“你们要先求祂的国和祂的义，这些东西都要加给你们了”（太6:33）。{FH.134.1}
许多人谈到基督徒的人生会剥夺我们的享受和属世的快乐。我却说它不拿走任何值得保留的事物。基督徒是否也要经历困惑、贫穷和苦难呢？当然，这一切在此生都是预料之中的。但是所谓享受今世之欢乐的罪人，能否免除人生的不幸呢？我们岂不是常常看到他们面颊苍白，痛苦地咳嗽，患有致命的疾病吗？他们岂不是易发高烧，易患传染性疾病吗？我们还常常听到他们抱怨遭受了严重的财物损失；想想看，那是他们唯一的财富啊。他们损失了一切。罪人的这些烦恼却被忽视了。{FH.134.2}
基督徒常常以为唯有自己处境艰难。有些人似乎以为信奉不受欢迎的真理且承认自己跟从基督是一件屈辱的事。这条路似乎难行。他们以为自己须作出很多的牺牲，但实际上他们一点也没有牺牲什么。假如他们真的得蒙接纳为上帝家里的一分子，他们又有什么牺牲呢？他们因跟从基督，或许与贪爱世俗的亲属断绝了友谊，但应该注意所换得的是什么──他们的名字已被记录在羔羊的生命册上，得蒙提拔，是的，大蒙提拔，要得享救恩，成为上帝的后嗣，与耶稣基督同作后嗣，承受那永不衰残的基业。他们与世俗亲属的关系虽因基督的缘故断裂了，却有一个更强的关系形成了，就是把有限的人与无限的上帝连在一起。我们是否因弃绝谬论接受真理，出离黑暗进入光明，离开软弱成为刚强，放弃罪孽得称为义，撇下属世必至灭没的名号和家业，换取了永存的尊荣和永不衰残的财宝，竟称之为牺牲呢？……{FH.134.3}
如果说有一等人能真正享受今生的幸福，那就是忠心跟从耶稣基督的人了。……基督徒若是太多思虑路上的艰难，就会使道路比实际更加难行。他们若思考路上的亮点，并因每一线亮光而感恩，然后思考在跑道终点等着他们的丰厚奖赏，不阴郁、悲哀、抱怨，他们就会笑逐颜开了。——《评论与通讯》，1895年4月28日。{FH.134.4}
What Does the Christian Gain? May 2
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.?Matthew 6:33.?{FH 134.1}[1]
Many speak of the life of the Christian taking away from us pleasure and worldly enjoyment. I say it takes away nothing worth having. Is there perplexity, poverty, and distress endured by the Christian? Oh, yes, this is expected in this life. But are the sinners of whom we speak as enjoying the pleasures of this world free from these ills of life? Do we not often see in them the pale cheek, the wracking cough, indicating a fatal disease? Are they not subject to burning fevers and contagious diseases? How often do you hear their complaints of meeting with heavy losses of worldly goods; and consider, this is their only treasure. They lose all. These troubles of sinners are overlooked.?{FH 134.2}[2]
Christians are too apt to think they are the only ones who have a hard time, and some seem to think that it is a condescension in them to embrace unpopular truth and profess to be Christ’s followers. The road seems hard. They think they have many sacrifices to make, when in truth they make no real sacrifice. If they are adopted into the family of God, what sacrifices have they made? Their following Christ may have broken friendship with worldly relatives, but look at the exchange—their names written in the Lamb’s book of life—elevated, yes, greatly exalted to be partakers of salvation—heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ to an imperishable inheritance. If the link which binds them to worldly relatives is weakened for Christ’s sake, a stronger one is formed, a link which binds finite humanity to the infinite God. Shall we call this a sacrifice on our part because we yield error for truth, light for darkness, weakness for strength, sin for righteousness, and a perishable name and inheritance for honors that are lasting and an immortal treasure? ...?{FH 134.3}[3]
If there is anyone who enjoys happiness even in this life, it is the faithful follower of Jesus Christ.... If Christians dwell too much upon the rough pathway, they make it harder than it really is. If they dwell upon the bright spots in the way and are grateful for every ray of light, and then dwell upon the rich reward that lies at the end of the race, instead of gloom, mourning, and complaints, they will bear a cheerful countenance.—The Review and Herald, April 28, 1859.?{FH 134.4}[4]
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