Consideration in Buildings
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Those who lead out in the establishment of medical institutions
must set a right example. Even if the money is in sight, they should
not use more than is absolutely needed. The Lord’s work should
be conducted with reference to the necessities of every part of His
vineyard. We are all members of one family, children of one Father,
and the Lord’s revenue must be used with reference to the interests of
His cause throughout the world. The Lord looks upon all parts of the
field, and His vineyard is to be cultivated as a whole.
We must not absorb in a few places all the money in the treasury,
but must labor to build up the work in many places. New territory is to
be added to the Lord’s kingdom. Other parts of His vineyard are to be
furnished with facilities that will give character to the work. The Lord
forbids us to use selfish schemes in His service. He forbids us to adopt
plans that will rob our neighbor of facilities that would enable him to
act his part in representing the truth. We are to love our neighbor as
ourselves.
We must also remember that our work is to correspond with our
faith. We believe that the Lord is soon to come, and should not our
faith be represented in the buildings we erect? Shall we put a large
outlay of money into a building that will soon be consumed in the great
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conflagration? Our money means souls, and it is to be used to bring
a knowledge of the truth to those who, because of sin, are under the
condemnation of God. Then let us bind about our ambitious plans; let
us guard against extravagance or improvidence, lest the Lord’s treasury
become empty and the builders have not means to do their appointed
work.
Much more money than was necessary has been expended on our
older institutions. Those who have done this have supposed that this
outlay would give character to the work. But this plea is no excuse for
unnecessary expenditure.
God desires that the humble, meek, and lowly spirit of the Master,
who is the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, shall ever be revealed
in our institutions. Christ’s first advent is not studied as it should be.
He came to be our example in all things. His life was one of strict
self-denial. If we follow His example, we shall never expend means
unnecessarily. Never are we to seek for outward show. Let our showing
be such that the light of truth can shine through our good works, so
that God will be glorified by the use of the very best methods to restore