Page 12 - Living Epistles
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our own preference. Through living by faith, Watchman Nee was preserved
               from being distracted by the outward appearance of the work. What he cared
               for was the Lord's will, not a booming work. His desire was to live by a faith
               that God would honor. He knew that if he performed any work which was not
               done in life and according to God's will, God would never respond to his faith.
               For this reason, both his personal life and his work were continually under
               restriction.


               Down through the years, he continually exercised himself to live such a life of
               faith. In China he pioneered such a life. He became a strong example for all his
               close associates who had been called by the Lord to live and work for Him by
               faith...


               WATCHMAN  NEE'S  PERSONAL  TESTIMONY  GIVEN  AT  KULANGSU,
               FUKIEN,
               OCTOBER 20, 1936


               Matters concerning Money


               The matter of money can be either a small or a big problem. When I began to
               serve the Lord, I was somewhat anxious about the question of my livelihood.
               Had  I  been  a  preacher  in  a  denomination,  I  would  have  been  on  a  large
               monthly salary. But since I was to walk in the Lord's way, I would only rely
               upon Him to support me; I could not depend upon a monthly salary. In the
               years 1921 and 1922, very few preachers in China lived in sole reliance on the
               Lord. It was difficult to find even two or three; the great majority lived on
               salary. At that time many preachers were not bold enough to devote their
               entire time to serving the Lord; they felt that if they were not receiving a
               regular salary, they would not know how to face a situation in which they had
               nothing to live on. I also had such thoughts. In China today [1936] there are
               approximately fifty brothers and sisters in fellowship with us who live by
               relying solely on the Lord. Such a situation is more common now than it was
               in 1922. Brothers and sisters in various places today also care for the workers
               more than before. I think that after ten years or so, brothers and sisters will
               show even greater concern for the need of the servants of the Lord. But it was
               not very common ten years ago.


               Declaring to My Parents My Desire to Live by Faith


               I have pointed out in a previous testimony that after I was saved I continued
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