Herbert W Armstrong

Notice Acts 3:19-21 — this could be considered the most central and pivotal passage in the whole Bible. Restitution means the restoring of something that had been destroyed, or taken away, to its former state. There can hardly be a more encouraging and absolutely thrilling topic than the end of all the world's evils — no more disease, no more death, no more suffering, no more tears a new world under God's Government of Love where happiness and world peace are a reality, no longer just man's elusive dream!

Let us never forget that God has raised up this Work to support His Apostle in proclaiming that awe-inspiring message of hope, and that each individual's part in that Great Commission is the means God has given each of us to prepare and qualify us for rulership under Christ when He comes.

Some have asked for a clarification of how they should handle hall rental for the weekly Bible studies. If you do not presently have hall rental taken care of from Pasadena, be sure to continue (or initiate if necessary) holding the weekly Bible studies in private homes until we can budgetarily handle the costs. Forward all projected expenses for Bible study hall rent to Ministerial Services before signing any lease agreements. Please contact us if you have suggestions for raising hall rental funds in your own local area.

It seems that some ministers have lost sight of the basic attitudes that the calling of the ministry requires. Jesus commands in Matthew 6:19-21, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth, and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break in and steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

We need to think about this specifically in regard to purchasing homes. Many ministers who have purchased homes, then received notice of transfer, have immediately put their homes up for sale, packed up, and left. These men have a right attitude of faith, realizing that God did not call them to make profits on real estate investments, but to diligently serve Him.

Paul reminds Timothy in I Timothy 6:6-12,"But godliness with contentment is great gain, For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will (want) 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 the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, 0 man of God, flee these things: and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou are also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

Some ministers have found themselves unwilling to be subject to the government of God in His Church because of these "foolish and hurtful lusts." Making money and physical gain has actually blurred the spiritual vision of some. We need to remember II Cor. 4:17-18: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal: but the things which are not seen are eternal."

This Work has always been a Work of faith. We must also walk by faith in our individual lives, trusting God for all our needs. As Paul says in II Cor. 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

We are only sojourners in this world, and our citizenship is not of this world. It is not wrong for a minister to buy a home. It is wrong when he allows that or anything else to stand between him and his calling and responsibility in the ministry. When a minister of God purchases a home he must also be willing to leave it if necessary, without great anxiety over profit. He should trust God for his needs, and God will bless him in other ways if the attitude is one of confidence — in God, not in mammon.

Joe Tkach, Ministerial Services