The May 1, 2006 Watchtower has the feature article "Who Will Help The Poor?"
On the front cover is a picture of a child holding his face in his hands looking miserable.
Firstly, you would think a religious corporation with billions of dollars in the bank might actually be doing something for the poor, but no. They do nothing for their neighbors, in fact they rarely help their own, and usually they advertise that fact.
Here are some snippets, it gets worse as the article goes on. My comments are in red
Page 1
Unfortunately, millions of people worldwide, like Vicente, live in subject poverty. In developing nations, many are forced to live on the street or in shantytowns.
It is difficult to justify such poverty.
The Watchtower justifies it though, such as building new apartments in the DUMBO area of Brooklyn, while getting rid of their own workers.
Page 2
subheading "Follow Jesus' example and show concern for the poor"
Poverty and oppression are almost as old as mankind. While God's Law to Israel sought to protect the poor and mitigate their suffering, that Law was often disregarded.
The prophet Ezekiel denounced the way the poor were being treated. He said, "The people of the land themselves have carried on a scheme of defrauding and have
done a tearing away in robbery, and the afflicted one and the poor one they have maltrated, and the alien resident they have defrauded without justice."
The situation was no different when Jesus was on earth. The religious leaders showed a complete lack of concern for the poor and needy. The religious leaders were described
as "money lovers" who 'devoured the houses of the widows' and who were more concerned about keeping their traditions than caring for the aged and the needy.
Honestly, how can they write this stuff and NOT SEE THAT IT APPLIES TO THEM?
page 6
Bible Teaching Provides Lasting Help
The Gospel accounts relate that Jesus regularly performed good deeds for those who were poor or had other needs. To what activity though, did he give priority?
On one occasion, after having spent some time helping those in need, Jesus told his disicples: "Let us go somewhere else, into the village towns nearby, that I may
preach there also." Why did Jesus interrupt his work in behalf of the sick and needy in order to resume his preaching activity? He explained by saying: 'It is for this
purpose [that is, to preach] I have gone out." Although doing good deeds for people in need was important to Jesus, preaching about God's Kingdom was his
primary mission.
The Watchtower doesn't even do the bare MINIMUM to alleviate poverty for its members, for example, pioneers have to cope with ever increasing gas prices, yet they are not reimbursed by the Society.
There is no retirement benefit for Bethelites.
Since the Bible urges Christians "to follow [Jesus'] steps closely," Christians today have clear guidance when it comes to setting priorities in their efforts to help others.Like Jesus, they help people in need. However, also like Jesus, they make the work of teaching the Bible's message about the good news of God's Kingdom their top
priority. Why, though, should preaching the message found in God's Word take priority over other forms of helping others?
So basically, preaching helps hungry people? Homeless people? No, it just fulfills the WT's orders. This is the excuse the JW charity uses to get out of donating even a dime to a hungry person. Real-life experiences from around the world demonstrate that when people understand and follow the Bible's practical counsel, they are better equipped to deal with the daily
problems of life, including poverty.
Since when did the Bible help someone get a job, pay the rent or mortgage or find money to repair their car? While Bible principles are good, there was much poverty in Bible times.
So much for their charitable status.