The Over-all Objective of All Institutional Work

These are the lines of institutional work which have been set before us as an adjunct to the work of our ministers in preaching the gospel to all mankind. In some cases men and women could be more easily reached by some of these means. But we were never to lose sight of the prime objective of all institutional work regardless of what line was involved. Quoting from a manuscript of 1902, found on page 43 in the mimeographed document on medical practice in educational work at Loma Linda:SPCSSW 6.2

“God’s purpose in giving the third angel’s message to the world is to prepare a people to stand true to Him during the investigative judgment. This is the purpose for which we establish and maintain our publishing houses, our schools, our sanitariums, hygienic restaurants, treatment rooms and food factories. This is our purpose in carrying forward every line of work in the cause.”—Ms. 154, 1902.

Nor did the multiplication of institutions or the enlargement of the work change the condition of success. Wrote Ellen White in 1900;SPCSSW 6.3

“As our work has extended and institutions have multiplied, God’s purpose in their establishment remains the same. The conditions of prosperity are unchanged.”—Testimonies for the Church 6:224.

There has ever been the danger that institutional work should become an end in itself rather than a means to an end. At no time is the church justified in employing its resources, its administrative talents or its skilled personnel in merely rendering a public service. Every line of work must be a means to one end—that of the promulgation of the gospel message. In the eyes of Ellen White the church was justified in using the resources for such work as long as each line of work made a definite contribution. If not, we were to turn from such work.SPCSSW 6.4