Dear Brethren and Co-workers with Christ,
What a year this has been! It has been disaster upon disaster, just as the prophet Ezekiel recorded would happen if we rebel against our Creator (Ezekiel 7:26). I could focus on everything that has gone wrong in our world this past year. For even as I write a horrible series of tornadoes have cut across several states and destroyed much of Mayfield, Kentucky, where we have more than 65 subscribers to Tomorrow’s World. But my purpose in this letter is to thank you sincerely for your prayers and support and to give you some good news.
We have had a financially encouraging year once again here in Charlotte, allowing us to hire new ministers, hire essential office personnel, and expand our printing and distribution efforts. And I am happy to report that most of our offices around the world are also in good financial positions, although some areas rely on support from our offices in wealthier countries.
While many churches and charities have suffered declines in their income over the last two years, we have been blessed greatly, but money should never be the goal. The objective is to give Christ’s message to a troubled world and warn our nations what will happen if we do not change our ways. People need hope during this stressful time when unseen viruses can bring life to an end. What greater hope can one have than eternal life in the Kingdom of God? We can rejoice, knowing that when our physical bodies fail, those of us who have truly committed our lives to Christ have a sure hope in a future life with new bodies that never grow old.
The truth about the resurrection to that Kingdom as sons and daughters of God (2 Corinthians 6:18) is so different from the traditional concept of going to heaven with no constructive purpose. The Scriptures inform us that we are destined to be kings and teachers upon Christ’s return (Revelation 5:10; 20:4), but we must first respond to the Father’s calling (John 6:44). We must believe the message Jesus brought and repent of breaking His laws (Mark 1:14-15). We must also accept Jesus Christ as our Savior (Romans 10:8-10; Acts 8:36-38) and allow Him to live His way of life in us through the power of His spirit (Galatians 2:20). And we must do the Work of God (John 4:34-38) and remain faithful to the end (Hebrews 2:1-3). God has a glorious future in mind for us if we do these things!
Thanks to our great God and to you who have let Him work in your hearts to give so generously, we have increased our Tomorrow’s World subscriber list from 292,000 in our November-December 2019 issue to 540,000 in January 2022. That is an increase of 248,000 new subscriptions in two pandemic-stricken years. And this year, for the first time, we were able to publish ten issues of the magazine per year. None of this would have been possible were it not for your response when God moved you to donate to the cause.
All of us have different talents and we come from different stations in life. Most of us tithe (give 10 percent of our income) and/or give generous offerings to this Work according to our means. Some few are high-income earners who occasionally give large donations, but most of us are of more modest means. Many among us are retired and on fixed incomes. We are grateful to each one of you for what you contribute. Small donations add up, and larger ones give a quick boost. Either way, thank you!
It is often the practice of churches and charities to send individualized personal letters of thanks to their wealthiest donors, but I personally have chosen not to do so, as I explained in last year’s December letter. Let me quote from that letter for any who are new.
Most of the financial support we receive might be classified as modest or average, but that is not the whole picture. Jesus gives us an important perspective:
Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood” (Mark 12:41-44).
It is human to thank those who give large gifts, as it takes many small donations to equal a large one. However, we must learn to see as God sees and not overlook the widow’s mites. That is why I do not send a special “thank you” letter to individuals for exceptionally large donations. They are, of course, greatly appreciated, and if this applies to you, thank you! But God, it appears, is equally pleased, if not more, with the widow’s mite.
So, I want to give a special thank you to each one of you for your prayers and your moral and financial support. I also want to thank those of you who have included us in your wills. Most years we receive a few notices that someone is deceased and named Tomorrow’s World or Living Church of God as a beneficiary. We often are unaware of this until after someone has died, so if you are one of those few who has included us in your will, thank you in advance! We greatly appreciate those who leave a legacy with us, but be diligent to ensure your immediate family members are cared for in a fair manner. (And by the way, we do have a booklet on Planned Giving to help any who choose this action. Just contact us and we will be happy to send it to you.) However you give, I want you to know that all of you are valued and appreciated. Our hope is that we will meet you in the resurrection where we can dwell together in glory as brothers and sisters in Christ’s coming Kingdom.
Before I close, I want to pass along a comment from one of our ministers about how inflation is affecting some brethren in his area.
I know we are all pretty aware of how food and gas costs (and increasing rents and property taxes) are starting to be more than just a “nuisance” for some of our local members. There are now more than a few people in my area who are starting to really struggle to pay basic bills. Every area has poorer brethren, and the Church is, of course, assisting with a few people, but it’s starting to go beyond that. Even for some of our local members who have decent paying jobs, they are starting to have to cut back in ways that they didn’t used to have to. I know this is nothing compared to what is in the future, as overall we’re still pretty blessed here in the USA, because again, it’s getting a little “different” than months or years past.
This winter may be very difficult for many as heating costs are expected to increase significantly. Wherever we are, let us look out for our neighbors and friends. God is clear about our responsibilities to Him (Malachi 3:8-10), but also about caring for the truly needy, as many scriptures admonish us. So let us pray for one another and care for one another by our actions (James 2:15-16).
Thank you, once again, dear brethren and co-workers, for what you have done these past two years. Let us pray that God will multiply our efforts abundantly.
Sincerely, in Christ’s service,
Gerald E. Weston