by freedom96 21 Replies latest jw friends
Many Christian type religions, organized or not, believe in giving 10% like was done in the old days in the bible. You even have the Mormons, who must give 10%.
As money hungry as the WTS is, why have they not gone for that as well? They can always justify anything for any reason. Is it that they just have gone too long without it? It could be new light.
Not like the decision makers would have to pay any. It would not affect them.
I don't think so. Not requiring a tithe has always been a distguishing point for the Witnesses, and one that attracts followers.
Plus, they charge the congregation for the literature, and have other money-making avenues to get cash. They have never been stupid about finances, and have a level of control that can only be envied by other churches and businesses.
Richard
Freedom Wrote:
As money hungry as the WTS is, why have they not gone for that as well?
It's because the churches ONLY look for 10%. The Watch Tower Corporation is going for it ALL! 100% Think about it:-)
Best wishes, and thanks for starting the thread. It's a very good subject.
gb
When I was in they had started the donation system for their literature, no more mags for 25 cents. They wanted you to donate when you received the literature, and they wanted you to ask for donations when you placed them too. They wanted donations for the local needs, and for the missionary work, and for the quick builds ect. Why settle for just 10%?
No, they didn't go for that. You know why? Because they have so much more from you. As a Watchtower representative, you give your car, you buy cloths, suits, books, go to their conventions, put money in their contribution boxes, build their halls, take your gas, and so much more. When you add all of that up, you give about 20% of what you have. If only we gave 10%, we would be on the winning side.
Honestly, I've been wondering lately. Where DOES their money come from? When people talk about field service, I hear a lot of memories of not being able to place very much literature (or get much donations, I would presume), so how are they getting so rich?
Your car and gas expenses cost you a lot, but they don't put any money in their pockets.
Where's it come from?????
Before people give over significant cash, they will often look very closely into where their money is going - using your car etc. is not as direct in people's minds - they get to have a drive, see others etc - but people mostly keep tabs on significant amounts of cash.
Additionally, when people give cash there is tendency toward having some sort of say in matters, a voice - as with politics. These things wouldn't really work with jwism, however I don't think that it is the reason that they don't ask - but simply coincidental.
They are not a charity, hence they do not need to control more cash than they personally require - however, they do make sure they have sufficient to be quite well kept, but appearances are far more important than the very extreme luxuries that the world can offer - most of the time.
Only a certain percentage of people can swallow jwism, so extreme amounts of money would put them in the situation of
It just doesn't seem like it would work - it would likely change jwism.
paduan
Edited by - a paduan on 20 November 2002 21:48:1
I dont think that they will go to a mandatory contribution, because of all of they talk that they have put out about how they are different on this point than Babylon the Great. But, I have noticed a lot more time at meetings has been devoted to talking about how they should give more, about how much free stuff that the Society has given to people, yadda yadda yadda. The Convention that I attended this summer must have had three references to the poor old lady that gave everything that she had, and countless gentle reminders to give at the contribution boxes that are lined up at every door and staircase.
so how are they getting so rich?
They own vast amounts of real estate in Brooklyn and pay no taxes. They have free labor in their factories. They grow their own food at the farm. The jws pay for literature whether they place it or not. Many people put lots of money into the contribution box.
They get their halls built with free labor and donated supplies. They have shrewd investments. They have a worldwide unpaid, uncommissioned sales force of millions. Many people die and leave them their homes and estates. They are encouraged to remember the society in their wills.
They probably also get lots o' money from their celebrity members... the Jacksons and the Williams come to mind.
Why do they put so much emphasis on giving to the Watchtower, instead of putting emphasis on giving to the poor in the congregation that need money to survive, and have a decent life. Never did I hear them say, look around in the congregation, and try to help brothers and sisters who don't work, and have a hard time financially.
