It is regrettable that occasionally a minister among us yields to the popular get-something-for-nothing urge. Parasitic protlivities are deplorable wherever found in society, but they are particularly reprehensible among the ministry.
This practice is perhaps partly pardonable in clergymen who eke out a hand-to-mouth existence in small parishes where their meager support hangs on the precarious generosity of a more or less apathetic membership. However, it seems inexcusable that ministers in the employ of our denomination, which practices God's plan of gospel support, should ever resort to the pernicious practice of "sponging." Such behavior by an Adventist minister is altogether anomalous.
Our workers are moderately salaried. They should receive a wage commensurate with the costs of respectable living. The Word speaks fairly in the assertion that "the laborer is worthy of his hire." It would be damaging to the sacrificial spirit of our service should the time come when monetary considerations supersede a passion for souls as an incentive to employment in the organized work. Although our wages are on a missionary level, they are ample to meet our needs. By careful management we can and should live with self-respecting independence.
Certainly we are obliged to buy judiciously, live frugally, and exercise thrift in all expenditures. Discounts for merchandise or service gratuitously given as a courtesy to the clergy, we may and should accept with due appreciation. But should we not, as Seventh-day Adventist ministers, refrain from penurious dealing? A few dimes or quarters saved here and there by mean, stingy bargaining are usually a scant recompense for the lost esteem and respect one sustains in the eyes of merchant or spectator.
Occasionally this attitude exhibits itself in a worker's relationship with the laity. The visiting minister admires "those lovely fresh eggs," or "that rich country cream." The good sister usually takes the hint, and the visiting parson departs not empty-handed. Perhaps the parsimonious preacher could better have afforded to buy than could the kind sister to give.
To imply to our constituency that we are impoverished by reason of the smallness of our income, to insinuate that our pay is paltry and that we are inadequately salaried, is nothing but rank dishonesty. Moreover it is a subtle reflection upon the justice of those who administer the finances of the organization.
Our people are generous givers, and they should be encouraged in their largess to the Lord's cause. We as workers would do well to patronize and appreciate the hospitality of our people, for it is a mutually helpful experience. Neither should we hesitate to appeal earnestly for their constant and faithful support of the work through tithes and offerings. In fact, we are recreant to our divine appointment if we fail to do this. This thought, however, should be kept distinctly in mind—we are not to confuse gifts to the Lord with gifts to the preacher. In the practical outworking of the plan for ministerial support, each conference employee is to look to the treasury. He should never scheme to subsidize himself directly from the generosity of the people.
Most of our men have developed diplomatic and tactful methods of gathering money. Our frequent promotions and campaigns have made us proficient in the art of getting things. For this reason we are, more than the average man, in the way of this peculiar peril. There is with us an ever-present temptation to use this ability for personal pecuniary advantage. Against this inclination we must continually, and resolutely brace ourselves.
We must never allow the God-granted gift of persuasiveness to be degraded to the low level of selfish solicitation. God's call is to selfless service. Men who minister the sacred truth of Jesus Christ will shrink from all conduct that is not ingenuous and noble. Holy garments must not be soiled by sordidness and self-seeking. "Having food and raiment let us be therewith content."