This was sent to me today. This is a sermon that David Ambrose and Dave Pack delivered. This sermon is the root of the evil that is taking over the Restored Church of God. It is the expectation that everything the members own belongs to Dave.
“COMMON”: Paying One Portion
of Christ’s Price
Dave has to be the most breathless man I have ever seen. Everything is "breathlessly" amazing in this most superfantabulous COG ever to exist! Plus, your eternal life depends upon reading all of this!
This article is among the most important you could read! It is necessarily
long—yet consider reading it twice! Its implications for the Work and growth of
the Church—as well as your eternal reward—are incalculable.
JEFFREY R. AMBROSE (AND DAVID C. PACK)
With the climactic end of 6,000 years of man’s misrule closing in on
a completely unsuspecting mankind, God’s Church is being readied for the most powerful,
expansive phase of His Work in history!
As time runs out on the age, it is increasingly obvious that—as Mr.
Pack has taught for decades—the New Testament era will end as it began: regular,
powerful, irrefutable miracles of all kinds occurring, unprecedented unity in the
Church, and the gospel (alongside the Ezekiel warning message) being preached and
published with RESOUNDING POWER!
Dave is under the assumption that he and a few of his select ministers will soon be performing mind boggling miracles as he unifies the splintered Church of God's into one dynamic powerful army taking HIS gospel to the world with POWER!
Eventually, hearing God’s final witness to mankind (Matt. 24:14) will be nearly unavoidable to anyone not asleep in bed. It will encompass
all forms of media, in many languages, and be carried out through technologies that
would be incomprehensible to servants of previous eras. “The Restored Church of
God” will become a household name! In fact, millions know of us already—and our
impact is now “heating up.”
Dave has been proclaiming for years now how everything about his group is the most astounding thing the world has ever seen. No other organization, particularly a COG group, will ever have such amazing web site as he does.
What an awesome commission for the last era of the Church, scheduled
to experience the fulfillment of “all things” in prophecy as the end arrives in
full force and the most faithful brethren are taken to safety before it does!
How It Will Happen!
Carrying out the Great Commission ahead of the worst time of trouble
in history, to be endured by the largest population and least prepared generation
ever, who are cut up into more nations than probably ever before, necessitates that the final scope of God’s Work dwarfs all
previous phases. But this will not “just happen”! Three elements coming together make the greatest Work possible:
All of the "major" 4 or 5 COG's out there all proclaim this very same message. Their "work" is vital to the world and is doing more than Herbert Armstrong ever dreamed of! Herbert's accomplishments were minuscule to Dave's magnificence.
(1) God’s direct, miraculous intervention: The Philadelphian era was foretold to have little strength (Greek: dunamis, meaning miraculous
power). By contrast, the final Work, completed during the Laodicean age in a world
that grows darker, sicker and more dangerous by the day, will probably be sustained and propelled by regular miracles.
One factor in this dynamic is the presence of the highest office in
the Church, and the things that accompany that office, defined by Christ through
the apostle Paul: “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (II Cor. 12:12).
Dave once again sets himself apart from the rest of the COG leaders. They are nothing compared to his magnificence! He soon will be preforming miracles and wonders.
Dave once again sets himself apart from the rest of the COG leaders. They are nothing compared to his magnificence! He soon will be preforming miracles and wonders.
Also, the nature of God’s final warning Work requires His human leader
to be flanked by two additional servants, who will help deflect imminent threats
(Rev. 11:3-12; Zech. 3:7 and 4:1-14).
Dave is such an astounding man that he will soon have two bodyguards to protect him Dave still believes that the two witnesses will arise from his group and that he will train them.
Dave is such an astounding man that he will soon have two bodyguards to protect him Dave still believes that the two witnesses will arise from his group and that he will train them.
The worldwide hatred of the Church (Matt. 24:10) that eventually arises will lead to the “night…when no man can work”
(John 9:4). At this point, those of God’s people who have qualified for protection
(Rev. 3:7-13) are foretold to be “taken”—transported by angels to Judea, from whence
they will flee to the Place of Safety (12:14). But this escape happens only after they are chased
by an army that God causes to be swallowed by the earth (vs. 15-16)!
Dave and his two witless witnesses (obviously Rod and Laura Weinland) will frighten the world so much that they will send their armies after the Restored Church of God. It is only then that they will be taken to Petra where they will find out that Bob Thiel, James Malm, Rod Meredith and UCG will be waiting for him. Just imagine what a cat fight that will all be!
Dave is still under the impression that tens of thousands COG members will soon abandon their various COG's and come flocking over to his side. His predictions on this happening have failed for 4 years straight. Dave also feels that thousands more will enter his church as a result of his superfantabulous message.
Dave and his two witless witnesses (obviously Rod and Laura Weinland) will frighten the world so much that they will send their armies after the Restored Church of God. It is only then that they will be taken to Petra where they will find out that Bob Thiel, James Malm, Rod Meredith and UCG will be waiting for him. Just imagine what a cat fight that will all be!
Dave is still under the impression that tens of thousands COG members will soon abandon their various COG's and come flocking over to his side. His predictions on this happening have failed for 4 years straight. Dave also feels that thousands more will enter his church as a result of his superfantabulous message.
(2) Expanded membership: The arrival of the Remnant—God’s scattered people being gathered to
His one Church—will suddenly explode the Church’s size. Beyond this, almost certainly many more thousands will yet be called out of the
world. This will have a dramatic impact on all categories of the Church’s income,
as will a tremendous ramp-up in donors and co-workers when God “shuts down” all
opposition in the splinters who are today “competing” with His Work.
Now we get to the "meat" of Dave's astounding message. Communism pales in comparison to Dave's amazing church economy he is planning.
Now we get to the "meat" of Dave's astounding message. Communism pales in comparison to Dave's amazing church economy he is planning.
(3) The restored doctrine of “Common”: As the Remnant and all others yet to come into the Church learn about
and implement this restored understanding, the resources available for God’s final
Work will increase exponentially. In fact, it has been many millions of dollars
in Common arriving over just the last four years that built the Church’s World Headquarters
campus and advanced the Church and Work to their current sizes—and with only a fraction
of people here to carry out God’s Common command!
What Do You Mean, “Common”?
What has come to be called “the Common doctrine” or simply “Common”
was first explained to the Church by Mr. Pack in 2011, in a four-part sermon series
titled “Christ’s Sayings—One Great Theme.” It was then revisited in his early 2014
two-part series, “How a Small Church Does Such Big Things.” Any article about the
subject of Common would be necessarily long because it is a constant theme throughout
God’s Word. Even so, Mr. Pack’s six sermons on this subject are worth the time to
hear them all.
Imagine having to sit and listen to Dave preach six 1 1/2 hour sermons on the commonality of all things in the church.!
Imagine having to sit and listen to Dave preach six 1 1/2 hour sermons on the commonality of all things in the church.!
This teaching gets its name from the book of Acts. There we find the very first snapshot of the just-established Church of God
on Pentecost AD 31: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and
the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued
steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers. And fear came upon
every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed
were together, and had all things common;
and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man
had need” (Acts 2:41-45).
Note that this practice of having “all things common” was in place from the very birth of the New Testament Church!
Yet Dave fails to mention that this "tradition" never survived in the church as more and more affluent people joined the church.
Yet Dave fails to mention that this "tradition" never survived in the church as more and more affluent people joined the church.
We will later explore why this was NOT a new concept to the first converts,
who immediately numbered in the thousands. You will see that Christ plainly taught this well before the apostles did—that
they were following what He had taught them to do and what they had done themselves.
A second nearby passage in Acts confirms Common was a way of life in
the first-century Church: “The multitude of them that believed were of one heart
and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed
was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles
witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold
them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid
them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according
as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is,
being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet”
(4:32-37).
You have to remember that many converts to Christianity were slaves or former slaves, people who had no property or steady income, so it was necessary that others helped care for them. Today, that is NOT a necessity, other than filling the pockets of some COG leader. They never share that money with their poor members, but instead build huge monuments to themselves or Herbert Armstrong. Jesus and God be damned! It is more important to have an Auditorium or new dance hall! Jesus needs those kind of buildings!.
You have to remember that many converts to Christianity were slaves or former slaves, people who had no property or steady income, so it was necessary that others helped care for them. Today, that is NOT a necessity, other than filling the pockets of some COG leader. They never share that money with their poor members, but instead build huge monuments to themselves or Herbert Armstrong. Jesus and God be damned! It is more important to have an Auditorium or new dance hall! Jesus needs those kind of buildings!.
The Greek word translated “common” here is koinos, which means
“common, that is, (literally) shared by all or several.” Interestingly, Peter used
this very same word in chapter 10 when he states, “God has showed me that I should
not call any man common or unclean” (vs. 28).
Of course, there are differences in the way the Work is carried out
in the modern era. Mr. Pack commented on this in one of the aforementioned sermons:
“We cannot do this in exactly the same way as was done in and around
Jerusalem. We are a small, scattered Church throughout many countries, not 10,000
to 15,000 people in one city. It has to be administered differently in the twenty-first
century than in the first. The needs of the Work back then were somewhat different.
You did have postage. You had to take care of the brethren. You had to buy a ticket
on a ship, or rent a horse, or preach in the synagogue. The needs of the Work today
are incredibly expensive—hall rentals, campus buildings, advertising, media, printing
costs and salaries. We have one World Headquarters. This is the final Jerusalem
(Heb. 12:22), if you will. This is the Headquarters Church.”
·
Common primarily
involves a Church member’s assets (“possessions and goods”), not one’s income
or life’s basic necessities (food, clothing and shelter). Merriam-Webster defines an asset as “an item of value owned.” Acts 4 specifically mentions “lands or houses” being
liquidated—sold and converted to cash. This can also include “liquid” assets (such
as cash, stocks, bonds, money market instruments, etc.) in amounts that are above
and beyond a member’s need for a reasonable, prudent savings. (Other potential sources
are discussed later.) Not all members own assets, but a number do.
There you have it! If you own businesses or homes then please sell them and send the money to Dave, The only rightful heir to COG members money! Since Dave owns the money he gets to do with it what he wants.
There you have it! If you own businesses or homes then please sell them and send the money to Dave, The only rightful heir to COG members money! Since Dave owns the money he gets to do with it what he wants.
·
Acts describes
the funds being brought to the leaders of the Church, who made decisions regarding
their use, based on the needs of the Work and as guided by Christ as Head of the
Church.
Dave claims to want his members to "freely" give their assets and not feel forced, but then goes on to say God commands it. RCG members are double damned now. If they disobey Dave they disobey God. Since when has a "command" in the Church ever been "optional?"
Dave claims to want his members to "freely" give their assets and not feel forced, but then goes on to say God commands it. RCG members are double damned now. If they disobey Dave they disobey God. Since when has a "command" in the Church ever been "optional?"
·
This is not a
biblical endorsement of communism, despite what some have taught. In a communist
system, the state forcibly confiscates a citizen’s assets and redistributes them. (Communist
governments also typically set a worker’s pay and greatly limit his opportunities
to achieve success.) By contrast, while commanded by God, Common is ultimately voluntary—it
is carried out by people who choose to obey God’s plain command. The ministry can,
through counsel, help members fulfill this biblical requirement, but they cannot
force anyone to obey God in this regard. (Neither can they
force people to keep the Sabbath, attend the Feast, avoid adultery, lying and stealing,
etc.) And in most cases, the Church would be unaware of one’s financial situation—so
obedience to Common becomes a test between the member and God.
·
This teaching
was part of the “apostles’ doctrine”
in which the Church “continued steadfastly.”
Really? Never once was it called doctrine.
We are also back to the membership lowering their standards of living so that the church and its leadership can prosper. The less money you spend for yourself the more you can send to Dave and crew!
Really? Never once was it called doctrine.
We are also back to the membership lowering their standards of living so that the church and its leadership can prosper. The less money you spend for yourself the more you can send to Dave and crew!
In summary, Common involves a member—the basic Christian—simplifying
his or her life by sacrificing assets,
non-necessities and luxuries for God’s Work. It may require a change of lifestyle, if one has been accustomed to excessive affluence,
but most often it will not. It does not mean neglecting
personal needs or needs of the family, foregoing savings entirely, ignoring or increasing
unmanageable debt, and certainly does not mean going bankrupt. Despite enemies’
false accusations that, “The Restored Church of God takes all of your money and
leaves you destitute,” this is far from the case. Besides, if a member is ever reduced
to poverty, he or she becomes eligible for third tithe assistance! So the false
charge above does not even make sense, never mind is it true.
Reports have been around for years that the RCG does not freely give out 3 tithe assistance. Dave rigorously goes over incomes and tithing statements first. Dave's false charges above do not make any sense, never mind not even being true!
It is vitally important that RCG members "get to the point" as soon as possible in regards to sending in all of their money. God commands it, though Dave may not. Cough, cough....
Reports have been around for years that the RCG does not freely give out 3 tithe assistance. Dave rigorously goes over incomes and tithing statements first. Dave's false charges above do not make any sense, never mind not even being true!
It is vitally important that RCG members "get to the point" as soon as possible in regards to sending in all of their money. God commands it, though Dave may not. Cough, cough....
However, this does require each of God’s people to evaluate his or
her circumstances, go to God in prayer and fasting if necessary, and then get to
the point—as soon as reasonably possible—where they are “all in” supporting God’s
Work!
Christ’s “Sayings”
The “Common concept” did not suddenly appear on the first Pentecost.
The apostles did not invent it.
It was based on many teachings—“sayings”—that Jesus had given to His disciples during
His earthly ministry.
The end of the “Sermon on the Mount” brings perspective on how we should
view Christ’s sayings: “Whosoever hears these sayings of
Mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which
built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a
rock. And every one that hears these sayings of Mine, and does them not, shall
be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the
rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house;
and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished
at His doctrine: for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes”
(Matt. 7:24-29).
The foundation of a Christian’s life must be built on the bedrock of doing—putting into practice!—Christ’s sayings. It is
not enough just to internally accept them, or merely voice agreement. We must “talk
the talk” and “walk the walk”—or else be counted “foolish”
and on the path to destruction.
How can any COG member every put into practice what Jesus taught when what he taught is never preached? It is all the law all the time, or be damned.
How can any COG member every put into practice what Jesus taught when what he taught is never preached? It is all the law all the time, or be damned.
Twin parables continue to set the table regarding one’s approach to
his possessions—the things he “has”: “The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure
hid in a field; the which when a man has found, he hides, and for joy thereof goes
and sells all
that he has, and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like
unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of
great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matt. 13:44-46).
These parables establish—define—what a true Christian considers to
be his treasure—the kingdom of God, not
any physical item! We must ask ourselves: Is achieving the kingdom—and by extension,
having all truth—our most “prized possession”?
We are now ready to examine many of Christ’s sayings that establish Common as a way of life in the Church.
Rich Young Ruler
A question from a would-be disciple gave Jesus opportunity to establish
the benchmark teaching on how His followers must use their resources, and to illustrate
many related lessons. You will see that He speaks most plainly:
Matthew 19:16-30: “Behold, one
came and said unto Him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
Note that the man asked how he could “have eternal life”—in other words, GAIN SALVATION!
Therefore, this question—Common—gets to the very heart of Christianity and to a
human being receiving ETERNAL LIFE.
“He said unto him, Why call you Me good? There is none good but one,
that is, God: but if you will enter into life, keep the commandments. He said unto
Him, Which? Jesus said, You shall do no murder, You shall not commit adultery, You
shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother:
and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The young man said unto Him, All
these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?”
So far, the young man believes he is meeting the qualifiers. But Jesus
is about to introduce another element that demands action: “Jesus said unto him,
If you will be perfect, go and sell that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall
have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.”
Jesus makes perfectly clear that more than keeping the commandments
is necessary. He tells the man that, in order to be perfect (Greek: “complete”)
and to correct what is lacking in his life, he must sell that which he has—divest
himself of his assets!—as all Christ’s followers would later do.
This is a subtle lie of Dave. The words of Jesus to this man about selling all he had was a specific statement to this man only. Not something that was meant for future generations or for future COG members. This man, even though he kept the law religiously, placed more value upon money than he did anything else. It no more applies to people today than id did to anyone who were contemporaries of the man in his time period. It was a specific statement made specifically to him and to no one else. Even though many wealthy Christians later helped the poor and destitute (slaves and refugees from Roman tyranny) it was still no more a command to them than it is to us today. People did it because they wanted to and saw a need.
This is a subtle lie of Dave. The words of Jesus to this man about selling all he had was a specific statement to this man only. Not something that was meant for future generations or for future COG members. This man, even though he kept the law religiously, placed more value upon money than he did anything else. It no more applies to people today than id did to anyone who were contemporaries of the man in his time period. It was a specific statement made specifically to him and to no one else. Even though many wealthy Christians later helped the poor and destitute (slaves and refugees from Roman tyranny) it was still no more a command to them than it is to us today. People did it because they wanted to and saw a need.
The result? “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away
sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily
I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And
again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,
than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When His disciples heard it,
they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them,
and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
This requirement to “sell that we have” is both challenging and inspiring.
Virtually the entire world is both taught to, and conditioned to, pursue wealth
and material things above all else. Turning the mind away from that approach, particularly
when everyone else around you knows nothing of it and would mock any who did this,
takes courage, effort—born of determination—and faith. In fact, without God’s help,
and more than a little for some, it is IMPOSSIBLE! The young ruler’s reaction illustrates
this perfectly: The thought of parting with his possessions provoked sorrow, and
quickly led to his turning away from Christ—and salvation!
This is where inspiration enters. When we “do” this saying, or see
another member do it, it becomes a demonstration of God’s power working through
flesh to perform the impossible!
In other words brethren, if you do NOT sell all you have and give it to me, Dave the Most Superfantabulous, then it is an obvious sign that God's power is NOT working through you.
In other words brethren, if you do NOT sell all you have and give it to me, Dave the Most Superfantabulous, then it is an obvious sign that God's power is NOT working through you.
In light of such astonishing statements by Christ, Peter asks a natural
question: “Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Behold, we have forsaken all [note that the apostles had all—“we”—done this],
and followed You; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily
I say unto you, that you which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son
of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that has forsaken houses, or
brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for
My name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
In walking away from stable and potentially lucrative careers, and
giving up other advantages and assets, the 12 disciples secured truly awesome rewards
in the kingdom by what they gave up.
So can you.
The final statement contrasts God’s perspective with that of the world:
“Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” As Mr. Pack stated
in his 2011 sermon series, “In this life, the first are those with the most toys.
But God says they are last. In this life, the last are those with the least toys.
God says they are first.”
TRIPLE Emphasis!
Viewing the “synoptic gospels” (Matthew, Mark and Luke) together reveals
certain accounts that only appear in Matthew. Some are unique to Mark, while some
are only in Luke. Others appear in two gospels. Still others are in all three.
To underscore the tremendous importance of the “rich young ruler” account,
Christ gives it triple emphasis.
It appears in all three synoptic
gospels. Here is Mark:
Mark 10:17-31: “When He was
gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him,
Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
Mark adds that the man ran to Him and kneeled, bringing the
elements of urgency and an outward appearance of submission and respect.
“Jesus said unto him, Why call you Me good? There is none good but
one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill,
Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not…”
“Defraud not” appears in Mark. This phrase is not in the Ten Commandments
but interestingly—consider the context—Jesus lists it. Continuing: “…Honor your
father and mother. And he answered and said unto Him, Master, all these have I observed
from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing you lack: go your
way, sell
whatsoever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come,
take up the cross, and follow Me.” “Take up the cross” ties in later to a broader
command in Luke 14.
Mark renders Jesus’ instruction, “Sell whatsoever you have.” He adds that Jesus “loved him.” Christ
cared about this young man, and was helping him see what he must do to become one
of His disciples. Yet, “he was sad at that saying [many are], and went away grieved
[some do]: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and said
unto His disciples, how hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom
of God! And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again,
and said unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter
into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,
than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
Some have interpreted “the eye of a needle” as one of the entry gates
of Jerusalem, and inferred that since a camel could get through this gate on its
knees, then a rich man could enter God’s kingdom, with difficulty. But Jesus goes
on to again state that this is impossible, meaning to do on human strength alone.
“They were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who
then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them said, With men it is impossible,
but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Then Peter began to say
unto Him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed You. And Jesus answered and said,
Verily I say unto you, there is no man that has left house, or brethren, or sisters,
or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel’s,
but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters,
and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many (not all)
that are first shall be last; and the last first.”
Jesus repeats in Mark that Christians, as they “leave”—forsake—what
God requires them to leave, can rest assured they will still have an abundant life—“an
hundredfold now in this time.” So many benefits of doing Christ’s
sayings apply here and “now,” not just after we enter God’s kingdom. Yet such blessings
only come to those willing to unconditionally obey God.
Next is Luke’s record of the same account.
Luke 18:18-30: “A certain ruler
asked Him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus
said unto him, Why call you Me good? None is good, save one, that is, God. You know
the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear
false witness, Honor your father and your mother. And he said, All these have I
kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, He said unto him, Yet
lack you one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute unto the poor, and you shall
have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me.”
This time Jesus states, “Sell ALL that you have.” Obviously, a follower
of Christ still needs certain necessities. But of course, Christ, as God in the
flesh, knew the level of material success achieved by the man He was addressing.
“When he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.”
The words “very sorrowful” are translated from the Greek word perilupos, which means
“grieved all around” and “intensely sad.”
“When Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, He said, How hardly shall
they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel
to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And He said, The things which
are impossible with men are possible with God. Then Peter said, Lo, we have left ALL, and
followed You. And He said unto them, Verily I say unto you, there is no man that
has left house,
or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, who
shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and
in the world to come life everlasting.”
Giving to the Poor
In all three accounts, the rich young ruler is told to give or distribute
to the poor. Realize this exchange took place before Jesus had established His Church.
There was not yet in place a unified effort to do God’s Work. But from Pentecost
onward, after the Church had begun, what was it a Christian was to give the poor?
And to which “poor” did Jesus refer?
First, this is not evidence Jesus abrogated the purpose of third tithe
in caring for brethren in need. Like first and second tithe, the third tithe system
was to continue from Old Testament times, but was to be entrusted to the New Testament
ministry for administration rather than the Levites. Hebrews 7 explains this.
We have all seen what happens when the ministry are over 3T. Rod Meredith used it to decorate his house. Other evangelists in Pasadena did the same thing. It was used dot buy paintings, gold, silver and other fine things.
We have all seen what happens when the ministry are over 3T. Rod Meredith used it to decorate his house. Other evangelists in Pasadena did the same thing. It was used dot buy paintings, gold, silver and other fine things.
Another passage makes clear Jesus did not have in mind a giveaway program
of cash or physical goods for all impoverished people inhabiting a world cut off
from God because of sin. Speaking with His disciples, Jesus made clear the problem
of poverty in the world will not be solved prior to the Millennium: “There came
unto Him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it
on His head, as He sat at meat. But when His disciples saw it, they had indignation,
saying, to what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for
much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, He said unto them, Why trouble
you the woman? For she has wrought a good work upon Me. For you have the poor always with you;
but Me you have not always. For in that she has poured this ointment on My body,
she did it for My burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in
the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman has done, be
told for a memorial of her” (Matt. 26:7-13).
If giving money to the world’s poor is not what we are to do, Jesus
would certainly have to clarify this elsewhere. He did—again, in three different
passages. The first describes His speaking in a Nazareth synagogue:
“There was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when
He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written [Isa. 61:1-2], the Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives,
and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to
preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:17-19).
Christ expects His Church—in keeping with its First Commission (Matt. 24:14)—to preach the gospel to those enduring financial hardship (but also
those who are “poor in spirit” [Matt. 5:3—lowly or humble]). Jesus interprets
Himself—the Bible interprets the Bible. This is how we
give to the poor!
This command is confirmed in Matthew 11. Here, Jesus relays a message to John the Baptist, listing evidence
He is the promised Messiah: “Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John
again those things which you do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and
the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up,
and the poor have the gospel preached
to them” (vs. 4-5). Luke’s account is similar: “Then Jesus answering said unto them,
Go your way, and tell John what things you have seen and heard; how that the blind
see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached”
(7:22).
Jesus sets the example of how His Church, through which He continues
His Work as its Head, would help the disadvantaged. Mr. Pack compared this in a
sermon to a popular analogy: “We don’t give a fish to the poor to feed him for one
meal. We teach him how to fish—that’s
giving him the gospel, the way to eternal life. The very shortsighted person (which
are millions of people in this country) wants the government to give him fish, rather
than to learn how to fish so he can feed himself and his family for a lifetime.
Dave, if you were actually a true Christian you would not be teaching the man how to fish, but do you best to see why the man go to the state he is in now. Only then would fishing be profitable. Something lead thhe man getting to that point and it was no that he did not know how to fish.
Dave, if you were actually a true Christian you would not be teaching the man how to fish, but do you best to see why the man go to the state he is in now. Only then would fishing be profitable. Something lead thhe man getting to that point and it was no that he did not know how to fish.
“Think about it. Which would you rather have? If you are really hungry
and somebody said to you, ‘I will give you a fish right now, and we’ll stop the
rumbling and the pain in your belly’—or, ‘I’ll teach you to fish, and in five hours
you can pull six out of the river.’ Which would you take? If you are really hungry,
you might be willing to trade a bowl of beans for a birthright, wouldn’t you? Remember
Esau. You might be willing to say, ‘Give me one fish, not skill as a fisherman.’
But any thinking
person would rather have the skill of the fisherman. And so our job
is to go to the world and teach men how to fish…which is how to get into the kingdom
of God, by analogy.”
“A Certain Rich Man”
Dave next tries to prove that having wealth is a sign of covertness. How dare church members have lots of money and not share it with him!
The next in this list of Christ’s sayings involves another rich man,
this time found in a parable. It identifies and illustrates the danger of a particular
sin—the same one that hindered the rich young ruler:
Luke 12:13-40: “One of the company
said unto Him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with
me. And He said unto him, Man, who made Me a judge or a divider over you? And He
said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not in
the abundance of the things which he possesses. And He spoke a parable unto them,
saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought
within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow
my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater;
and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul,
you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said
unto him, You fool, this night your soul shall
be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have provided? So
is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Grasp this! Jesus identifies accumulation of assets and goods as an
outward sign of covetousness, and
shows how this condition leads to complacency (“take your ease”) and a lack of time
spent building spiritual treasure.
He spends considerable time assuring the disciples that God will meet their physical
needs: “He said unto His disciples, Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for
your life, what you shall eat; neither for the body, what you shall put on. The
life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens:
for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds
them: how much more are you better than the fowls? And which of you with taking
thought can add to his stature one cubit? If you then be not able to do that thing
which is least, why take you thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they
grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all
his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
“If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and
tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
And seek not you what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be you of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows
that you have need of these things. But rather seek you the kingdom of God; and
all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your
Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Your very salvation depends upon you selling what you have snd giving it to Dave!
Your very salvation depends upon you selling what you have snd giving it to Dave!
We have a choice: Either we pursue physical things—or we seek the kingdom.
We cannot have it both ways. Christ then repeats the instruction that was rejected
by the rich young ruler—this time as a command to His disciples:
“Sell
that you have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not
old, a treasure in the heavens that fails not, where no thief approaches, neither
moth corrupts. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your
loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and you yourselves like unto men
that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he comes
and knocks, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom
the lord when he comes shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall
gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them
so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the good man of the house
had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered
his house to be broken through. Be you therefore ready also: for the Son of man comes at an hour when you think not.”
Do not miss that being ready for Christ’s Return is tied directly to
the command “Sell that you have”!
Lazarus and the Rich Man
Yet another parable involves a rich man and a warning. In Luke 16, Jesus is teaching His disciples,
but in a public setting with the Pharisees present. He starts with a summary statement
about which master a person serves—and there can be only one! “No servant can serve two masters: for either
he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise
the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [wealth]” (vs. 13).
Somehow this message has always escaped the leadership of the Churches of God. From Herbert Armstrong and onward. Power always deserved more money and the membership were expected to send it in and to never question how it was used.
Somehow this message has always escaped the leadership of the Churches of God. From Herbert Armstrong and onward. Power always deserved more money and the membership were expected to send it in and to never question how it was used.
This provoked an instant reaction from the highly esteemed and generally
well-to-do Pharisees: “The Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided
Him. And He said unto them, You are they which justify yourselves before
men; but God
knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination
in the sight of God” (vs. 14-15).
So its ok for Dave and Gerald Flurry to justify the need to build multi-million dollar auditoriums, dance halls for their grand-kids and rows of faculty homes. Its important to justify multi-million dollar campuses that are gated off from the communities that surround them. It is important to justify buying Rolls Royce's, Mercedes and limo's for the exclusive use of the leadership. Its important to justify the need to buy jet planes because of the need to separate themselves from the sweaty unwashed commoners on regular jets.
So its ok for Dave and Gerald Flurry to justify the need to build multi-million dollar auditoriums, dance halls for their grand-kids and rows of faculty homes. Its important to justify multi-million dollar campuses that are gated off from the communities that surround them. It is important to justify buying Rolls Royce's, Mercedes and limo's for the exclusive use of the leadership. Its important to justify the need to buy jet planes because of the need to separate themselves from the sweaty unwashed commoners on regular jets.
Jesus’ rebuke of the smug Pharisees sets up the parable: “There was
a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously
every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate,
full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s
table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the
beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also
died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and sees
Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham,
have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water,
and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in [Greek: “by reason of”] this flame” (vs. 19-24).
The next verse is key in understanding the distinction between the
rich man and the beggar. “But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things,
and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you are tormented”
(vs. 25). The rich man had enjoyed the good life in material terms, but was
not, as we read earlier, “rich toward God.”
“And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed:
so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to
us, that would come from there. Then he said, I pray you therefore, father, that
you would send him to my father’s house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify
unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham said unto him,
They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham:
but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him,
If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though
one rose from the dead” (vs. 26-31).
Of course, this applied to the Pharisees in that they would not hear
the One who rose from the dead—Christ. But it has additional meaning in light of
other passages regarding wealth: Without God’s direct intervention to accomplish
the impossible, those whose life fits the description of “faring sumptuously” will
not be persuaded to part with their “good things”—even with the testimony of one
risen from the dead!
Dave next twists scripture to fit his own convoluted mind. What he does is turn it into a threat. Any RCG members who accumulates wealth has done so because they are spiritual poor. No COG member wants to be seen as spiritually bankrupt. Outward appearances are important.
Dave next twists scripture to fit his own convoluted mind. What he does is turn it into a threat. Any RCG members who accumulates wealth has done so because they are spiritual poor. No COG member wants to be seen as spiritually bankrupt. Outward appearances are important.
A related passage in Luke shows Christ speaking to the future of those
who choose to pursue wealth over spiritual gain: “Woe unto you that are rich! For you have received your consolation.
Woe unto you that are full! For you shall hunger. Woe unto you
that laugh now! For you shall mourn and weep” (6:24-25). Sobering words.
The Apostle Paul’s Experience
The apostle Paul stands as one of the greatest servants of God of all
time. Before his unique calling, he rose to the heights of success and prominence
in Judea as a member of the Sanhedrin—the Jewish supreme court. This would naturally
have led to a substantial net worth.
After Paul’s life was repurposed and he was trained as an apostle,
his view of his worldly achievements had radically changed. What he wrote the Philippians
is stunning to ponder: “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any
other man thinks that he has whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised
the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the
Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church;
touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me,
those I counted
loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ
Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (3:4-8). Have you considered that YOUR actions must “win (over) Christ”?
Having been blameless in the law—outward, physical law-keeping—what
did Paul have to learn about himself at the spiritual level before he could come
to see “all things” he had given up as “dung”? His own words, inspired by Christ
in Romans 7, hold the answer: “What shall we
say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law:
for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You shall not covet” (vs. 7).
Paul is among the “hall of fame” examples of someone who forsook his
former life and lost “all things”—the byproducts of his success—to follow Jesus
Christ. This required him first to recognize his own covetousness—an invisible sin
that occurs in the mind.
Paul’s Counsel
Coming from this background, Paul was uniquely positioned to counsel
successful brethren on the dangers of clinging to wealth. He instructed Timothy:
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches,
but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good,
that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute [Greek:
“good at imparting”], willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves
a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (I Tim. 6:17-19).
This is consistent with Christ’s instruction to distribute to the poor.
Paul adds the element of what one trusts in. Financially
successful brethren have the challenge of learning to put their confidence in an invisible God, rather than visible resources—something that would be a lesser test
for those of modest means. Real faith is required (but see Heb. 11:6).
Earlier in the same chapter, Paul had set the stage with additional
context: “Men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw yourself … For we brought nothing into this world, and
it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment [necessities]
let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich [who desire to be rich]
fall into temptation and a snare, and into many
foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love
of money is [a] root of all [kinds of] evil: which while some coveted after,
they have erred
from the faith, and pierced themselves through
with many
sorrows” (I Tim. 6:5-10).
Some at that time who had been in “the faith”—true Christians—had erred
by coveting money. It led to being pierced, snared and drowned!
Let’s ask ourselves: Are we—living in the vastly more materialistic
21st-century Laodicean age—somehow immune to this danger? May none be so foolish!
Sobering Example
The book of Acts contains a shocking account of how one couple chose
to respond to the Common requirement, and the consequences: “A certain man named
Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price,
his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the
apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie
to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained,
was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own power? Why have
you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied unto men, but unto God”
(5:1-4).
Note that this man and woman could have kept
some portion of the proceeds of the sale, if this had been necessary. Their sin
was agreeing together to deceive the ministry about what they were giving. They
are described as lying to God, not just Peter! Perhaps they had previously pledged
the entire proceeds of the sale to the Work. Or they may have simply been seeking
extra favor in the apostles’ sight. In any case, God was greatly displeased—and
He acted swiftly!
“Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and
great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound
him up, and carried him out, and buried him” (vs. 5-6).
Imagine the effect this had on the congregation! But God was not finished
making an example of this couple: “It was about the space of three hours after,
when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her,
Tell me whether you sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then
Peter said unto her, How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit
of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which have buried your husband are at the
door, and shall carry you out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded
up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth,
buried her by her husband” (vs. 7-10).
Not only can you hoard your money and hurt the church but you can also be found guilty of not giving enough to the Church of Dave. That is even more egregious in his eyes.
Not only can you hoard your money and hurt the church but you can also be found guilty of not giving enough to the Church of Dave. That is even more egregious in his eyes.
Perhaps one spouse caved to the pressure of the other. In any event,
this is the only record of God actually striking two members of His Church. And
it involved Common. But it was not a result of members entirely withholding it. Rather they were dealt with
for improperly giving it! This should sober everyone in a remotely
similar position.
In Mr. Pack’s words, “The problem with Ananias and Sapphira was not
that they didn’t give. They did. We might speculate that they maybe gave more than
most have been able to give through the centuries. But they didn’t want to look
out of step with the rest of the Church and were willing to lie to cover up what
they were holding back. Think of it this way: In any other age, what they gave might
have been seen as an extraordinary step, but it cost their lives—obviously physical and eternal—because
they wanted to look like they were giving everything when they were not.”
The ultimate (and positive) effect on the Church is next described:
“Great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things” (vs. 11). At this juncture, pause to think of Mr. Pack’s sermon “Fearing God—As
You’ve Never Seen It!”
i.e. fear Dave as you have never imagined!
i.e. fear Dave as you have never imagined!
“Rich Men”
The book of James, which overwhelmingly focuses on the returning Remnant
and the false ministers abusing them, contains stinging rebukes for these “leading
tares.” God simply dubs them “rich men.”
Note how many times James was inspired to refer to their wealth: “Go
to now, you rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come
upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a
witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. You have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire
of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud,
cries: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the
Lord of Sabaoth [meaning “Lord of Hosts” or “armies”]. You have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; you have nourished your hearts,
as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed the just; and he does not
resist you” (5:1-6).
This is yet another type of rich man that none of us would want to
emulate. Take note!
In James 1, we read how to prevent falling into this trap: “Let the brother of
low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: but
the rich, in that he is made low:
because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner
risen with a burning heat, but it withers the grass, and the flower thereof falls,
and the grace of the fashion of it perishes: so also shall the rich man fade away
in his ways” (vs. 9-11).
By having all things in "common" RCG members can "choose" to be made low in this life. They can suffer while Dave prospers.
By having all things in "common" RCG members can "choose" to be made low in this life. They can suffer while Dave prospers.
Those called into the Church from a modest background are exalted because
they have become heirs of “all things” (Heb. 2:7-8). For God’s people with assets and
resources, Common is an instrument through which they can choose to be “made low” in this life—and Christ inspires
James to call this a reason to rejoice! This joy partly arises from the fact that
obedience brings blessings and keeps us on track toward eternal life. But it is
also a byproduct of the freedom and simplicity of a life stripped of excess money
and “stuff,” including the time needed to spend, maintain and expand it.
Doing Christ’s sayings enables us to rise above the standard mindset
of the present age. This is described in II Timothy 3. The first two descriptions set the tone for all that follow: “For
men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous…” (vs. 2). The phrase “lovers of their own selves” properly means “selfish.”
People today are selfish and covetous.
Brethren, we must be different.
Christ’s “Price”
As the understanding of the Remnant was gradually revealed to the Church,
another reference to Common was discovered in Zechariah. Right after Christ explains
that He will break the staff properly called “Grace,” symbolizing His covenant with
His people, He explains (foretells) a demand to them: “And I took My staff, even
Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break My covenant which I had made with
all the people. And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon Me knew that it was the word of the Lord. And I said unto them, If you
think good, give Me My price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for My price thirty pieces of
silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly
price that I was praised at of them…” (11:10-13). (The latter part of course refers
to a prophecy regarding Judas being paid to betray Christ. But the overall passage
is plainly dual.)
Forbear means “be flabby,
lacking or idle”—in other words, be negligent or procrastinate in paying Christ’s
price.
As Mr. Pack has explained to the Church, Christ’s price involves three
elements that Jesus laid out so plainly. These are listed in Luke 14 in the context
of “counting the cost” of Christianity:
(1) Loving Christ more than anyone, including our own lives: “If any
man come to Me, and hate [Greek: love less by comparison] not his father, and mother,
and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he
cannot be My disciple”
(vs. 26).
(2) Bearing the burdens/crosses that we face in life: “Whosoever does
not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple”
(vs. 27).
(3) Giving our assets to support preaching the gospel. “So likewise,
whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be My disciple”
(vs. 33).
Waiting for our separated brethren to be returned to the Body of Christ,
we have opportunity to set examples of obedience in all areas, including Common.
We should receive these men, women and families into a group that is truly, collectively, all in!
If Dave wants to actually preach this then he needs to turn over every single dollar from the sale of his current home that is up for sale to feed the joint account that all other RCG members donate money to. Every single one of you must be doing this so that when the tens of thousands of wayward COG members come from other groups come over to Dave's side they will see everyone sharing everything.
If Dave wants to actually preach this then he needs to turn over every single dollar from the sale of his current home that is up for sale to feed the joint account that all other RCG members donate money to. Every single one of you must be doing this so that when the tens of thousands of wayward COG members come from other groups come over to Dave's side they will see everyone sharing everything.
Time Is Running Out!
Mr. Pack has often described God’s Church today as being in a hurry.
Let’s see why.
Christians have known for decades that God’s Plan of salvation encompasses 7,000
years. This is comprised of 6,000 years for man to go his own way, apart from God,
culminating in the 1,000-year reign of the kingdom of God on Earth, commonly known
as the Millennium.
The 6,000-year period of man’s rule will come to an end within only
a few years. At that time, all of God’s people will have to give an account of how
they lived, including how much their hearts were in His Work. All of us!
Imagine God punishing people whether or not they gave money to Dave and crew. Total bullshit.
Imagine God punishing people whether or not they gave money to Dave and crew. Total bullshit.
God foretold that near the end many would feel that more time remains:
“Behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he [Ezekiel] sees is for many days to come, and
he prophesies of the times that are far off” (Ezek. 12:27).
This would be the prevailing mood in national Israel just before sudden
destruction. Many would live lives in mockery of God—as if there was more time.
Notice: “Knowing this first [do we?], that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For
since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning
of the creation” (II Pet. 3:3-4).
Sadly, this lackadaisical mood would also infect God’s people. Most
would live with a lack of urgency, paying scant attention to their spiritual condition,
as though Christ’s Return was far off—as though there would be plenty of time to
repent and qualify at a more leisurely pace. Jesus issued a stern warning to Christians
alive before His Coming: “If that servant say in his heart, My Lord delays His coming;
and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to
be drunken; the Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looks not for Him, and
at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint
him his portion with the unbelievers” (Luke 12:45-46).
Let this be true of none of us!
Called to Sacrifice
All of you ungodly cretins out there who posses so much, you don't deserve it, none of it. So........give it all to me for my gospel to go forth. When you give your offering you need to sacrifice to the point you are suffering, otherwise it is a waste of God's time.
Another of God’s commands applies to each member in regard to Common:
“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”
(Rom. 12:1). Our lives are to be living sacrifices to
God, who says this is a reasonable request.
After all He has done for us, how could it be
unreasonable? Everything we own ultimately
belongs to the Creator, who, in His mercy, has rescued us from the death penalty
and given us material blessings, which we do not deserve. God expects us to sacrifice
when giving offerings, nothing less. Not doing this is disobedience. Virtually all
people who practice the world’s many forms of Christianity invariably see their
religion as a mere segment—a certain portion—of the day (or week) in their lives.
They see following Christ as one of many goals, pursuits
or interests that they follow. Few even see Christianity as the greatest of these—when
no other goal, pursuit or interest should even be remotely on the same list of life’s
most important priorities. It takes sometimes years for true Christians to fully understand this.
Your good works must always involve sacrifice. Sacrifice of you money! It should always have pain. That pain must be mental or physical! It should be EXTREMELY hard!
Your good works must always involve sacrifice. Sacrifice of you money! It should always have pain. That pain must be mental or physical! It should be EXTREMELY hard!
Those who truly serve God are called to sacrifice. This involves everything
in our lives, including our money. Our good works must involve some kind of sacrificing
on our part. This is never easy. A sacrifice is an offering in which some level
of pain is always involved, whether mental or physical. Even in
human pursuits, it usually means giving up something dear to us so a particular
goal can be accomplished. Therefore, sacrificing is usually hard—sometimes extremely hard! Sadly, in this world nearly everyone in Western
civilization has become conditioned to leisure, license and luxury as a way of life and would therefore see all
forms of sacrifice as unreasonable, intrusive and simply unnecessary. Despite such
an environment and thinking that is found all around them, God’s people must come
to see sacrifice as ordinary—the usual—NECESSARY. The Christian life is entirely about sacrificing
in one form or another.
Romans 12:1 is an admonition that everyone should keep before their eyes. It is
the difficult way: “Enter you in at the strait[difficult] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad
is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there
be that find it [or are finding it]” (Matt. 7:13-14).
True Christianity is a life in which we must face and endure difficulties:
“You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (II Tim. 2:3). God’s people are soldiers in a difficult war. We cannot permit ourselves
to become caught up in worrying about money so that we fail to obey our calling
to sacrifice. Notice verse 4: “No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life;
that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier.”
A Message of Hope
When you see suffering in this world, does it trouble you? Does it
move you to want to DO something about it? Think deeply about the following:
·
When you see
the destruction wrought by earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods,
landslides, fires and other catastrophic occurrences, does your heart go out to
those affected?
·
When you read
of the elderly beaten and robbed in their homes, young people killing each other,
neighborhoods terrorized by gangs, and people afraid to leave their homes because
of crime, do you wish you could make things better?
·
When you hear
of illicit sex, perversion, families not getting along, marriages painfully ending
in divorce, and people struggling with their addictions to alcohol, pornography,
drugs and gambling, does it grieve you?
·
When you see
children with bloated bellies dying of hunger, people living in filthy, overcrowded
slums, and young people dying of horrible diseases, do you feel compassion welling
up inside you?
·
When you hear
of poverty, ignorance and illiteracy abounding worldwide, does it stir your emotions?
·
The same with
terror, war, destruction, population displacement, religious confusion, political
corruption, and injustice?
Many millions of people (including wealthy philanthropists) collectively
give vast billions of dollars to charitable organizations in an attempt to fix this world. Governments and international organizations
invest additional billions to eradicate hunger, poverty, disease and war. Yet all their efforts ultimately fail. No amount of
human ingenuity can solve mankind’s problems.
You can participate in giving the most wonderful gift this world could
possibly receive. By supporting the Work of preaching the gospel of the kingdom
of God and all other Bible truths in all nations (Matt. 28:19-20), you are helping to bring a message of hope to a world groping about
in spiritual darkness (Isa. 59:9-10)—the sure hope
of a better world soon to come, to be established under the reign of Jesus Christ.
What greater calling could there be?
The more you give to God’s Work, the more people we can reach with
this desperately needed message of hope. For the cost of just 4 cents (USD)—and
in some cases less—one additional person can be brought into contact with God’s
truth on the Church’s websites. Think. For every extra dollar you give (USD), 25 more individuals can be brought into contact with the truth of
God.
The Work has distributed scores of millions of pieces of literature
during the past several years, and many millions of people have visited the Church’s
websites. But consider: Earth’s population is beyond 7.3 billion human beings. Think
of those who live in your city, town, village or even your neighborhood—have they
heard the true gospel? What about your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and
acquaintances—have they heard this greatest of news? Realize there is tremendous
work to be done. Truly, we (following Jesus’ example) must be about our Father’s
business!
Many live unhappy, unfulfilled lives. Some seek answers to their problems
and to life’s greatest questions. Knowing we can participate in bringing them precious
knowledge should excite us to no end, motivating us to do everything we can.
Think of this short list: Common offerings allow us to increase (sometimes
greatly) subscribers to The Real Truth magazine,
distribute hardcopy literature, hire employees or ministers, add Feast sites, build
or plant elements of the campus, purchase needed equipment such as computers, vehicles,
landscaping machinery, or furniture, but most important of course, advertise God’s
marvelous, life-saving truths via our three websites (rcg.org, worldtocome.org and realtruth.org) and through
use of any other available media.
Ways to Give
A question may arise: “The balance in my bank account is small; how
can I give more to the Work?” This is a valid question.
First realize you probably have more assets than you think. Here are
things to consider:
·
Your
Home: If you built
up a significant equity in your home, banks will usually permit you to take out
a loan against existing equity. This is called a home-equity loan. For those whose
home is owned outright, another option is a reverse mortgage, which turns a home’s
equity into an income stream.
·
Other
Real Estate: If you have more than one home, ask yourself, “Do I really need the other(s)?” The answer is virtually always
“no.” The same applies if you own more than one piece of land.
·
Investments: Some have their money sitting in various investments,
for example, stocks (including employee stock ownership plans), bonds, term deposits,
gold and silver. Bearing in mind the coming economic cataclysm, would you not rather
earn a larger return on your investment by putting some of those funds into the
Work?
Did you know that REAL Christians NEVER retire???????!!!!!!!!! Because you are never to retire you should be giving any money in your pension plan directly to Dave. We all know he will take care of you when you are on the last part of you life needing care. Right? The more money you give the more Dave will help you......dream on!
Did you know that REAL Christians NEVER retire???????!!!!!!!!! Because you are never to retire you should be giving any money in your pension plan directly to Dave. We all know he will take care of you when you are on the last part of you life needing care. Right? The more money you give the more Dave will help you......dream on!
·
Retirement
Plans: Some enter the
“golden years” with significant sums in retirement plans. As we know, retiring is
not something able-bodied Christians do. Thus, these funds can help the Work surge
forward!
Don't even think about keeping any inheritances either!
Don't even think about keeping any inheritances either!
·
Inheritances: If you have an inheritance coming, perhaps from
a grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, cousin or friend, all the principles regarding
Common discussed in this article, and in Mr. Pack’s sermons, come to bear.
Don't be an ungrateful slob and put the church in your will while you enjoy your money in this life. The church deserves the money now, not when you die. Besides, some of your relatives or children might contest it and then the church would have to spend more money fighting to get it all.
Don't be an ungrateful slob and put the church in your will while you enjoy your money in this life. The church deserves the money now, not when you die. Besides, some of your relatives or children might contest it and then the church would have to spend more money fighting to get it all.
·
Wills: Some people have told Headquarters that when they
die, certain assets will go to the Work of God. In some cases (this has been happening
for decades), they named the Church in their will and sent us a copy. The challenge
facing the Work is that it needs funding today,
not years from now. In addition, wills can take a long time to settle, especially if tied up in legal matters.
It shows much more faith in God to send the funds now rather than later.
Do you have a large collections of collectibles? If so, sell it all! Right now! Sell it and send ALL proceeds to Dave!
Do you have a large collections of collectibles? If so, sell it all! Right now! Sell it and send ALL proceeds to Dave!
·
Collector’s
Items: Over the years,
some have acquired valuable collections through hobbies, inheritances, or by just
being in the right place at the right time. These include art, antiques, classic
cars, ornaments, gems, sports memorabilia, and other collector’s items. If this
is you, do you need these things? Or could you sell them and donate most or all
of the proceeds?
Start cleaning out your garages and closets. Have yard sales and send Dave everything you make.
Start cleaning out your garages and closets. Have yard sales and send Dave everything you make.
·
Old
Belongings: Some people are “packrats”—they keep everything they have ever owned.
Over the years they have accumulated old clothes, furniture and other items they
no longer use, which sit gathering dust. If you have things you no longer need,
a sale is a great way to raise funds. Though you might not think you would raise
much, every little bit (“widow’s mite”) helps.
These are just a snapshot of ways to give. You can probably think of
more.
When deciding how much to give, USE WISDOM. Make sure to do the following:
· Pray about what
you send, asking God to guide you on the right amount.
· Again, do not
give the Church “all your money.” Remember, you still have to live,
as well as have some savings for a “rainy day.”
·
Make sure you
understand and address the tax implications of what you send. This may involve independent
research, or perhaps limited consultation with a tax attorney.
If you would like to give, it is helpful to let Headquarters know in
advance—be “willing to communicate” (I Tim. 6:18)—how much you
are planning to contribute and the timeframe for ours receiving it. Knowing such
things GREATLY helps Headquarters with its budget planning process.
Word to the Prosperous
A number of God’s people are affluent. They have assets in the tens
and hundreds of thousands of dollars (USD), perhaps even in the millions. This is
particularly true of some living in the United States, Britain, Canada and other
nations of modern Israel where God’s promised blessings to Abraham’s descendants
have been great. But it may also be the case with some in other countries.
If you are affluent and have lots of money you are particularly expected to give it to Dave.
If you are affluent and have lots of money you are particularly expected to give it to Dave.
If this applies to you, then you have a special obligation to the Work of God: “Unto whomsoever much is
given, of him shall much be required” (Luke 12:48). Jesus Christ has blessed you with
much of this world’s goods, and will require (soon) an accounting from you as to
how you used it.
Riches or possessions will not determine your salvation nor save you
from the evil days ahead. They are fleeting—“here today, gone tomorrow.” Our only
protection is with God, who tells us that we should be “ready to distribute.” Where
would this be more applicable than to God’s Work? But if we are faithful with God’s
command, He assures we are “laying up in store for [ourselves] a good foundation
against the time to come, that [we] may lay hold on eternal life” (I Tim. 6:19).
Some Cautions
Over the years, some of God’s people have been incredibly generous
(obedient!) with their assets. They have sought to go to the very farthest limits
of their capability. God recognizes their sacrifice! Some are living in difficult
or very difficult financial circumstances. Therefore, for these it would be unwise—or
even impossible—to give more. They simply do not have the funds. Hearts can be big
when wallets and purses are small. God knows this. Neither God nor His Church expect
you to do what cannot be done. This article is NOT written in the spirit of trying
to pressure people to give. It is to explain God’s command regarding Common. This
is our part. All decisions that follow are yours.
Remember though that God will not reward you if you are not sacrificing and hurting!
Remember though that God will not reward you if you are not sacrificing and hurting!
If after reading this article you assess your financial situation and
are unable to give anything, do not feel ashamed. If you can only give little, do
not be embarrassed. But all of God’s people should diligently examine their circumstances and determine what they can or cannot do.
Recognize that the human heart is deceitful (Jer. 17:9) and selfish. Therefore, we must fight tendencies that could appear
when considering this matter. Be honest in self-examination, because Christ will
be when assessing what we did or could have done for His Work from blessings He
sent.
Lest any of you think about questioning Dave's reasonings, you must take all of these questions into consideration.
Lest any of you think about questioning Dave's reasonings, you must take all of these questions into consideration.
The possibility exists that this article could offend a few. If this
is true of you, let’s reason together: Ask why you are offended.
In light of the far-reaching scope of this article, ponder these questions:
·
What is the reason for offense?
·
What scripture(s)
has (have) been explained incorrectly?
·
Are you offended
at God’s command to sacrifice?
·
Or for calling
you into His Church?
·
Do you believe
God’s calling is merely for you to get your salvation?
·
Do you not want
to do all you can to support preaching the good news of God’s kingdom, and all His
other wonderful truths, to as many as possible?
·
Have you considered
the special blessings that follow obedience?
Further, consider all that God has done for us:
·
Sent His Son
to die for us so our sins could be forgiven, freeing us from the death penalty.
·
Blessed us with
material things we do not deserve.
·
Opened our minds
to most precious truth.
·
Taken us from
our miserable, sin-filled lives and shown us the right way to live.
·
Called us to
participate in sharing the most awesome knowledge the human mind could receive.
·
Offered salvation—birth
into His Family!
·
Creating in us
His perfect, holy, righteous character, reproducing Himself through us.
Be careful not to accuse God’s Church of seeking to enrich itself at
your expense—Jesus Christ surely takes such accusations personally.
How can Jesus take it personally when the church ignores Jesus? I am sure he finds that much more offensive than someone struggling to give money.
How can Jesus take it personally when the church ignores Jesus? I am sure he finds that much more offensive than someone struggling to give money.
Tragically, worldly “preachers” (actually, “deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into…ministers of righteousness”—II Cor. 11:13, 15) have become wealthy on the backs
of their followers—all while offering empty platitudes and falsehoods in return.
The Church of the Living God is different!
Dave's most superfantabulous work must always be cuttng corners and operating on a shoestring budget because lazy church members would send in everything they own.
Dave's most superfantabulous work must always be cuttng corners and operating on a shoestring budget because lazy church members would send in everything they own.
Do you truly understand
the sacrifices made over the years so that marvelous truths could reach a desolate
and desperate world? If only everyone could sit in Headquarters budget meetings
and see how God’s leaders constantly seek to scrimp, cut and implement financial
austerity measures here, there and everywhere so the Work can go forward.
God’s Work operated on a “shoestring” for a long time. Over time, many
ministers and staff have taken pay cuts (BIG ONES!) to work at Headquarters, given
up promising careers, voluntarily worked without pay—and in a few cases even given
their lives!—so the Work could be finished. Were it not for these sacrifices, you
might not be in the Church today.
Church employees have taken big pay cuts, though Dave has not. It has been a long standing tradition in the COG HQ's for the little people to get crapped upon first. HWA did it, and so does every single COG group to this day.
Church employees have taken big pay cuts, though Dave has not. It has been a long standing tradition in the COG HQ's for the little people to get crapped upon first. HWA did it, and so does every single COG group to this day.
Considering this (and so much more), is it remotely right to be offended?
Should we not be grateful beyond words for the opportunity to participate in the
most important Work on Earth? Realize you are one of a select few in history whom
God has called. Only a tiny number have had the privilege to receive this unique
opportunity. Each of us is one of hundreds of thousands who could be in our seat.
This knowledge should humble us beyond measure, but also inspire us to increased
zeal and dedication to this great end-time Work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Headquarters has been asked by many individuals
and couples for assistance in determining how to obey Christ’s command, based on
their circumstances. No two situations are identical, but certain questions regularly
arise.
Q: Is Common paid or given?
A: Mr. Pack answered
this question in the more recent of the sermons mentioned above. He was speaking
in the context of Christ’s instruction about profitable and unprofitable servants:
“Is Common commanded? Is it paid or is it given? Is it an offering or like
a tithe? The answer? It
is both. You are commanded to give it and it is your duty. As a matter of fact,
if you do give your “Common,” you could still be an unprofitable servant because
everybody must do it. It is a baseline. So it will not automatically get you into
the kingdom of God. However, I used both terms because everybody (much like a Holy
Day offering or any other offering) must decide what they believe is the portion
they keep back. Where do you set the limit? The person who gives more versus the
one who gives less defines who is profitable to God and who is not.
“Somebody can give a huge amount and a great many poor of this world
can hear the gospel, yet the person who gave may not even reach the kingdom. Have
you thought of that? It was their ‘commanded duty.’ But they become profitable to
God when they say, ‘You know what?…I have an awesome job, unlike anybody else. Look
at my house. Look at my cars. Look at my clothes. Look at my steady income…I do
not need this much and can give more than I think.’ Such people can go further than
they often think. God does not define your portion, your part, your allotment. You
do.”
Q: What are the typical pitfalls?
A: We have at times
seen members fall into two opposite ditches:
(1) Giving so much that they bring themselves
to the brink of financial insolvency. This happens less often, and is
solved by looking at income, expenses and debt while deciding how much to give.
Headquarters can provide counsel to help prevent this.
(2) Mistaking merely “a nice offering”
for the “all” that Common requires. To illustrate, think of a member
with $1 million in the bank. (This would be rare.) He has simplified his lifestyle
to a reasonable level, and does not need more than his current income to cover his
monthly expenses. He has determined that a prudent savings, based on various factors,
is $15,000. He learns of the Common doctrine, evaluates his circumstances…and decides
to give $300,000 to the Work. While this is a very large amount—far beyond the capability
of most—it still leaves him with $685,000 of excess funds he does not need. He has
given—and that helps the Work!—but he is not “all in.” He has not truly obeyed Christ’s
command—or even come close. Consider the widow of Mark 12: “Jesus sat over against the treasury,
and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
And He called unto Him His disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you,
that this poor widow has cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
for all they
did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all
that she had, even all her living” (vs. 41-44). Though the amount the widow gave was tiny, she had deeply sacrificed.
Q: Must I sell my house?
A: Other verses
make clear we may have a home. Paul asked the rhetorical question, “Have you not
houses to eat and to drink in?” (I Cor. 11:22). Also, Sabbath
services were generally held in members’ homes in the first century (Rom. 16:5; I Cor. 16:19), still often the case
today. In modern times, Common applies to second homes,
vacation cottages, investment properties, land and other unnecessary assets.
Regarding primary residences, a distinction must be made between a
home used as shelter and a place from which to extend hospitality, and one held
as an asset—a “stockpile” of equity. Again, in this age, there are banking instruments
that allow one to live in a house—and “own” very little of it—in the exact same way as if it was owned outright.
Q: What about my retirement account?
A: According to
many plain scriptures, Christians do not retire. The Fourth Commandment alone makes
this plain: “Six days shall you labor, and do all your work” (Ex. 20:9). Another crucial verse states, “Even when we were with you, this
we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should
he eat” (II Thes. 3:10). (Of course, it is natural to slow down somewhat as we age.)
Mr. Pack said this in “How a Small Church Does Such Big Things (Part
2)”: “Retirement is unbiblical, period. That is why Mr. Armstrong said, ‘We will
never retire’…Retirement is a sin if you are able-bodied…I have given a sermon on
this, ‘The Work Ethic and The Work.’ Some may say, ‘Well, Mr. Pack, that is strong.’
Yes, it is strong, but God is strong! You cannot come into the Work and
say, ‘I am retired because men told me I can.’ God does not say you can. Mr. Armstrong died at 93½ on the job; Moses, too,
along with other servants of God. They retired into the grave. But
a lot of people have amassed a lot of wealth, so they think they can retire because
men told them they could. Retirement is another part of the culture out there that
people marinate in…It is called the entitlement mindset.” (For more on this, listen
to his full sermon series.)
Did you know that it is a sin to leave your children an inheritance? The end will be here in a few years and they won't be able to spend it. Dave can though, so send it all to him. Screw your kids over! That's the Christian thing to do.
Did you know that it is a sin to leave your children an inheritance? The end will be here in a few years and they won't be able to spend it. Dave can though, so send it all to him. Screw your kids over! That's the Christian thing to do.
A: This verse states,
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…” While this had direct
application in ancient Israel during and beyond when it was written, the urgency
of our time presents a very different scenario. We are living in the final age of
the Church, with the signs of the end-time blaring at us minute-to-minute from the
headlines! Our children would hardly have opportunity to spend an inheritance,
never mind our grandchildren. We are the generation who, at the 1,335
days, will have to leave behind everything but the clothing we are wearing. Just
weeks later, our material goods will be plundered as the Great Tribulation arrives—there
will be no
neat distribution to inheritors.
Again quoting Mr. Pack: “I’m never going to leave my children anything.
The same with all my grandchildren. Why? Because there is no possible way they would
ever get it. Consider for a minute. At the resurrection of the dead, not one person
will own land or a house. Not one living Christian in God’s Church will still have
either. In fact, we will have decided three years and eight-and-a-half months earlier
to leave our houses and lands. You will have left your
dwelling…so the question becomes, will you give some of it now?
“The chances are, if you won’t give it now—and I’m not saying leave
it—there are banking instruments in place where you do not need to leave your house.
It’s different from the first century. You can pull money from your house and live
in it as though you owned it outright. Of course no bank will let you be upside
down in your house.
“Now consider. If you won’t give up your houses and lands now, you
probably really won’t have to worry about giving them up at the time of “taken.”
You’ll get to keep them for a little while longer, while all those who did give
up houses, who did give up lands, and received them back again because God provides
for them—with persecution—will again be willing to do it at the 1,335 days before
Christ’s Return.
“We have two categories of people, as it were: Those who gave up houses
twice, and those who won’t give them up at all. Take a look at what you have—gold,
silver, 401Ks, stocks, coins, stamps, paintings, antiques, equity. What do you have
that you don’t
need? You can continue your lifestyle if you’re not acting in an affluent
way (that’s not the calling of Christians). Don’t leave yourself with no clothes,
standing out in an intersection without food in your stomach, or a house. You may
need counsel, but there are a lot of things you can get rid of. Great numbers have
already learned this.”
Q: To keep the Fifth Commandment, are we required to financially take
care of parents?
Restored Church of God members should NOT be taking care of parents in expensive nursing or retirement homes! That money belongs to Dave! This is especially true of your unconverted parents who are not RCG Members.
Restored Church of God members should NOT be taking care of parents in expensive nursing or retirement homes! That money belongs to Dave! This is especially true of your unconverted parents who are not RCG Members.
A: We can and should
do what we can to make sure our parents are in a safe environment and not lacking
basic necessities. But Christians are not obligated to subsidize an upscale setting,
even if they were once accustomed to it. Consider: When their minds are opened to
the truth at the Second Resurrection, they will have an entirely different view
in hindsight of converted children’s decisions. Will our parents look back and think,
“Now I understand their actions—they did the right thing”—or will they say, “What
were they thinking?!? They could have done so much more to help finish the Work!”
Q: My family/spouse/friends are opposed to me sending Common. How should
I respond?
Above all do NOT tell unconverted spouses! Give money behind their backs. Dave needs it all!
Above all do NOT tell unconverted spouses! Give money behind their backs. Dave needs it all!
A: First, never tell family outside the Church about a command
they have no
chance to understand! (You
would certainly never tell them even the size of a Holy Day offering.)
Since we established that giving all is not possible without God, you should not
expect those outside God’s
Church to believe it is possible, or even a good idea. (This would also apply to
a financial advisor, who would view any notion of “treasure in heaven” or being
“rich toward God” as foolishness.) Remember: Family and friends cannot give eternal
life. They cannot place a crown on your head or put you on a throne ruling cities
beside Christ. Do not permit their opposition to jeopardize your eternal life and
reward!
Recall Jesus’ instruction to one who wanted to delay following Him
on account of family: “He [Jesus] said unto another, Follow Me. But he said, Lord,
suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury
their dead: but go you and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:59-60).
Get counsel on this matter if you are unsure.
Q: My home/land/property is on the market but is not selling. What
should I do?
A: Over time, while
assisting many members liquidating real estate to benefit the Work, the Headquarters
ministry has seen a pattern repeat itself many times: The seller must aggressively
drop the price, often more than once in a short time, to find the market “sweet
spot” that brings a serious buyer to the table. Almost always, the selling price
is considerably below what the member had expected. The desire to
give more to God’s Work through a higher price is wonderful, but generally speaking
it is better to relatively quickly drop the price to one that will rapidly sell.
This evokes Christ’s parable of the unjust steward: “There was a certain
rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted
his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of you?
Give an account of your stewardship; for you may be no longer steward. Then the
steward said within himself, What shall I do? For my lord takes away from me the
stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
“I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship,
they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord’s debtors
unto him, and said unto the first, How much owe you unto my lord? And he said, An
hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take your bill, and sit down quickly,
and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owe you? And he said, An
hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take your bill, and write fourscore.
“And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely:
for the children of this world are in
their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you,
make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when you fail,
they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least
is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also
in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,
who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which
is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:1-12).
Here is a quote from one of Mr. Pack’s sermons on Common regarding
this parable: “Brethren, be like the unjust steward with your possessions. Maybe
(proverbially) write 80 as he did, or write 50, so to speak. Again, get what you
can for what you have. Holding out for the bigger price usually yields nothing,
rather than more. We’d all like to think it will (rarely it can), but it may yield nothing. Be willing
to scramble…That’s what the unjust steward did. He scrambled. We might say God’s
Work is in a big hurry. We could move more quickly with our plans if God’s people
moved quickly.
“Because of the compacting of the age and the ‘short Work’ (remember
God picked a word in Romans 9:28 that means compact), we must act
quickly. We have to be jet-propelled. So we here must move at the speed you move.
Go to God for that extra help. Those are some things worth considering in regard
to the unjust steward.”
The following also applies: Whatever is needed for the member to stay
financially stable (retire revolving debt, build or maintain a moderate savings
for emergencies, etc.) is the portion that should be retained by the member. If
the Church’s gain is diminished somewhat due to a reduced price, this is preferable
to the property sitting on the market for months—or years—and being useful to no
one, besides being an upkeep burden for its owner.
Three Things Needed to Follow Through
Finally, we examine three spiritual qualities that must be in us—and
strong—to obey Christ’s command.
(1) Faith: Believe all the
promises of God that He will provide for all our physical needs. Among them, as
we saw, is “…seek not you what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be
you of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after:
and your Father knows that you have need of these things. But rather seek you the
kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Luke 12:29-31). We must also understand and believe that not obeying God in Common,
as in every other area of conversion, blocks His ability to bless and provide for
us. He must provide trials instead.
(2) The fear of God: This quality, so rare even among converted minds today, plays a big
role in paying Common. Psalm 2:11—“Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling”—is a
simple instruction, but difficult to follow in the modern age. So is Philippians 2:12—“Work out your
own salvation with fear and trembling.” The one who truly trembles before God will comply with Christ’s instruction
to pay His price. Again recall Mr. Pack’s milestone sermon, “The Fear of God—As
You’ve Never Seen It!” and the verse “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things
not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house…and
became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Heb. 11:7). Fearing God leads to action! This central attribute causes
Christians to do what God says, including Christ’s command to
“forsake all that he has.” Some choose to sit on funds that belong to God. They
fear being without money more than fearing
God’s command to give it to Him. Don’t let this be you! Psalm 34 declares, “O
taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him. O fear the Lord, you His saints: for there is no want to them that fear
Him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek
the Lord shall not want any good thing” (vs. 8-10). Psalm 147 adds, “The Lord takes pleasure in them that fear Him, in those
that hope in His mercy” (vs. 11).
(3) Desire to please God: Finally, I John 3 holds two keys to answered prayer: “If our heart condemn us not, then
have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because
we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (vs. 21-22). Obedience and pleasing God
are both important. Pleasing Him requires a level of service beyond obedience. Thinking
of all that God has done for us, let’s serve Him “with joyfulness, and with gladness
of heart, for the abundance of all things” (Deut. 28:47).
Your Best Investment
Storm clouds continue to threaten the global economy. The nations of
the West, for so long the world’s financial engine, are in deep trouble. As they
go, so goes the world. National leaders are frantically looking for solutions to the crisis.
In the meantime, Church members understand there is a time coming soon
when it will be impossible for God’s Work to continue. Knowing there are but a few
years remaining should powerfully motivate us to give even more.
People are concerned about their financial future unlike any period
since the 1930s. They are busy putting money into what they consider to be safe
investments. Where will you put yours? As a member of the only true Church, what
is your safest investment?
The time will soon come when anyone not under God’s protection will
be in BIG TROUBLE—and their financial savvy will not save them: “They shall cast
their silver in the streets, and their gold shall…not be able to deliver them in
the day of the wrath of the Lord” (Ezek. 7:19). Since gold (and to a lesser degree silver) is being advertised and
sold everywhere, no one yet realizes it is useless against the Day of the Lord.
How often do we think of this passage in connection to what we may be holding back
beyond what we truly need? Remember the parable of the rich fool: In setting his
heart on the things money can buy, he thought he had made it—only to die suddenly
(Luke 12:15-21).
If you are stingy with God’s Work in trying to save yourself, do not
expect much in return from God, including His divine protection. But the more generous
you are, the more God will bless you. “He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly;
and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (II Cor. 9:6). The more you “invest” in God’s Work, the bigger will be your return
on investment! What a wonderful deal! God loves a cheerful giver (vs. 7), and will bless you accordingly (vs. 8). Yet, and this is critical to remember, Common funds are not really
offerings. They are commanded in the
spirit of verses explained earlier. But understanding how God views offerings helps
paint the full picture.
Our only hope of protection from the evil days to come is with Almighty
God. Holding back displeases Him, and will cause Him to hold back His blessings
(Heb. 10:38). If we try to save our lives by trusting in human effort, we will
eventually lose out—but if we “lose our lives” by sacrificing for His end-time Work,
we will be saved (Matt. 16:25-26). To receive God’s protection, we must walk “by faith, not by sight” (II Cor. 5:7), relying totally on Him. People with a large reserve of assets can
obviously SEE what they have. This is what brings them peace—and security. It is
what they “trust” in to get them through hard times. But neither they nor anyone
else has ever seen the kind of hard times scheduled to strike the whole world like
a “snare” (Luke 21:35)!
The Rest Is Up to You!
Time is short. The Return of Jesus Christ is but a few years away.
It will occur in our lifetime. This world grows darker every day. God’s Church has
an immense Work to do—one of staggering proportions—and is ready to expand as never
before. His final Work is nearing its world-shaking crescendo! Are we individually ready? Each must ask:
Have I obeyed having
“all things Common” with my brethren?
Have I sold “whatsoever
I have,” and given the gospel to the poor?
Have I paid this portion of Christ’s “price”?
