General Principles Governing Worker Remuneration
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They have more need of means than I have. In their work they come
in contact with much poverty and distress. They must feed the hungry
and clothe the naked. I must limit my expenditures, that I may share
in their labor of love.”—
Special Testimonies, Series B 19:19, 20
.
An Appeal for Equality
Let there be more equality among us. There is too much eager
grasping for recompense. Selfish estimates of the labor done are being
made. Let no man receive so large a salary because he supposes he
has adaptability to do a certain work, thus placing the work done for
God and for the advancement of His cause on a mercenary basis. To
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whom much is given, of him much will be required. Let those who
argue that they should receive large salaries because of their abilities
and peculiar gifts inquire of themselves, “Whose are the talents I am
trading upon? Have I used these talents in such a way as to bring
the greatest glory to God? Have I doubled the talents lent me?” A
consecrated use of these talents would bring a revenue to the cause of
God. All our talents belong to God, and both principal and interest are
one day to be handed back to Him.
If those who have been connected with the work of God for many
years would study carefully how much injury they have done the
Lord’s vineyard by unwise moves, by departing from right principles
and diverting means from the cause of God by using their influence to
lead others into crooked paths, instead of grasping for higher wages
they would humble themselves before God with a repentance that
needeth not to be repented of. Let them ask themselves the question,”
‘How much owest thou unto my Lord?’ (
Luke 16:5
). What account
shall I render for the talent misused, for following my own unsanctified
imagination? What can I do to blot out the evil results of my unwise
moves which have so limited the resources of the cause?” Had every
man occupied his position of trust with faithfulness, there would be
no dearth of means today in the Lord’s treasury.
Our relation to the work of God is not to be placed on a mercenary
foundation—according to the estimate of man, so much work, so
much pay. It is a great mistake for men to suppose their services are
invaluable. Let God be true to his word, and there will be a great
change in the estimate of work done for the Master.