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because IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE! Yes, we who
GIVE receive the greater blessing! And so a purpose of this letter
is to THANK YOU for letting US GIVE of this GOOD NEWS to YOU!
Our policy is this: We do not solicit money over the air,
nor in any of our free literature. No one is ever ASKED for
financial support UNLESS and UNTIL he or she has sent in VOLUNTARY
and unsolicited contributions (or tithes) at least two or three
times within a six-months' period--or, unless one actually
expresses a desire to be a regular Co-Worker. Then, those who do
become Co-Workers with me and with Christ in HIS WORK receive from
me a monthly letter, reporting the progress of this work. If their
treasure is in this work, Christ says their hearts are also in it.
So we know they are interested in its plans, its progress, and its
problems--as well as its needs. I DO ask these Co-Workers for
contributions when needed--which, in the course and nature of
things, seems to be continually. But YOU will never intentionally
be asked for any money or contributions--unless or until YOU,
yourself, by this means show us you wish to be. That is our
policy. IT IS GOD'S WAY! I felt you have a right to this candid
explanation.
From the first we have relied, in this way, ON GOD in
FAITH. Of course our faith is often sorely tried. It seems always
to be tried in a very special way at the Christmas season--now once
again approaching.
At this season most people, apparently not realizing what
they are doing, FORGET any gift for CHRIST and His work! It does
seem strange and paradoxical, doesn't it? And yet people become SO
ABSORBED in exchanging Christmas presents with their friends and
relatives, they seem to overlook CHRIST entirely! They SUPPOSE
they are celebrating CHRIST'S birthday, yet their birthday presents
are not for Christ--but for business customers, friends, and
relatives!
Did you ever stop to think about that? At this season
people seem to have a very GENEROUS spirit--for all except Him
whose birthday they think they are celebrating! They spend
lavishly for Christmas presents. It would seem their gifts ought
to go to CHRIST for His Work, wouldn't it? Ask people WHY they buy
Christmas presents, and they reply, "Why, to follow the example
started by the wise men who gave their gifts to CHRIST!"
But does anyone ever stop to realize that those wise men
did not exchange presents back and forth among themselves--they
gave their gifts to Christ! And few people know that the wise men
were not giving the Christ child birthday presents at all--for they
presented their gifts actually weeks after His birthday! It was
simply an eastern custom to present gifts to a KING when coming
into His presence--and they knew Jesus was born to be A KING!
Why don't you write for our book of plain facts about
CHRISTMAS? This booklet is rather shocking--but it's TRUE--you can
check up on every statement in your Bible and at your public
library.