In the establishment of institutions in
new fields it is often necessary to place responsibilities upon
persons not fully acquainted with the details of the work. These
persons labor at great disadvantage, and, unless they and their
fellow workers have an unselfish interest in the Lord's institution,
there will result a condition of things that will hinder its
prosperity.
Many feel that the line of work they are
doing belongs solely to them and that no one else should make
any suggestions in regard to it. These very ones may be ignorant
as to the best methods of conducting the work; yet, if one ventures
to offer them advice, they are offended and become more determined
to follow their independent judgment. Again, some of the workers
are not willing to help or instruct their fellow workmen. Others
who are inexperienced do not wish their ignorance to be known.
They make mistakes, at a cost of much time and material, because
they are too proud to ask counsel.
The cause of the trouble it is not difficult
to determine. The workers have been independent threads, when
they should have regarded themselves as threads that must be
woven together to help form the pattern.
These things grieve the Holy Spirit. God
desires us to learn of one another. Unsanctified independence
places us where He cannot work with us. With such a state of
things Satan is well pleased.
There should be no secretiveness, no anxiety
lest others gain a knowledge possessed by the few. Such a spirit
gives rise to constant suspicion and restraint. Evil thinking
and evil surmising are indulged, and brotherly love dies out
of the heart.
Every line of God's work has a connection
with every other line. Exclusiveness cannot exist in an institution
where God presides; for He is the Lord of all tact, all ingenuity;
He is the foundation of all correct methods. It is He who imparts
knowledge concerning them, and no man is to look upon this knowledge
as exclusively his own.
Each worker should feel an interest in
every line of the work, and if God has given him foresight, capability,
and knowledge that will help in any line, he should communicate
that which he has received.
All the ability that can be connected with
the institution, through disinterested effort, should be brought
in to make it a success, a living, working agent for God. Consecrated
workers who possess talents and influence are the ones whom the
publishing houses need.
Every worker will be tested as to whether
he is laboring for the advancement of the Lord's institution,
or to serve his own interests. Those who have been converted
will give daily evidence that they are not seeking to use for
their personal benefit the advantages and knowledge they have
gained. They realize that divine providence has given them these
advantages, that, as the Lord's instrumentalities, they may serve
His cause by doing superior work.
None should work from love of praise, or ambition
for supremacy. The true worker will do his best because in so
doing he can glorify God. He will try to improve all his faculties.
He will perform his duties as unto God. His one desire will be
that Christ may receive homage and perfect service.
Let the workers enlist all their energies
in the effort to gain advantages for the Lord's work. In doing
this they themselves will gain strength and efficiency.