OF COURSE, neither you nor I would ever be guilty of such a thing, but sometimes we suspect a fellow leader now and then of launching out on too luxurious a project. An overly adequate building complex with all of the extra gingerbread that ate considerably into the reserves of the conference or the institution, an ultraposh campground, an overly furnished office, or a too ex pensive pipe organ sometimes fall into such questionable areas. Was the motivation providing for the needs of the work, or did we wish to erect a lasting memorial to our administration? Was there a bit of self built into the foundation of the project?
Now I am not being critical. I am asking myself the same questions that I am asking you. In these closing days of the work you and I both need to be sure that we make every cent of every dollar that comes into the Lord's treasury do a full day's work. We must build well and adequately. Shoddy work and poor planning may bring reproach upon the cause of God. Our buildings must be sound, adequately caring for the needs of the work they are intended to serve, even though they are utilitarian.
As I look back upon some of the buildings I have had part in erecting, I can see where I could have done better, where less pretentious accommodations would have served as well or better. In such projects, funds for direct evangelism might have been generated if I had been more watchful and careful.
I am thinking especially of the "Finish the Work" resolution adopted at the 1976 Annual Council. This was a historic document in more than one sense, but especially in that it called the Seventh-day Adventist Church to a renewed emphasis on giving priority to the task of carrying the gospel to all the world. Among other laudable objectives, we set before ourselves the challenge to erect buildings that would exclaim to all who see them—"Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
"A serious attempt shall be made to be conservative in our building expansion so that only absolutely essential buildings are constructed. Buildings and furnishings should be attractive, functional, of sturdy quality, and economical. Let us demonstrate to our people and to the world that we do not believe in building extravagantly as though we intended to make this world our home. We must remember that the only things which will survive the destruction of the last days are the souls that are prepared for the coming of the Lord. We must also remember that our great institutions can be, and are now being, nationalized in many places of the world. The one purpose of this economy would be to release more funds for the church to use in giving the last warning message to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people."—Annual Council Action, 1976.
Our structures must be representative of our faith in a soon-coming Saviour. Do ours look as though we expected to need them for many decades to come? Could we have been more saving, more economical in our construction?
As we plan our building projects we need to keep in mind the source from which much of our money comes. Rank and file Seventh-day Adventists are not wealthy people. Many of the dollars that find their way into Seventh-day Adventist collection plates are there be cause someone loves the Lord and gives sacrificially. We are spending dollars and cents that come from widows, from members who have little of this world's goods. We owe it to them to make their money stretch as far as possible.
We Adventist leaders on occasion have been great "fund raisers," and we have the most loyal people in the world who respond to our appeals. Let us be sure to make plain to them what they are giving for and let us try to save money, as well as to stimulate giving. If we do, then God will bless us.
