AS THE pastor of a large church, I feel I should be paid a larger salary than a minister of a smaller congregation."
We can only assume that the one who made this statement in a conversation with some fellow ministers, hadn't thought the matter through very carefully. In the first place, as the pastor of a large church he had the assistance of other ministers and his church contained a bank of lay talent not usually available in a smaller congregation.
However, this is not the area in which we must focus our attention. The critical part was his desire for more money than his fellows because of his greater responsibilities which indicates that he felt he had greater skills with which to carry out these responsibilities.
This is an extremely dangerous spirit for any worker of God to harbor. The servant of the Lord said many years ago that if this spirit of selfishness invaded our ranks ---"our aggressive work would come to an end."
Unfortunately this spirit has invaded our ranks. Our educational system is hard pressed for personnel because of the higher wages that can be secured in other lines of work. Many of our institutions are forced to employ workers not of our faith because other institutions offer higher salaries and benefits. The time has come for decided steps to be taken unless we wish to reap the bitter fruitage of which we have been warned.
Speaking of the time of Solomon, Ellen G. White says:
Herein lies a most important lesson tor God's people today a lesson that many are slow to learn. The spirit of covetousness, of seeking for the highest position and the highest wage, is rife in the world. The old-time spirit of self-denial and self-sacrifice is too seldom met with. But this is the only spirit that can actuate a true follower of Jesus. --Selected Messages, book 2, p. 176.
This experience in the time of Solomon had its beginning during the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness. This structure was to be composed of intricately carved gold, silver, brass, and wood. There were to be exquisitely embroidered linens and work of precious stones. But the problem was that all the workmen were brickmakers!
God solved this problem rather simply by imbuing Bezaleel, of the tribe of Judah, and Aholiab, of the tribe of Dan, with the special skills needed for the supervision and construction of this edifice. These skills were inherited by their descendants who came to be regarded as especially "cunning" in the finer arts.
For a time these men remained unselfish and humble but gradually they lost their hold upon God and began to ask for higher and higher wages because of their God-given skills. In some instances their demands were met, but often these men left Israel and found employment in the surrounding nations, using these skills in the production of things that were offensive to God.
When Solomon began the construction of the Temple, he sought for a man who had the necessary skills to supervise its building. Writing to the king of Tyre, he requested the services of such a man. The Phoenician king sent Huram, "a cunning man, endued with understanding" (2 Chron. 2:13). Huram's mother was a daughter of Dan and a descendant of Aholiab!
Huram was materialistic. His efforts were not prompted by a desire to serve God but himself. His selfish and covetous spirit prompted him to demand higher wages than his fellows, as though his skills were his and not lent to him by God. As he labored from day to day, those who associated with him began to absorb the same spirit. As they compared his wages to their own, a spirit of dissatisfaction took possession of them and they also began to demand higher wages. This spirit eventually permeated" a large portion of the workmen and found its way into all parts of Solomon's kingdom.
Notice the disastrous results of this spirit.
In the far-reaching effects of these influences, may be traced one of the principal causes of the terrible apostasy of him who once was the wisest of mortals.--Ibid.
In the early days of this work those who established institutions, and the workers in them, were actuated by the high motives of unselfishness. Great was their sacrifice. The key thought was to save as much money as possible that the banner of truth might be placed everywhere in the world.
But as time has passed, a change has taken place. The spirit of sacrifice is not now so manifest. Today we have those who believe that because of their superior talents or greater responsibilities they should be paid much higher wages than their brethren, who may not appear to be so endowed. This spirit has permeated all branches of the work until financial perplexities appear to be our greatest problem.
A lack of money is not our problem it is the spirit of selfishness. The hour is late; a decided reform will be necessary if we are to complete the work entrusted to us.
We have the situation. We have the warning. May God give us a united spirit of selflessness so we may move forward "terrible as an army with banners" to complete our glorious destiny. Let us prayerfully weigh every word of the following quotation.
The work of God in all its wide extent is one, and the same principles should control, the same spirit be revealed, in all its branches. It must bear the stamp of missionary work. Every department of the cause is related to all parts of the gospel field. . . . If a portion of the workers receive large wages, there are others, in different branches of the work, who will call for higher wages, and the spirit of self-sacrifice will gradually be lost sight of. Other institutions and conferences will catch the same spirit, and the Lord's favor will be removed from them; for He can never sanction selfishness. Thus our aggressive work would come to an end. Only by constant sacrifice can it be carried forward. --Ibid., p. 178. (Italics supplied.)
