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with it? It would mean giving up former business associates, many
of whom were important men in the world. It would mean giving up
my life's ambition to become "SUCCESSFUL" in the world--giving up
everything I had set my heart on, that I had worked and studied so
hard to get a start in achieving. Although at the time
circumstances beyond my control had brought financial reverses, I
thought I could still go to the top in business. It meant
accepting what I had previously regarded as HUMILIATING. It meant
poverty--and I did have to go through 28 years of it!
Real conversion does not come easily! But, with God's
help, I did make the decision, and gave what I now considered a
worthless no-good life in SURRENDER to God. I was baptized, and
receiving God's Holy Spirit, came to a totally new outlook.
Then everything changed! In financial poverty, I found
real peace, happiness, and a burning, driving zeal to UNDERSTAND
God's revelation to mankind--the Holy BIBLE! I had been made
willing to be corrected by the Bible--willing to learn TRUTH new to
me. I continued studying the Bible almost night and day--much of
the time on my knees. I have explained before how, 3 1/2 years
later, I was literally thrust into Christ's ministry.
And so, as I have written before, as the Apostle Paul
wrote, so now also I certify to you, that the Gospel which is
preached by me--by Garner Ted Armstrong--by our Co-Workers in
Christ's Work--is NOT AFTER MAN, for I neither received it of man,
neither was I taught it BUT BY THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, as
He revealed it IN HIS WRITTEN WORD! Then when it pleased God, who
called me by His GRACE, to reveal His Son in me, that I might
preach Him to the world, immediately I conferred not with flesh and
blood (men), neither went I to any sect or denomination or human
theologian, but I went directly to the WORD OF GOD, on my knees,
surrendered, willing to be taught, corrected, reproved and
instructed in God's righteousness and TRUTH. (Compare Galatians
1:11-18.)
My first preaching to the public was three and a half
years after conversion--and after three and a half years of
intensive study of God's Word and close spiritual contact with
Jesus Christ. Nine months later, June, 1931, I was ordained, and
entered the full-time ministry on a small salary. But by August,
1933, I had learned that, if I was to receive even the smallest
salary from MEN I would have to serve MEN in man's way instead of
serving GOD. The salary was rejected.
At that point, Mrs. Armstrong and I solemnly dedicated our
lives to look only to the GOD whom we served for financial needs.
Jesus Christ had said the laborer is worthy of his hire. We were
then paying $7 per month house rent--with no visible source for
receiving even that next $7. We had no money ahead whatsoever. It
was a real test of faith to begin trusting God completely. But
Jesus Christ had said, take no anxious thought--have no worry--over
economic need. Our heavenly Father knows we need these things!
SEEK FIRST the KINGDOM OF GOD, and His righteousness, said Christ,
and these material needs shall be added!