关于公平交易和著作版税的证言
(根据文稿和已发表文章编辑)
1.世俗的策略
世界经营者所用的策略，不应被我们机构中的人所采纳和实施。自私的策略不是天上来的，而是属于世界的。世界最主要的格言是：“目的证明手段是正当的;”各个经营部门也许都遵循了这个格言。它在社会各阶层中，在各国的议会中，在基督的灵没有作为主导原则的地方发挥着左右局势的影响。每一个在我们的出版社、大学、疗养院工作的人都应培养小心谨慎、机智灵活的能力。但不要放弃公义的法则，让单顾自己部门兴旺，而不顾其它部门的原则占了上风。所有部门的利益都应予以密切保护，不让任何部门的权利受到侵犯。在世界上，交易之神往往就是欺诈之神，但从事圣工的人却不可这样，他们不可以世界的标准作为自己的标准。{PH102 2.2}
当审判的场面呈现在我面前时，那记载着世人行为的案卷显明的事实是，我们各机构中那些自称敬虔的人，有些在效法世俗的标准，而没有严格按照上帝伟大的公义标准。他们在彼此相待时的人际关系，特别是那些参加上帝圣工的人，被相当充分地展现在我面前。我看到代表重要机构的弟兄们在彼此相待时不该有小气吝啬刻薄狡猾的行为，他们所从事的工作性质或许不同，但都是同一圣工的分枝。他们应该总是保持一种高尚慷慨的基督化精神。贪财的精神不该在他们的交易中有任何地位。在他们这方面，任何与基督的精神和品格相反的行为都不能推进上帝的圣工。一个人在行事时的自私态度，必引起别人同样的性情，但慷慨大方和真谦恭的表现也会唤起同样的精神，且会使我们的天父喜悦。{PH102 3.1}
不要把世俗的策略当作精明善断，尽管人们常这样误认为。这种策略不论在什么工作中实行，都是一种自私的行为。精明善断在其运作上决不狭隘。精明善断会使人有全面的看法，不局限于一个目标。它从各个角度看问题。可是世俗的策略却目光短浅，只看到眼前的目的，看不到远期的目标。它总是寻找获利的机会。凡追随世俗策略的人，是在藉着拆毁别人建造的根基，而为自己建造。每一个建筑要造得稳固都应有正当的基础。{PH102 3.2}
PH102 - Testimonies on Fair Dealing and Book Royalties (A Compilation from Manuscripts and Published Articles)
【Worldly Policy】
Portion of a testimony entitled “Our Institutions in Battle Creek,” published in “Testimonies for the Church,” No. 33, and copied from?Testimonies for the Church 5:561-566.?{PH102 2.1}[1]
The policy which worldly business men adopt is not the policy to be chosen and carried out by the men who are connected with our institutions. Selfish policy is not heaven-born, it is earthly. In this world, the leading maxim is, “The end justifies the means;” and this may be traced in every department of business. It has a controlling influence in every class of society, in the grand councils of nations, and wherever the Spirit of Christ is not the ruling principle. Prudence and caution, tact and skill, should be cultivated by every one who is connected with the office of publication, and by those who serve in our college and sanitarium. But the laws of justice and righteousness must not be set aside, and the principle must not prevail that each one is to make his particular branch of the work a success, regardless of other branches. The interests of all should be closely guarded, to see that no one’s rights are invaded. In the world, the God of traffic is too often the God of fraud; but it?must not be thus with those who are dealing with the Lord’s work. The worldly standard is not to be the standard of those who are connected with sacred things.?{PH102 2.2}[2]
When the scenes of the Judgment were brought before me, the books in which are registered the deeds of men, revealed the fact that the dealings of some of those professing godliness in our institutions were after the worldling’s standard, not in strict accordance with God’s great standard of righteousness. The relation of men in their deal with one another, especially those connected with the work of God, was opened to me quite fully. I saw that there should be no close, sharp deal between brethren who represent important institutions, different, perhaps, in character, but branches of the same work. A noble, generous, Christlike spirit should ever be maintained by them. The spirit of avarice should have no place in their transactions. God’s cause could not be advanced by any action on their part contrary to the spirit and character of Christ. A selfish manner of dealing in one will provoke the same disposition in others; but the manifestation of liberality and true courtesy will awaken the same spirit in return, and would please our heavenly Father.?{PH102 3.1}[3]
Worldly policy is not to be classed with sound discretion, although it is too often mistaken for it. It is a species of selfishness, in whatever cause it is exercised. Discretion and sound judgment are never narrow in their?workings. The mind that is guided by them has comprehensive ideas, and does not become narrowed down to one object. It looks at things from every point of view. But worldly policy has a short range of vision. It can see the object nearest at hand, but fails to discover those at a distance. It is ever watching for opportunities to gain advantage. Those who follow a course of worldly policy, are building themselves up by pulling out the foundation from another man’s building. Every structure must be built upon a right foundation, in order to stand.?{PH102 3.2}[4]
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