Testimonies for the Church Regarding the Spirit of Unity

Chapter 2—God's Purpose in Our Publishing Houses

Solemn is the responsibility that rests upon our houses of publication. Those who conduct these institutions, those who edit the periodicals and prepare the books, standing as they do in the light of God's purpose, and called to give warning to the world, are held by God accountable for the souls of their fellow men. To them, as well as to the ministers of the word, applies the message given by God to His prophet of old: “Son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 33:7, 8. SpTB04 7.2

In all our work, even in mechanical lines, God desires that the perfection of His character shall appear. The exactness, skill, tact, wisdom, and perfection which He required in the building of the earthly tabernacle, He desires to have brought into everything that shall be done in His service. Every transaction entered into by His servants is to be as pure and precious in His sight as were the gold and frankincense and myrrh which is sincere, uncorrupted faith the wise men from the East brought to the infant Saviour. SpTB04 7.3

Thus in their business life Christ's followers are to be light-bearers to the world. God does not ask them to make an effort to shine. He approves of no self-satisfied attempt to display superior goodness. He desires that their souls shall be imbued with the principles of heaven, and then, as they come in contact with the world, they will reveal the light that is in them. Their honesty, uprightness, and steadfast fidelity in every act of life will be a means of illumination. SpTB04 8.1

The kingdom of God comes not with outward show. It comes through the gentleness of the inspiration of His word, through the inward working of His Spirit, the fellowship of the soul with Him who is its life. The greatest manifestation of its power is seen in human nature brought to the perfection of the character of Christ. SpTB04 8.2

An appearance of wealth or position, expensive architecture or furnishings, are not essential to the advancement of the work of God: neither are achievements that win applause from men and administer to vanity. Worldly display, however imposing, is of no value with God. SpTB04 8.3

While it is our duty to seek for perfection in outward things, it should be ever kept in mind that this aim is not to be made supreme. It must be held subordinate to higher interests. Above the seen and transitory, God values the unseen and eternal. The former is of worth only as it expresses the latter. The choicest productions of art possess no beauty that can compare with the beauty of character which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit's working in the soul. SpTB04 8.4

When God gave His Son to the world, He endowed human beings with imperishable riches,—riches compared with which the treasured wealth of man since the world began is nothingness. Christ came to the earth and stood before the children of men with the hoarded love of eternity, and this is the treasure that through our connection with Him we are to receive, to reveal, and to impart. SpTB04 9.1

Our institutions will give character to the work of God just according to the consecrated devotion of the workers,—by revealing the power of the grace of Christ to transform the life. We are to be distinguished from the world because God has placed His seal upon us, because He manifests in us His own character of love. Our Redeemer covers us with His righteousness. SpTB04 9.2

In choosing men and women for His service, God does not ask whether they possess learning or eloquence or worldly wealth. He asks, “Do they walk in such humility that I can teach them My way? Can I put My words into their lips? Will they represent Me?” SpTB04 9.3

God can use every person just in proportion as He can put His Spirit into the soul temple. The work that He will accept is the work that reflects His image. His followers are to bear, as their credentials to the world, the ineffaceable characteristics of His immortal principles. SpTB04 9.4

It is the glory of the gospel that it is founded upon the principle of restoring in the fallen race the divine image by a constant manifestation of beneficence. God will honor that principle wherever manifest. SpTB04 9.5

Those who follow Christ's example of self-denial for the truth's sake make a great impression on the world. Their example is convincing and contagious. Men see that there is among God's professed people that faith which works by love and purifies the soul from selfishness. In the lives of those who obey God's commandments, worldlings see convincing evidence that the law of God is a law of love to God and man. SpTB04 10.1

God's work is ever to be a sign of His benevolence, and just as that sign is manifest in the working of our institutions, it will win the confidence of the people, and bring in resources for the advancement of His kingdom. The Lord will withdraw His blessing where selfish interests are indulged in any phase of the work; but He will put His people in possession of good throughout the whole world, if they will use it for the uplifting of humanity. The experience of apostolic days will come to us when we whole-heartedly accept God's principle of benevolence,—consent of all things to obey the leadings of His Holy Spirit. SpTB04 10.2