The Spirit of Commercialism by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 27, 1916

The Spirit of Commercialism

By F. M. W.

THE present time is unparalleled in the history of the world in the opportunities it affords for money-making. It is proper that these opportunities should be improved by the followers of the Master. There is no sin in making money by honest and legitimate methods. The apostle declares, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” The evil is not in the money itself, but in the love of it, in its use for selfish pleasure and aggrandizement, its accumulation, its hoarding. Money earned to be expended in advancing the gospel of Christ, in relieving the sick and suffering, in ministering to those in need, finds its legitimate use. Used to enrich its possessor and gratify selfish desires it will prove a curse.

It is not alone the possessor of great wealth who is in danger of being swallowed up with the spirit of commercialism. The one laboring for the merest pittance may possess the spirit. The spirit of worldly commercialism may invade even the church of God. It may become the predominating motive in the operation of institutions and conferences. It may become the controlling factor in the lives of those engaged in selling missionary literature and of ministers of the gospel. We were forcibly impressed with this in a camp meeting several years ago when two workers, one a canvasser and another an ordained minister, acknowledged that the spirit of commercialism had in a large measure been the actuating motive in their service.

Let us take heed that this spirit does not control our lives, and does not control the operation of our institutions. When a sanitarium seeks patronage only that it may increase its earnings, and not for the good it can do suffering humanity, the spirit of commercialism has become the ruling factor in its operation. When a denominational publishing house sells its literature for the primary object of securing money, even though the money may be used in the liquidation of its debts, rather than from a desire to advance the gospel of Christ, it is operating with mercenary motives the same as do worldly concerns.

And this principle is true as applied to every laborer in this cause. The preacher may work for his weekly wage rather than for the love of souls; the canvasser may sell books to earn money to support his family rather than because the books may prove a savor of life to those who buy them. These are precisely the same motives which actuate those who know nothing of the saving power of the gospel. The work of every follower of the Master, whether he be the manager of a publishing house or of a sanitarium, a minister of the gospel, a Bible worker, or a canvasser, should be to build up and advance the interests of the kingdom of God in the earth. He should labor because the love of Christ constrains him. Money that comes into his hands he will regard only as means whereby this great business of his life may be achieved. And this should be true of every disciple.

As the chief business of William Carey was to serve the Lord, and he followed the trade of cobbling shoes only to pay expenses, so let every true disciple of the Master operate his business, whether it be farming, mechanical trade, or a profession, with the same grand object in mind. It is only as we keep before us this high and holy purpose that our efforts are raised from the selfish, sordid level of the money-loving world to the high plane of those who use the things of this world as not abusing them, and of counting everything they possess as dedicated to the service of the Master.

F. M. W.