I've talked to some who have left and they claim to have given next to nothing to the workers and some of these same people were absolutely shocked to learn that some of the friends give thousands of dollars per year. Others say they gave monthly and others have said they gave from time to time.

The workers DO accept money from the "friends." It is done quietly and no receipts are issued.

I recall something kind of neat at preps one year. I think I had only been professing a year or so, maybe less. Anyway, I was at preps and one of the sister workers had to go to town to get some supplies. She said something about not having enough money in her purse and the sister worker working with us simply said: "Oh, there is some money in my purse." I thought that was kind of cool because it didn't seem to be a commodity that they gave two hoots about! I remember thinking that I would never say, even to my very best friends: "Oh, just help yourself to the money in my purse." I guess you could say that "really spoke to me!"

I believe that the money issue is one area that is generally not known about. It is just not talked about in the fellowship--almost as if it is evil/wrong to talk about it. Before I professed I did ask the workers about it a bit. I guess I was satisfied with the answers. My Mom professed before I did and I think I got the low-down from her. I KNOW she was impressed that money was not discussed and never asked for. When the 2x2s crossed her path she was impressed that money was not an issue. I believe she gave much more because they did not ask for it. She was a very frugal lady--but not when it came to giving to the workers.

>>Does anyone have a clue as to how much money the workers receive/how much money the average 2x2 gives?<<

EX worker's report:

It varies according to geography, age, and seniority. It varies widely, from zero to thousands.

In ten years I saw very few ones and fives, some tens, lots of twenties, very few hundreds, and a few checks ranging from $500 to $3000. I sent half of the $3000 to the overseer to be used on a convention building project, sent some to other fields, and used the remainder for preps and convention. I REALLY wanted a word processor, but I couldn't dull my conscience enough to go out and buy one!!

>>Does anyone know what becomes of the money the workers receive?<<

The primary expense for me was gasoline, and other incidental travel costs such as meals on the road, oil changes, car washes, etc. Secondary was personal items.

Usually, the more economically prosperous the field, and the more truthers there are, the more money the workers are given. It is common for workers in such fields to send money to workers in areas where money from truthers is scarce, such as third world countries, and areas in the States that are sparsely populated or economically depressed. I have known of workers sharing their abundance with friends in need, also, and know personally of one worker who sent money to a charitable organization with no ties to this fellowship. I believe it was an orphanage. I don't know if it was a one-time shot, or something he did on a regular basis, but I was delighted to know that he had done such, even if it was only once.

Much is spent during preps and conventions. During my later years in the work, it was not uncommon for me to come into preps with over a thousand dollars, and spend most if not all of it on supplies and groceries for convention.

Typically, once per year, perhaps after the last convention in a state, any money the workers have is pooled and then divided again. Many times as a younger worker, I contributed next to nothing to the pool, but was given several hundred dollars from the pool to start the next year.

There were several times in my first couple of years in the work when I spent every dollar I had on gasoline, taking turns paying for the fill up with my older companion. But it was a really neat feeling that even when I was flat broke, with no job and a revulsion against begging, there was still no worry about money! Once, my companion and I were both broke, and didn't have the money for the bus ticket to get out of the god-forsaken town we were baching in. We waited a few days, and a check arrived from one of the friends. And when we got off the bus, the overseer met us and before we parted, he asked how our finances were, and made up our deficiency!

There is also money left to the church in the form of farm land, oil wells, etc. It is typically put in the name of one or two elders, who have the responsibility to keep track of it and disburse the income from it to the needs of the church.

I don’t know what the workers would consider a LARGE gift but I would think that an annual gift of $3000 to $5000 per year is fairly substantial. This was one person’s usual contribution.

From my ten years experience, that is extremely unreasonable. I was given two $500 dollar gifts, and one $3000 dollar gift in ten years [in the work]. Most people that give the large gifts are giving it to overseers, who are responsible for funding the major worker expenses: major medical care, world travel for conventions, and convention expenses.

I, too, am dead set against deception. From your posts Ican see that it was a big (no HUGE) thing with your family. That the facts

(1) the workers don't get paid a salary;

(2) there is no collection plate;

(3) they don't ask for money, making them

(4) superior to "false" churches in the money area was a BIG reason your ancestors opted for "the truth"

and was a big deciding factor that gave "the truth" superiority over other churches--in the eyes of YOUR family, largely due to their former experiences and beliefs. While I realize it was EXTREMELY important to YOUR family, I don't necessarily think that was the case universally to all the friends "in this One True Way" as you put it. Our ancestors all had different needs "the truth" met when they chose it...my grandmother was praying to know which church of 3 churches was right...and you guessed it! The workers came to town. She took it as an answer to prayer--met her needs. But she didn't chose it for the "money issue" (that I know of anyway). It wasn't a biggie with her.

Hi to all those concerned about money. This may sound a bit off track but it's what comes to my mind when I think about church money in the 2&2 way. When I was in the fellowship I was not concerned about the misuse of money by the workers and I'm still not. I recall one of the problems in the fellowship being the difficulty in finding a private opportunity to give to the workers. I would much sooner have a plate or bag passed around or a box at the back of the room to just put it in and be done with it and I'm not aware of any scripture that speaks against it. Why make a big thing about keeping it secret? Did I say secret? My wife just looked over my shoulder and put in her 2 cents worth that, "there's nothing secret about the workers' secret method because they know who gave it and how much". I hope I'm not perceived as being unnecessarily critical of an innocent thing but I really think the money thing in the fellowship is all part of the deception and a subtle appeal to the human nature. It's certainly part of the "good news" story at gospel meetings. We all know the workers have to eat and have clothes and shelter and transportation so why pretend God just provides it without us giving them money? If you consider the whole picture I suspect the overall cost is actually more in the fellowship anyway with many of the friends building bigger houses than they would otherwise, buying more cars or better ones than they would otherwise, and giving money to build facilities at convention grounds that are only used 4 or 8 days per year. Add to this the anxiety of the workers having to decide whose car to use and what the owner would think if it got a scratch. No wonder the one old guy [a worker] just went out and bought his own! I just don't "get" it !! It also bothers me that we felt little or no obligation to give to the poor and there was even a feeling of guilt connected with giving to any individual or organization other than the workers. The workers never asked for money but often reminded us that they are the poor that Jesus spoke about in the New Testament. In the fellowship we disregarded and criticized other groups that sometimes even give food and clothing along with the gospel in poor countries. Since visiting India and Nepal and other areas we feel we robbed ourselves of a lot of joy by not giving. Now we can stick our 2 mites it in an envelope and mark it for the purpose we want and either put our name on it or leave it off. I have to kindly disagree with those that say the workers have the right system or the best one.

If they want to handle money the way they do, that's fine with me. But, it is not okay with me that they set themselves up as being superior to other churches in the way they handle money (i.e., "going out in faith" where other churches are doing the terrible thing of paying their pastor's salaries).

Of course, there has always been a "policy" of refusing money from those who are deemed not "worthy" (or "hearty?") enough.

The money issue is one that I feel has corrupted the 2x2 system, and its workers...I saw it, and also suffered the results of it. I had been giving in secret, but even that was not so secret apparently, because after I was excommunicated, the money given anonymously locally was unceremoniously dumped on our kitchen counter...

What's the big deal and secretive thing about money anyway? It obviously takes money to live for EVERYONE workers included. They do not get by living on air--they need money for things just like everyone. So why do they pretend it doesn't exist or it's taboo to speak of? I know they always thought no one saw them shake hands and get money but my unprofessing sister-in-law noticed that very early in her acquaintance with 2x2s & felt it was a big turnoff. If you think about it, what would YOU think if you saw money exchanged in that way with anyone else? Say a politician and a constituent--wouldn't you wonder what they were hiding? Also wouldn't you think special favor would be given--which we all know happens. Like you pointed out, when it's a box or collection plate unless you write a check, no one knows the identity of the giver. Also I think the idea of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing implies that WE (the giver) don't keep track of what we are doing. We give, then forget it, don't remind ourselves or others of how much we've given! If it was something to be ashamed of, why did Jesus commend the widow who cast all she had in the treasury? If it was to be done as we were told at meeting--Jesus should have lashed out at her for giving in a public place, instead she was applauded because she gave all she had in faith. (I know that part of the lesson was that others held back a part of what they had, but I'm trying to make a point of the treasury here and public giving).

They [the workers] have made no promises they haven't kept about it [money]. Have heard them claim/promise they do not ask for money. Also, I have never heard one ask for money...so I don't see they have done anything wrong in this area.

_____ also wrote: If some are given a lot, its because the friends press it on them! It's hardly the workers fault! What are they supposed to do--give it back? refuse it?

_____ sez: Moses did. (Ex 36:6&7)

_____: Good point. I knew that, but had forgotten it. It says Moses restrained them from further giving because they had sufficient. They knew they had sufficient to do what they started the collection for. Do the workers have sufficient to pay for all their needs? Their medical expenses and rest home bills? I wonder...

Wonder if they could refuse estates dead people leave them? I ‘spose they could...they just did! It surely surprised me when 2 overseers in Canada DID refuse money from an inheritance recently! [July ‘96] I had a hard time speculating on why--they didn't even know the amount they were turning down!! (Letters were printed in Forward Press.)

It seems to me there are two standards for the use of money by which the workers can be evaluated. One is the Bible and the other is by the workers' claims. I am unable to see where either is being violated.

I think the difference lies in the assumptions we had. Some of you went around thinking the worker were financially poor...and I went around "knowing" that most of the older workers had much more than they knew what to do with; as well as some of the younger ones also...(my brother). In some areas, however, the friends give mostly to the elder, and the younger ones are "hard up." Therefore, my parents made a practice of only giving to the younger ones.

I heard of one older worker who visited a foreign country, and upon returning, scrimped and saved all his money and sent it to the workers there. He let his younger companion drive and fill up the car and, of course, pay for the gas out of the younger worker's pocket so he could send his money to the foreign field. The younger companion told us this personally. But was he violating a rule? A command? Common decency?

My aunt (dad's professing unmarried sister) died unexpectedly and left her estate (between $150-200,000) to the work, in care of my uncle, a former worker married to another of my dad's sisters. Uncle had a hard time giving her money away! And he tried hard. At my suggestion, he built a new baby house and a new "old Lady's" quarters at Texarkana convention; also, remodeled the cookhouse at Jackson, MS convention at my parents suggestion. It took about 5 years before he could totally "retire" her estate. He was OPEN for suggestions too!

I have another uncle who was the executor for some old professing lady's wills in Mississippi. They willed it to the work, I mean.

There probably is some abuse by a few...but by and large--I can't see the workers at fault regarding this issue.

I DO wish some things were done differently. I wish each worker had a retirement account that was not dependent on whether or not they finished in the work, after seeing the straits Fern Strouse was left in...I wish they HAD to pay social security or something similar, so there would be something in that event. I would like to know they are in there because they choose, and not because they HAVE to continue because they have no way to make it outside; and have given up all their possessions, etc. I think it would prevent some from abusing other workers if this were done--if they had other options. Interesting that the Catholic Priests have a retirement fund--they get to draw from it, even if they leave priesthood.

It is NOT so much the issue that the workers are abusing money given...it is that the people of this church don't know what is GOING ON with the money. I don't feel that people have to know that "Mr. Joe Blow gave enough money to send worker xxx overseas." What they DO need to know is that "XXX amount was given in our field this quarter from various donators, and we will be using the money to go towards xxx and xxx." Is this too much to ask? I don't think so, and I believe others would feel the same.

Worker states: "Please note: My answers to the following questions reflect personal experience only, and may not represent the experience of the majority."

A - one or two hundred in my wallet, up to $800 or $1200 in my suitcase.

A - Usually 20's, some smaller, some larger. Amount varies by field. Big city $100 to $400 per month. Destitute field -- none or very little. Supportedby other workers; the ones in the cities, for example.

A - Just knowing how banking works, I would assume so.

A - Some in their own name... some under a friend’s account. Usually only overseers with foreign field responsibility or with large amounts of cash to deal with would use a bank for safekeeping and interest earning.

A - I have never known of a worker filing a tax return, though I understand an ex-truther turned the workers in to the IRS years ago in hopes of earning a bounty. Myth has it that the workers were cleared, owed no taxes, but the IRS audited the ex, and he ended up paying back taxes and penalties! True story? I couldn't say.

Of course, if a worker has an account in a truther's name, and the truther files a tax return, he [the truther] would file a 10-99 on the interest earned, and would pay any tax due.

A - No.

A - In my opinion, yes. And I think they do. After all, what is there to spend it on other than the visible necessities, like gasoline, clothing, and the latest breakthrough in laptop computing technology? (yes, you guessed it, that's one of my hot-buttons.)

A - Informally, yes. Formally, absolutely not. I guess you could call it the honor system. If I had wanted to, I could have been setting aside a nice little nest egg all the time I was in the work. I didn't. Has it been done? Probably. Is it common? I doubt it.

Isn't one of the primary things in the 2x2's the fact that their ministers don't get paid a salary and there is no collection plate to be seen? I would say that the money issue IS a matter that is held out as being one of those extremely important issues that sets the group apart from all those "false" churches.

That was the first issue that I remember hearing about when I was a little girl... it was my Grandpa's main point of how "the gospel first came!" My Mom's Dad thought that all churches only wanted people's money. When some workers came around and invited my Grandma to their gospel meetings, my Grandma went but Grandpa wouldn't go because he said, "All they want is your money!"

When Grandma came home that first time, she came shaking her purse, "I still have my money!" Grandpa was still skeptical, but after a number of months, he started going to the meetings, too. He never had much money, but he and Grandma had meetings in their home and were entertaining workers pretty constantly... I would guess that he was also very generous with the little money that he had, as well (since he had found the church that didn't ASK or DEMAND that you give) cuz that was just the kind of man my Grandpa was - generous!

Yes, right from my early days, I was taught that the money issue was EXTREMELY important in this One True Way!

With no collection, the workers felt justified in saying they were offering the gospel freely and we criticized other groups that sometimes even give food and clothing along with the gospel in poor countries. In connection with this, we disregarded the work that other church groups do in other countries that has kept Christianity alive there and actually made it possible for the workers to go there too. 1/97

>Am I correct in assuming that the workers rarely speak of money with each other?<

Yes. It really has little importance. There is little if any incentive for a worker to accumulate wealth. After all, what would they spend it on? Retirement planning is not necessary, as the friends, workers, and Uncle Sam take care of that. Medical bills are not a worry... many workers have had major hospital stays and bills, and the money always is available to pay the bill. One of the most pleasant things about being in the work was having so few possessions. We are looking at a possible move to ________,and how I wish it were just a matter of putting two or three suitcases and garment bags in the trunk and driving off!! There is a lot of freedom in not being encumbered with financial worries and material possessions, and that is one of the aspects of the truther's system that I appreciate.

I don't know if it is the same all over the world but I’ve noticed that the people that contribute the most get the most place. This is a real "sticking point" with most lower income friends. And the visiting workers that come to convention always get to go back to the best homes.

It was interesting reading some of the new info. on the web-site. I particularly enjoyed the quote of some worker's sermon talking about a woman's disappointment with the Salvation Army's charitable contributions.

I believe that the essence of the quote on the VOT was an excellent point - the workers and most sect members do "virtually" nothing to improve the plight of society, only scorn it's ills; and therefore, any amount of effort, however small, by another church or organization to feed the hungry, hire the jobless, shelter the homeless, to rehabilitate the drug addict or alcoholic, to care for the elderly, etc . . . is at the very least, 99.99% more than the Secret Sect ever does.

I coincidentally was just reading about the Salvation Army's "charitabl eefficiency" on a web site. I think it was Money Magazine's list of the top charities, and if I remember correctly, the amount of contributions used for charitable purposes was over 80%.

Of all the churches I'm familiar with, I can't think of one that is less charitable than the Truth.

That worker's tall tale about the Salvation Army is so typical of the methods and manipulations workers use to glorify themselves and their church and disparage other faiths. Such practice is as common as the often invoked stories, in various forms, of those who had a chance to choose the "right way" but opted not to, only to be subsequently killed in some gruesome accident.

I often wonder if these workers believe that it is just, in the eyes of God, to tell lies - so long as it is to persuade people to join theTruth. -(gee, I hate using that term to refer them. What a clever name to call one's religion - and the implication of one who has "left the Truth" or is a "dissenter of the Truth") 2/97

I figure not many in the "Truth" have much of an understanding of how the senior workers handle money. I don’t think a lot of the junior workers know much about the money issue either! 3/97

In the 1980-81 time frame Connie and I became aware of the inheritances being left in trust accounts for the workers. I wrote a letter to Howard Mooney in 1981 asking him about this. Howard spent a lot of time in our home in Manhattan, Montana when I was growing up, so I felt more comfortable asking him about this issue than anyone else. I am including here the part of my letter and the part of his response that pertain to this money issue.

Dear Howard

. . . .

I understand that when some of the friends die they leave large sums of money in trust for the workers. This bothers me for several reasons. It is no different than a worker having a savings account. It may be in someone else's name but for all practical purposes it belongs to the workers. I grew up believing that the workers lived from day to day as far as finances are concerned, not knowing where their next dollar would come from. It looks like this isn't true anymore. It doesn't require as much faith to be a worker today as it did in the past.

I thought it was the privilege of the living saints to support the workers financially. The dead saints are taking this privilege away from us.

I always thought the way this money thing worked with the workers, was that God moved the hearts of his people to give when there was a need. When I was a teen a worker spoke about being suddenly taken ill and being near death (at Parma convention). She said she knew her medical bills would be huge and she worried how they would be paid. But she said she should have had faith because more than enough money flowed in.This touched her heart and it touched mine too. It no longer does. When money is stored up for emergencies like this, it is no longer a miracle. It is a common business practice of the world. Jesus said take no thought for the morrow and I'm not sure what these trust accounts would be if they're not the result of thinking of the morrow.

. . . .

Love in Christ,

Brian

My dear Brian and Connie,

. . . .

Concerning the other things you wrote about, Brian, it made my heart real sad. I don't know who has been talking with you. I can tell you this, however, that no one who has the love of God in their hearts, and the interests of the Kingdom, would try to undermine the faith of a young couple like you. This is the second complaint I have received from that part of Washington, and it makes me feel very badly.

First of all, things have not changed, Brian, from my first days in the work until now. We are still carrying on the work just as we did in the beginning. The money that is left by anyone passing away is used exclusively for overseas work. This includes sending workers overseas, bringing them home on a visit, or taking of the needs of the workers while they are there. You would know that there are a number of native workers in Korea and the Philippine Islands. We feel very responsible for seeing that they are taken care of, as the native people have very little to share. If it were not for money that was left to us in the above mentioned manner, we would not be able to cover all of these foreign expenses.

We did use some of the above mentioned funds that have been left us to cover hospital bills that we otherwise could not have handled. You would know that Walter Nelson alone had four surgeries in two years' time, plus much therapy for his cancerous condition. This amounted to several thousand dollars alone.

Under no circumstances do we use a penny of those funds for our own current expenses. We live entirely off the help that is given us by the local saints. I want you to know that what is left for overseas expenses does not in any way hinder the local brethren from ministering. You may be sure that any time you are moved to minister to any of the Lord's servants, it will be very welcome. You can also rest assured that it will be considered a sacred trust and will be used for their mission expenses.

I wish it were possible to have a visit with you folks. There is so much more behind this that worries me beyond that which you wrote. I expect to be at the first Boring convention for the last two days. I also expect to have all the second Boring convention, which would lead up to August 30th. If you could see your way clear to come down sometime I would love to have a visit with you and I am sure I could dispel any doubts you might have. As I said before, it is hard for me to understand why anyone would discuss these things with you unless they were determined to tear down your faith in Christ.

. . . .

Yours in His care,

Howard

Connie and I went down to Boring that year to visit with Howard. His letter confirmed our concerns and our visit did nothing to dispel them. In fact, the only thing Howard did in our visit was try to find out who told us about the trust accounts.

- Brian Jacobsen

Kirkland, WA USA

I remember hearing stories when I was a kid of workers that had to have surgery. Back then I believe you had to have the hospital know that your bill was going to be paid, couldn't leave until it was, type thing..... SO, different ones of the friends went to the hospital the time of surgery for the worker, and wanted to pay some on the bill, only to find out when they got there to do so, the hospital billing clerk told them that the bill had already been paid. That a certain person had already come in and paid the bill, or that there have been so many people coming in to pay, that it is now paid in full.

Then I remember the workers that had the surgery telling others how when they went to try to pay some for the bill, they also were told it had been paid. Stories like these were quite commonly heard when I was young. I was talking to a cousin of mine recently about this. She too remembered hearing stories like that.

So, as I grew up going to meetings since birth, I believed that it was the Holy Spirit that prompted people to give money to help out with the bills. In the 50's and early 60's most of the friends were in the same boat financially, not that much money! I thought that the Holy Spirit probably prompted different ones from time to time to help with the expenses.

I have two aunts in the work, back then I had four workers on my dad's side, and an aunt and uncle on my mom's side. The worker's were in our home a lot as a kid, so I had chance to hear about lots of things. I remember asking my mom about how the workers got things they needed like, toothpaste, etc. She told me that when they were in your home you gave them meals, etc. and sometimes they would get money from people in their mail, they could use to buy what they needed. I truly believed that the Lord was taking care of them. I remember hearing stories of workers needing something, but no money, but to get their mail that day, and low and behold, here is the money they needed to purchase whatever it was they lacked at the time.

I knew Mom usually washed their clothes for them, and back then the workers didn't have cars of there "own" to drive, we would take them places, or they just stayed with us, until the next meeting night, and then they would go home with someone else. That actually was kind of nice, you actually got to know them. It sure is different today, the workers come to stay, only you find out that they have to go here in the morning, lunch here with someone, and dinner with someone else, then to a visit here, and then back to your house in time to go to bed, then when they leave, they thank you for the time. What time, you hardly saw them???

My dad was 1 year old when the first convention was held on my grandparent's farm. Mom and Dad were married, they built a house there also. I spent my first few years on the farm, although not remembering much about convention, workers, etc.

When it came time for my grandparents to sell the farm; grandpa was sick, had to move, so it was my folks wish to buy the place from them, so an amount was settled on to purchase the place. However, my Grandpa was persuaded by Willie Jamieson to sell the place to some friends of Willie's. A young couple with 2 kids, the husband was from Scotland, a young man after Willie's own heart, he had known his family in Scotland.

So, without telling my folks first about the change in plans, the farm was sold to this couple. My folks didn't find out until just before the new people came. It was really a shock, and very hard to deal with for many years, even for my two worker aunts, they had grown up on the farm there. How could Willie have persuaded Grandpa's mind, or why would he? That was my Grandparent's place. Interestingly so, my Grandparents sold the place to this couple for $4,000 less than what the price that my dad and Grandpa had originally agreed upon. Now, back then, that was a lot of money, still is, even.

Years later I heard of the "Gilroy" convention story, where again, the workers got involved with the friend's property, tried to run the show, etc. Then again, some years later, when my aunt and uncle from another convention were going to sell their place, same head worker came to my uncle and asked how much they were getting for the place, what it was appraised for, etc. My uncle, clued into other convention stories, held his peace, even though the overseer was persistent. My uncle just kept saying that it was a fair price.

I've heard of other convention ground owners, actually owners of property where the conventions have been held, and trouble that there has been in the decision making of what to do with the convention, who is worthy to be there, etc

Just who is it that pays the taxes on the property that is being used for these conventions??? Who pays the insurance for all the buildings, etc.? The more improvements made on the property, the more buildings, the higher the taxes, insurance, etc. Yes, improvements are needed to comply with health standards, codes, etc., however, if codes are so strict, then rent some place for four days to have a convention, it would certainly be a lot cheaper.

If the worker's believe that they have the authority over the "convention" property, and money given to the work is used for the new buildings, etc., then is this "CHURCH PROPERTY"??? Who's name is on the deed of the property?? Workers names? If and only so, that the workers name's be on the deed of the property would they have permission/authority to say and do what they pleased with it?

Why do these people that live on these places think that they need to comply with everything the workers want on the place????? Do they believe that if they "disagree" with a worker, that they would be unworthy for a place in the kingdom, to have convention on their property, unworthy to go to heaven, etc.????

My aunt told of a time when two workers came to stay with her, she showed them where certain things were, like a hair dryer if they needed one; where the coffee pot and coffee was so in the morning they could get up and make it. Well, the worker responded with, don't worry, we have our own hair dryers, coffee pot and coffee, in fact, there really isn't very many things we need.

I heard the other day of a sister worker who I had lived with before she went in the work, that she had a lap top computer that she got from another worker, who had got a newer one. This sister worker has a e-mail address, and e-mail's other worker's around the state. Another worker I know of has a cellular phone. Now, they don't usually refer to these items, especially the cellular phone, as being lent to them to use, it's referred to as their cellular. So, if some of the more well to do people at meeting want to give the worker's these things, then so be it, maybe they think that with their wonderful works, and of pleasing the workers with these gifts that they will have a ticket into heaven.

I heard recently of my aunt and her companion traveling from one state to another, but not wanting to stop in at some friend's home for the evening, before traveling the rest of their trip the next day, decided to get a motel instead. They were too tired of being around people. Well, excuse me, where is the love? Yes, it is possible for we as humans to become weary of being around people sometimes, but when you sleep at a motel vs. sleeping at someone's home, what difference does it make?

I lived with my Grandfather (Mom's dad) and took care of him the last couple years of his life, after my Grandma had passed away. One night Grandpa asked me to find out how to get some money to the workers, if it would be better in check form, or other?? So, I called the overseer of the state, he told me to write a check to so and so, and give it to so and so, and that would be fine. So, Grandpa did such, in tears, he believed he was doing what he could to help the workers.

I worked at a bank in a small town where the few friends that lived there banked. There was only one other bank in town, so I saw the friends and workers on a regular basis. My job at the bank was to run the proof machine, where the checks and deposits were entered into a machine and balanced. Many, many times I couldn't help but see names of familiar people on the checks, part of the job was to key in the amount of the check, so here I was being the left hand and knowing what the right hand was doing. Of course, I kept this to myself, but at the same time totally amazed at how much money came thru to these workers and on a consistent basis, especially from the same people.

Bottom line, I believe that there is too much money floating around at the worker's beck and call.

I know of a sister worker that when she was ill with cancer, her bills were not being paid for by the overseer. This sister worker was not one of the overseer's most favorite of his staff. My aunt took care of this worker, and she told us of this.

Another worker I know of, was doctoring, every time she turned around she had something else, was told that the work was broke, that they couldn't pay her doctor bills anymore. Again, the overseer either told her this, or another worker was given the message to tell her.

I have heard, whether or not tis true, you know how the rumors are, that an overseer and his sister worker secretary visit older folks with the possibility of trying to get them to leave their money to the workers. This story supposedly came from an ex-sister worker of the same state of overseer, who must have known what was happening.

I have many relatives that go to meeting, lots of connections with the workers, with having many of them related to me. I have heard lots of stories, I could go on and on, but I will let this be all.

I have talked to many people that still go to meetings, and they agree with me that there is too much money given to the work. My mom tells me of what Jack Carroll once said when she was a kid. He said that there was too much money in the work, and that was way back then. (Sorry, mom) She's not subscribed, so she won't know.

Also, my uncle remembers Uncle Willie Jamieson telling that someday the abundance of money is going to be a real problem in the "truth". How in the world Willie had the foresight, who knows???

Let's get some of this money and distribute to the needs of the saints, like in Bible days.

- Lorraine 3/97

While I have no personal knowledge of any shenanigans and never thought of it as a problem I do take major issue with what is NOT said about money. Does anybody ever remember anything said from any platform about charity? I don't!!

If the good Samaritan had been a 2x2 what might have happened, since the man who had fallen among thieves probably wasn't a 2x2, and may have been a sinner (after all how did he fall among thieves); would the good Samaritan have felt a moral obligation to help him? ? ?

Over and over again Christ fed the hungry, healed the sick, etc; and he did this in a totally unqualified manner. There was no worthiness test! ! And it is important to note that this was LITERAL feeding (not spiritually feeding by inviting to meeting if they looked like they might fit.) I think that as Christians we are called to do the same and need to hear that message frequently.

Also might comment on something I did hear once. A verse that starts "the poor ye shall always have. . ." was used as a justification for not concentrating on charity and rather concentrating on the way. Rather a huge misuse of context, for any that might want to check out the whole story. (Matt. 26)

And actually I do have one memory of charity being addressed from the platform it was at a Portland Ore. special meeting circa mid 70's. The worker was a very old brother from the east. He started out relating a somewhat humorous story about one of the friends trying to buy him a new suit (as he put it, it was so fine it "made me look like the prince of Wales") which he turned down because thrift shop clothes were good enough (a little self-aggrandizing?) and then he said that from time to time friends would give him money to take to the saints in other poorer fields. He said he was pleased to report that every penny of that money went to the poor friends. I was only ten or so at the time so this must have been a HIGHLY unusual sermon. (there are very few other sermons I remember ANYTHING about). 3/97 Bob McPhail