Was there any concern with Herbert Armstrong about the well-being of those who contributed to his projects? Read through this and see this, and more observations I've noted in yellow and bold.
When our Co-Workers either grow careless or forgetful of God's Work, I wonder if you realize the criticism it heaps on me, and the desperate predicament I find myself in?
When we begin to fall behind in paying the bills for carrying on this work---bills that have to be paid for carrying the true MESSAGE OF CHRIST to millions---bills for that which has resulted in HUNDREDS of precious converted souls and changed lives---you know, I am sure,
what those we must do business with in the world for God's cause think of me, and say to me and about me. And all the more, because we are CHRIST'S representative. They persecuted Christ. Just let a known representative of Christ get behind in paying a bill to a worldly man, and can you imagine the condemnation that man heaps on God's servant, the names he calls him? It becomes a reproach to the cause we are devoting our very lives to promoting. But not only that---when I have to send out urgent appeals to our Co-Workers, then even many of our perhaps less-Spiritual Co-Workers point a finger of accusation against me personally---and begin to PUT THE BLAME ON ME, or imagine that in some way it must be my fault.[The measure of spirituality was directly proportional to the level of loyalty to HWA.]
what those we must do business with in the world for God's cause think of me, and say to me and about me. And all the more, because we are CHRIST'S representative. They persecuted Christ. Just let a known representative of Christ get behind in paying a bill to a worldly man, and can you imagine the condemnation that man heaps on God's servant, the names he calls him? It becomes a reproach to the cause we are devoting our very lives to promoting. But not only that---when I have to send out urgent appeals to our Co-Workers, then even many of our perhaps less-Spiritual Co-Workers point a finger of accusation against me personally---and begin to PUT THE BLAME ON ME, or imagine that in some way it must be my fault.[The measure of spirituality was directly proportional to the level of loyalty to HWA.]
These occasional lapses on the part of our Co-Workers ARE IN NO MANNER A CASE OF IMPROPER BUSINESS MANAGEMENT IN OUR OFFICE. The truth is, it requires just so much every week, and every month, to conduct this great work; it is MOST carefully managed and is geared to a fixed rate of expense well UNDER the normal income of the work. We cannot reduce expenditures without upsetting or completely paralyzing the work. But when, at times, our Co-Workers grow careless[are struggling] and FAIL TO KEEP UP THEIR PART, and the income drops to around HALF the normal rate, we find ourselves heading for
financial trouble, getting behind in current payments which we try to keep paid PROMPTLY, or even in advance, we get telegrams from radio stations threatening to put the program off the air. TODAY I RECEIVED SUCH TELEGRAMS FROM TWO OF OUR THREE BIGGEST STATIONS!
financial trouble, getting behind in current payments which we try to keep paid PROMPTLY, or even in advance, we get telegrams from radio stations threatening to put the program off the air. TODAY I RECEIVED SUCH TELEGRAMS FROM TWO OF OUR THREE BIGGEST STATIONS!
....
Yes, GOD IS DOING HIS PART---and we here in Pasadena are putting our very UTMOST effort, almost night and day, into this work---we are DOING OUR PART! Many of our Co-workers are making great sacrifice, and are diligent and faithful in sending in generously of God's money---DOING THEIR PART. But MANY of our Co-Workers, on the other hand, have been growing careless, or forgetting [struggling]---AND THEREIN LIES THE TROUBLE WHICH MAKES US SUFFER, BRINGS REPROACH ON THE WORK [HWA], AND THREATENS TO STOP IT ALTOGETHER!
.....
Pray with me that God will, through our Co-Workers, literally open the windows of heaven and send upon His servants here in Pasadena a veritable DOWNPOUR of dollars---for His glory, and to lift His work from reproach, and to keep it going---week by week, and month by
month! Surely, among all our Co-Workers, there is at least one who is able, if willing, to send us that entire $3,000 to pay off that loan our Co-Worker made for us. [!] Surely there are beside, at least two or three who can send in a thousand dollars each to pull this
work out of its slump, help us get bills paid up so we can owe no man anything! And I know that EVERY ONE OF YOU can send in at least the poor widow's mite---just $2! And most of you can spare God and His work considerably more than that!
month! Surely, among all our Co-Workers, there is at least one who is able, if willing, to send us that entire $3,000 to pay off that loan our Co-Worker made for us. [!] Surely there are beside, at least two or three who can send in a thousand dollars each to pull this
work out of its slump, help us get bills paid up so we can owe no man anything! And I know that EVERY ONE OF YOU can send in at least the poor widow's mite---just $2! And most of you can spare God and His work considerably more than that!
In addition to this financial crisis, we need extra funds quickly to print and mail the August-September PLAIN TRUTH, now almost ready for the printer.
NOTE: $2.00 in 1949 is equivalent to $20.00 in today's money.
NOTE: $3,000 in 1949 is over $30,000 in today's money.
ADDENDUM: The practice of asking for a loan of 30K, and then being unable to pay the loan back, and then placing the burden on ANOTHER Co-worker to pay off the first Co-worker's loan? What do you call this? And Herbert says there was no "mismanagement"? Mismanagement is asking for loans when there is no funding to pay back loans!
submitted by SHT
7 comments:
LUKE 9:3- He (Jesus) told them: "Take nothing for the journey--no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt."
Apparently, HWA was just as much a crybaby as Bob Thiel. Only difference is HWA masked his in authoritarianism that people took seriously.
BB
HWA was a con artist. He and Loma traveled first class. Before he moved into a mansion on campus, he and Loma lived in a very nice home on Hill St in Pasadena. I don’t know how much the income was in 1949. I came along later. But I know he would send out co-worker letters saying the work might go under if co-workers didn’t send in more money. In 1969 he asked members and co-workers to take out loans because the work was in dire straights. I was newly married we had just had a baby. I was making $80 a week. I took out a loan for $200. Shortly after taking out the loan, I was layed off. I struggled to pay off that loan, later I found out Herbert was buying gold and silver works of art for his home, office and other building on the campus. Many of us were suckers for way too many years. Over and over he sent out co-workers asking people to sacrifice for “the work.” Yet he lived the life of luxury. An example, he had several Petek Philippe watches valued back in 1986 at over $10,000 each. One was valued at over 25,000. A little more than the watches we wore.
Jim-AZ
Apparently, HWA was just as much a crybaby as Bob Thiel.
We see again that some people can dish out insults but these same people can't take them and have to be protected from the blowback resulting from their own aggressiveness, allegations, demeaning remarks, etc.
Everyday people choose a standard of living in keeping with their weekly income. But no, not Herb. He made commitments beyond the average church income, then endlessly begged/nagged members for more money.
Where's Herb and his ministers living a life of sacrifice? Rather they lived high on the hog by constantly plundering members of their God given rights. Thieves preaching sacrifice. It's a sick joke.
When HWA made financial commitments and then turned to the church to bail him out, this isn't an act of faith on his part, it's presumption. What if a member of the church reversed things and sent HWA a letter saying,"I just bought a new luxury automobile because God wants us to have the very best. Please send to ME the money I need for my monthly payments. I am looking forward to your donation."?
Believe me, 5:47, you are the one who is being protected!
BB
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