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dollars. It is vast--it is rich and costly, in shining, glistening
marble, gold, silver, and precious stones and jewels, gilded with
hundreds of great and costly STATUES, mosaics that look like fine
great sized oil paintings. Yet today I never hear anyone find
fault, or criticize, or talk about the extravagance of it. In your
town or city are probably a few fine church buildings or cathedrals
--but you don't find fault or criticize.
Now in GOD'S WORK, we have no such thing. We do not build
costly churches and cathedrals all over the world. No, instead we
PROCLAIM CHRIST'S GOSPEL in great POWER, to MILLIONS of listeners
all over the world. We spend God's money for GOD'S PURPOSES. The
buildings we are going to have to build are not going to be costly,
extravagant, gilded and jeweled palaces or cathedrals or basilicas.
They are going to be plain, low-cost structures NEEDED TO DO THE
PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD. Yet I know some few probably
will criticize and find fault. But I believe nearly all of you
will want to help, as far as you are able--and PRAY for this great
need!
The WORK OF GOD cannot go on and be COMPLETED before the
soon-coming end of this world, UNLESS these needs are met.
Business and industrial concerns finance expansion programs and new
properties and buildings by borrowings, to be paid back during
future years out of PROFITS. But GOD'S WORK makes no profits. It
is a NON-profit work. Also it is almost impossible for churches to
borrow--except, in our case, for the comparatively small amounts a
few of our Co-Workers have been willing to lend to God's Work--
cases where they felt unable to give these sums outright.
There is, however, one way that we Co-Workers, together, CAN
solve this difficult problem. That is to raise a SPECIAL PROPERTY
FUND. If we will "tighten our belts," so to speak, and most of us
make further sacrifice of some things we would like to buy, or
have, or do, and undertake to give an additional SPECIAL amount for
this special PROPERTY FUND, the special need can be met. However,
this MUST NOT be taken out of tithes or regular offerings.
Otherwise the daily operation of the WORK would stop! It must
be a special, separate, ADDITIONAL offering--every month, or as
often as possible--OVER AND ABOVE--and in addition to, our tithes
and regular offerings.
One thing about it--this money will become an investment--an
ASSET. The Work will still have it--in form of the property--for
continued use as long as GOD'S WORK continues. And also remember,
all such special contributions, as well as tithes and regular
offerings, are deductible on your income tax return--up to 30% of
income.
I realize that some of you may not be able to squeeze to an
additional and separate regular offering for this special fund--or,
some would be able to give but very small amounts, while others ARE
ABLE to give larger amounts. But I feel I do have to ask EVERY
CO-WORKER WHO POSSIBLY CAN, URGENTLY, to subscribe the most liberal
separate and special amount you are able for the PROPERTY FUND--
every month--beginning now. I ask you to fill in the enclosed
"STATEMENT OF INTENTION" card. This is not a pledge or a vow. It