In order to be an effective minister one must give his full time to the work. He should have no side lines and he must even be careful that his hobbies do not become a means of padding the budget so that they consume too much of the time he should give to his work and to his family. Add to these conditions the fact that a minister in his zeal to see the cause advanced probably gives more sacrificially than any other member of the congregation. Therefore, it is necessary for him to consider carefully how to live within his limited income.
I believe, however, that in answering this question there are also other factors involved. I have observed that a very large number of workers' wives are employed outside the home. In many cases there are small children in their families. We believe that in our home this would lead to a neglect of the very sacred responsibility of attending to the needs of our little ones.
We are admonished by the servant of the Lord: "Give some of your leisure hours to your children; associate with them in their work and in their sports, and win their confidence. Cultivate their friendship. Let parents devote the evenings to their families. Lay off care and perplexity with the labors of the day."—The Adventist Home, p. 192. Too often when the mother works there is no leisure time to spend with the children. Again the counsel is given: "Parents should study the best and most successful manner of winning the love and confidence of their children, that they may lead them in the right path."—Ibid., p. 190. I do not believe that this can be done on a limited time budget. It takes time, as well as understanding of human relationships, to know how to win our children's affections and confidence. Then it takes time to put into practice that which we have learned. Neither do we believe it is safe to leave this responsibility to a baby-sitter. It may be necessary to choose between having the so-called nicer things of life and the confidence, love, and salvation of our children. To my wife and me our children are of greater worth than any of the material possessions that might be accumulated as a result of her working to supplement the family income.
The primary question to be answered, however, is not which is of the greatest worth—my home and family or the material conveniences and luxuries of life—but how can one live on the limited income of the minister and still have the necessary things in life?
It is obvious that if the minister's wife has a modern home with certain conveniences it will give her more time to care for her main responsibility, her family. Not only do the children need her but her husband needs her to help him be a more valuable worker for God. Therefore, one must learn to live on a limited income in such a way as to place no extra burdens upon the wife and mother.
I do not feel that in our family we have found all the answers or solved all our problems, but what we have discovered we are willing to share. It might be a help to others faced with the same problems.
Naturally, ministers are usually the kind of people who have the capacity to enjoy the more costly things of life. One may have some of these on a minister's income if he is willing to wait. In the meantime, however, he may have to be satisfied with less expensive tastes.
Careful planning and purchasing when good sales are on for furniture or clothing can save considerable amounts for persons of limited income. And another way to make the budget stretch is to have one. Unless one has a budget, he will find it difficult to control his spending in certain areas.
A minister and his wife should learn to curb their interests in recreation and keep them simple. For instance, I believe that for the sake of himself, his family, and his work, a minister needs a minimum of two weeks' vacation a year. This need not be an expensive, hurried trip across the continent or to a foreign country or to some overcrowded popular resort. Although the family tastes may lead in this direction, what they probably need more is some quiet relaxation among the beauties of nature—a place where they can get better acquainted with God through His second book and better acquainted with each other away from the demands and distractions of others.
The children of the family usually enjoy camping. It only costs a dollar or two for a night in most State or national parks. An umbrella tent or even a larger one purchased wholesale can pay for itself in one season by money saved on lodging.
One can add to his income and at the same time guide his children by training them in industry and business. Older children can enjoy the feeling of satisfaction that comes to them when they help to earn money for their own tuition, clothing, and current expenses. We would do our boys a favor by purchasing for them at the right age a garden tractor to be used in raising the family food and mowing the lawn or by purchasing tools for making furniture or toys, some of which might be sold for a profit. Older boys if properly trained learn to run their own shops and sales. Girls may learn to bake bread and sew not only for the family but also to supplement their own income. There are many business opportunities for children whose parents are alert to help and direct them. This is good for the children. Ellen G. White states: "If parents are so occupied with other things that they cannot keep their children usefully employed, Satan will keep them busy." —Ibid., p. 285.
Automobiles are expensive and never save money. They always cost. Some, however, cost less than others. Used automobiles many times are even more dependable than new ones and can give a minister up to two years of carefree service for a fraction of the depreciation cost of a new one even at the advantage of wholesale prices. If one knows someone who is a mechanic who will check over the auto for him before he makes the purchase, it is not necessary to buy a new automobile every year, or any year. New automobiles are nice, but they are expensive and there are other things in life, such as children and Christian education, that are worth more.
These are some of the things that have helped us to adjust to a minister's salary. We trust that the suggestions will be helpful to others who are financially limited