Finances to be handled by consecrated businesspeople

The student of sacred history will observe that throughout the ages God has distributed the responsibilities of the varied interests of His work in the earth among men whose talents fitted them for service, and who by training might become skillful in the service required. . . .PCL 243.4

In His work today, the Lord would be pleased to have those who are engaged in any part of His service, guard against the tendency to take upon themselves responsibilities that they are not called upon to bear. Some of His servants are to direct the business matters connected with His work in the earth; others are to look after the spiritual matters. Every laborer is to strive to do well his part, leaving to others the duties entrusted to them.PCL 244.1

For years the Lord has been instructing us to choose wise men—men who are devoted to God—men who know what the principles of heaven are—men who have learned what it means to walk with God—and to place upon them the responsibility of looking after the business affairs connected with our work. This is in accordance with the Bible plan as outlined in the sixth chapter of Acts. We need to study this plan; for it is approved of God. Let us follow the Word.PCL 244.2

It is a great mistake to keep a minister who is gifted with power to preach the gospel, constantly at work in business matters. He who holds forth the Word of life is not to allow too many burdens to be placed upon him. He must take time to study the Word and to examine self. If he closely searches his own heart, and gives himself to the Lord, he will better understand how to grasp the hidden things of God.PCL 244.3

Let ministers and teachers remember that God holds them accountable to fill their office to the best of their ability, to bring into their work their very best powers. They are not to take up duties that conflict with the work that God has given them. It is time for our ministers to understand the responsibility and sacredness of their mission. There is a woe upon them, if they fail of performing the work which they themselves acknowledge that God has placed in their hands.PCL 244.4

The finances of the cause are to be properly managed by businessmen of ability; but preachers and evangelists are set apart for another line of work. Let the management of financial matters rest on others than those set apart for the work of preaching the gospel. Our ministers are not to be heavily burdened with the business details of the evangelical work carried on in our large cities. Those in charge of our conferences should find businessmen to look after the financial details of city work. If such men cannot be found, let facilities be provided for training men to bear these burdens.PCL 244.5

Men of experience in business lines, with a practical knowledge of bookkeeping, should be chosen to superintend the keeping of the accounts in our institutions at home and abroad. . . .PCL 245.1

Close investigation of the business transactions in various departments of the cause, are to be frequently made. This work must not be neglected. Never are we to sanction any transactions that imperil the purity of the Lord’s church, and of His institutions, which are His appointed instrumentalities.PCL 245.2

Those in charge of the work have erred sometimes in permitting the appointment of men devoid of business tact and ability to manage important financial interests. A man’s fitness for one position does not always qualify him to fill another position. Experience is of great value. The Lord desires to have men of intelligence connected with His work—men qualified for various positions of trust in our conferences and institutions. Especially are consecrated businessmen needed—men who will carry the principles of truth into every business transaction. Those placed in charge of financial matters should not assume other burdens— burdens that they are incapable of bearing; nor is the business management to be entrusted to incompetent men.PCL 245.3

Men of promise in business lines should develop and perfect their talents by most thorough study and training. They should be encouraged to place themselves where, as students, they can rapidly gain a knowledge of right business principles and methods. All may improve; no one needs to remain a novice.PCL 245.4

If men in any line of work ought to improve their opportunities to become wise and efficient, it is those who are using their ability in the work of building up the kingdom of God in our world. In view of the fact that we are living so near the close of this earth’s history, there should be greater thoroughness in labor, more vigilant waiting, watching, praying, and working. All the religious service and every branch of business are to bear the signature of heaven.—RH, October 5, 1905PCL 246.1

The Lord’s cause is always in need of men who are true and loyal, men who firmly adhere to right principles. Competent, faithful businessmen should be appointed to make close investigation of the business transactions of the men occupying positions of responsibility in the cause. This work has been strangely neglected. We must not sanction any transactions that imperil the purity of the Lord’s church, and of His institutions, which are His appointed instrumentalities.—MS 81, 1900 (1900)PCL 246.2

It is a fearful thing to work in such spiritual blindness. But you [W. C. Sisley] see the policy. You see the result of going in debt, and going on and on by our institutions as though men had lost their reason. They build their towers without first sitting down and counting the cost. They do not consider how they must meet the armies in warfare with a limited number of men, or how to secure a larger number.PCL 246.3

All this shows a lack of wisdom and sound financiering ability. Men should have been employed in every country who have keen foresight as well as aftersight. There should be careful examination of the account of every conference, in every publishing house, and in every sanitarium, to see what disposition is made of the monies received.PCL 246.4

God wants faithful stewards. He will not accept such shoddy work as is done in advancing His kingdom in order to save a small sum of money. In these large establishments disinterested men must be employed to investigate all the transactions that pertain to the institution. Things have been left to drift, with incompetent accountants, half-fledged bookkeepers. Work has been done and means appropriated according to one man’s ideas and judgment. The means required to employ qualified, conscientious, God-fearing men for such an examination would have saved millions of dollars to the cause of God. But the Lord knows it all. We must now repent for our lax management. —Letter 43, 1900 (March)PCL 247.1

I have been shown that men have sat on the auditing committees who have not had discrimination or judgment.PCL 247.2

Farmers who have no real understanding of the situation of the workers have again and again brought real oppression and want into families. Their management has given occasion for the enemy to tempt and discourage the workers, and in some cases has driven them from the field. It is not justice nor righteousness to deal in so cool a manner with this phase of the work. God is not glorified by any such arrangements. The inward fountain of life needs cleansing, and the human will needs to be under the sanctification of the Spirit of God. —Letter 31a, 1894 (October 27)PCL 247.3