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intended to tell you more here -- but I have had many
interruptions in writing this, and I must close this letter quickly
or I won't be ready for our flight early tomorrow morning.
Co-Workers, it seems our most serious problem, always, is
trying to keep the income for God's great Work equal to its NEED.
Today, in my office, we had a VERY SERIOUS conference, with
executives from our Business Department and Garner Ted Armstrong
present. I was forced to make the decision to postpone, for 9
months up to a year, certain facilities direly needed if this Work
is not to be slowed down or curtailed.
I have fought through more than 32 years to get this Work
into a strong financial position. God has blessed our efforts. He
has blessed His Work by putting it in a sound condition
financially. We are going to have to make serious sacrifices to
keep it that way. The Work of God must not be allowed to get into
a deteriorating or shaky financial state.
One thing that has helped us considerably is the loans of
larger sums where some of our Co-Workers feel they cannot make
these sums outright contributions at the time. Many do find that
they can turn the loans into donations (tax deductible) later.
We are prepared to accept such loans on a demand basis -- in whole
or in part -- and if I neglected to mention this before, let me say
now that we do maintain a separate and special cash bank balance as
a reserve fund to GUARANTEE ability to repay on demand, if that
should become necessary. It is truly gratifying to me to be able
to tell you that such loans of larger sums are as SAFE in the hands
of God's Work as in a bank. Perhaps safer, when we realize that
GOD ALMIGHTY HIMSELF is back of this Work. Frankly, we hope for
the Work's sake you will not have to ask it back - but if you
do, we maintain adequate reserves to guarantee it.
Such funds are, in effect, placed in the hands of the living
Christ to be used in the Work HE directs, heads, guides, protects,
and BLESSES. I know of no place on earth where every dollar does
so much -- where so much GOOD is accomplished -- LASTING good for
eternity! This money is WORKING where Christ directs, until you
need it, or find you are able to relinquish it as a tax-deductible
donation.
Yet, you must realize the great bulk of the funds that keep
this powerful Work going out with great impact on the whole world
is simply the regular continuous TITHES and liberal special
offerings -- week by week, month by month, from our loyal family of
Co-Workers. We all need to "tighten our belts," so to speak, make
sacrifices for this Work, and increase our regular offerings if we
are able.
Jesus not only commanded us to WATCH -- but also to PRAY
WITHOUT CEASING! Are you doing that? Are you praying for God's
Work? Are you praying with your whole heart that God will lay it
on the hearts of those who are able to make generous gifts to the
most vital and important activity on earth? Many have told us they
are praying for the safety of Mrs. Armstrong and me on this long
flight. We do need your prayers for us personally. But pray also