看不见天上的水。要看见天上降水的人，都得像以利亚一样，能舍得手里的水。什么都得出去。如果在初信的人身上，不能脱离钱的能力，不能蒙拯救从钱出来，我告诉你们，教会的道路永远不能走得正直。所以我盼望你们在这里要作一个奉献的人，将你们的一切都摆上为着神。
　
　　腓立比四章十九节，是一节很特别的圣经。哥林多的人是舍不得钱的人，腓立比的人是很舍得钱的。保罗是一次一次的受腓立比人的供给。但是，保罗对腓立比的人说，我的神必供给你们一切的需要，我的神要照着基督的丰富，照着基督荣耀的丰富，来供给你们的需要。你们觉得腓立比四章的特别么？他特别的说，“我的神必…使给你们一切所需用的都充足。”收钱之人的神，接受馈送之人的神，要供给这些馈送之人的需用。
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腓4:19  
我的神必在荣耀中，照着祂的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足。
腓立比书四章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　这是相当清楚地。你们一次过一次，一直顾念我的需要，我的神就会供给你们的需用。断没有不供给人，而神供给他的。今天许多人抓住腓立比四章十九节，但是他根本没有看见腓立比四章十九节。因为祂不是给求的人，祂乃是给“给”的人。只有给的人，能够抓住腓立比四章十九节。不给的人，不能抓住腓立比四章十九节。你要给人，然后你才能说，“神啊，今天你要照着在基督里的丰富，供给我一切的需要。”只有腓立比的人，神才能供给他一切的需要。只有在给的原则上的人，神才能供给他的需用。
--------本段经节汇集--------
腓4:19  
我的神必在荣耀中，照着祂的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足。
腓4:19  
我的神必在荣耀中，照着祂的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足。
腓4:19  
我的神必在荣耀中，照着祂的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足。
腓4:19  
我的神必在荣耀中，照着祂的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足。
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　　当你坛里的面没有的时候，当你瓶里的油没有的时候，请你记得，你所仅有的一把，要先替以利亚作一个饼，先给神的仆人吃。先用那几滴的油，那一把的面，作饼给先知吃；等一等，这一把的面，这几滴的油，能够叫你吃三年零六个月。谁曾听见过，一瓶的油能够吃三年零六个月？我告诉你们，你把你的一点油，你的一点面，先作一个饼给神的先知吃。你没有了，就看见那一瓶油能够养活你三年零六个月（参路四25~26，王上十七8~16）。本来给你吃一次都不够，但是你拿出去，你反而得着养活。这一个，是基督徒理财的方法。
--------本段经节汇集--------
路4:25  
我据实告诉你们，当以利亚的日子，天闭塞了三年零六个月，遍地有大饥荒，那时以色列中有许多寡妇；
路4:26  
以利亚并没有奉差遣往她们一个人那里去，只奉差遣往西顿的撒勒法，一个寡妇那里去。
王上17:8  
耶和华的话临到他，说，
王上17:9  
你起身往西顿的撒勒法去，住在那里；我已吩咐那里的一个寡妇供养你。
王上17:10  
以利亚就起身往撒勒法去；到了城门口，见有一个寡妇在那里捡柴。以利亚呼叫她，说，求你用器皿取点水来给我喝。
王上17:11  
她去取水的时候，以利亚又呼叫她，说，求你带点饼来给我。
王上17:12  
她说，我指着永活的耶和华你的神起誓，我没有饼，坛内只有一把面，瓶里只有一点油；我现在捡两根柴，要回去为我和我儿子作饼；我们吃了，就死了吧。
王上17:13  
以利亚对她说，不要怕，可以照你所说的去作吧。只要用这油和面先为我作一个小饼，拿来给我，然后为你和你的儿子作饼。
王上17:14  
因为耶和华以色列的神如此说，坛内的面必不用完，瓶里的油必不短缺，直到耶和华使雨降在地上的日子。
王上17:15  
妇人就照以利亚的话去行。她和以利亚并她家中的人，吃了许多日子。
王上17:16  
坛内的面果然没有用完，瓶里的油也没有短缺，正如耶和华借以利亚所说的话。
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　　全部新约旧约，都是一样的教训。贫穷不是基督徒的路。神不要我们贫穷，神不要我们困苦。如果在我们中间，有贫穷，有困苦，就是因为人把钱握紧了。你越爱自己，你越宝贝自己，你就越挨饿。你看钱越重，你这一个人越穷。别的事我不能作见证，这一个我能。把钱抓得越紧，越舍不得的人，就越穷，这是定规的。在这二十年中，我看见许许多多这样的事。我愿意我们把钱释放出去，叫钱在地上行走，叫钱去作事，给神去听祷告，去行神迹。当我们有需要的时候，神会安排。　　不只你们在神手里，连撒但也在神手里。千山的牛是祂的，万山的羊是祂的。只有愚昧的人，才以为钱是我自己赚出来的。初信的人要看见，奉献是我们该作的事。应当把赚来的钱送出去，要顾念贫穷的弟兄姊妹。不要作愚昧的人，总是接受，为着自己积蓄，把钱藏起来。基督徒的路是在乎给。总是把所有的往外拿，你就看见说，钱在教会里都是活的。当你有需要的时候，天上的飞鸟都会替你效力。当你有需要的时候，神会行神迹。　　你需要把你自己摆在神的话语里，否则神就没有办法按着祂的话成功在你身上。要先把自己给神，然后一直把钱给出去，好叫神能够给你。
　
Ⅰ
　
MANAGING ACCORDING TO GOD’S PRINCIPLES
　In this chapter we will cover monetary offering and giving. After a person has sold everything, he will still receive income; money will still find its way back to his hand. How should he manage his money? Even after a person has offered up all of his money, we should not think that money will no longer have an influence on him. Some people can give away their money all at once, but money can gradually regain its power over them. Eventually, they will consider their money to be their own once again. Therefore, a believer must learn to continually let go of his money.
　The Christian way of managing wealth is completely different from that of an unbeliever. The Christian way of financial management is the way of giving. The unbeliever’s way is the way of accumulating. Today we are concerned with how a Christian should live in order to be free from want. God has promised us that we will have no lack on earth. The birds of the air have no lack of food, and the flowers of the field have no lack of clothing. Even so God’s children should have no lack of clothing and food. If they have any lack, there must be a reason or cause for it. If a brother is financially hard-pressed, he is not managing his wealth according to God’s principle.
　After you have forsaken all of your possessions to follow the Lord, you should walk according to God’s principle. If you do not follow God’s principle, you will eventually end up in poverty. There is a great need for many of God’s children to learn to manage their wealth. If they do not learn to manage their wealth, they should expect nothing except hardship in the way ahead of them. Today we want to consider the way to attain God’s prosperity.
　
Ⅱ
　
GOD’S PROVISION BEING CONDITIONAL
　As believers we have to look to the Lord for our food, clothing, and other needs while we live on earth today. Without God’s mercy, we cannot pass through our days on earth. This is true even for the rich ones; they have to look to the Lord also. During World War II, we saw many rich people stripped of clothing and food. One day many people will be in remorse over their wealth. Paul warned us not to depend on unpredictable riches. A greedy person is always an anxious person. Those who trust in the Lord may not have much in the way of savings, but the Lord will not leave them in difficulties. He can supply all their needs. However, we must also realize that God’s supply is with conditions.
　If God can feed the birds in the air, He can keep us alive. In reality, no one can feed all the birds or supply enough fertilizer to grow all the lilies of the field. But God has enough riches to keep the birds of the air and the lilies of the field alive. He also has enough riches to keep His children alive. God does not want to see us come short in anything. He does not want our living to be deprived in any way. Everyone who falls into deprivation falls because he has a problem in himself; he has not managed his wealth according to God’s way. If we manage our money according to God’s law, we will not be in poverty.
　Let us read Luke 6:38. This portion of the Word describes the type of person God will supply. God is always willing to supply. When He supplies us, the supply can come in such abundance that it comes out of our mouth and even becomes loathsome to us, as described in Exodus. God has no problem in doing such a thing. We should never think that God is poor. The cattle upon a thousand hills are His, and the goats upon ten thousand hills are His. If everything belongs to Him, why are God’s children poor? Why do His children experience lack? It is not because God cannot supply. Rather, we need to meet His requirements before we can receive His supply. We need to meet certain conditions before our prayers can be answered. Even our salvation had certain requirements to it—we had to believe. Every promise has conditions, and we must fulfill these conditions before we can receive the promise. Likewise, we need to fulfill God’s requirements before we can receive His supply. His requirement is to give. The Lord says, “Give, and it will be given to you.”
　
Ⅲ
　
GIVE, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN
　I have seen a few brothers and sisters who fell into dire need because they were unfaithful in the matter of giving. They were not actually lacking in income. The Bible shows us a fundamental principle—one must give to become rich and one becomes poor by accumulating riches. Whoever cares only for himself is destined to be in poverty. Whoever learns to give is destined to have riches. God’s Word says it, and it is true. If we want to escape poverty, we have to give again and again. The more we give, the more God will give to us. Since we are willing to share our surplus with others, others will also be happy to share their surplus with us in the future. If we give one-twentieth to others, others will also give one-twentieth to us. If we give one-thousandth to others, others will also give one-thousandth to us.
　With what measure we measure to others, with the same measure others will measure to us. In what capacity we treat our brothers and sisters, with the same capacity God will treat us. If we are willing to sacrifice our livelihood, others will also sacrifice their livelihood for us. If we only give others that which is totally useless, things which we never use, others will certainly give us totally useless and unusable things. Many people have problems with their income because they have problems with their giving. If a person has no problem with his giving, it is hard to imagine that he will have problems with his income. God’s Word is quite clear. If we give to others, the Lord will give to us. If we do not give to others, the Lord will not give to us. Most people only exercise faith when they ask God for money; they do not exercise faith in giving money. It is no wonder that they have no faith to receive anything from God.
　Brothers, as soon as we become Christians, we have to learn the basic lesson of financial stewardship. Christians have a unique way of managing their wealth: What we receive depends on what we give. In other words, the Christian way of financial stewardship is to receive according to what we give. Worldly people give according to what they have received, but we receive according to what we give. Our inflow depends on our outflow. Those who crave money and cling to it can never receive God’s money; they will never receive any supply from God.
　We should all look to the Lord for our needs, but God will supply the needs of only one type of people—those who give. The words good measure, which the Lord uses in Luke 6:38, are wonderful words. When God gives to man, He is never stingy. He is ever generous and overflowing. Our God is always generous. Our God’s cup is always running over. God is never petty. When He gives, He says that it will be a good measure, pressed down, and shaken together. Consider the way in which we buy rice. Most rice merchants will not let us shake the measure. They do not allow the rice to settle before pouring it out. But the Lord said, “Pressed down, shaken together.” Not only so, it is “running over.” Our God is such a generous God. He gives by pressing down, shaking together, heaping up, and running over. However, He also says that with what measure we measure to others, it will be measured to us in return. If we are shrewd and exact in giving to others, God will only touch others to give to us in a shrewd and exact way.
　We must give first to others, before others will give to us. Most people never learn to give. They always want God to answer their prayers. We have to give first before we can receive. If we have not received anything recently, it means that we have a problem in giving. I have been a Christian for more than twenty years, and I can surely bear witness to this principle. Whenever a person has a problem with his giving, he will experience a lack.
　
Ⅳ
　
TWO TESTIMONIES CONCERNING FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
　
A
　
Handley Moule’s Story
　Handley C. G. Moule of England was the chief editor of the magazine Life and Faith. He was a great man before the Lord in many ways. One of his outstanding achievements was his knowledge of the Bible. He trusted in the Lord for his living. Throughout his life, he experienced wants and trials many times, but because he knew Luke 6:38, he would tell his wife whenever he was in need, “There must be something wrong with our giving lately.” He did not speak of the need in his house. Instead, his thoughts were on his giving.
　Once his house was almost empty of everything. He did not even have flour, the main staple of the English diet. He waited for two days, but no one brought him anything. He then told his wife, “There must be something in our house that we do not need.” He did not ask the Lord for flour. Instead he said, “There must be something excessive in our house. This is why the Lord does not give.” They knelt and prayed and asked the Lord to show them any excess they had in the house. After praying, they looked through every item. They began with the attic, checking to see whether or not a particular item was redundant. They even went through their children’s belongings and found that they had just enough of what they needed. Mr. Moule then told the Lord, “There is truly nothing excessive in this house. Lord, You have made a mistake in not supplying us with what we need.” After a brief pause, he told his wife, “The Lord never makes mistakes. There has to be some excess in our house.” They checked again. When they came to the cellar, they saw a carton of butter, which had been given to them many days earlier. Mr. Moule was happy when he saw the carton. He told his wife, “This must be the excess.”
　Both of them were rather elderly. They had for many years learned the lesson of giving. They knew the Lord’s words: “Give, and it will be given to you.” They were anxious to give away the carton of butter. But who should they give it to? Mr. Moule was a responsible brother in his church. After looking down the list of brothers and sisters who were poor, he decided to give every one of them a piece. The old couple cut the carton of butter into small pieces, wrapped them up, and sent them to these brothers and sisters. After sending out all the packets, he told his wife, “Now, we have cleared up this matter.” They then knelt down and prayed, “Lord, may we remind You of what You have said: ‘Give, and it will be given to you.’ Please remember that we have no more flour.”
　That was perhaps a Saturday. Among those who had received the butter, there was a very poor sister who had been paralyzed and bed-ridden for years. For days, she had been eating her bread without butter and had been praying, “Lord, have mercy on me. Give me a little butter.” Soon after this prayer, Mr. Moule came with the butter. She immediately thanked the Lord for this. A while later, she lifted up her head and prayed again, “Lord, although Brother Moule lacks nothing and has given me this butter, hear his prayer if he has any lack.” Brother Moule had not told anyone about his lack, and no one knew about it. Some even rumored that Moule was a very rich brother, that he always gave things away, and that he had bought all that butter purposely to distribute to others. But this sister prayed, “If he has any lack, please answer his prayer.” On that same day, probably within two or three hours, Mr. Moule received two sacks of flour. His problem was solved.
　We have to believe in every word of the Lord. Most people have difficulty taking God’s Word as God’s word. Mr. Moule believed God’s Word to be God’s word. If you do not give, you definitely will not receive. If you give to others, others will surely give to you. This is why we need to learn to give. Giving is not the end; it enables God to give to us. This is the principle of Christian financial stewardship. Do not expect God to supply you with anything if there is excess in your house.
　A co-worker once told me, “During the past twenty years, every time money has remained in my hand, there has always been a problem.” If there is a problem in giving, there will be a problem in receiving. The more you want to keep, the less you will have. The more you want to give, the more you will have. Most people hold on tightly to all that they have, and so God lets them hold on to that little amount. They have not learned to give. If the grace of giving is not in you, the grace of God will not be upon you. If you do not have grace for others, you will have little of God’s grace for yourself.
　
B
　
Learning the First Lesson of Giving
　I can give you many testimonies concerning giving. But I do not wish to do so. I will just speak about my first lesson in this matter. In 1923 Brother Weigh Kwang-hsi invited me to his place, Kien-ou, which was about one hundred fifty miles from Foochow. I was a student, and Brother Weigh was my classmate. When I was about to leave for Kien-ou, I asked Brother Weigh, “How much is the fare?” He said, “The fare by boat is several dozen dollars.” I then said, “Let me pray about this. If the Lord wants me to go, I will go.”
　At that time I did not have any money in my hand. I prayed, “If You want me to go, You must provide me the money.” After praying this way, the Lord gave me between ten and twenty dollars. In addition, I had more than a hundred silver dimes. But the total amount still fell short of the fare by more than half. Not long after this, Brother Weigh wrote me a letter and told me that everything was ready. I sent him a telegram and told him that I would go. I decided to leave on Friday. On Thursday I rose up early, and the word came to me: “Give, and it will be given to you.” I was unsure within. If I gave my money to others and the Lord did not give any back, I would then not be able to go. I was quite troubled.
　However, my feeling within grew stronger and stronger. I felt that I should give the dollars and keep the coins. Therefore, I thought about who should be given the money. Eventually, I had the thought of giving the dollars to a certain brother who had a family. I dared not tell the Lord that I would obey, and I dared not tell the Lord that I would disobey either. I just said, “Lord, I am here. If You want me to give to this brother, please let me meet him on my way.” I rose up and walked out of the house. Along the way I met the brother. As soon as I saw him, my heart sank. But I was prepared. I went over to him and said, “Brother, the Lord has told me to place this in your hands.” After I said this, I turned around and left. When I was two steps away from him, my tears began to roll down. I said, “I have sent a telegram to Brother Weigh that I would go. Now the money is gone. How can I go?” But I also felt very happy within because the Lord said, “Give, and it will be given to you.”
　On my way home I said to the Lord, “Lord, You need to give to me. The time is short, and the boat is leaving tomorrow.” No money came on Thursday. On Friday when I was about to leave, there was still no money. A brother came to send me off. But there was still no money. The brother took me aboard the boat. As soon as I stepped aboard the boat, I thought to myself, “I cannot go. I will never make it. I have never left Foochow before, and I have never gone inland. I do not know a single person west of Foochow.” I had been praying since I left home that day. When I went aboard the boat I was still praying. I prayed until the brother left, and even until I laid down to sleep. I said, “Lord, I have given to others. Yet You have not given to me in return. It is now Your business.” That day the boat took me to Hung-Shan Bridge, where I changed boats to Shui-Kou. While on board, I paced back and forth from the upper deck to the lower deck several times, thinking to myself, “In order for God to provide for me, I should make it easier for Him by walking around a few more times to see if He has arranged for me to meet someone.” But this did not work out, and I did not find anyone whom I knew on the boat. Nevertheless, I repeated to myself, “Give, and it will be given to you.”
　This went on until the next day. At about four or five o’clock, the boat was about to reach Shui-Kou. After Shui-Kou, I had to change transportation again for a more expensive ship. After I paid the boat fare, I found out that I had only a little more than seventy dimes left. I was troubled, and I prayed, “Lord, I am now in Shui-Kou. Should I buy a ticket to return to Foochow?” Right then I resolved in my mind to simply go to Kien-ou and leave the rest to the Lord. I said, “Lord, I will not ask for money as long as You will take me to Kien-ou.” After praying this way, I felt peaceful.
　I was standing on the bow of the boat, and before the boat reached Shui-Kou, a little boat approached and the boatman asked me, “Sir, are you going to Nan-Ping or Kien-ou?” I said, “To Kien-ou.” He said, “I will take you there.” I asked him how much it would cost, and he said, “Seventy dimes.” When I heard that, I knew the Lord had prepared the way for me. I agreed to go with him. He carried my luggage to his boat. The regular fare to Kien-ou was seventy or eighty dollars. I asked him, “Why are you letting me go so cheaply?” He replied, “The fare is so cheap because this boat has been chartered by a county officer. He is in the front cabin of the boat, and he has given me permission to carry another passenger so that I can earn some money to supplement my food.” I clearly remember that day; I bought some vegetables and meat with the little money that was left and arrived at Kien-ou safely.
　As the time for my return from Kien-ou grew near, I was once again in a quandary. I had only twelve dimes left. After spending about a dollar on shopping, I had only twenty cents left. I kept praying as the conference was coming to an end. One day Mr. Philips, one of the famous Cambridge Seven, invited me for a meal. He said, “Mr. Nee, we have been greatly helped by your visit. Is it all right for me to take care of the traveling expenses of your return trip?” When I heard this, I was overjoyed. But I felt it was not proper for me to accept the offer. I said, “Someone has already taken care of it.” When he heard this, he said, “I am sorry to hear that,” and did not mention the matter again. When I returned home, I regretted very much turning down the offer. But when I prayed I had peace within.
　I waited for another day. On the third day, as I was getting ready to leave, I only had twenty cents in my pocket. This was not enough for the ticket. I was really in a dilemma. Brother Weigh’s father and family all came to see me off. My luggage had already been taken away by the porter, and Brother Weigh was walking with me. I prayed, “Lord, You have brought me to Kien-ou. You have to bring me back home. It is Your responsibility and You cannot leave it to others. If I have committed any mistake, I am willing to confess it. But I do not believe that I have done anything wrong.” I kept saying, “This is Your responsibility because You have said, ‘Give, and it will be given to you.’” Halfway to the pier, Mr. Philips sent someone to me with a letter. I opened the letter, and it said, “I know someone is responsible for your fare. But God has impressed upon me that I should share your expenses. Please allow an elderly brother to have a little share in this and accept this small sum.” I took the money and said to the Lord, “God, this has come right on time.” I paid the fare with the money, and I still remember that there was enough money to print another issue of The Present Testimony when I returned home.
　Upon my return I looked up my co-worker. As soon as I entered his house, his wife said, “Mr. Nee, when you left Foochow, why did you give my husband twenty dollars? Why did you walk away immediately after handing him the money?” I said, “There was only one reason: I had prayed for a whole day, and the Lord told me to give it to him. When I left my house and met him on the way, I simply gave him the money.” She said, “That night we only had enough for one last meal. When your money came, we bought a load of rice and many pounds of firewood. The Lord did not supply us any more money until a few days ago. We had prayed and waited for three days on that occasion.” I left without telling her my story. As I was walking down the hill, I said within myself, “It was good that I did not keep the twenty dollars for myself. The money would have died if I had kept it in my pocket. But now that it has been given away, it has become useful.” I lifted up my head then and told the Lord, “This is the first time I have understood Luke 6:38.” I consecrated myself to the Lord once again and said, “From this day forward, I will give. I will not let a single cent remain idle in my hand.”
　I only wish I could give more money so that it would work more miracles for the Lord. I would give money so that the prayers of others may be answered. I do not wish to hold on to my money, letting it remain idle and useless. I dare not brag about my experience in giving. Perhaps I have given a little more than others. Perhaps I have also received a little more than others. But this I can say: In the whole of China, it is hard to find another person who has received as much and given away as much as I have. You may take this as a word from “a fool” (2 Cor. 11:23, KJV). I would rather let my money work miracles and let it become answers to prayers, than see it remain idle and become useless. If I have no use for it today, I will give it away. When I have a need, it will come back, and when it comes back, it will come back more than what I gave.
　A new believer must learn to manage his finances from the very beginning. I do not like to tell many stories about myself. However, I must testify that since 1923, I am behind no one in China with respect to using my last dollar. The Lord said, “Give, and it will be given to you.” I am learning this constantly. As I give to others, the Lord meets my needs. I am convinced that a man will only receive when he gives. Time and again, I find that when I give liberally, the Lord liberally gives to me. I do not mind having the reputation of being rich. It is true; I am rich, because I always give. I always let my money go. It never stops, and when it returns to me, it is always multiplied many times. Our God is never stingy.
　
Ⅴ
　
THE CHRISTIAN WAY OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
　The Christian way of managing money is not to hold on to money. The tighter you hold on to your money, the more it dies. The more you grasp it, the more it disappears; it will evaporate like vapor. But the more you give away, the more you will have. If God’s children would learn to give more, God would have many ways to work out His miracles. Keeping back money only makes God’s children poor. God will not entrust Himself to those who hold on to their money and who will not give. The more you give, the more God will give to you.
　
A
　
Sowing with One’s Money
　Please read 2 Corinthians 9:6, which says, “He who sows sparingly shall also sparingly reap; and he who sows with blessings shall also with blessings reap.” This is also a scriptural principle of financial management. When Christians give, they are not throwing their money away; they are sowing. The Word does not say, “He who throws away his money sparingly shall also sparingly reap; and he who throws away his money with blessings shall also with blessings reap.” It says, “He who sows sparingly shall also sparingly reap; and he who sows with blessings shall also with blessings reap.” When you give, you are sowing. Do you want your money to grow? If you do, you need to sow. When you give your money away, it grows. When you do not give it away, it does not grow.
　Brothers and sisters, can anyone be so foolish as to expect a harvest without sowing? How many times has God not answered your prayer for your needs? You are a “hard man,” trying to reap where you have not sown and gather where you have not winnowed. This is impossible. Why do you not sow some of your money? There are many brothers and sisters who are in difficulty. Why do you not sow money upon them so that you may reap when the reaping time comes? The more a person holds on to his money, the less he will have. In the above portion of the Word, we see a very beautiful picture. The Corinthians gave to those in Jerusalem, remembering their needs, and Paul said that it was a kind of sowing, not a kind of throwing away. Please remember that money can be our seeds. If you see a brother or sister in difficulty, and you remember him or her, God will cause that money to grow and harvest thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and even a hundredfold. I hope that more of your money will be sown.
　A new believer should learn to sow, so that when he has needs, he can reap what he has sown. You cannot reap what you have not sown. There are many brothers who are getting poorer and poorer. If you eat what you have, of course, there will not be anything left. But if you keep half of your seed for sowing, you will have a harvest next year. If next year you also keep half for planting, you will have another harvest the following year. If you want to sow anything, you must not eat all that you have. Some people always eat and never sow. They also never receive anything when they are in need. Suppose some young brothers sow some money upon other brothers, praying as they sow, “O God, I have sown upon the brothers. When I have needs, I want to harvest.” If they do this, God will honor His own words.
　
B
　
Offering to God
　This is not all. In the Old Testament, God said to the Israelites, “Bring the whole tithe to the storehouse that there may be food in My house; and prove Me, if you will, by this, says Jehovah of hosts, whether I will open to you the windows of heaven and pour out blessing for you until there is no room for it” (Mal. 3:10). Here we see the same principle.
　At that time, the Israelites were in great poverty and difficulty. How could they carry out the words of Malachi 3:10? The Israelites might have asked, “If we cannot get by with ten loads of rice, how can we get by with nine? If ten bags of flour are insufficient, how can nine bags be sufficient?” These are words out of a carnal and foolish mouth. God reproached the people and told them that what is impossible with man is possible with God. He seemed to be saying, “Bring to My storehouse, and test Me if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing that there shall not be enough room to receive it.”
　Ten loads are the reason for poverty, while nine loads are the cause for abundance. Man thinks that the more he has in his hand, the better off he will be. However, keeping things in one’s hand is the very cause for poverty, while offering things to God is the very cause for blessing. If I have an additional load in my hands, it will become my curse. But if it is put in God’s storehouse, it becomes my blessing. The principle with the Israelites was poverty for those who tried to hold back what was due to God. When you hold something back, you end up in poverty.
　
C
　
Scattering Money
　Now read Proverbs 11:24: “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; / and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” Many people have not scattered, and they are left with nothing. Many people have scattered, and they become prosperous. This is what God’s Word shows us. This is the Christian principle of managing finances.
　
D
　
Giving All for God
　Consider another wonderful portion of the Word—Elijah’s prayer for rain on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). There was a drought, and it was so dry that even the king and his chamberlains had to go out to search for water. Elijah was repairing the altar on the mountain. He wanted to offer a sacrifice, and he asked men to pour water on the altar and the sacrifice.
　How precious was water at that time! Even the king had to go out to look for water. But Elijah told the men to pour out the water. He told them to pour it three times until the water ran round about the altar like a river. Was it not a waste to pour out so much water before any rain came? Would it not have been a pity if no rain came after they poured out so much water? But Elijah told them to bring jars of water and pour them out. Next he knelt down and asked God to send fire to burn the sacrifice. God heard his prayer, received the sacrifice by fire, and sent the rain. We must first pour the water out before rain will come. The rain will not come if we are reluctant to pour out the water.
　The problem of many people is that they hold on tightly to what they have and yet expect God to answer their prayers. Although God wanted to dispel the drought, man had to pour out the water first. The human thought is always to have some backup. If no rain came, at least there would be some jars of water. But those who count the jars of water on hand will never see rain. To see the rain, one must be like Elijah, willing to part with the water that is on hand. Everything has to go. If new believers are not delivered from the power and grip of money, the church will never be able to run a straight course. I hope that you will be a consecrated person and will offer up everything you have for God.
　
E
　
The Promise of Supply
　Philippians 4:19 is a very special verse. The Corinthians were parsimonious in giving, while the Philippians were very generous. Paul received from the Philippians time and again. He told the Philippians, “My God will fill your every need according to His riches, in glory, in Christ Jesus.” Do you see something special in Philippians 4? Paul emphasized, “My God will fill your every need.” The God who receives the money and the gifts will supply the needs of the givers.
　This is very clear. The Philippians had been caring for Paul again and again, and Paul’s God supplied their needs. God will never supply those who do not give. Today many people hold on to Philippians 4:19, but they do not really understand it, because God does not supply those who ask, but those who give. Only those who give can claim Philippians 4:19. Those who do not give cannot claim this promise. You must give before you can say, “O God, today supply all my needs according to Your riches in Christ Jesus.” God supplied all the needs for only the Philippians. God will only supply the needs of those who are practicing the principle of giving.
　When your vessel is empty of flour and when your bottle is empty of oil, please remember that you must first make bread for Elijah with what little you have left. You must first feed God’s servant. Take the little oil and flour and make bread for the prophet first. After a while, this little flour and oil will feed you for three and a half years. Who has ever heard of a bottle of oil feeding a person for three and a half years? But let me tell you, if you take your little flour and oil and make bread for the prophet, you will find the bottle of oil feeding you for three and a half years (cf. Luke 4:25-26; 1 Kings 17:8-16). What one has may not be enough to feed him even once. But when it is given away, it becomes the means of one’s livelihood. This is the Christian way of financial management.
　
Ⅵ
　
LETTING GO OF OUR MONEY
　Both the New Testament and the Old Testament teach us the same thing. The Christian way should not be the way of poverty. God does not want us to be poor. If there is poverty or want among us, it is because some people are holding back their money. The more you love yourself, the more you will go hungry. The more importance you attach to money, the poorer you will become. I may not be able to testify of other things, but I can surely testify of this one thing. The more one holds back his money, the more miserable and depleted he becomes. This is a sure principle. During the past twenty years, I have seen many such cases. I only wish that we could release our money and allow it to circulate around the earth, to work, and to become part of God’s miracles and answers to prayers. Then when we have needs, God will supply us.
　Not only are we in God’s hands, but Satan is also in His hands. The cattle on a thousand hills and the sheep on ten thousand hills are His. Only foolish ones think that they have earned their own money. A new believer must see that tithing is our duty. We should give what we earn to take care of the poor saints. Do not be so foolish as to always receive. Do not try to save up your money or hide it away. The Christian way is the way of giving. Always give what you have, and you will find money becoming something living in the church. When you have any need, the birds in the air will work for you, and God will perform miracles for you.
　Cast yourself upon the Word of God. Otherwise, God cannot carry out His word in you. First give yourself to God, and then give your money again and again. If you do this, God will have the opportunity to give to you.
 
　　读经：

　　路加福音六章三十八节：“你们要给人，就必有给你们的；并且用十足的升斗，连摇带按，上尖下流的，倒在你们怀里；因为你们用什么量器量给人，也必用什么量器量给你们。”

　　提摩太前书六章七至十节：“因为我们没有带什么到世上来，也不能带什么去；只要有衣有食，就当知足。但那些想要发财的人，就陷在迷惑，落在网罗，和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。贪财是万恶之根；有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己剌透了。”

　　提摩太前书六章十七至十九节：“你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，也不要倚靠无定的钱财；只要倚靠那厚赐百物给我们享受的神。又要嘱咐他们行善，在好事上富足，甘心施舍，乐意供给人，为自己积成美好的根基，预备将来，叫他们持定那真正的生命。”

　　哥林多后书九章六节：“少种的少收，多种的多收；这话是真的。”

　　玛拉基书三章十节：“万军之耶和华说，你们要将当纳的十分之一，全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敝开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。”

　　箴言十一章二十四节：“有施散的，却更增添；有吝惜过度的，反致穷乏。”

　　腓立比书四章十五至十九节：“腓立比人哪，你们也知道我初传福音，离了马其顿的时候，论到授受的事，除了你们以外，并没有别的教会供给我；就是我在帖撒罗尼迦，你们也一次两次的，打发人供给我的需用。我并不求什么馈送，所求的就是你们的果子渐渐增多，归在你们的账上。但我样样都有，并且有余；我已经充足，因我从以巴弗提受了你们的馈送，当作极美的香气，为神所收纳所喜悦的祭物。我的神必照祂荣耀的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足。”
 
　Scripture Reading: Luke 6:38; 1 Tim. 6:7-10, 17-19; 2 Cor. 9:6; Mal. 3:10; Prov. 11:24; Phil. 4:15-19
　　今天我们要提到奉献钱财和施舍的事。一个人在变卖一切之后，自然而然逐渐还要有收入，钱还要回头来，那应该怎样处理呢？一个人一次把所有的钱都舍了，不是说，钱在这一个人身上就再没有力量了。有的人，也许一次把钱舍了，以后钱在他身上逐渐又会有力量，他又会把钱看作是属乎自己的。所以，信徒在神面前，应当学习继续的把钱往外给。

　　基督徒理财的方法，和不信的人理财的方法完全不一样。基督徒理财的方法乃是给。不信的人理财的方法，乃是积蓄。今天我们要提起的问题，乃是基督徒应该如何活在地上，才会永远不缺少？神应许我们活在地上不缺少。天上的飞鸟没有缺少粮食，地上的百合花没有缺少美衣，神的儿女也不会缺少衣食。神的儿女如果有缺乏，定规有缘故，有毛病。所有在收入上有困难的弟兄姊妹，都是因为没有按着神的原则来理财。

　　你们如果有一次将你们的理财一起变卖来跟从主，从今以后就要抱着神的原则来作。如果你不按着神所定规的方法来作，你就必进入因苦的地步。许多神的儿女，都要学习理财。我告诉你们，若不学习如何管理自己的钱，就会碰着许多难处。今天我们就是来看，我怎样才能得着神的富足？
 
　In this chapter we will cover monetary offering and giving. After a person has sold everything, he will still receive income; money will still find its way back to his hand. How should he manage his money? Even after a person has offered up all of his money, we should not think that money will no longer have an influence on him. Some people can give away their money all at once, but money can gradually regain its power over them. Eventually, they will consider their money to be their own once again. Therefore, a believer must learn to continually let go of his money.

　The Christian way of managing wealth is completely different from that of an unbeliever. The Christian way of financial management is the way of giving. The unbeliever’s way is the way of accumulating. Today we are concerned with how a Christian should live in order to be free from want. God has promised us that we will have no lack on earth. The birds of the air have no lack of food, and the flowers of the field have no lack of clothing. Even so God’s children should have no lack of clothing and food. If they have any lack, there must be a reason or cause for it. If a brother is financially hard-pressed, he is not managing his wealth according to God’s principle.

　After you have forsaken all of your possessions to follow the Lord, you should walk according to God’s principle. If you do not follow God’s principle, you will eventually end up in poverty. There is a great need for many of God’s children to learn to manage their wealth. If they do not learn to manage their wealth, they should expect nothing except hardship in the way ahead of them. Today we want to consider the way to attain God’s prosperity.
　　我们信徒活在地上，我们的衣食，我们一切的需用，都得仰望神。如果没有神的怜悯，我们就没有法子过日子。就是财主，也得靠神。在抗战期间，我们看见许多财主也没有衣，也没有食。许多人有一天要后悔。保罗说，不要倚靠无定的钱财。人若贪财，就多愁苦。只有信靠主的人，虽然也许没有什么积，但是主不给我们有难处，主能够供给我们一切的需用。不过我们需要知道，神供给人是有条件的。

　　神如果能够养活天上这么多的飞鸟，神也能够养活我们。老实说，如果有人要养活这么多的飞鸟是不成功的，如果有人要下肥料去养活地上那么多的百合花，也是不成功的。但是，神有够多的丰富，可以养活天上的飞鸟，可以养活地上的百合花。神也有够多的丰富，可以养活神的儿女。神不要我们有一个缺乏，没有法子生活。所有的人，陷落到缺乏的时候，都是由于自己有毛病，都是由于没有按着神的方法来理财。我们如果按着神所定规的律来用钱，我们就不会落到贫穷里。

　　我们再读路加六章三十八节。这一段圣经告诉我们，神是供给什么种的人。你们必须看见，神肯供给。神如果要供给，像出埃及记里所说的，叫你吃得呕出来，叫你吃得讨厌了，这在神没有难处。千万不要想神是贫穷的。千山的牛是祂的，万山的羊是祂的，所有的都是祂的，但为什么神的儿女贫穷？为什么神的儿女缺乏？不是神不能供给。但是，我们必须作一件事，合乎神的条件，才能得着神的供给。祷告得答应是有条件的，连得救恩还是有条件的，就是相信。每一件事都有它的条件，必须我们作得对，才能够得着。照样，我们要得着神的供应，也要满足神的要求。祂的要求是什么呢？乃是给人。主说，“你们要给人，就必有给你们的。”
 
　As believers we have to look to the Lord for our food, clothing, and other needs while we live on earth today. Without God’s mercy, we cannot pass through our days on earth. This is true even for the rich ones; they have to look to the Lord also. During World War II, we saw many rich people stripped of clothing and food. One day many people will be in remorse over their wealth. Paul warned us not to depend on unpredictable riches. A greedy person is always an anxious person. Those who trust in the Lord may not have much in the way of savings, but the Lord will not leave them in difficulties. He can supply all their needs. However, we must also realize that God’s supply is with conditions.

　If God can feed the birds in the air, He can keep us alive. In reality, no one can feed all the birds or supply enough fertilizer to grow all the lilies of the field. But God has enough riches to keep the birds of the air and the lilies of the field alive. He also has enough riches to keep His children alive. God does not want to see us come short in anything. He does not want our living to be deprived in any way. Everyone who falls into deprivation falls because he has a problem in himself; he has not managed his wealth according to God’s way. If we manage our money according to God’s law, we will not be in poverty.

　Let us read Luke 6:38. This portion of the Word describes the type of person God will supply. God is always willing to supply. When He supplies us, the supply can come in such abundance that it comes out of our mouth and even becomes loathsome to us, as described in Exodus. God has no problem in doing such a thing. We should never think that God is poor. The cattle upon a thousand hills are His, and the goats upon ten thousand hills are His. If everything belongs to Him, why are God’s children poor? Why do His children experience lack? It is not because God cannot supply. Rather, we need to meet His requirements before we can receive His supply. We need to meet certain conditions before our prayers can be answered. Even our salvation had certain requirements to it—we had to believe. Every promise has conditions, and we must fulfill these conditions before we can receive the promise. Likewise, we need to fulfill God’s requirements before we can receive His supply. His requirement is to give. The Lord says, “Give, and it will be given to you.”
　　我曾看见好几位弟兄，情形相当困难，都是因为他们的给不行，不是因为他们的收入不行。圣经里给我们看见一个基本的原则：要丰富，就得给；要贫穷，就可保留。谁在那里只为自己着想，谁定规是贫穷的人。谁在那里学习给人，他定规丰富。神的话怎么说，就是怎么一回事。你们如果要避免贫穷，你们就要常常给。你越拿出去，神越给你。你肯把你所有余的给人，人也欢喜在将来的时候，把他所有余的给你。你如果把二十分之一给人，人也把二十分之一给你。你如果把一千分之一给人，人也把一千分之一给你。

　　你用什么量器量给人，人也用什么量器量给你。你怎么对待你的弟兄姊妹，神也按着你待人的度量来待你。你肯把养生的给人，人也就把养生的给你。你把你毫无用处，绝不会用的给人；人也就把毫无用处，绝不会用的给你。许多人的收入出毛病，是因为支出出毛病。人如果支出不出毛病，他的收入很不容易出毛病。神的话相当清楚。你给人，主就给你。你不给人，主也不给你。许多人只有信心求神给他钱，可是没有信心把钱给出去，怪不得他也不能有信心从神那里把钱收进来。

　　弟兄们，从你们一开始作基督徒，就要在用钱上学习一个基本的功课。基督徒有一特别的理财方法；我要怎样收入，我就得怎样支出。换句话说，基督徒的理财是量出为入。世界上的人是量入为出，我们是量出为入。你如果出去多少，你就会进来多少。所以一切爱财的人，一切斤斤较量的人，都是不能接受神的钱的人，都是不能受神的供给的人。

　　所有的弟兄姊妹都知道，他应当仰望神来顾到他的需要。但是只有一种的人，是神肯供给他的需要的，就是肯拿出来的人。主在这里用的字很奇妙；祂是说，“用十足的升斗。”当神给人的时候，绝没有计较，从来是宽宏的。我们的神，从来是阔的。我们神的杯从来是洋溢的。神从来不小气。祂说，祂如果给我们的话，就是十足的升斗。祂给人的时候，乃是连摇带按。你们买过米么？许多卖米的人，不肯让你摇一摇升斗，稍微一量就倒出来。但是主说，连摇带按。不只，还要上尖下流。我告诉你，我们的神，是这样阔的神。祂能够连摇带按，上尖下流的给你。不过祂说一句话；你们用什么量器量给人，也用什么量器量给你们。你如果是计较的给人，算得很精明的给人；当神感动人来供给你的时候，也是算得很精明的给你。

　　你要给人，人才给你。许多人根本没有学给人，却老要神听他的祷告。你必须先给人，才能有收入。所以无论什么时候，若没有给你的，定规是你这几天，在给人的事情上出毛病。我信主蒙恩，到今天已经二十几年了，我能够作这样的见证。你在给人的事上出了毛病，你就会缺乏。
 
　I have seen a few brothers and sisters who fell into dire need because they were unfaithful in the matter of giving. They were not actually lacking in income. The Bible shows us a fundamental principle—one must give to become rich and one becomes poor by accumulating riches. Whoever cares only for himself is destined to be in poverty. Whoever learns to give is destined to have riches. God’s Word says it, and it is true. If we want to escape poverty, we have to give again and again. The more we give, the more God will give to us. Since we are willing to share our surplus with others, others will also be happy to share their surplus with us in the future. If we give one-twentieth to others, others will also give one-twentieth to us. If we give one-thousandth to others, others will also give one-thousandth to us.

　With what measure we measure to others, with the same measure others will measure to us. In what capacity we treat our brothers and sisters, with the same capacity God will treat us. If we are willing to sacrifice our livelihood, others will also sacrifice their livelihood for us. If we only give others that which is totally useless, things which we never use, others will certainly give us totally useless and unusable things. Many people have problems with their income because they have problems with their giving. If a person has no problem with his giving, it is hard to imagine that he will have problems with his income. God’s Word is quite clear. If we give to others, the Lord will give to us. If we do not give to others, the Lord will not give to us. Most people only exercise faith when they ask God for money; they do not exercise faith in giving money. It is no wonder that they have no faith to receive anything from God.

　Brothers, as soon as we become Christians, we have to learn the basic lesson of financial stewardship. Christians have a unique way of managing their wealth: What we receive depends on what we give. In other words, the Christian way of financial stewardship is to receive according to what we give. Worldly people give according to what they have received, but we receive according to what we give. Our inflow depends on our outflow. Those who crave money and cling to it can never receive God’s money; they will never receive any supply from God.

　We should all look to the Lord for our needs, but God will supply the needs of only one type of people—those who give. The words good measure, which the Lord uses in Luke 6:38, are wonderful words. When God gives to man, He is never stingy. He is ever generous and overflowing. Our God is always generous. Our God’s cup is always running over. God is never petty. When He gives, He says that it will be a good measure, pressed down, and shaken together. Consider the way in which we buy rice. Most rice merchants will not let us shake the measure. They do not allow the rice to settle before pouring it out. But the Lord said, “Pressed down, shaken together.” Not only so, it is “running over.” Our God is such a generous God. He gives by pressing down, shaking together, heaping up, and running over. However, He also says that with what measure we measure to others, it will be measured to us in return. If we are shrewd and exact in giving to others, God will only touch others to give to us in a shrewd and exact way.

　We must give first to others, before others will give to us. Most people never learn to give. They always want God to answer their prayers. We have to give first before we can receive. If we have not received anything recently, it means that we have a problem in giving. I have been a Christian for more than twenty years, and I can surely bear witness to this principle. Whenever a person has a problem with his giving, he will experience a lack.
　　英国莫尔先生是生命和信心报的主笔，他在主面前有许多长处。认识圣经是他的长处之一。他是靠着主过日子的人，常常缺乏，常常有试炼。因为他认识路加六章三十八节这一节圣经，所以每一次他有缺乏的时候，总是对他的妻子说，这几天我们在给的事上定规出了问题。他不是说，家里东西一点都没有了。乃是说，这几天，“给”出了问题。

　　有一次，莫尔家里差不多什么都没有了，英国人顶要紧的是面粉，连这个他都没有了。等了一两天，什么东西都没有人送来。他就对妻子说，定规我们家里有东西太多。你看见他不是求主给面粉，反而是说，定规我们东西太多，所以主不给。他们就跪下来祷告，求主给他们看见，在家里有什么东西多了。祷告完起来，就从屋顶小楼起，把每一件东西都看过，问问看这一件是不是太多。连小孩子的东西也都看过了，都是仅仅够用。他就对主说，家里实在没有多的东西。主，你不给我，是你错了。停了一停，他对他的妻子说，主不会错，定规是在我们家里的东西太多。他们又查，查到地下室，看见前些日子人送他们的一箱奶油。他看见这一箱的奶油，就非常欢喜，对他的妻子说，这一定是多的。

　　他们两个年纪都相当老，这一个功课已经学了许多年。他们知道主的话：你们给人，就必有给你们的。他们就很急的，要将这一箱奶油给人。要拿给谁呢？他在那里是负责的人，他就把所有穷的弟兄姊妹看一看，无论谁都送他一块。两个老夫妻，把这一箱奶油用刀切成一块一块包起来，就送到这些弟兄姊妹家里去。这样一包一包送完以后，就对他的妻子说，现在我们样样都清楚了。他们就跪下来，祷告说，“主，我提醒你一句话，你曾说过：‘你们要给人，就必有给你们的。’请你记念，我没有面粉了。”

　　那一天大约是礼拜六，在这么多接受他奶油的人家中，有一家是一个很穷的姊妹，而且是残废的，一天到晚躺在床上。她好些日子都是吃面包，没有吃奶油。所以她祷告说，“主，求你怜悯我，给我一点奶油。”她祷告不多的时候，莫尔来了，送她一块奶油。她就因此感谢主。等一等，她仰起头来说，“虽然我们的弟兄莫尔，什么都不缺少，把奶油送给我吃；但是，如果他有缺少，主，求你听他的祷告。”因为莫尔从来不叫人看见他有缺少，人根本不觉得他有缺少；并且还有人在那里传说，莫尔是一个很有钱的弟兄。他常常给人东西，像这一次，又买了许多奶油，分送给这么多人。但这一个姊妹，在那里祷告说，“如果他有缺少，求你听他的祷告。”大约就是在那一天，没有过两三个钟点，莫尔就收到两袋的面粉，他的难处就过去了。

　　我告诉你们，神的话每一句都应当相信。有许多人有一个难处，就是不把神的话当作神的话来相信。莫尔就是把神的话当作神的话来相信。凡不给人的，定规没有人给你。你如果给人，就定规有给你的。所以，我们要学习给人。不是给人就完了，给人乃是叫神给我们。这是基督徒理财的原则。你家里的东西一多，你别盼望神来给你。

　　曾有一位同工告诉我说，二十几年来，钱留在我们手里，定规出事情。在给人的事情上有毛病，在收入上也定规有毛病。总是越想要人的越没有，越给人的就越有。许多人把自己所有的抓在手里，所以神让他只抓那一点。他们没有学习给。给的恩典如果不在你身上，神的恩典也就不在你身上。你对于人没有恩典，神在你身上也就缺少恩典。
 
　Handley C. G. Moule of England was the chief editor of the magazine Life and Faith. He was a great man before the Lord in many ways. One of his outstanding achievements was his knowledge of the Bible. He trusted in the Lord for his living. Throughout his life, he experienced wants and trials many times, but because he knew Luke 6:38, he would tell his wife whenever he was in need, “There must be something wrong with our giving lately.” He did not speak of the need in his house. Instead, his thoughts were on his giving.

　Once his house was almost empty of everything. He did not even have flour, the main staple of the English diet. He waited for two days, but no one brought him anything. He then told his wife, “There must be something in our house that we do not need.” He did not ask the Lord for flour. Instead he said, “There must be something excessive in our house. This is why the Lord does not give.” They knelt and prayed and asked the Lord to show them any excess they had in the house. After praying, they looked through every item. They began with the attic, checking to see whether or not a particular item was redundant. They even went through their children’s belongings and found that they had just enough of what they needed. Mr. Moule then told the Lord, “There is truly nothing excessive in this house. Lord, You have made a mistake in not supplying us with what we need.” After a brief pause, he told his wife, “The Lord never makes mistakes. There has to be some excess in our house.” They checked again. When they came to the cellar, they saw a carton of butter, which had been given to them many days earlier. Mr. Moule was happy when he saw the carton. He told his wife, “This must be the excess.”

　Both of them were rather elderly. They had for many years learned the lesson of giving. They knew the Lord’s words: “Give, and it will be given to you.” They were anxious to give away the carton of butter. But who should they give it to? Mr. Moule was a responsible brother in his church. After looking down the list of brothers and sisters who were poor, he decided to give every one of them a piece. The old couple cut the carton of butter into small pieces, wrapped them up, and sent them to these brothers and sisters. After sending out all the packets, he told his wife, “Now, we have cleared up this matter.” They then knelt down and prayed, “Lord, may we remind You of what You have said: ‘Give, and it will be given to you.’ Please remember that we have no more flour.”

　That was perhaps a Saturday. Among those who had received the butter, there was a very poor sister who had been paralyzed and bed-ridden for years. For days, she had been eating her bread without butter and had been praying, “Lord, have mercy on me. Give me a little butter.” Soon after this prayer, Mr. Moule came with the butter. She immediately thanked the Lord for this. A while later, she lifted up her head and prayed again, “Lord, although Brother Moule lacks nothing and has given me this butter, hear his prayer if he has any lack.” Brother Moule had not told anyone about his lack, and no one knew about it. Some even rumored that Moule was a very rich brother, that he always gave things away, and that he had bought all that butter purposely to distribute to others. But this sister prayed, “If he has any lack, please answer his prayer.” On that same day, probably within two or three hours, Mr. Moule received two sacks of flour. His problem was solved.

　We have to believe in every word of the Lord. Most people have difficulty taking God’s Word as God’s word. Mr. Moule believed God’s Word to be God’s word. If you do not give, you definitely will not receive. If you give to others, others will surely give to you. This is why we need to learn to give. Giving is not the end; it enables God to give to us. This is the principle of Christian financial stewardship. Do not expect God to supply you with anything if there is excess in your house.

　A co-worker once told me, “During the past twenty years, every time money has remained in my hand, there has always been a problem.” If there is a problem in giving, there will be a problem in receiving. The more you want to keep, the less you will have. The more you want to give, the more you will have. Most people hold on tightly to all that they have, and so God lets them hold on to that little amount. They have not learned to give. If the grace of giving is not in you, the grace of God will not be upon you. If you do not have grace for others, you will have little of God’s grace for yourself.
　　关于这一件事，我想我可以作许多的见证。但是我不想这样作，只把我第一次学的说一说。一九二三年，魏光禧弟兄请我到他的地方─建瓯─去，离福州有五百里。那时我还在学校读书，魏弟兄是我的同学。我要上建瓯去的时候，就问魏弟兄：“路费要多少？”他说，“上水要几十块钱。”我就说，“祷告看看，主如果要我去，我就能去。”

　　那个时候，我手里没有钱，所以就祷告：“如果主要我去，必须给我钱。”祷告后主也给我钱，大概是十几块或者二十块。还有银角，大概是一百多个。这一笔钱，大概还差两三倍。过了不久，魏弟兄写信来催说，什么都预备好了。我也打电报去说要去。我就定规在一礼拜五动身。就在那个礼拜四的早起，我想到这一句话：“你们要给人，就必有给你们的。”我里面有一点怕，要把钱都给人，可以。但如果主不给我，不能动身，就为难了。

　　但是，我心里的感觉越过越深。我心里一直觉得说，应该把钞票都送出去，把银角留着为自己。我想，给谁呢？就有一个意思，要给一个有家庭的弟兄。我不敢说顺服，也不敢说不顺服，我就说，“主，我在这里，如果你要送给这一位弟兄，你就叫我在半路上碰见他。”我就起来走出去。刚走到半路，那位弟兄迎面而来，我一看见，心虽然冷下来，但也已经预备好了。就过去对他说，“弟兄，主叫我把这个摆在你手里。”说了，就走了。我走了两步，就流下泪来。我说，“我已经打电报给魏弟兄，说去。现在钱送出去了，叫我怎么去呢？”但是另一面，心里非常舒服。因为主说，你给了人，就必有给你的。

　　所以当我回去的时候，就对主说，“主，你应当给我了。时候到了，明天要上船了。”但是礼拜四这一天没有钱，礼拜五要动身了，还没有钱。有一位弟兄来送我，这时候还没有钱。这位弟兄把我带到船上，我一上船就想，不成了。因为我没有离开过福州，没有到过内地。再朝西走，一个人也不认识。那一天我离开家，一路一直祷告；祷告到上了船，祷告到那位弟兄离开，祷告到躺在船板上睡觉。我说，“主，我给了人，你不给我，这是你的事。”那一天，我是坐民船到洪山桥，再坐小火轮到水口，到了小火轮上的时候，我从上面走到下面，从下面走到上面，走了好几转。我想，“神如果要给我，我也多走两次，叫神容易一点，看看神有没有安排。”但是不行，船上没有一个认识的人。虽然如此，我心里总是说，“你如果给了人，我就给你。”

　　这样，一直到了第二天下午，大概是四、五点钟的时候，船快到水口。到水口之后，就得坐民船，民船是相当贵。我手里所有的钱，付了小火轮的钱之后，还剩下七十几角。我觉得相当为难。那个时候，我祷告说，“主，现在到水口了，要不要买票回福州去？”我转念一想，只要能去就好。就说，“主，我不求你给我钱，只求你叫我能到建瓯就行。”这一个祷告之后，心里非常平安。

　　我站在小火轮的船头上，船还没有到水口，就有一只小船靠上来，船夫问我说，“先生，你是上南平，还是上建瓯？”我说，“上建瓯。”他说，“我带你去。”我说，“多少钱？”他说，“七十角。”我一听，就知道主有预备，我就定规去。他就把我的行李，搬到他的船上。按规矩，到建瓯总要七、八十元。我问他说，“为什么你给我这样便宜？”他说，“不是我给你便宜，是因为这只船被一个县政府的人包去，他是在前舱，答应我在后舱可以另外搭一个客人。这样，我可以赚一些钱作伙食。”我记得，那一天我还把剩下的钱买一点菜，买一点肉。就是这样，我就到了建瓯。

　　等到要从建瓯回来，那可难了，我身上一共只有十二角，我买了大约一元的东西，还剩下两角。所以那边的聚会快结束的时候，我就一直的祷告。有一天，有一位鹿腓利先生，（他是剑桥七位之一）请我去吃饭。他说，“倪先生，这一次你上来，我们得很大的帮助。这一次你回去的路费，好不好由我来负责？”我一听这话，一面快乐，一面觉得不对。我说，“已经有一位负责的了。”他听见这话，说了一声对不起，就不再提了。我回来的时候，心里很懊悔，这一件事给我打掉了。但一面祷告，心里很平安。

　　这样又等了一天。第三天，我要动身，我口袋里只有两角钱，没有办法应付下水，我相当的作难。魏弟兄的父亲，魏弟兄家里的人，都送我。魏弟兄和我一同走，行李已经先挑走了。我就祷告说，“主啊！你把我带到建瓯来，你不能让我回不去。是你负我的责任，你不能让人进来。如果我错了，我肯承认我的错，但是我不相信我错了。”我一直说，“这一个责任是你的。你说，你给人，就必有给你的。”走到半路上，腓利先生派一个人送一封信给我。打开来读，他说，“我知道有人负责。可是神叫我觉得，在你这一次来建瓯的事上，我应当有分在里面。你好不好让一个年长的弟兄，有一点分在里面？请你收这一点钱。”当时我接受这钱。我说，“神，这一个时候的钱，是对的。”我就用这些钱作路费。我记得当我回来的时候，还有余钱印一期复兴报。

　　回来之后，我就去找我的同工。到了他的家，他的师母一看见我进去，就说，“倪先生，我要问你一件事。你离开福州，为什么送我丈夫二十块钱？为什么你把钱一塞给他，马上就跑？”我说，“没有别的，是因我祷告了一天，主给我看见说，该送给他，我从家里出去，在路上碰见他，所以就把钱给了他。”她说，“那一天晚上，是我们家里最末了的一顿饭，最末了的一点菜。你的钱来的时候，米也买了一担，柴也买了许多斤。一直到前几天，主才给我们另外一点钱。那一次，我们一连三天等候在主面前。”我没有把我的故事告诉她，就出来了。当我走下那一个坡的时候，我心里说，“到底我没有把那二十块钱留给自己用。我如果把这钱留在我的口袋里，那二十块就死掉了。但那二十块钱送出去，就有用了。”在路上我就仰起头来，对主说，“路加六章，我是第一次看见。”我在那里，就把我自己再一次奉献给主。我说，“从今天起，我定规要给。我不愿意有一文钱留在我手里是懒惰的钱。”

　　我盼望，我要把钱送出去，替神行神迹。我要把钱送出去，当作神听祷告的答应。我不愿意把钱留在我手里，懒惰没有用。我不敢说，在这一件给的事情上，有多少的经过。也许给，比人多一点。也许收，也比人多一点。在中国，难得有人像我一样，从我手里收进了那么多，也从我手里给了那么多。你们姑且听了，当作是狂语。我说，“宁可让我的钱出去行神迹，宁可让我的钱出去作祷告的答应，不要让钱懒惰了没有用。我今天用不着它，我要把它送出去；等到我需用的时候，它会回来，并且比送出去的还要多。”

　　初信的弟兄，从起头就得学理财的方法。我个人不愿意说许多的故事，不过我要作见证。我想，自从一九二三年起，我用到最末了的一块钱的次数，并不输于中国所有的弟兄们。主的话是说，“你给人，就必有给你的。”我一直在学习这一个。我给别人，我的需要祂就给。我知道，只有给人的，才有给他的。一次过一次，我越过越看见，我给人是容易的给，主给我也是容易的给。我宁可得一个名声：倪弟兄有钱。我的确是有钱，我的手总是给的。我总是让钱出去，一直的出去。但是出去之后，回来总是多出了多少倍。我们的神，从来不是吝啬的神。
 
　I can give you many testimonies concerning giving. But I do not wish to do so. I will just speak about my first lesson in this matter. In 1923 Brother Weigh Kwang-hsi invited me to his place, Kien-ou, which was about one hundred fifty miles from Foochow. I was a student, and Brother Weigh was my classmate. When I was about to leave for Kien-ou, I asked Brother Weigh, “How much is the fare?” He said, “The fare by boat is several dozen dollars.” I then said, “Let me pray about this. If the Lord wants me to go, I will go.”

　At that time I did not have any money in my hand. I prayed, “If You want me to go, You must provide me the money.” After praying this way, the Lord gave me between ten and twenty dollars. In addition, I had more than a hundred silver dimes. But the total amount still fell short of the fare by more than half. Not long after this, Brother Weigh wrote me a letter and told me that everything was ready. I sent him a telegram and told him that I would go. I decided to leave on Friday. On Thursday I rose up early, and the word came to me: “Give, and it will be given to you.” I was unsure within. If I gave my money to others and the Lord did not give any back, I would then not be able to go. I was quite troubled.

　However, my feeling within grew stronger and stronger. I felt that I should give the dollars and keep the coins. Therefore, I thought about who should be given the money. Eventually, I had the thought of giving the dollars to a certain brother who had a family. I dared not tell the Lord that I would obey, and I dared not tell the Lord that I would disobey either. I just said, “Lord, I am here. If You want me to give to this brother, please let me meet him on my way.” I rose up and walked out of the house. Along the way I met the brother. As soon as I saw him, my heart sank. But I was prepared. I went over to him and said, “Brother, the Lord has told me to place this in your hands.” After I said this, I turned around and left. When I was two steps away from him, my tears began to roll down. I said, “I have sent a telegram to Brother Weigh that I would go. Now the money is gone. How can I go?” But I also felt very happy within because the Lord said, “Give, and it will be given to you.”

　On my way home I said to the Lord, “Lord, You need to give to me. The time is short, and the boat is leaving tomorrow.” No money came on Thursday. On Friday when I was about to leave, there was still no money. A brother came to send me off. But there was still no money. The brother took me aboard the boat. As soon as I stepped aboard the boat, I thought to myself, “I cannot go. I will never make it. I have never left Foochow before, and I have never gone inland. I do not know a single person west of Foochow.” I had been praying since I left home that day. When I went aboard the boat I was still praying. I prayed until the brother left, and even until I laid down to sleep. I said, “Lord, I have given to others. Yet You have not given to me in return. It is now Your business.” That day the boat took me to Hung-Shan Bridge, where I changed boats to Shui-Kou. While on board, I paced back and forth from the upper deck to the lower deck several times, thinking to myself, “In order for God to provide for me, I should make it easier for Him by walking around a few more times to see if He has arranged for me to meet someone.” But this did not work out, and I did not find anyone whom I knew on the boat. Nevertheless, I repeated to myself, “Give, and it will be given to you.”

　This went on until the next day. At about four or five o’clock, the boat was about to reach Shui-Kou. After Shui-Kou, I had to change transportation again for a more expensive ship. After I paid the boat fare, I found out that I had only a little more than seventy dimes left. I was troubled, and I prayed, “Lord, I am now in Shui-Kou. Should I buy a ticket to return to Foochow?” Right then I resolved in my mind to simply go to Kien-ou and leave the rest to the Lord. I said, “Lord, I will not ask for money as long as You will take me to Kien-ou.” After praying this way, I felt peaceful.

　I was standing on the bow of the boat, and before the boat reached Shui-Kou, a little boat approached and the boatman asked me, “Sir, are you going to Nan-Ping or Kien-ou?” I said, “To Kien-ou.” He said, “I will take you there.” I asked him how much it would cost, and he said, “Seventy dimes.” When I heard that, I knew the Lord had prepared the way for me. I agreed to go with him. He carried my luggage to his boat. The regular fare to Kien-ou was seventy or eighty dollars. I asked him, “Why are you letting me go so cheaply?” He replied, “The fare is so cheap because this boat has been chartered by a county officer. He is in the front cabin of the boat, and he has given me permission to carry another passenger so that I can earn some money to supplement my food.” I clearly remember that day; I bought some vegetables and meat with the little money that was left and arrived at Kien-ou safely.

　As the time for my return from Kien-ou grew near, I was once again in a quandary. I had only twelve dimes left. After spending about a dollar on shopping, I had only twenty cents left. I kept praying as the conference was coming to an end. One day Mr. Philips, one of the famous Cambridge Seven, invited me for a meal. He said, “Mr. Nee, we have been greatly helped by your visit. Is it all right for me to take care of the traveling expenses of your return trip?” When I heard this, I was overjoyed. But I felt it was not proper for me to accept the offer. I said, “Someone has already taken care of it.” When he heard this, he said, “I am sorry to hear that,” and did not mention the matter again. When I returned home, I regretted very much turning down the offer. But when I prayed I had peace within.

　I waited for another day. On the third day, as I was getting ready to leave, I only had twenty cents in my pocket. This was not enough for the ticket. I was really in a dilemma. Brother Weigh’s father and family all came to see me off. My luggage had already been taken away by the porter, and Brother Weigh was walking with me. I prayed, “Lord, You have brought me to Kien-ou. You have to bring me back home. It is Your responsibility and You cannot leave it to others. If I have committed any mistake, I am willing to confess it. But I do not believe that I have done anything wrong.” I kept saying, “This is Your responsibility because You have said, ‘Give, and it will be given to you.’” Halfway to the pier, Mr. Philips sent someone to me with a letter. I opened the letter, and it said, “I know someone is responsible for your fare. But God has impressed upon me that I should share your expenses. Please allow an elderly brother to have a little share in this and accept this small sum.” I took the money and said to the Lord, “God, this has come right on time.” I paid the fare with the money, and I still remember that there was enough money to print another issue of The Present Testimony when I returned home.

　Upon my return I looked up my co-worker. As soon as I entered his house, his wife said, “Mr. Nee, when you left Foochow, why did you give my husband twenty dollars? Why did you walk away immediately after handing him the money?” I said, “There was only one reason: I had prayed for a whole day, and the Lord told me to give it to him. When I left my house and met him on the way, I simply gave him the money.” She said, “That night we only had enough for one last meal. When your money came, we bought a load of rice and many pounds of firewood. The Lord did not supply us any more money until a few days ago. We had prayed and waited for three days on that occasion.” I left without telling her my story. As I was walking down the hill, I said within myself, “It was good that I did not keep the twenty dollars for myself. The money would have died if I had kept it in my pocket. But now that it has been given away, it has become useful.” I lifted up my head then and told the Lord, “This is the first time I have understood Luke 6:38.” I consecrated myself to the Lord once again and said, “From this day forward, I will give. I will not let a single cent remain idle in my hand.”

　I only wish I could give more money so that it would work more miracles for the Lord. I would give money so that the prayers of others may be answered. I do not wish to hold on to my money, letting it remain idle and useless. I dare not brag about my experience in giving. Perhaps I have given a little more than others. Perhaps I have also received a little more than others. But this I can say: In the whole of China, it is hard to find another person who has received as much and given away as much as I have. You may take this as a word from “a fool” (2 Cor. 11:23, KJV). I would rather let my money work miracles and let it become answers to prayers, than see it remain idle and become useless. If I have no use for it today, I will give it away. When I have a need, it will come back, and when it comes back, it will come back more than what I gave.

　A new believer must learn to manage his finances from the very beginning. I do not like to tell many stories about myself. However, I must testify that since 1923, I am behind no one in China with respect to using my last dollar. The Lord said, “Give, and it will be given to you.” I am learning this constantly. As I give to others, the Lord meets my needs. I am convinced that a man will only receive when he gives. Time and again, I find that when I give liberally, the Lord liberally gives to me. I do not mind having the reputation of being rich. It is true; I am rich, because I always give. I always let my money go. It never stops, and when it returns to me, it is always multiplied many times. Our God is never stingy.
　　基督徒理财的方法，不是把钱握在手里。你越握，钱越死。你越握，钱越没有，就像水一样化了。你越给，钱越多。如果神的儿女都学习给，神要到处行神迹。钱握在手里，总是叫神的儿女都变作贫穷的人。凡是一直把钱拿在手里，不能给出去的，神不能信托他。你越会给，神越给你。
 
　The Christian way of managing money is not to hold on to money. The tighter you hold on to your money, the more it dies. The more you grasp it, the more it disappears; it will evaporate like vapor. But the more you give away, the more you will have. If God’s children would learn to give more, God would have many ways to work out His miracles. Keeping back money only makes God’s children poor. God will not entrust Himself to those who hold on to their money and who will not give. The more you give, the more God will give to you.
　　请读林后九章六节：“少种的少收，多种的多收。”这也是圣经里所说理财的原则。基督徒送钱给人，是拿出去种，不是拿出去丢。不是多丢多收，少丢少收。神乃是说，多种的多收，少种的少收。你是拿出去种。你盼望不盼望你的钱长？你如果盼望你的钱长，你就得拿出去种。你拿得出去，就长。你拿不出去，就不长。

　　弟兄姊妹们，我们能不能愚昧到一个地步，没有种的地方想收割？多少求供给的祷告，神不能听。因为你是残忍的人，没有种的地方想收割，没有散的地方想聚敛。那是不可能的事。为什么不拿出一点钱去种？有那么多困难的弟兄，有那么多困难的姊妹，你为什么不种钱在他身上，让你到一个时候能够收成？凡是把钱握在手里越牢的人，那一个人越得不着。所以你们要看见，在这里，这一幅图画是非常的美。这些哥林多人送钱给耶路撒冷的人，顾念他们的需要，保罗说，这不是丢，这是种。请你们记得，我们能够把钱当作种子用。你如果遇见困难的弟兄姊妹，顾念他们的难处，神就能够让那一个钱长，会有三十倍，六十倍，一百倍的收成。盼望你们多多的把钱拿出去种。

　　初信的弟兄姊妹，要学习把钱拿出去种，等到你们自己有需要的时候，能够收你们所种的。你们不能收你们所没有种的。有许多弟兄，越作越穷。有多少，吃多少，当然就没有了。有一担，你留下五十斤去种，明年就有收成。明年再留下五十斤，再去种，后年就又有收成。要种，就不要吃。许多人老是吃，从来不种，所以等到有需要的时候，就不能收。如果今天有一班青年的弟兄，能够拿钱去种在弟兄身上，然后跪下来对神说，“神啊，我现在种在弟兄身上。当我有需要的时候，我要收成。”你要看见，神尊重祂自己的话。
 
　Please read 2 Corinthians 9:6, which says, “He who sows sparingly shall also sparingly reap; and he who sows with blessings shall also with blessings reap.” This is also a scriptural principle of financial management. When Christians give, they are not throwing their money away; they are sowing. The Word does not say, “He who throws away his money sparingly shall also sparingly reap; and he who throws away his money with blessings shall also with blessings reap.” It says, “He who sows sparingly shall also sparingly reap; and he who sows with blessings shall also with blessings reap.” When you give, you are sowing. Do you want your money to grow? If you do, you need to sow. When you give your money away, it grows. When you do not give it away, it does not grow.

　Brothers and sisters, can anyone be so foolish as to expect a harvest without sowing? How many times has God not answered your prayer for your needs? You are a “hard man,” trying to reap where you have not sown and gather where you have not winnowed. This is impossible. Why do you not sow some of your money? There are many brothers and sisters who are in difficulty. Why do you not sow money upon them so that you may reap when the reaping time comes? The more a person holds on to his money, the less he will have. In the above portion of the Word, we see a very beautiful picture. The Corinthians gave to those in Jerusalem, remembering their needs, and Paul said that it was a kind of sowing, not a kind of throwing away. Please remember that money can be our seeds. If you see a brother or sister in difficulty, and you remember him or her, God will cause that money to grow and harvest thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and even a hundredfold. I hope that more of your money will be sown.

　A new believer should learn to sow, so that when he has needs, he can reap what he has sown. You cannot reap what you have not sown. There are many brothers who are getting poorer and poorer. If you eat what you have, of course, there will not be anything left. But if you keep half of your seed for sowing, you will have a harvest next year. If next year you also keep half for planting, you will have another harvest the following year. If you want to sow anything, you must not eat all that you have. Some people always eat and never sow. They also never receive anything when they are in need. Suppose some young brothers sow some money upon other brothers, praying as they sow, “O God, I have sown upon the brothers. When I have needs, I want to harvest.” If they do this, God will honor His own words.
　　不只这样，你们要看见，在旧约里神对以色列人说，“你们要将当纳的十分之一，全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。”（玛三10）这是同样的原则。

　　在那个时候，以色列人穷到没有办法，困苦到没有办法，他们如何能实行玛拉基三章的话？以色列人要问：“我十担的米不够吃，九担就够吃么？十袋的面粉不够吃，九袋就够吃么？”这是属血气的人，愚昧的人说的话。神就责备说，人所不能作的事，神能作。神说，“你如果把我所赐给你的十分之一送入我的仓库，以此试试我，是不是替你打开天上的窗户，把祝福倾倒下来，一直倾倒到你无处可容！”

　　我告诉你们，十担是贫穷的原因，九担是丰富的原因。人以为手里越多越好。但是拿在手里的，是贫穷的基本原因。我奉献给神，就变作祝福的基本原因。那另外的一担，在我的手里，就变作我的咒诅；在神的仓库里，就变作我的祝福。以色列人的原则，就是在这里。如果你把该奉献给神的留在家里，自然你就看见贫穷。你把它留着，反而是贫穷。
 
　This is not all. In the Old Testament, God said to the Israelites, “Bring the whole tithe to the storehouse that there may be food in My house; and prove Me, if you will, by this, says Jehovah of hosts, whether I will open to you the windows of heaven and pour out blessing for you until there is no room for it” (Mal. 3:10). Here we see the same principle.

　At that time, the Israelites were in great poverty and difficulty. How could they carry out the words of Malachi 3:10? The Israelites might have asked, “If we cannot get by with ten loads of rice, how can we get by with nine? If ten bags of flour are insufficient, how can nine bags be sufficient?” These are words out of a carnal and foolish mouth. God reproached the people and told them that what is impossible with man is possible with God. He seemed to be saying, “Bring to My storehouse, and test Me if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing that there shall not be enough room to receive it.”

　Ten loads are the reason for poverty, while nine loads are the cause for abundance. Man thinks that the more he has in his hand, the better off he will be. However, keeping things in one’s hand is the very cause for poverty, while offering things to God is the very cause for blessing. If I have an additional load in my hands, it will become my curse. But if it is put in God’s storehouse, it becomes my blessing. The principle with the Israelites was poverty for those who tried to hold back what was due to God. When you hold something back, you end up in poverty.
　　再读箴言十一章二十四节：“有施散的，却更增添；有吝惜过度的，反致穷乏。”许多人没有散的，反而无所留。许多人散了的，反而得了富足。这是神的话所给我们看见，基督徒理财的原则。
 
　Now read Proverbs 11:24: “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; / and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” Many people have not scattered, and they are left with nothing. Many people have scattered, and they become prosperous. This is what God’s Word shows us. This is the Christian principle of managing finances.
　　你们再看一处，是相当奇妙的事。你们看见以利亚在迦密山上为着降雨祷告神（王上十八）。那是一个大旱的时候，旱到一个地步，王出去找水。王手下的大臣，也出去找水。可见那时候，水是何等的少。以利亚在山上为神重修祭坛，要把祭献上，以利亚就吩咐人挑水来，倒在祭坛和祭物上。

　　那时候，水是何等的宝贝呢！因为连王都出去找水。但是以利亚说，要把水倒下去。一担的水，两担的水，三担的水，一直倒到水流在坛四围像河一样。天上的水还没有降下来，雨还没有降下来，先倒下这些水，不是可惜了么？雨如果不降下，倒掉这些水，岂不是太可惜了么？但是，以利亚叫他们挑水来，倒下。他自己跪下祷告，求神降火烧掉坛上的祭物。神听他的祷告，就降了大雨。我告诉你们，你们要天上降下大雨来，先要把你们的水浇上去。你们如果舍不得你们的水，天上的水就不降下来。

　　许多人的难处就在这里。他把自己所有的握得顶牢，却要神听他的祷告。神虽然要叫地上不干旱，但是人得把水倒上去。以人的思想来说，凡事要留退步。若是雨不降下，起码还有几担水。但是计算有几担水在手里的人，永远看不见天上的水。要看见天上降水的人，都得像以利亚一样，能舍得手里的水。什么都得出去。如果在初信的人身上，不能脱离钱的能力，不能蒙拯救从钱出来，我告诉你们，教会的道路永远不能走得正直。所以我盼望你们在这里要作一个奉献的人，将你们的一切都摆上为着神。
 
　Consider another wonderful portion of the Word—Elijah’s prayer for rain on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). There was a drought, and it was so dry that even the king and his chamberlains had to go out to search for water. Elijah was repairing the altar on the mountain. He wanted to offer a sacrifice, and he asked men to pour water on the altar and the sacrifice.

　How precious was water at that time! Even the king had to go out to look for water. But Elijah told the men to pour out the water. He told them to pour it three times until the water ran round about the altar like a river. Was it not a waste to pour out so much water before any rain came? Would it not have been a pity if no rain came after they poured out so much water? But Elijah told them to bring jars of water and pour them out. Next he knelt down and asked God to send fire to burn the sacrifice. God heard his prayer, received the sacrifice by fire, and sent the rain. We must first pour the water out before rain will come. The rain will not come if we are reluctant to pour out the water.

　The problem of many people is that they hold on tightly to what they have and yet expect God to answer their prayers. Although God wanted to dispel the drought, man had to pour out the water first. The human thought is always to have some backup. If no rain came, at least there would be some jars of water. But those who count the jars of water on hand will never see rain. To see the rain, one must be like Elijah, willing to part with the water that is on hand. Everything has to go. If new believers are not delivered from the power and grip of money, the church will never be able to run a straight course. I hope that you will be a consecrated person and will offer up everything you have for God.
　　腓立比四章十九节，是一节很特别的圣经。哥林多的人是舍不得钱的人，腓立比的人是很舍得钱的。保罗是一次一次的受腓立比人的供给。但是，保罗对腓立比的人说，我的神必供给你们一切的需要，我的神要照着基督的丰富，照着基督荣耀的丰富，来供给你们的需要。你们觉得腓立比四章的特别么？他特别的说，“我的神必…使给你们一切所需用的都充足。”收钱之人的神，接受馈送之人的神，要供给这些馈送之人的需用。

　　这是相当清楚地。你们一次过一次，一直顾念我的需要，我的神就会供给你们的需用。断没有不供给人，而神供给他的。今天许多人抓住腓立比四章十九节，但是他根本没有看见腓立比四章十九节。因为祂不是给求的人，祂乃是给“给”的人。只有给的人，能够抓住腓立比四章十九节。不给的人，不能抓住腓立比四章十九节。你要给人，然后你才能说，“神啊，今天你要照着在基督里的丰富，供给我一切的需要。”只有腓立比的人，神才能供给他一切的需要。只有在给的原则上的人，神才能供给他的需用。

　　当你坛里的面没有的时候，当你瓶里的油没有的时候，请你记得，你所仅有的一把，要先替以利亚作一个饼，先给神的仆人吃。先用那几滴的油，那一把的面，作饼给先知吃；等一等，这一把的面，这几滴的油，能够叫你吃三年零六个月。谁曾听见过，一瓶的油能够吃三年零六个月？我告诉你们，你把你的一点油，你的一点面，先作一个饼给神的先知吃。你没有了，就看见那一瓶油能够养活你三年零六个月（参路四25~26，王上十七8~16）。本来给你吃一次都不够，但是你拿出去，你反而得着养活。这一个，是基督徒理财的方法。
 
　Philippians 4:19 is a very special verse. The Corinthians were parsimonious in giving, while the Philippians were very generous. Paul received from the Philippians time and again. He told the Philippians, “My God will fill your every need according to His riches, in glory, in Christ Jesus.” Do you see something special in Philippians 4? Paul emphasized, “My God will fill your every need.” The God who receives the money and the gifts will supply the needs of the givers.

　This is very clear. The Philippians had been caring for Paul again and again, and Paul’s God supplied their needs. God will never supply those who do not give. Today many people hold on to Philippians 4:19, but they do not really understand it, because God does not supply those who ask, but those who give. Only those who give can claim Philippians 4:19. Those who do not give cannot claim this promise. You must give before you can say, “O God, today supply all my needs according to Your riches in Christ Jesus.” God supplied all the needs for only the Philippians. God will only supply the needs of those who are practicing the principle of giving.

　When your vessel is empty of flour and when your bottle is empty of oil, please remember that you must first make bread for Elijah with what little you have left. You must first feed God’s servant. Take the little oil and flour and make bread for the prophet first. After a while, this little flour and oil will feed you for three and a half years. Who has ever heard of a bottle of oil feeding a person for three and a half years? But let me tell you, if you take your little flour and oil and make bread for the prophet, you will find the bottle of oil feeding you for three and a half years (cf. Luke 4:25-26; 1 Kings 17:8-16). What one has may not be enough to feed him even once. But when it is given away, it becomes the means of one’s livelihood. This is the Christian way of financial management.
　　全部新约旧约，都是一样的教训。贫穷不是基督徒的路。神不要我们贫穷，神不要我们困苦。如果在我们中间，有贫穷，有困苦，就是因为人把钱握紧了。你越爱自己，你越宝贝自己，你就越挨饿。你看钱越重，你这一个人越穷。别的事我不能作见证，这一个我能。把钱抓得越紧，越舍不得的人，就越穷，这是定规的。在这二十年中，我看见许许多多这样的事。我愿意我们把钱释放出去，叫钱在地上行走，叫钱去作事，给神去听祷告，去行神迹。当我们有需要的时候，神会安排。

　　不只你们在神手里，连撒但也在神手里。千山的牛是祂的，万山的羊是祂的。只有愚昧的人，才以为钱是我自己赚出来的。初信的人要看见，奉献是我们该作的事。应当把赚来的钱送出去，要顾念贫穷的弟兄姊妹。不要作愚昧的人，总是接受，为着自己积蓄，把钱藏起来。基督徒的路是在乎给。总是把所有的往外拿，你就看见说，钱在教会里都是活的。当你有需要的时候，天上的飞鸟都会替你效力。当你有需要的时候，神会行神迹。

　　你需要把你自己摆在神的话语里，否则神就没有办法按着祂的话成功在你身上。要先把自己给神，然后一直把钱给出去，好叫神能够给你。
 
　Both the New Testament and the Old Testament teach us the same thing. The Christian way should not be the way of poverty. God does not want us to be poor. If there is poverty or want among us, it is because some people are holding back their money. The more you love yourself, the more you will go hungry. The more importance you attach to money, the poorer you will become. I may not be able to testify of other things, but I can surely testify of this one thing. The more one holds back his money, the more miserable and depleted he becomes. This is a sure principle. During the past twenty years, I have seen many such cases. I only wish that we could release our money and allow it to circulate around the earth, to work, and to become part of God’s miracles and answers to prayers. Then when we have needs, God will supply us.

　Not only are we in God’s hands, but Satan is also in His hands. The cattle on a thousand hills and the sheep on ten thousand hills are His. Only foolish ones think that they have earned their own money. A new believer must see that tithing is our duty. We should give what we earn to take care of the poor saints. Do not be so foolish as to always receive. Do not try to save up your money or hide it away. The Christian way is the way of giving. Always give what you have, and you will find money becoming something living in the church. When you have any need, the birds in the air will work for you, and God will perform miracles for you.

　Cast yourself upon the Word of God. Otherwise, God cannot carry out His word in you. First give yourself to God, and then give your money again and again. If you do this, God will have the opportunity to give to you.

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