"Ordinarily, I entirely ignore letters like this one and up to now have never sent one. Something tells me that this one is different, so I am participating."

Regrettably, these words will strike an all too familiar chord with many of you. They are the opening words of a chain letter that has been circulating among Christians in recent weeks. The letter continues to detail a plan whereby the participant for the paltry investment of $5.19 (i.e. $1.00 cash plus eleven postage stamps at $.29 plus 20 copies at $.05) will receive the fantastic return of $7,000 to $10,000. The letter twice purports to be a legal proposition. Further piquing one's interest is the bond of friendship by which the letter is passed on. Page two contains the names and addresses of men familiar to and trusted by the recipient.

The process is simple: The participant is instructed to mail a dollar to the top name on his list. He is then to delete that name and raise the remaining three names one position each. Finally, he is to finish the list with his own name and address. He is then instructed to send the letter and the new list to ten of his male friends (the letter is for men only). Voila! In a matter of days the geometric progression of his list is supposed to reward him with 10,000 envelopes each containing one dollar. What could be easier? After all, who couldn't use an extra ten grand to ease the financial pressures he labors under? Besides all of that, this must be legitimate or the names of these men would not be on the list.

The problem with this simple scenario leading to economic prosperity is discovered in three points of escalating intensity. First, the system will not work. Acquiring $10,000 is a more difficult proposition than this. Second, the system is illegal. It represents an unacceptable form of pyramiding that violates postal lottery and mail fraud laws set by the United States Federal government. Third, the system is wrong. It constitutes the infraction of numerous Bible principles.

If raising capital were as easy as mailing out geometrically progressing chain letters, would it not be a more popular source of livelihood than it is? The fact is that the chain will be broken at too many strategic points for the participants to receive even a significant return on their investment. Furthermore, in a closed society of friends the chain will inevitably fail because it will circle back upon itself too many times. In the original chain letter scandal which began in Denver, Colorado in 1935 and involved a dime, the greatest return ever documented was $400. To be sure, that is a sizable return on a dime. However, it was only one-fourth of what was promised, and more to the point, it was an isolated incident. The vast majority of participants received nothing and the federal government had to pay for thousands of hours of overtime incurred by postal workers who tried valiantly to cope with the deluge of mail (Sann, Paul. Fads Follies and Delusions of the American People, p. 97-104).

More germane, however, is the fact that all such systems are illegal. Presumably, this fact was unknown to those circulating the current chain letter. Nevertheless the law is the law. The Stock-ton Public Library keeps the following statement close at hand in a miscellaneous file at the information desk:

Chain letters which request money, bonds, books or other items of value, and promise a substantial return to the remitter, which is dependent on the activities of those who follow in the chain, are regarded as non-mailable under the postal lottery and fraud laws (Title 18, U.S. Code, Sections 1302, 1341).... Postal cards involving "good luck" chain prayers, which contain a threat of bad luck to those breaking the chain do not violate the lottery and fraud laws, but they are non-mailable under Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 1718, which prohibits threatening matter on the outside of mail. Since all these laws provide for substantial fines and imprisonment upon conviction, a person receiving a chain letter may wish to dissociate himself from this chain letter scheme and advise persons from whom he receives such letters that they should promptly discontinue all chain letter activity.

This appears to be excellent advice. Clearly, all chain letter activity should be avoided by all of God's people. Even a cursory examination of Romans 13:1-7 will sustain this point (cf. I Peter 2:11-17).

Notwithstanding, the precise point which must not be missed is that such systems are not only inefficient and illegal, they are also wrong. They are not only wrong because they break the law of the land, but also because they infringe upon numerous Bible principles.

First, the Word of God teaches that Christians should get gain by honest labor (Eph 4:28; I Thess 4:11; 5:14; II Thess 3:8-13). God set this principle in operation in the beginning when he told Adam that he had "put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it" (Gen 2:15). Consequent to sin, God said: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground (Gen 3:19).

However, it is important to notice that the command to work preceded sin. Work took on a different connotation after sin. Nevertheless, the point not to be missed is that from the beginning God decreed that man should spend his time in honest labor. Numerous other Old Testament passages reconfirm this truth (Eccl 9:10; Prov 12:11; 13:11). Finally, make note of Paul's assertion in Acts 20:35: I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Second, the Word of God teaches that Christians must avoid greed and covetousness in all of its forms. It is with great trepidation that we mention this fact for we do not wish to accuse the brethren lightly of so dark a charge. On the one hand, it seems evident that the incredible spread of this chain letter has been fueled largely by the names of trusted participants. On the other hand, it appears nonetheless true that some participation has been driven an inordinate desire to get gain at the expense of others. This, however innocently practiced, is the same as covetousness. Jesus said: "Take heed, and beware of covetousness for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesses" (Luke 12:15). In Ephesians 5:3, covetousness is included in a list of sins which should "not be once named among you, as becometh saints." Proverbs 28:16 says: "The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor; but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days." These serve as but a sampling of dozens of passages in both the Old and New testaments warning God's people not to participate in any thing that partakes of the sin of greed or covetousness. In I Timothy 6:6-14, Paul tells us why: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can take nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this commandment, without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Of all that could be said of this passage, consider these five points relative to the issue of chain letters:

1. The Christian is to pursue godliness with contentment.

2. Those who desire to be rich will be led into sin "for the love of money is the root of all evil."

3. When Christians covet after money they err from the faith and pierce themselves through with many sorrows.

4. Instead of succumbing to this attraction, the "man of God is to flee these things."

5. This commandment is to be kept by God's people (and especially by his leaders) without spot until Christ appears. We are to live above rebuke about this matter.

How could anyone participate in such a practice and then demonstrate to his fellows the sin of purchasing a lottery ticket? How could one send out a chain letter requesting money and then consistently oppose the brother who spends a dollar on the nickel slot machines in Las Vegas? All of these activities are driven by the same engine- the desire for wealth at the expense of someone else. The same principles of the New Testament which condemn, in no uncertain terms, all forms of gambling, condemn, in no uncertain terms, the mailing of chain letters. If the Federal government can see clearly that chain letters are wrong, it is hard to understand why brethren who are diligent Bible students cannot see it.

To be sure, many who have participated in this particular chain letter scheme have done so not knowing it is illegal. (At least four U.S. Postal Inspectors have confirmed that it indeed is.) From that standpoint, especially when considered injuxtaposition to the names of faithful and trusted brethren, participation is somewhat understandable. However, what is not so readily understandable is how knowledgeable brethren could so thoughtlessly break principles of the New Testament that are well known to them.

Finally, brethren, we must not be persuaded to join anything solely on the basis on the names of others involved--regardless of how well-known or trusted they be. On the other side of the coin, brethren should be sensitive to the power of credibility their good name holds. Let us put all of this away from ourselves, and learn to be content in whatever state we abide, knowing that the Lord Jesus cares for us and is counting on us to spread the gospel to a lost and dying world.--1349 Ferrari Ct., Manteca CA 95336.