Happiness for the WTBTS is loadsa, loadsa money!!!!
November 1st Watchtower, 2006, page 21:
'Those who contributed to temple building rejoiced greatly. Today, giving support to true worship with our contributions likewise brings us happiness. (Acts 20:35). We experience that happiness when we place our contributions in the box designated for the Kingdom Hall Fund and when we contribute to the worldwide work, thus supporting other projects associated with the preaching of the good news of the kingdom. In a wonderful way, Jehovah's Witnesses today are united in true worship. May all of us be filled with the happiness that comes from supporting that worship!'
There then follows 'Ways In Which Some Choose to Give'
Contributions to the worldwide work
This is donations from congregations forwarded directly to Brooklyn.
Cheques should be made payable to 'Watchtower'
'Jewelry or other baluables may be donated as well. A brief letter statin that such items are an outright gift should accompany these contributions.
CONDITIONAL - DONATION TRUST ARRANGEMENT
This type can be returned.
CHARITABLE PLANNING
'In addition to outright gifts of meney, there are other methods of giving to benefit Kingdom service worldwide:
Insurance - Watchtower can be named as a beneficiary of life insurance policy or pension/retirement plan.
Bank Accounts : Bank accounts, certificate of deposit, or individual retirement accounts may be place in trust for or made payable on death to Watch Tower, in accord with local bank requirements.
Stocks and Bonds : Stocks and bonds may be donate to Watch Tower as an outright gift.
Real Estate : Salable real estate may be donated either by making an outright gift or, in the case of residential property, by reserving a life estate to the donor, who can continue to live therin during his or her lifetime. Contact the branch office in your country before deeding any real estate.
Gift Annuity : A gift annuity is an arrangement whereby one transfers money or secruities to a designated corportation that is used by Jehovah's Witnesses. In excahnge, the donor, or someone designated by the donor, receives a specified annuity payment every year for life. The donor receives an income tax deduction for the year in which the gift annuity is established.
Will and Trusts : Property or money may be bequeathed to Watch Tower by means of a legally executed will, or Watch Tower maybe named as a beneficiary of a trust agreement. A trust benefiting a religious organization may profive certain tax advantages.
As the term 'charitable planning' implies, these types of donations typically require some planning. To assist individuals desiring to benefit the world wide work of Jehovah's Witnesses through some form of charitable planning, a brochure has been prepared in English and Spanish entitled Charitable planning to Benefit Kingdom Serivce Worldwide. The brochure was written to provide information on a variety of way that gifts may be made either now or through a bequest at death. .....'
Well! There we have it. There then follows the address, yet again to sent all your money to! If you want to be happy of course.
My self, I find the whole thing a disgrace. I believe it was Russell who said that once the org had to start asking for money it no longer had God's backing. Well I think we can safely say 'They do NOT have God's backing!'