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Many such things can be done ONLY if we have larger
increases in income for the Work. For 35 years, the income for the
Work increased by approximately 30% every year over the year
before. The past three years the increase has been only around
10% -- and the rising cost of things eats up most of that. It's
true, we have a comparatively modest amount of NECESSARY cash
reserve -- the Work is in excellent financial condition. But if
we dipped into those reserves the Work would STOP. Mr. Portune
explained it like he has a big barrel, and as if we use water
for money. At the bottom of the barrel are several small holes,
and other holes up along the sides. Each of those holes
represents a department or phase of the Work. One would represent
the radio station bills, another the TV stations, another the
salaries of the many hundreds employed in the Work, another the
paper bills for The PLAIN TRUTH and other magazines. The water
in the barrel represents our cash reserves. If he does not have
as much coming in as is draining out all those holes, to keep the
barrel filled to the top, then as the reserve supply lowers, there
would be nothing pouring out the holes near the top. Those phases
of the Work would STOP. And as the water would drain down near
the bottom, more and more phases of the Work would have to STOP.
The colleges would close -- we could train no more people for
their part in the Work. We would go off the air, The PLAIN TRUTH
would stop, your local ministers would have to go get jobs else-
where. I think this illustrates the point.
During those years when we were getting in a 30% increase
each year, we did not have as much in reserves -- but then the
Work was much smaller -- YET, WE COULD LAUNCH OUT ON MORE NEW
THINGS TO BUILD THE WORK. We just can't do that, now, UNLESS or
UNTIL the regular day-to-day and week-to-week INCOME increases
back to 20% or 30%.
IF you are able to increase the amount you send in for
the Work by that much, you can see how much it would mean to
God's Work. Of course we here understand most of you can't.
I would estimate that this beautiful auditorium would
take about two years to complete. It seems God has put His
endorsement on it, and I am GRATEFUL, beyond words to express!
Your STATEMENT OF INTENTION is enclosed. Remember, it
does not bind you. IF, for some reason, you are not able to meet
it every month, or even if forced to discontinue, you are free to
do so. It is not a pledge or an oath or any such thing -- just
a statement of INTENTION, as you now estimate you will be able.
But if you can INCREASE what you have put in this fund in the
past, please do so. Remember, all tithes and offerings are
income tax deductible.
God has answered our prayers in this and shown us His
will. How much will we now do for HIM?
With much love, in Jesus' name,
Herbert W. Armstrong