Nothing spreads a gospel message more than dry, boring handouts.
Forget about being living examples of your faith in your daily lives by practicing what you preach, with a desire to bring the Kingdom to earth at this time. Nope, just hand them some printed literature, and you have accomplished everything needed.
Does the extent of LCG's gospel message, or any COG for that matter, extend only as far as free literature? Is that really bringing the kingdom into fruition? Is it really "biblical economics"? Sure, some COG groups do "good works" which they toot their own horns about, but what do most of them do behind the scenes for the world around them? They will not even take care of their own members at times, let alone spend money on the unwashed and unconverted masses around them. Yet, they imagine themselves so great that they will be kings, priests, and literal gods standing next to Christ when their magical Disneyesque kingdom arrives.
Notice the last two paragraphs.
News and Prophecy
European Youth Lose Faith in Democracy: Democracy is hailed by many as the best form of government that mankind has ever invented. Yet, surprising to some, democracy is not the longest lived or the most stable form of government. Advocates of democracy claim it empowers the people and makes possible greater freedoms, but what happens when democracy fails to bring about its promises?
A new study reflects the disillusionment many European youth feel about democracy. “Only half of young people in France and Spain believe democracy is the best form of government, with support even lower among their Polish counterparts” (The Guardian, July 4, 2025). Soberingly, 21 percent admitted that they would prefer authoritarian rule to democracy under some circumstances. Among those who identify as being disadvantaged and “politically to the right of centre,” only a third support democracy. As a political scientist at Berlin’s Free University observed, “Democracy is under pressure, from within and without.”
While the perspectives highlighted by this recent study are not surprising given the political uncertainty in democracies today, they are particularly sobering from a prophetic perspective. When people become disillusioned with their governments, they become more receptive to something different. And when a powerful leader comes on the scene with promises of a better way, such individuals will be more willing to follow. This is exactly what the Bible prophesies will take place at the end of the age—an extremely influential political leader will arise in Europe, allied with a religious leader who will perform signs and wonders (see Revelation 13). You can discover God’s take on democracy by reading “In Democracy We Trust?” and learn more about the coming end-time despot by watching “The Beast is Rising.”
The Rich vs. the Poor: In both Africa and the United States, the chasm between the super-rich and everyone else represents an economic imbalance that reveals spiritual problems under the surface. A new Oxfam report shows that Africa’s elite control trillions in wealth, while its underclass endures hunger and lack of education and opportunities to prosper slowly vanish (July 9, 2025). This mirrors the American landscape, where the top ten percent hold approximately two-thirds of the nation’s wealth (Statista, October 29, 2024), while tens of millions face challenging barriers to economic mobility. The prophet Isaiah denounced such imbalances arising from greed and a lack of concern for our fellow man, crying, “Woe to those who join house to house… till there is no place” (Isaiah 5:8). Solomon also described how corrupt governance promotes suffering and unrest (Proverbs 29:2). But this is too often how this world operates—the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.
In contrast, Jesus taught a different frame of mind: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The Scriptures teach us that we should love our neighbors as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18) and ancient Israel was commanded, “You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty.” (Leviticus 19:15). Promoting fairness and impartiality is adhering to divine order. When nations fail to rule justly, people suffer and society crumbles.
The Living Church of God has long made the truth of God available to all who desire it, rich or poor, by making all our literature available free of charge. You can learn more about biblical economics by reading our free study guide God’s People Tithe! —Scott Winnail, VG Lardé, and Richard Franz
4 comments:
LCG giving out "free" literature is like a drug pusher giving out "free" methamphetamine. The purpose of that "free" literature is to turn some percentage of its innocent victims into long-term paying customers. It's not a selfless action.
Yeah......Biblical economics: Israel tithed, to others, once every 3 years. Ten percent of the nation's annual produce every third year was enough for 3.3% of the population.
I saw somewhere a person selling their literature on eBay or something.
Tank
Some of us include a mainstream "church tract" about the gospel/Jesus in bags that we give to people on the street who ask for money or food.
Trouble is, COG's aren't very good at small tracts. They focus on longer, detailed booklets/Bible studies.
In 2025 (and with shorter attention spans), I think COG's miss an opportunity there.
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