Relationships Within the Church
111
Salary
Laborers should not be forced to accept small remuneration
because there is a lack of money in the treasury—Instead of bring-
ing the expense of the work down to a low figure, it is your duty to
bring the minds of the people to understand that the “laborer is worthy
of his hire” (
Luke 10:7
). The churches need to be impressed with the
fact that it is their duty to deal honestly with the cause of God, not
allowing the guilt to the worst kind of robbery to rest upon them, that
of robbing God in tithes and offerings. When settlements are made
with the laborers in His cause, they should not be forced to accept
small remuneration because there is a lack of money in the treasury.
Many have been defrauded of their just dues in this way, and it is just
as criminal in the sight of God as for one to keep back the wages of
those who are employed in any other regular business.—
Testimonies
for the Church 5:374
.
Inadequate wages demonstrate disrespect for ministers—
When their accounts are audited, if selfish men shall, with voice or
stroke of pen, limit the worker in his wages, they discourage and de-
press him. Every minister must have a salvage compensation to work
upon, that he may have something with which to lead out in good
enterprises, pushing the work with zeal. He tells us, “thou shalt not
muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.” This is a figure of those who
work under the eye of God to advance His cause in lifting the minds of
men from the contemplation of earthly things to heaven. These God
loves, and He would have men respect their rights.—
East Michigan
Banner, March 29, 1905
.
Other Church Workers
God has ordained that the talents of minds in various callings
be blended to do His work—No one man, whether a teacher, a physi-
cian, or a minister, can ever hope to be a complete whole. God has
[108]
given to every man certain gifts and has ordained that men be asso-
ciated in His service in order that the varied talents of many minds
may be blended. The contact of mind with mind tends to quicken
thought and increase the capabilities. The deficiencies of one laborer