by juni 19 Replies latest jw friends
WHO REMEMBERS THIS STATEMENT MADE DURING SOME TALK?
THEY SAID AND WERE QUOTING I BELIEVE RUSSELL/RUTHERFORD: "WHEN WE HAVE TO ASK FOR MONEY FOR THE LORD'S WORK THEN WE KNOW THAT JEHOVAH IS NOT BEHIND US." SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
MAYBE BLONDIE WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP OUT HERE. THANKS FOR THE INPUT. JUNI
That statement was made in the second issue of Zion's WT, I believe.
Actually, the WTS tells 2 stories
Russell
*** Proclaimers Book chap. 21 p. 340 How Is It All Financed? ***
As early as the second issue of the Watch Tower, in August 1879, Brother Russell stated: "‘Zion’s Watch Tower’ has, we believe, JEHOVAH for its backer, and while this is the case it will never beg nor petition men for support. When He who says: ‘All the gold and silver of the mountains are mine,’ fails to provide necessary funds, we will understand it to be time to suspend the publication."
http://www.agsconsulting.com/htdbnon/zwt0645.htm
*** Proclaimers book chap. 21 p. 350 How Is It All Financed? ***
In 1915, as president of the Society, Charles Taze Russell said: "Our Society has not sought to lay up earthly riches, but has been, rather, a spending institution. Whatever God’s providence sent in to us without solicitation we have sought to spend as wisely as possible in harmony with the Word and Spirit of the Lord. Long ago we announced that when the funds would cease, the activities of the Society would cease proportionately; and that as the funds increased, the Society’s activities would be enlarged."
Coal
***Proclaimers book chap. 26 pp. 577-578 Producing Bible Literature for Use in the Ministry ***
First of all, where should they locate the Society’s offices? Should they move the headquarters back to Brooklyn? The Society’s board of directors considered the matter, and a committee was appointed to check into the situation.
Brother Rutherford instructed C. A. Wise, the Society’s vice president, to go to Brooklyn to see about reopening Bethel and renting premises where the Society could begin printing operations. Desirous of knowing what course God would bless, Brother Rutherford said: "Go and see whether it is the Lord’s will for us to return back to Brooklyn."
"How will I determine as to whether it is the Lord’s will for us to go back or not?" asked Brother Wise.
"It was a failure to get coal supplies in 1918 that drove us from Brooklyn back to Pittsburgh," Brother Rutherford replied. "Let’s make coal the test. You go and order some coal."
"How many tons do you think I should order to make the test?"
"Well, make it a good test," Brother Rutherford recommended. "Order 500 tons."
That is exactly what Brother Wise did. And what was the outcome? When he applied to the authorities, he was granted a certificate to get 500 tons of coal—enough to care for their needs for a number of years! But where were they going to put it? Large sections of the basement of the Bethel Home were converted into coal storage.
The result of this test was taken as an unmistakable indication of God’s will. By the first of October 1919, they were once again beginning to carry on their activity from Brooklyn.
And who could forget that famous quote from Brother EveryAssemblyChairmanEver: "Brothers, we have a deficit of $3,514.68 for this assembly. We are confident that you will help us alleviate that deficit."
(I suppose they didn't "petition" for funds, did they? More of a "we don't need to tell you to give, we know you will. You'll give $3,514.68. Now.")
Dave
I remember several times when our hall was going to be renovated the PO got up on the platform, told us what the estimated cost was, and told us that we were "assessed" a certain amount of money per publisher™ per month. So much for "voluntary donations". I was very offended by that, and resolved to never donate a cent to the JWs.
W
Good morning ALL !
Yeah, by their own words they should be dissolved.
Was the coal really a good test ?
Now if someone came to me and said they wanted to buy 500 tons of coal I'd be seeing Dollar signs $$$ !
Now this would have been a better test, if they only bought about a one pound of coal.
And then see if lasted through the winter.
Like the prophet and the oil that didn’t run out.
Now that’s a test.
They failed the test.
Finally-Free said:
I remember several times when our hall was going to be renovated the PO got up on the platform, told us what the estimated cost was, and told us that we were "assessed" a certain amount of money per publisher™ per month. So much for "voluntary donations". I was very offended by that, and resolved to never donate a cent to the JWs.
The same thing took place in the Hall we went too.
An amount was decided on by the elders, and presented to the Cong. Through resolution.
The amount was $ 15.00 per publisher per month. ( For new 3 day KH build)
And then, we were told ( in California) that we are now offering the magazines for free, it then seemed like every month the elders were making resolutions to send more money than usual to the WTS
(Little did we know we were paying for the mags … TWO TIMES! )
Really Mag/Books are paid for Three times:
WHAT A RACKET!!!
Acadian
Thanks to all of you for your help. I didn't think I dreamed this one. So what does that tell you? This "donation" thing has become very important in your OBEY, OBEY, OBEY Jehovah. One former brother I just talked to said that at the Hall they are on this topic heavily as they have only received 1/2 of their usual donations and their Hall expenses have not been met for the past 3 months. The KH is in a lower income area where the bros. and sis. are just trying to make their own bills.
Yes. That would have been a much better test - turn a piece of coal into 500 tons. So with this new emphasis on giving tying in w/your obeying Jehovah is another way of control and trying to make people feel unfaithful if they don't do it. This goes against their early teaching. Or w/new light Jehovah wants them to twist peoples' arms???? Something for JW to think about which it seems more and more are doing.
Juni :)
Sorry, but I have to say another thing.
The Society has become like governments. Spend beyond their means. We live in a very small house and I'd love to have an addition put on my kitchen for more room for the table and chairs. BUT, we can't afford it. What about them? If they don't have the donations they need for their projects, etc. then suspend them until you do. Just like all of us have to do. HAD TO VENT A LITTLE. Juni
Juni, say you could have the book study at your house if they added on a room. (smile)
Heh Blondie.............
NOW WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT??? Have a great day and thanks for your help. Greatly appreciated. Love, Juni
