Commercial Work
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work second. Our mission is to give to the world the message of
warning and mercy.
Prices
In the effort to secure outside patronage in order to relieve the
publishing houses from financial embarrassment, prices have been set
so low that the work brings no profit. Those who flatter themselves
that there is a gain have not kept strict account of every outgo. Do not
cut down prices in order to secure a job. Take only such work as will
give a fair profit.
At the same time there should be in our business deal no shadow
of selfishness or overreaching. Let no one take advantage of any man’s
ignorance or necessity by charging exorbitant prices for work done
or for goods sold. There will be strong temptation to diverge from
the straight path; there will be innumerable arguments in favor of
conforming to custom and adopting practices that are really dishonest.
Some urge that in dealing with sharpers one must conform to custom;
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that, should he maintain strict integrity, he could not carry on business
and secure a livelihood. Where is our faith in God? He owns us as His
sons and daughters on condition that we come out from the world and
be separate, and touch not the unclean thing. To His institutions as
well as to individual Christians are addressed the words, “Seek ye first
the kingdom of God, and His righteousness,” and His promise is sure
that all things needed for this life shall be added. Let it be written upon
the conscience as with a pen of iron upon the rock, that real success,
whether for this life or for the life to come, can be secured only by
faithful adherence to the eternal principles of right.
Demoralizing Literature
When our publishing houses do a large amount of commercial
work, there is great danger that an objectionable class of literature will
be brought in. Upon one occasion when these matters were brought
to my attention, my Guide inquired of one occupying a responsible
position in a publishing institution: “How much do you receive in
payment for this work?” The figures were placed before Him. He said:
“This is too small a sum. If you do business in this way, you meet with