“VOICE OF THE BRETHREN”
On several occassions during the Pastoral Visitations of our beloved Executive Minister, Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo, he emphasized that the people of God must be obedient to the Laws of the Land. As our late Executive Ministers also admonished especially to those caring for the finances of the Church, “Prove to God your integrity and faithfullness.”
This article is very timely as it reminds us to uphold obedience to both the laws of man and especially the Laws of our Almighty God. Integrity- defined as doing the right thing even when no one is watching. A trait that must be found in every one of God’s people. Remember, God is always watching…
A.E.
“They tried to bury us…they didn’t know we were seeds.”
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“ADDITIONAL REMITTANCE”
By: Vincent Florida
This circular was sent out to the congregations by our dearly beloved Brother Eraño G. Manalo on February 5, 1998. 1998 was designated as the “Year of the Church Officers”. February is the month to remember the efforts, sacrifices and works of the Church’s Finance officers.
During those days, everything was being faxed from the communication center of the Central Office, which was basically Sis. Eden Samson (sister of Bro. Jun & Jerson Samson) and two or three other devoted sisters manning the phones and fax machines. They sent and received, all communications from inside and outside the Philippines to and from the Districts, or in this case as the fax stamp at the top of the page indicates, to Bro. Manuel B. Santos (MBS, auditor general of USMO and brother of Bro. Jun Santos). Then, he in turn would send it out to the respective Districts.
Bro. Eraño, as you can read above, spoke of the transparent and efficient manner that the finances were taken care of. The need to keep the finance reporting done in an efficient manner was the great trust put upon every locale treasurer, locale auditor, committee chairperson and head deacon of each local congregation.
Quoting Luke 16:10-11 TEV, which for the purposes of this exposé bears repeating.
Luke 16:10-11 (GNT or TEV)
10 Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones; whoever is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones. 11 If, then, you have not been faithful in handling worldly wealth, how can you be trusted with true wealth?”
Let’s talk for a moment about the responsibilities of the congregations and the banks in the various states where the Church is present. Each congregation has a checking account. The account is managed by the lay members, meaning to say, NO minister/Church worker is a signatory nor can he access in any way the offerings of the locale. This great responsibility rest squarely on the shoulders of the finance officers and head deacon of the congregation. It is your face, my dear brothers and sisters that the bank’s staff see. It is your ID that the banks ask for and it is, in some cases, your social security number that you must give when asked by the bank’s staff because of the large deposits, especially during the Anniversary Thanksgiving and the Year-end Thanksgiving. Note: Never was the Church EIN given in such occasions.
Basically, as Bro. Eraño put it, “may God take good care of you in the performance of your duties to save you from errors and may you always prove to God your integrity and faithfulness”.
I believe that this is a good place to pause and think about the troubling practices that are being done in this present time.
How do you think our God feels about the performance of your duties when the cash from the offerings are not deposited in the bank, but instead it is being delivered to the Sangunian (Church Advisory Council) through the District Auditors with NO accountability? Many of you, dear finance officers, have a lot of finance-related experience from businesses that you either own or work for. Knowing that when cash is not deposited, it disappears off the books.
Let’s say, for the moment, that those in whose pockets the cash finally ends up was for their ‘tulong’ (stipend or salary) or they have a definite purpose for collecting cash instead of using banks to withdraw the funds. Why would they take it in cash? Firstly, let’s start with the cash “tulong”. Well, according to U.S. law, income earned in any form is taxable. So they are, essentially, avoiding paying taxes on it. What does our Lord Jesus instruct us in Luke 20:25 NKJV
25 And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
This pronouncement of the Savior is quite clear. Give to the government what is due and to God what is due. Basically, one aspect of the corruption that everyone is talking about when it comes to the Council is that they are circumventing the tax laws of the United States. Here is where it even gets better if those who are receiving income from those hundred dollar bills you
so eagerly change at the bank do not have an SS or TIN number, then the Church is hiring and paying illegals, which is another violation of U.S. law.
What about what the apostle Peter said, I Peter 2:17 LB
“Show respect for everyone. Love Christians everywhere. Fear God and honor the government.”
Are we respecting or honoring the government by circumventing the tax
laws and laws regarding those who are eligible to work in the United States?
How about their plans for whatever they want to use the money? It certainly is not going to build houses of worship, or propagation or the worship services. It is ‘off the books’, as they say. Under the tax laws of the United States, which are being enforced by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), who do you think IRS will go after when an audit is done and the additional remittances come to light? Who would then become responsible for all those hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars that have been diverted from the Church? It is you, dear finance officers and head deacons, because it’s your names that are on the accounts, your names that they will drag into tax court and it’s your homes and assets that the IRS will go after. Did you sign on to that when you raised your hand and took oath as a finance officer of the Church? You, brothers and sisters, are accomplices’ in these unlawful acts, whether you are aware of it or not. You also know that we should never allow anyone to defile the offerings for they are consecrated for the Lord. Now that the consequences of this practice are brought to light, will you let them continue defiling your hands? Why not just deposit the entire ‘abuloy’ (offerings of members) in the bank and report “no remittance” to the District Auditor?
Many will claim that “… it is not our place to question what the Church leaders decide to do with the offering that we gave”. Hmm. Do you think the IRS will acknowledge this argument favorably? It is not a question of what they do with the cash offerings or if it is our place to question. It is a question of breaking the law of the United States of America. Are you “ONE WITH Tax Fraud”?
Why do you think some banks, such as TD Bank, have refused to do business with the Church and even others won’t comply with your request to change the cash in $100 denominations? Why do you think you’re instructed to
deposit the money then withdraw it? Why do you have to ask some officers or rich brethren to bring in hundred dollar bills for exchange? Because bank managers have strict codes that they must follow and the Council are aware of that. You, brothers and sisters in finance, are what they’ll call the fall guy, the mark, the patsy, or the scapegoat. Don’t think for a moment that your finance records wouldn’t be shredded in a minute when they see the IRS agents closing in on the Church with subpoenas.
Think of what the Apostle Peter said to Ananias and Sapphira when they kept back part of the proceeds. It was in “your hand” to do with accordingly… ”You have not lied to men but to God.” God appointed you to a sacred duty to care for the offering of the Church. The offerings are in your hands to do with accordingly. It is your name going on the forms. Go back to the letter of our beloved Brother and read it again and again. In the past six years this is where the anomaly has started, at least in the West. We knew what we were doing was wrong. It is time to take a stand and remember the words of Brother Eraño G. Manalo, “… do not allow anyone to defile the offerings”. If they want money so badly, let them go to U.S.M.O. and let it be on the books, in the record so the corruption will stop and good people won’t be forced to do evil.
Ang talino mo tlga… Kaya nga wala k n sa Iglesia eh noh 🙂
Hhhhmmm…. one of favorites. Afterall, it was money that created this mess, so it will be the lack of it that will undo this mistake.
WHERE AND WHEN IS THE NEXT ARTICLE ?
Thank you for the very lucid and truthful article.
Brother, since the Ministers receive these instructions and they convey them to the Finance officers, they should be very very careful if or when they are investigated by the IRS or FBI. What will they reply? Should they LIE to the Government to protect the Church? Or should they tell the TRUTH and expose the illegal acts being committed inside?
In doing so, that could include many finance officers and especially DISTRICT AUDITORS who receive and transport the cash. Why would Ministers knowingly take part in this? They may think they can claim innocence but the Law would call that aiding and abetting.
I have seen the faces of Finance officers when they do this. They have that awkward look on their face knowing that this is opposite of what they were trained to do. Setting aside the cash with no paper trail except the breakdown of what they are handing over. THEY KNOW.
These are insinuations by someone hallucinating from the devil’s encouragments. May you continue wasting your anger to the church administration without knowing that in what you are doing all the more you appear cleary like a devil making as stronger in faith an in unity with church leadership. Change your style! Its already obvious, your father, the devil would not be thankful to you anymore you’re failing to serve his purpose – you could not even be accepted in hell how much more in heaven.. Regards..
Well,it’s about time !!!
Isa Pang Sitas Na DAPAT NINYONG MAISAPUSO…
Roma 2:21-24 NPV
“Ikaw na nagtuturo sa iba, bakit hindi mo turuan ang iyong sarili? Ikaw ay nangangaral na bawal ang magnakaw bakit ka nagnanakaw? Sinasabi mo sa mga taong bawal mangalunya, bakit nangangalunya ka? Nasusuklam ka sa mga dios-diosan, bakit ninanakawan mo ang templo? Ipinagmamagaling mo ang kautusan, bakit nilalapastangan mo ang Dios sa pamamagitan ng pagsuway, sa kautusan? Tulad ng nasusulat: “Dahil sa iyo, ang pangalan ng Dios ay nilapastangan ng mga Hentil.”
Karagdagan, Isang Sitas ng Talata at sana Maliwanagan Kayo….
II Pedro 2:1-3 NPV
“Kung paanong sa gitna ng mga tao’y nagkaroon ng mga bulaang propeta, lilitaw din sa gitna ninyo ang mga bulaang guro. Lihim silang magpapasok ng mga kabulaanang makasisira sa inyong pananampalataya. Itatanggi nila pati ang Kataastaasang Panginoon na tumubos sa kanila, kaya ito ang mabilis na pupuksa sa kanila. Marami ang susunod sa nakahihiya nilang pamamaraan at pati na ang katotohanan ay malalapastangan. Dahil sa kanilang kasakiman, PAGSASAMANTALAHAN KAYO NG MGA BULAANG GURONG ITO SA PAMAMAGITAN NG KANILANG MGA KINATHANG KUWENTO. Matagal nang handa ang hatol sa kanila at ang pupuksa sa kanila’y hindi natutulog.
Bakit Hanggang Ngayon ay Hindi niyo parin Sinasagot ang along mga Tanong?
Siguro Ipinagkibit – balikat Niyo na lang ang mga Tanong ko?
Bakit? Siguro natatakot kayo na matuklasan ang Tunay mong Motibo kapag sa Oras na Nasagot mo ang along mga Tanong.
Kung Talagang Mahal Mo Ang Iglesia Ni Cristo, Isa Pang Tanong at Sana Masagot Niyo,
Ang Paghahayag ba ng Kasalanan ay Ginagawa sa pamamagitan nang Social Media?
Iyan Ba ang Tamang Paraan ng Paghahayag Nang Kasalanan?
Hindi Niyo Ba Alam Na CyberLibel Ang Ginagawa niyo Maaari Kayong Makasuhan Ukol Diyan?
Sana Naman Mag Email Kayo…
A.E. – Another Era (New Era) movement pakisagot lahat ang akin reply. Salamat po.
It’s so nice to hear from you again Bro. AE. Matagal din wala ako nareceive na post from you. Worried na baka may nangyari nang masama sa inyo. May God protect you always.
you said it very well, brother! i honestly started wondering a few years ago if our abuloy had reached in good hands. there have been questions in my mind whether the church money were not misused. i can see some of our brothers and sisters are struggling to make both ends meet, yet they want to give offerings generously and even more than they can afford. but as an ordinary church members we have no control where our abuloy goes.
INC and the Philipine govrment has a great similarity:INC had a council, Philippine Goverment had a Senate and Congress whose majority of the members, if having a Supper with our LORD JESUS CHRIST, will hear what was said to Judas “you are betraying your members-your people” are you aware that you are betraying yourself and mis guided by “satan”? Repent while you still have the chance…. remember our aAlmighty GOD the FATHER love all of you HIS prodigal son and lost sheep…. Your brother in CHRIST
May Mga Tanong po Ako sa inyo na sana’y Masagot ng Grupo niyo.
1. Gawa ba nang ISANG CHRISTIANO ang pamemersonal na pag – atake sa mga Ministro at Manggagawa? Iyan ba ay MakaKristiyano?
2. Ang Paglalabas nang mga bagay ukol sa Iglesia ay pinapayagan ba sa inyo na IPOST sa Social Media?
3. May Offer Ba Kayong Kaligtasan Sa Grupo Niyo? Sinabi nang Diyos na kayo ang magliligtas sa sinomang sumama sa inyo?
4.Kung Talagang Malinis ang Inyong Hangarin, Bakit ang Dumi ng Taktika ninyo?
5.Makapagpapatibay ba iyang mga sinasabi niyo sa aming pananampalataya o makapagpapatisod?
Mag- aantay Ako ng Sagot kung mayroon… Sana Matakot kayo sa Ginagawa niyo…
Ngayon ako naniniwala na si EVM ay andres the saya (under the saya) sunod-sunoran siya sa dikta ng asawa na si Babylonia kasabwat si JS, hawak siya sa leeg ni JS, dahil alam ni EVM lahat ng katiwalian sa INC, pero hindi siya natitinag, at sinasabi niya na walang katiwalian sa kanyang pastoral visit, hindi niya kayang controling ang ssawa niya, at itiwalag ang mga nssa San-goon-nian pati mga tiwaling ministro, kaya si EVM ay tiwali na rin. Kapag namatay si Ka Tenny na di kinakausap ni EVM at di ibinalik sa talaan, lalong magsisintir ang mga kapatid, kung gaano karami ang dumamay at nakipaglibing kay Ka Erdy, mas higit pa sa doble niyon ang makikiramay lalo na ang mga Ina na kapatid o hindi man. Ang bagong racket ni JS ay ang paggawa ng movies, pagkatapos ilabas ang ,FYM the movie, sa sinehan, magpapagawa siya ng milyong DVD para ibenta at ibulsa ang proceed or tubo, ang susunod niyang racket ay recording business industry. Dahil sa paghina at pagbaba ng pumapasok na pera sa kaban ng Iglesia, nagiisip si JS ng ibang paraan para may ma-ibulsa siya na pera mula sa mga kapatid at mga sanglibutan. Kaya sa taon ito ay mas mababa pa sa kalahati ang pasalamat namin kaysa nuon isang taon, at pababa ang offering namin hanggat hindi nalilinis ang Iglesia. Ang amin diakono at asawa (diakonesa) ay nagbalak magpunta sa Philippine Arena nuon December 2014 para daw maluwag at hindi sila makikipagsiksikan. Ang manugang (lalaki) nila ay nasa Finance Dept sa Central, ay nakiusap sa in-charge sa Maligaya Development Corp na payagan makapasok ang kanyang parents-in-law sa Philippine Arena, ang sabi ng in-charge kailangan daw ay may event, at kailangan bumayad, ang tanong, saan galing ang pera na ginastos sa Philippine Arena, hindi ba’t sa abuloy ng mga kapatid, bakit pagbabayarin ang mga kapatid, kaya sabi ng diakono namin, negosyo na, negosyo na ang ginagawa ng Iglesia. Marami ang nagsasabi na si Ka Isaias Samson have brains and balls to expose the corruption in INC, pero si EVM ay takot at walang bayag para isiwalat ang mga karumal-dumal at kagimbalgimbal na mga katiwalian at pagnanakaw sa Iglesia. Kaya ang Iglesia na dati ay tinitingala ng mga taga-sanglibutan dahil sa kalinisan at kabanalan, ay dinuduro-duro at kinukutya na sa ngayon, lalong mahirap magbunga sa ngayon dahil sinasabi nila ang INC ay hindi na isang religion, kung di isang kulto na. Ang ginagawang pagtitiwalag at binabasa sa pagsamba ay isang paraan ng pananakot ng san-goon-nian, para lalong matakot ang mga kapatid na magtanong o mga magsalita o pumuna sa pamamahala (EVM & Sanggunian plus Babylyn) kahit thru social media, kaya marami ang mga kapatid ang may dummy account sa internet. Masama ba ang magtanong ang kapatid kung mayroon napapansin na di dapat sa pamamalakad sa loob ng Iglesia, hind ba karapatan ng mga kapatid ang mag-ulat? Kung bawal ang magtanong, pumuna o mag-ulat, kung gayon totoo na wala ng freedom of speech ang kapatid sa Iglesia, para tayong komunista, basta sumunod lamang, bow na lang ng bow, amen na lang ng amen. Ang tagapamahala ngayon ay si JS katuwang si Babylynn, si EVM ay front lamang, nagsisilbi siyang puppet ni JS at Babylonia, para gamitin ang Iglesia sa negosyo (business purpose), at perahan ang mga kaanib, parang martial law (kamay na bakal) ang kanilang pamamahala. Sumpain sila ng Panginoon Diyos.
tisod na tisod ka sa handugan Isaias. pati ang pangalan ng namayapang tagapamahala ng INC ginagamit mo pa sa mga post mong punung-puno ng bitterness.
Transparency has always been the rule during Ka Erdie’s time. The scalawags in the church just waited for his demise and a WEAK leadership by the PANGANGASIWA NG PANGKALAHATAN allowed the council to get their hands in the Church Treasury. It’s a sad phase of the church leadership.