p. 1142 | Our Responsibility to Earn by E. K. Slade

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 27, 1913

Our Responsibility to Earn

By E. K. Slade

Gospel Finance—No. 17

Our Responsibility to Earn

E. K. SLADE

THE time and talents of mankind are not to be used carelessly. Every man is held accountable for the way that he uses these gifts from his Maker. The discharge of our stewardship pertains not only to the use of the property that we possess and to the money that we may earn, but it calls for the proper use of the time placed at our disposal and for the faithful exercise of the talents given us. There is a great need of an awakening and a reform among many concerning this thing. Some remarks that have been made regarding members of our churches being absorbed in business and in money getting, many times have been misunderstood or misapplied. I very seriously question the propriety of some statements that have been made condemning faithful application to business pursuits. To be wrapped up in the pursuit of money or to have the heart set upon it in a selfish way is, of course, not to be approved; but Christian business men cannot feel that their Christianity is contaminated by a legitimate, prosperous, and well-conducted business.

Many have been led to think it wrong to occupy a good-paying position, because in doing so they were not directly engaged in some part of our denominational work. Teachers have given up teaching in the public school, though well qualified for that work, when for the time it was about the only thing they could do. Many persons have turned from lucrative positions where they could conscientiously work and enjoy their Sabbath privileges, because they felt that the only way they could have any part in the cause of God was to be directly engaged in some branch of our conference work. When, in the providence of God, one is called to any branch of our work, that is certainly in the line of duty, but I wish to correct the false notion that a person is under condemnation who is carrying on some other successful and well-paying enterprise.

Altogether too many have seemed to feel that the nearness of the end forbade anything like a well-conducted and productive business. We are truly nearing the end, and it is high time to cut loose from the world; yet this does not mean that we are to become neglectful of the responsibility to do with our might the work that God’s providence provides for us.

“When men of business, farmers, mechanics, merchants, lawyers, etc., become members of the church, they become servants of Christ; and although their talents may be entirely different, their responsibility to advance the cause of God by personal effort, and with their means, is no less than that which rests upon the minister. The woe which will fall upon the minister if he preach not the gospel, will just as surely fall upon the business man if he, with his different talents, will not be a co-worker with Christ in accomplishing the same results.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IV, page 469.

The thought expressed in this quotation is in harmony with the clear teaching of the Bible on this question of faithful stewardship. It is the lot of a large proportion of the remnant church to furnish the funds to carry on the work. The only money that will be used for this purpose is the tithes and offerings coming from the friends of the cause. The matter of furnishing the means is of no less importance than the preaching of the word. One is just as much a part of the Lord’s work as the other. Of the one who furnishes the means faithfulness is required just as much as of the one who preaches the word.

Mount Vernon, Ohio.