Ellen Chat Conversation

The unfair treatment of workers is a serious matter that involves both financial and spiritual consequences. When those in leadership positions or management roles fail to provide adequate compensation, they are acting on principles that the Bible condemns as fraud. This issue is particularly grave when it occurs among those who claim to be enlightened by the Spirit of God, yet still "grind down" their employees to the lowest possible wages, making it impossible for them to support themselves (9MR 166). Beyond financial compensation, fairness involves the emotional and psychological environment of the workplace. Managers are cautioned against "lording it over" their subordinates or using dictatorial language that creates an atmosphere of distrust (MR311 38). Treating workers as if they are unfaithful without clear evidence, or dealing harshly even with those who have erred, can provoke anger and potentially drive souls away from the faith (PCL 276.1).

Management also bears a responsibility to protect the physical and mental well-being of those under their care. Injustice or oppression in an institutional setting can become a stumbling block for those being trained for their life work (20MR 387.3). It is the duty of managers to ensure that workers are not urged or allowed to ruin their health through overwork, as guarding the health and morals of the staff is a sacred trust (PCL 258.3). Finally, a lack of understanding regarding the actual situation of workers can lead to management decisions that bring real oppression and want into families. Such cool and detached management styles provide opportunities for the enemy to discourage workers and may even drive them from their fields of labor (PCL 247.3).

True justice requires a sanctified will and a heart that seeks to glorify God through righteous dealings with every individual (PCL 247.3).

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The payment of fair wages to those in the gospel ministry is presented as a matter of fundamental justice and divine order. It is the duty of church leadership to ensure that ministers receive remuneration that is sufficient to meet the needs of their families, as they dedicate their entire time and energy to the Master's service (PCL 257). Rather than attempting to minimize expenses by offering low wages, the church should be educated to understand that a laborer is worthy of their hire, and failing to provide just compensation is characterized as a form of robbery that is criminal in the sight of God (GW92 200). A significant portion of counsel regarding fair wages focuses on the work of women, particularly ministers' wives who are actively engaged in soul-winning. It is considered an injustice when women who devote their full time to visiting families, teaching the Scriptures, and educating new believers are denied a salary simply because their husbands are also employed by the cause (DG 106.1).

Such women often have to hire out their own domestic work to free themselves for ministry, and it is argued that they should be paid wages proportionate to the time they give and the responsibility they carry (DG 106.2) (21MR 360.4). The practice of paying only the husband when both the husband and wife are laboring together is identified as a plan that was not arranged by the mind of God (5MR 323.3). Instead, when both individuals are invested in the work, they should be treated as two distinct workers and compensated accordingly (PaM 78.2).

This ensures that they have the necessary means to support their labors and provides security for the wife to continue her ministry independently should she be left alone (5MR 323.3). Furthermore, the work performed by these women—such as Bible reading and personal ministry—is described as being just as essential as the work of the ordained minister (12MR 160.2). Because they carry a heavy burden for souls, their labor should not be counted as naught (DG 110.5).

The counsel emphasizes that all such financial arrangements must be adjusted and set in order so that justice is done to every worker, regardless of gender, ensuring that those who give their lives to the ministry are not treated unfairly (12MR 160.2) (21MR 360.4).

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