This publication’s sponsor, the Philadelphia Church of God, is nondenominational and non-proselytizing. The Church does not solicit or urge people to become members. In fact, one cannot “join” this Church. A person enters only by being baptized into it by the Holy Spirit. We joyfully welcome all whom God through Jesus Christ baptizes into His Church. It is He who draws and invites one into His Church (John 6:44; Jude 1).
End-Time Commission
The Philadelphia Church of God is a remnant of the Church built by Jesus Christ through the late Herbert W. Armstrong almost 84 years ago. We teach the same gospel that Jesus taught almost 2,000 years ago (Mark 1:14-15).
This Church has been given the great end-of-the-end-time commission to “prophesy again” Christ’s message of the Kingdom of God to many peoples, nations, tongues and kings (Revelation 10:11)—in other words, proclaiming the mystery hid from the ages (Colossians 1:26) to the largest audience possible. Secondly, God commands us to “feed the flock” and prepare the Church as Christ’s Bride at His return (Revelation 19:7). A vital part of preaching this twofold commission is to warn God’s lukewarm Laodiceans who have become spiritually blind and destitute and who rebel against giving this lifesaving message (Revelation 3:14-19).
A task of this magnitude requires significant financial resources. God has supplied the funds for His end-time Work using the same system instituted in patriarchal times, the tithing system (Numbers 18; Hebrews 7; Deuteronomy 14). In addition, many members and nonmembers voluntarily contribute freewill offerings (Ezra 2:68). About 70 percent of all income for the Church’s operations comes from the tithes and offerings of members, while the balance comes from co-workers or occasional contributors.
How does one become a co-worker?
Voluntary SUPPORT
Those familiar with our periodicals the Trumpet, True Education and this magazine, will notice that we do not solicit the public for contributions. Watch the close of our weekly television program The Key of David, and you will be pleasantly surprised to see that Pastor General Gerald Flurry never asks for donations from the general public.
He follows the example of Mr. Armstrong, who wrote in his autobiography, “But I could not invite people to become co-workers. I could welcome them with gratitude when God caused them voluntarily to become co-workers with Christ but until they took the initiative I could not ask them. No other activity on Earthis operated like this ….”
We cannot put a price on any of the many services God has us provide such as broadcasting, printing, websites, and a field ministry serving hundreds of congregations worldwide. The gospel of Jesus cannot be sold like merchandise. It cannot be commercialized or profited from—it must be freely given! That is God’s way as Christ directed, “freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).
We simply cannot outgive God. “He is the great giver,” wrote Mr. Armstrong. “And His law—His way of life—is the way of giving, not getting, which is the way of this world” (Mystery of the Ages). God also says, “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23).
Nonmember contributors to God’s Work are classified as either a donor or a co-worker. A donor is one who contributes less than twice in any six-month period and whose annual contributions are less than $500. Co-workers are those who make two or more contributions in any six-month period, or whose annual contributions exceed $500. Co-workers receive letters from Mr. Flurry updating them of progress and needs of the Work.
God’s Way of GIVE
Supporting this Work through the principle of generous giving is God’s way. Anciently, the Prophet Moses sent a proclamation to the people of Israel for a special offering for the building of the tabernacle, and the people responded generously. In this case, he only asked for offerings or contributions from “whosoever is of a willing heart”—that is, those who desired to have a part in God’s Work (Exodus 35:5, 21-22). That was the congregation of the Old Testament, but in type it illustrates God’s way of givefor His New Testament Church.
The end-time Work of the Philadelphia Church of God is based solidly on the biblical principle of voluntary giving.
The Church is a registered 501(c)(3) charity. Anyone desiring to financially contribute can do so. All contributions are kept confidential and are tax deductible under applicable federal and international law. Online contributions can be made at our website donate.pcog.org.
God provides those who of their own free will want to have part in giving God’s warning message. As a labor of love, this publication and all other services of God’s Work are provided free of charge to a world desperately needing answers to life’s most basic questions. What an honor to have a part in the greatest endeavor of declaring God’s good news and the soon-coming establishment of His government of peace forever!
Sidebar:
How Your Subscription is Paid
By Gerald Flurry
Some of you have been reading the Royal Vision for years. New subscribers, however, might wonder how this magazine is funded. After all, there is no subscription price—no advertising revenue—no commercial corporate sponsorship. Yet, obviously, it does cost money—in fact, quite a lot of money—to produce a publication of such quality. Here is how we do it:
We give—then God gives back.
This world’s whole approach to life is based on the way of get—of vanity, selfishness, competition, lust and greed. Satan is responsible for broadcasting this get way of living. As the god of this world, he transmits his self-centered philosophy into the minds of men (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; Revelation 12:9).
God’s approach, on the other hand, is the way of give—of cooperation, sacrifice and service. He promises to reward those who practice this principle.
In Matthew 10:8, Jesus said, “[F]reely ye have received, freely give.” In Acts 20:35, Paul quotes Jesus as saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” These scriptures mean that God will back financially—to an almost unbelievable extent—any individual or institution that relies solely on His direction.
That, as simplistic as it might sound, is the secret to our success.
Herbert W. Armstrong built a work with an income of $200 million annually. It started literally from nothing. He wrote in his autobiography: “[F]rom that moment when we began to rely solely on God not only for financial support, but also for guidance, direction and results, the Work began a phenomenal yearly increase of nearly 30 percent for the next 35 years. It doubled in size, scope and power on the average of every 22/3 years. It multiplied eight times every eight years—64 times in 16 years.”
We have followed his example of giving.
I was disfellowshiped from the Worldwide Church of God (wcg) 28 years ago for holding fast to the traditions and teachings of Mr. Armstrong. (The wcg began changing Mr. Armstrong’s teachings after he died in 1986.) Suddenly, I found myself without a job or a congregation, and with no money. Yet the work of service that Mr. Armstrong started had to be finished.
The PhiladelphiaTrumpet was first published in February 1990, two months after I was fired. Actually, it was more like a typed newsletter than a quality magazine. Photocopies were mailed to a couple hundred addresses. Like Mr. Armstrong, I made no request for contributions—but freely proclaimed this give way of life.
Eventually, a handful of readers joined in the cause voluntarily and supported my efforts. Through the unsolicited tithes and offerings of these few people, the Work began to grow. Gradually, more people wanted to become part of this unique and needed Work. In 1991, the Work’s income more than doubled, compared to its first full year of operations.
By 1992, I began preaching God’s principle of give over the airwaves, via radio—then television in 1993. At that point, the Work that began with less than $100 had grown to become a worldwide multimillion-dollar operation. Growth has been steady and continuous ever since. Key of David viewers, Trumpet and Royal Vision readers from all around the world have joined in this crusade of service.
To put a price on our publications would be inconsistent with the very principle upon which this Work is based. Our whole Work advocates the way of give. So our magazines have always been offered freely—without a subscription price.
Yet they do cost money. They are funded and supported by a growing number of co-workers who believe in the cause and gladly give of their incomes to support it.
Our co-workers join together in thanking you, our readers, for giving us the opportunity and pleasure of serving you!