I have always thought it rather disgusting that the COG has always begged for estate donations. The COG is already taking over 40% of your income and they want more and more. The sad part is that many families have been written out of wills in order to give everything to the chruch.
This happened in WCG numerous times and multiple lawsuits were waged by family members who had been left out. WCG always fought those lawsuits vigorously doing everything in their power to discredit the people filling suit against them. Multiple families have been left destitute while WCG got all the money. Millions of wasted dollars went to pay the attorney's fighting these suits leaving the church with little from the original amount, yet the attorneys lived high on the hog all the time.
I was surprised to read on Apostle Malm's blog to day about people donating estates to COG's. I was impressed that he said DON'T DO IT! Malm says it is a sin to leave everything to the church while leaving nothing to your heirs.
Aaron Dean, operation manager for Financial Services, reported that our finances are better than expected. In trying to take care of all the needs of the church, including ensuring that all our congregations around the world are taken care of with a resident or visiting minister and with people cared for, we have often had to step out in faith. Our “faith line” was bolstered in the first six months of the current fiscal year by two estate donations. God is looking after us and taking care of our needs—congregations, ministry, people cared for—the mission of the church is being funded. The Council deeply appreciates the prayers and continued financial support of the brethren.Malm says:
I would warn the brethren that willing our estates to any church without leaving anything for our heirs is a terrible SIN in God’s eyes .1 Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Even if our heirs are not converted, we are to provide for them to the best of our ability, thus setting a Godly example that will remain with them for all eternity. Even if they dispise us, WE have a command from Christ to return good for evil at all times.
We are to NEVER leave our estate to anyone but our natural heirs unless we have no natural heirs. If we are very wealthy we can of course leave a small amount to the church. The defrauding of natural heirs amounts to the ROBBING of widows and orhans and is one of the terrible sins of these COG Groups. I know that this is done out of a misguided love for the corporate church organization, which makes this fall into the condemnation of Christ as per Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Proverbs 13:22 states "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children..."
ReplyDeleteHow is it possible for a good man to leave an inheritance to his children's children if he is leaving his estate to a Church of God to foolishly squander away? Or, another false Apostle to inherit for his own use.
Does the name "little Joey Tkach" and his hijacking of the WCG mean anything to anyone? Didn't everyone learn a lesson?
I am sure little Joey Tkach is enjoying his inheritance from the "dump sheep" who gave Herbert Armstrong everything during their lifetimes, and some even their estates at death - all so little Joey Tkach could be a multi multi millionaire.
"It was like stealing candy from a baby", said Joseph Tkach, Jr. with a laugh at the settlement table of the sale of the Ambassador College. "You can fool some people in the Worldwide Church of God ALL the time" reflected the Pastor General.
"They really are the weak of the world; foolish things", added the Pastor General.
Richard
How shameful! Tring to convince members who are of advanced age to neglect their family members and will their entire estates to any of the COG'S is really detestable! The Question is "How much lower can they go!!"
ReplyDeleteThe unbiblical practice of tithing on wages is bad enough, but giving away estates to satisfy the greed of the Church Corporate is a new low.
ReplyDeleteMr. Malm is really right on this one.
"The unbiblical practice of tithing on wages is bad enough..."
ReplyDeleteLOL. I was discussing this problem with people even when I was still one of the very elect. One thing I would ask is whether they followed the biblical command to give the church only their unblemished dollars. Nobody even understood what I was talking about. Typical sheep. Needless to say, I didn't take tithing all that seriously: I don't think I gave the cult a cent during my last three years or so, gods be praised!
"Is It Right To Give Estates To the COG?"
ReplyDeleteIn the case that the estate is in trouble and will cause the creditors to pursue repayment from whomever holds the estate, yes.