Response to "Are
YOU Holding Back?"
| In 1969
Frank Brown1 wrote an article2
which was directed specifically toward members' supposed lack of yieldedness in sending money to headquarters
in response to "pressing needs."
Today
there are other
authoritarian splinter groups of WCG, such as
Philadelphia
Church of God, which have been known to require their members to
give large sums of money. In giving a response to this letter, we will
attempt to help our readers see the propaganda
techniques and the manipulation of fear and guilt feelings (psychological abuse)
that are used in order to coerce the members into sending more
money to headquarters.
Also read: Beware 'Ambassadors' Bearing Gifts! (A tragic story of what happened to one WCG member who responded to HWA's pleas for more money) Loma Armstrong's Bowel Obstruction (Incredible letter showing HWA's manipulation and coercion tactics to exploit his followers into sending in more money.) Note: Frank Brown’s words will be in brown and will be indented. All italics in the original.
Notice how FB starts off with the emphasis on "YOU" which prepares the reader to examine himself/herself with feelings of guilt.
Where does the Bible specifically say that New Testament Christians are "required" to tithe, especially to any particular church or organization? HWA often used Malachi 3:8 from the O.T. to enforce a tithing law, but in this chapter God is finding fault with the Levites who controlled the tithes and offerings. The people had stopped bringing tithes and offerings to the priests because they knew they were corrupt.
Israel tithed on their agricultural produce and livestock. (Deut. 14:28-29) Where does FB get the idea that this tithe would be on the gross? If the pattern of Scripture was a tithe of the increase, and was to be on the tenth animal, not the first animal, how did he come up with this concept? Also, what do the Scriptures tell us is "God’s work"? Is it a specific group of people, or a particular church? The Scriptures say: "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent" (John 6:29)
Since the subject of tithing has been thoroughly discussed on other websites, and in certain books, I will just briefly quote one source that shows how not everyone in ancient Israel tithed: "It is often surprising to people to find that a large segment of people in Israel did not tithe! The owner of a farm had to tithe, but his hired hands were exempt. Was a hired hand required to tithe on his salary? Not at all! There was no law that required a tenth of one's salary to be tithed (which was earned for services rendered). ...To make it plain and simple, only the owners of farms and flocks were required to tithe." (Beyond Tithes & Offerings by Michael Webb)
Yes, this was "dutifully done"—and often to the point of sacrificing day to day necessities. Members were indoctrinated with fear to believe that if they didn't tithe to "God's Work," they would find themselves out of the "one true church" and headed toward the oft-discussed Tribulation and/or Lake of Fire.
Members may continue to question whether they are truly measuring up and giving as "God requires." In reality, did not their giving cause them and their families to scrimp and do without, since most did not receive a blessing? Then when those same members weren't blessed, or had financial reversals, they had more guilt heaped on them by being told that they had not given their tithes and offerings in the right attitude, or they must have had a lack of faith.
By this time, several financial demands (for "worthy causes") have been listed for the members to agree with. This serves the purpose of reminding the members of their numerous financial responsibilities.
The leaders of WCG (and groups based on the same model of control) always proclaim that "many" did this and that. This is a propaganda technique which causes others to feel that they need to "get on the bandwagon" and, in this case, do what God expects, i.e., "demands" and "requires" of them.
There were many members who had "financial reversals," but never received a dime of this "local emergency fund." It was often sent in to Pasadena due to "financial emergencies of the work." Then the local churches were to replenish this fund through local fund raising efforts, of which a tithe was sent in to Headquarters! [Note: In November 2004 the WCG moved its headquarters from Pasadena to Glendora, California. (Pasadena Star-News, October 25, 2004) By May 2006 all their offices were moved to Glendora. (Together May-June 2006).]
Did not the "many" find this type of giving a burden, but were afraid to say anything for fear of receiving strong correction, or worse, being disfellowshipped? So far these paragraphs have played heavily on the members' guilt feelings, first going over all the tithes and offerings "required" and then saying that "many" are giving "generously" in the right spirit. The Scriptures show that tithes and offerings were part of the Mosaic Law (which included 613 commandments, not just 10) and cannot be separated from that system and placed in the New Covenant. Furthermore, it was Israel's agricultural produce and livestock which they tithed on (Deut. 14:28-29). Their blessings were physical: rain and an abundance of good crops. (Mal. 3:10-11)
This "one more tenth" (the third tithe) rarely, if ever, went to where it was intended. (See: Third Tithe - Where Did it Go?) Instead it went to the lavish and opulent lifestyles of the leaders, while many suffered needlessly in trying to provide for their families.3 Also, notice how FB says this third tithe was also to go to the "Levites." There is no Levitical Priesthood today to receive tithes and offerings. HWA knew this, but got around it by saying that his ministers were "in the position of" the Levites! Again, the tithes were part of the Mosaic Law, or old covenant and do not apply to Christians today. Once all these obligations are fulfilled, the natural tendency is to sit back and say, "Well, now I’m really doing my part in God’s Work!" After FB has gotten the members to agree that all these tithes and funds are what God requires, he now tells them that their "natural tendency" is to feel smug and self-righteous if they are obedient! This not only introduces shame in the members' minds, but is setting up a false and un-Christ-like idea. Christians have a new nature after conversion. They give God the glory for whatever they do, knowing they can do nothing apart from Him. (John 15:5) one morning you receive a letter from Mr. Armstrong. He is asking for more help—over and above everything else you may have given—because overall income is down and the Work needs more money for the spreading of the Gospel! Sometimes, brethren, and unfortunately, this is the turning point for many of God’s people! Some complain, others totally ignore the pressing need claiming they are doing enough already, and yet others rebel and begin to criticize the organization behind God’s Church! What "organization" behind God's church? Was this a slip and FB meant to say "government behind God's church?" This "need" for more money is expanded on by connecting it to the "spreading of the Gospel"—and surely the member would want to spread the gospel. Let’s carefully look over what he has said.
Right away the member is made to feel it is wrong to complain if they disagree. Members were already taught by HWA to believe that all who engaged in such attitudes were in a "root of bitterness" and would soon be "out of the church"? The message to the member is that one must always comply and never disagree.
It must be right to give more money, because after all, it is "a pressing need"—which somehow makes the members responsible if they don't have the money to send in. Over the years, members received continual emergency letters from HWA, always claiming to have a "pressing need" that somehow never let up. Why wasn't HWA going to God with his daily needs for "the Work" as George Muller did when he was establishing orphan homes to care for thousands of English children? (Read: George Muller of Bristol [posted online, but may be ordered through bookstores]).
Weren’t those the members who were able to think on their own and start asking questions, but who were thrown out of the organization when they did? No one was allowed to criticize Herbert Armstrong or the ministers. (Read the book: The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse to recognize some of these methods of false spiritual authority.) that that letter from Mr. Armstrong, God’s Apostle and physical head of His Church, asked you to give your whole month’s income to the Work? Supposing it asked you to sell your automobile, your house and some of your treasured possessions, and send the money to him how would you feel then? Isn’t "selling everything" and sending the money to "the Work" exactly what "God’s Apostle" already told members that they would have to do someday when they left for the "place of safety"? By using the words, "God's Apostle," and "physical head of His Church," FB drives home the idea that it is really "God" who is asking them to give more money. However, FB is using psychological tactics to cause members to give more and more—and all the time no detailed record provided of where the monies were spent. "No military model of church government is supported by the New Testament. ... When the military model of authority is removed from our understanding of Jesus and his ministry, we get a very different picture of Jesus' authority and lordship. ... Jesus' authority was never delegated in the sense that it became another's authority." (Excerpted from Damaged Disciples: Casualties of Authoritarian Churches and the Shepherding Movement, Ron Burks, p. 136)
But God has not demanded that we give everything we own to "His Work"; which translates in this paragraph to a headquarters (which isn't even held financially accountable, and which robbed the members). God is the one that gave everything to us when He gave His Son to die for us, and He gives us His Holy Spirit to abide with us forever. (John 14:16) To ponder what God has a "perfect right" to do does not tell us what the Scriptures really say about God and His attributes.
The only way these words would "flash" to a member's mind would be because HWA put them there by repetition (another propaganda technique). Nothing is said in Haggai 2:8 about God demanding our money. Additionally, FB tries to tie in Matthew 19:29 with giving money and material possessions to "God's Work." This forsaking in Matthew 19 refers to giving up our life for Christ, not selling everything and sending the money to men who will not use it for its intended purposes.
FB tries to get across the false assumption that whenever "the Work" is in dire straights financially (which was quite frequently--read HWA's urgent plea for more money as far back as 1941), it is the members' fault because they are simply "not yielded completely." Is our yieldedness based on how much money we give? "Yielding" in the Scriptures is always connected to righteousness and faith, not to works. "...the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe" (Rom. 3:22). It's also important to remember that in the beginning of this article FB started out by saying, "God’s people are, in the main, generous and liberal"; "Many take great joy in helping in this way"; "many support this generously, in a spirit of love and service." Now he talks about how "many of God's people are holding back." Earlier he said, "some are not as yielded" and now he says "Far too many are not yielding completely." These are contradictory statements, which can cause the reader to first feel good, and then to feel unworthy.
For some reason FB places "friendship and love" in the middle of this paragraph, which doesn't seem to fit with the subject of "complete and total obedience." Notice how this "yielded attitude" (which we have seen translates into a passive, compliant attitude) is always supposed to be willing to give money—no matter what—whenever asked to do so. All throughout this article this giving for "pressing needs" is made to tie in with "obeying God." Furthermore, the manner in which FB gives this "correction" is totally unscriptural. The Apostle Paul said, "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children" (I Thes. 2:7). There is no room for members to grow in their personal fellowship with Christ, based on grace and love. Only the pressure of performance, shame, control, guilt and fear. When did Jesus ever treat sinners or his disciples in such a manner? Paul never rebuked the brethren in a threatening or manipulating way. Notice his words: "Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:1) When Paul did correct or edify the brethren, it was for sins, not for failing to give more money. More importantly, there is no record in the Bible of Paul demanding money for a "pressing need." Even though Paul had a right to receive wages, he refused to take financial support from some of the churches: 2 Cor. 11:8: "I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service." This means Paul accepted (not demanded) more from these other churches in order to serve the Corinthian brethren. What Paul received from the others was not coerced out of them. Vs. 9 "And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself." Paul said he kept himself from being a burden to them. 1 Cor. 9:12: "If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ." Paul did not exercise this right. He supported himself through his trade which was tentmaking. How different than the coercive, guilt filled message in this article. From this point on, I will not insert every word or paragraph in FB's article, as it gets quite repetitious and tedious. He continues to manipulate the members into why they should "give everything they have" by first telling them about "Christ's attitude." This serves the purpose of making the members feel that if Christ humbled Himself, they should also—especially by giving more money. He says that Christ was "completely in subjection to God's will, to the extent that it cost Him His life..." Let us remind our readers that Christ gave His life willingly (Gal. 1:4; 2:20; I Tim 2:6; Titus 2:14), from the foundation of the world: I Peter 1:20: "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world..."; Rev. 13:8 "...the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." How does what Christ did for us on the cross in His perfect, all-atoning sacrifice have anything to do with our not being "completely yielded" to Him if we don't give money to a man who is a self-proclaimed "Apostle" and "head of the God's Church" and who never lets up on his pleas for more money? Next FB goes on to give "Paul's Example," and lastly "Mr. Armstrong's Experiences." This is effective in causing the member to think, "If Paul and Mr. Armstrong did these things for God, then surely I must also." In the case of HWA experiences, FB says that it has been brought out in HWA's autobiography4 how "everything he owned was stripped from him" and then God reduced him to "absolute poverty for 28 years in preparing him for this Work. The main thing for us to remember is that Herbert Armstrong, in his "poverty," learned quite quickly that he could make money using religion. And might we add that HWA certainly didn't have everything "stripped from him" at the end of his life, but owned an over abundance of the most luxurious items imaginable, including, expensive furniture, fine clothing, furnishings, Steuben crystal, gold plates, costly art work, expensive cars and limousines, extravagant trips, etc., etc. And yet the Scripture tells us that Christ had "nowhere to lay his head." (Matt. 8:20) HWA's opulent lifestyle was not much different than many televangelists today, who also beg for money. The sad story is that many members were exploited and robbed, spending their years in much lack, deprivation and suffering. It is dangerous to fall under the influence and control of any one man!
This is saying that God cannot use us now—or in eternity—if we do not respond to this "pressing need" for more money, which is tied in to obedience to "God and His government." This is emotional and psychological abuse! The phrase about obeying "God's government," "the government of God," etc., is used in one way or another by most false teachers and is always intended to mean their own group. However, "government of God" is not mentioned in Scripture. While false teachers will use 2 Pet. 2:10: "...despise government.." to try to correlate this somehow with "God's government" (which the member is to always obey), the verse preceding 2 Pet. 2:10 shows that Peter is talking about "the unjust." Christians are not in the category of being "unjust." This word really means "dominion" and occurs few times in the Bible. "The same word kuriotēs is translated "dominion" in verse 8 of Jude and "lordship" in the first chapter of Ephesians. In Ephesians it has to do with spiritual governments. In other words, they despise that which is spiritual, that which God has ordained above us: the angels and the way God is running His universe." (Excerpted from Thru the Bible With J. Vernon McGee, Volume 5, p. 738.)
This is known as the "exigency technique" in propaganda and its purpose is to make others believe that the time is short; therefore they must act quickly. In so many words FB is saying, "If you don't do it now, it will be too late! You will lose your crown of righteousness in the Kingdom of God—and all because you did not heed correction and obey Herbert Armstrong—whom God speaks through!" There are many crowns promised to the believer, but the crown of righteousness is given to all them who love Christ's appearing. (2 Tim. 4:8) It is nowhere said to be contingent on how much money we give, or how yielded we are to the authority in a church. FB next relates "Examples of the Early Church" and gives the quotes the verses in Acts 4:34-35. Then he goes on to say:
The emphasis is on "God's people," which helps members identify that they also are known as "God's people" and should be willing to give their all. But these N.T. Christians in Acts 4 did this act, not for the sake of the gospel, but in order to assist those within the church due to many losing what they had in order to follow Christ. In addition, the early church (in contrast to the WCG) was preaching the gospel wherever they went. Members who listened to HWA were told not to explain the gospel to others in the world, because they "wouldn't understand it." Only HWA was commissioned to "preach the gospel." This is totally opposite than what the Scriptures teach.
"Worldwide" is capitalized, as it triggers members back into thinking about the name, "Worldwide Church of God" and how that is "God's one and only true church" and "God's Work." Other offshoot groups, such as Philadelphia Church of God, will use the word "Philadelphian" or "Philadelphia" in a similar manner to create the same effect. Where are the "untold millions" today that HWA was said to be reaching? When he traveled to other countries, he admitted that he never mentioned the name of Christ to the unconverted. Neither did he preach salvation and forgiveness of sins through Christ's name, and that we were redeemed by His blood. Instead he talked about the "give way and the get way." How many do you think found eternal salvation in Christ Jesus alone by hearing that type of "gospel"? "Urgency" is a common propaganda technique and when it is used here in the context of "the end of an age is fast approaching" and "time is extremely short," it relays the message: "You need to be giving your all—especially financially—or you will end up forfeiting everything!" This type of urgency is what caused members to fear not to "give their all," which consisted of giving up their education, forsaking good jobs, alienating themselves from their "unconverted" relatives, discouraging their children, and causing their immediate families to do without by pouring more and more money and time into "the Work"—and in the end having nothing to show for their misguided zeal to false prophets. Have the ministers at the top levels of these groups shown that they have made "great personal sacrifices"? It is well known that the leadership lacked for nothing and lived very wealthy lifestyles. "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers" (Matt. 23:4).
Members are just supposed to send in the money, no matter what their own pressing physical needs may be, because after all, these are "God's ministers who are giving us Christ's counsel." Yet there is never any financial accountability from the one who is actually doing the coercing and manipulating. "...we gave over what amounts to total control of our lives to a human leader. By giving advice or direction, the leader exercised control over our lives. When this advice or direction went against our conscience, and we obeyed anyway, our behavior was manipulated." (Excerpted from Damaged Disciples: Casualties of Authoritarian Churches and the Shepherding Movement, Ron Burks, p. 145)
What FB is really saying is, "be passive, be positive, don't think, don't question; just do what we tell you, because we know what is best." Did we see any true concern for the members in this indicting, abusive article? An important point to contemplate is, how much did WCG (and similar authoritarian offshoot groups) know and teach the true Lord Jesus Christ? The Scriptures clearly tell us that it is possible to worship another Jesus and believe in another gospel. (2 Cor. 11:1) Leaders who say they are "speaking for God" not only take Scriptures out of context, but they use false guilt, shame and fear (especially in the context of religion) to their own advantage in order to exploit innocent people in regard to their finances. It is no secret that this method was repeated many times over by HWA, especially in his Co-Worker letters to the brethren over the years. Our decision as to whether we will obey Herbert Armstrong (or any man) in response to their pleas for money (while they live quite well off) is not a condition for eternal life. Moreover, our eternal life does not rest on "obeying the ministry," having a "good attitude," or even believing HWA was "led by God." The Scripture tells us nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:38-39) Nothing can take us out of his hand (John 10:28). God says He will work in us and will continue to work in us: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). Our salvation is not subject to our making sure we respond to continual and never-ending demands for money to one who claims to be speaking for God. If we have trusted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, all our sins have been forgiven; past, present and future. We are complete in Him (Col. 2:10) and God has made us accepted in Him. (Eph. 2:8) We serve Him, not any man, group or organization who manipulates us into thinking they have the authority to speak for Him. How do we please God, then, if not by giving our all financially? We please Him when we turn to Him and accept His Son as our Savior who paid the penalty for all our sins—and that includes all our guilt and all our shame.
His desire is to save us, not control us or beat us down.
When we place our faith in Christ as our personal Savior, we are at that moment completely cleansed of all our sins,
..born again,
..and made the righteousness of God in Christ.
We now have fellowship and communion with Him.
He promises never to leave us.
We do not need to fear a man anymore.
Our fellowship is now based on love and grace, not guilt and not fear.
He leads and guides us (never controlling or pressuring us).
We follow Him, not any man.
There is no room for shame in our lives anymore.
The freedom we receive in Him does not consist of heavy burdens.
Worldwide Church of
God,
Philadelphia Church of God, and similar groups,
have been part of a large number
of deceitful religious groups, founded by men who
set themselves up as "God's spokesmen" who claimed to have the "restored
gospel" and that the end of the age was going to arrive
"in our time." They all claimed to have certain
"truths" that had somehow been lost. However, they manipulate,
deceive, exploit and control
others by twisting Scripture, falsifying their history and claiming to
be God's "one true church." They teach a works-based
salvation, and distort God's grace. It takes much courage and strength to break
free of these fraudulent, high demand groups, but when we do, we can gain our
true freedom in Christ Jesus. Exiting an Exploitive, Deceptive Group (Transcription of Tape EX-3; includes info on how HWA was skilled in propaganda techniques and that the goal of these types of groups is to control and exploit members) Footnotes by ESN: 1 Frank Brown served as Regional Director of the Worldwide Church of God Canadian offices for seven years. He retired in 1997 at the age of 59. 2 January-February, 1969 issue of The Good News 3 Fleecing the Flock and Southern Exposure in Ambassador Report #2, 1977 (Note: Please be aware that the AR is now posted on an agnostic/atheist website.) 4 HWA's autobiography has been found to be a mixture of lies and truth, which is very common with false teachers who proclaim to "speak for God." My Position in Christ (accepted and secure forever) Back to Questioning Herbert W. Armstrong (was he who he said he was?) |
