By Ron Kelly
By Ron KellyHere we are not only at the end of another month, but the end of a year.
Income for December, for only the fourth time this year, has been at or above budget. The daily average for December was $115,946. That made the daily average for the year $106,793.
When we write our monthly financial update it often seems that we look at graphs and figures of declining income. And it's easy to be at least a little discouraged. But as 1998 came to an end, I had to sit back and give our loving God gratitude for his bountiful love and blessings for the year.
Yes, we did have less income than we budgeted for. And our reserves are lower than we would like. But so many thousands of you faithful brothers and sisters gave so generously during the year.
The other day when I was working on our annual report for the board of directors, I had lunch with a well-known Christian radio personality. He had heard about the changes in the Worldwide Church of God and wanted to come by and see for himself.
It just so happened that when he arrived at my office, I was calculating the funds our members had sent during the calendar year.
Of course individual member contributions are confidential, but our monthly statements are published for anyone to read in The Worldwide News.
He did a couple of quick calculations and easily demonstrated that members and co-workers who donate to the Worldwide Church of God are among the most generous in the entire world.
My new friend sat in amazement and respect for the dedication of members who give so generously.
He said to me, "There's not a church in the world that would not be turning cartwheels of delight to have their members contributing so generously."
Coincidentally, the next day I read a magazine article about charitable giving. The writer lamented that the average donation to charity for families earning more than $100,000 per year is less than 3 percent of income. Yet families earning less than $10,000 a year give a larger percentage.
We realize you have been willing to sacrifice and give abundantly for the church fellowship we all love so much.
We hope you continue to give consistently in 1999.
So this month, as we end one year and begin another, I just wanted to stop and say, "Thank you, thank you, thank you." Each of you is a blessing to the work of God and you are appreciated more than words can say.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999