Labour Unions
Should God’s children join in labour unions and support them? Are their goals and methods of working in harmony with our principles of faith?
Often it is difficult to find employment without joining them. Most of the larger companies are organized in the unions so that even the hiring of workers is done through the unions.
Is collective bargaining in harmony with Christ’s teaching? Should a Christian fight for his rights?
The teachings of Jesus were clear. If someone hits you on the cheek, don’t fight back, but turn the other cheek. If someone compels you to carry his burden one mile, carry it two miles. Apostle Paul writes, “(Charity) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” 1 Cor. 13:5.
“Charity seeketh not her own”, this is a sufficient reason not to fight for our rights. Jesus also added, “If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.” Matt. 5:40.
UNITY IS STRENGTH
It is a well-known fact that unity is strength. Alone we are weak but united we can do much more; whether it is for good or for an evil cause. Also we must be careful with whom we are united. In Isaiah we read, “Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A Confederacy; nether fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” Isa. 8:12. At that time the people of Israel made agreements with the heathen kings to help each other in case of war. Against Judah, King Ahaz made a confederacy with Assyria against them.
This kind of unity the Lord did not approve of. Yet, this is the way the labour unions function. Their members refuse to work unless they receive high enough wages, and the same time they will not permit others to do the work for less money. By this they deprive their neighbours of freedom of action with which God Himself will not interfere. God grants each person a freedom to do good or evil. The commandment of love will not permit us to interfere with our neighbour’s freedom. We cannot force anyone to pay higher wages than someone else is willing to accept.
The Spirit of Prophecy gives us a clear counsel in regard to labour unions. “The trade unions and confederacies of the world are a snare. Keep out of them, and away from them, brethren. Have nothing to do with them. Because of these unions and confederacies, it will soon be very difficult for our institutions to carry on their work in the cities.” Gen. Conf. Bulletin April 6, 1902.
“We are not to unite with secret societies or with trade unions. We are to stand free in God, looking constantly to Christ for instruction. All our movements are to be made with a realization of the importance of the work to be accomplished for God.”” Test. Vol. 7. Page 84.
“These unions are one of the signs of the last days. Men are binding up in bundles ready to be burned. They may be church members, but while they belong to these unions, they cannot possibly keep the commandments of God; for to belong to these unions means to disregard the entire Decalogue.” Country Living page 11.
“Those who claim to be the children of God are in no case to bind up with the labor unions that are formed or that shall be formed. This the Lord forbids. Cannot those who study the prophecies see and understand what is before us?” Country Living page 12.
“The wicked are being bound up in bundles, bound up in trusts, in unions, in confederacies. Let us have nothing to do with these organizations. God is our Ruler, our Governor, and He calls us to come out of the world and be separate.” 4 BC p. 1142.
“The trade unions will be one of the agencies that will bring upon this earth a time of trouble such as has not been since the world began.” Country Living p. 10
Brother and sisters, is not the message clear to us? Should we heed the message that God
has given us or should we ignore it? Let us not take chances with our salvation. God has spoken in a clear language. If he asks us to do something, He will provide a way to accomplish it. It is a question of faith. Do we believe his promises or do we depend on human wisdom? If we seek the kingdom.of God first and His righteousness; all these things will be added to us.
Let us remember that only those who would rather die than commit the smallest sin will be counted faithful.
May the Lord help us to obey Him also in this point.
AMEN