by enlightenedcynic 15 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Here is a little known example of the Watchtower soliciting the witnesses for funds (or at least something that had cash value).
During the 1930's the Watchtower actually organized the witnesses in the congregations nationwide to collect BOX TOPS!
The collected box tops were then sent back to the Society which then redeemed them for cash.
The Watchtower just couldn't stand to see all that potential cash in box tops just being thrown away!
--VM44
The question is not so important. They just needed a reason to explain the contribution boxes again - so close before the X-mas season...
When our congo was funding a quick-build in the early 90's, an elder announced that he would stand a stall at a loacal car boot sale - he had little to sell but asked for all to bring stuff to sell. All takings went to the K H fund. I guess nobody had checked the old Kingdom Ministrys. Come to that, other QB plans have had fund raising schemes- we collected waste paper once - whats the difference?
BTW this is a typical article
*
w0411/1p.19DoYouKnowtheHappinessThatComesFromGiving?***Do
YouKnowtheHappinessThatComesFrom Giving?SHE had spent nearly 50 years in active Christian service. Although the effects of old age had left her frail, she was determined to visit the newly built Kingdom Hall. Bracing herself on the arm of a helpful Christian brother, she entered the hall and walked slowly but directly toward her objective—the contribution box. There she deposited the modest sum she had been saving for this purpose. Though she could not lend a hand in the construction of the hall, she wanted to help........................
Making material and financial contributions has always been a necessary part of pure worship, and it has always been a source of great joy.................................................................................
WaysinWhichSomeChoosetoGiveCONTRIBUTIONSTOTHEWORLDWIDE WORK
Many set aside, or budget, an amount that they place in the contribution boxes labeled "Contributions for the Worldwide Work—Matthew 24:14."
Each month, congregations forward these amounts to the office of Jehovah’s Witnesses that serves their respective countries. Voluntary donations of money may also be sent directly to WatchTowerBibleandTractSocietyofPennsylvania,c/oOfficeoftheSecretaryandTreasurer,25ColumbiaHeights,Brooklyn,NewYork11201-2483, or to the branch office that serves your country. Checks should be made payable to "Watch Tower." Jewelry or other valuables may be donated as well. A brief letter stating that such is an outright gift should accompany these contributions.
CONDITIONAL-DONATIONTRUSTARRANGEMENT
Money may be placed in trust for the benefit of Watch Tower. However, upon request the funds will be returned. For more information, please contact the Office of the Secretary and Treasurer at the address noted above.
CHARITABLEPLANNING
In addition to outright gifts of money, there are other methods of giving to benefit Kingdom service worldwide. These include:
Insurance: Watch Tower may be named as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or a retirement/pension plan.
BankAccounts: Bank accounts, certificates of deposit, or individual retirement accounts may be placed in trust for or made payable on death to Watch Tower, in accord with local bank requirements.
StocksandBonds: Stocks and bonds may be donated to Watch Tower as an outright gift.
RealEstate: 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 therein during his or her lifetime. Contact the branch office in your country before deeding any real estate.
GiftAnnuity: A gift annuity is an arrangement whereby one transfers money or securities to a Watchtower corporation. In exchange, the donor, or someone designated by the donor, receives a specified annuity payment every year for life. The donor receives an income-tax deduction the year the gift annuity is established.
WillsandTrusts: Property or money may be bequeathed to Watch Tower by means of a legally executed will, or Watch Tower may be named as beneficiary of a trust agreement. A trust benefiting a religious organization may provide certain tax advantages.
As the term "charitable planning" implies, these types of donations typically require some planning on the part of the donor. To assist individuals desiring to benefit the worldwide 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 Service Worldwide. The brochure was written to provide information on a variety of ways that gifts may be made either now or through a bequest at death. After reading the brochure and conferring with their own legal or tax advisers, many have been able to help support the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide and maximize their tax benefits while doing so. This brochure may be obtained by requesting a copy directly from the Charitable Planning Office.
For more information, you may contact the Charitable Planning Office, either in writing or by telephone, at the address listed below or at the office of Jehovah’s Witnesses that serves your country.
CharitablePlanningOffice
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
100 Watchtower Drive,
Patterson, New York 12563-9204
Telephone: (845) 306-0707
The second issue of the WatchTower, August 1879, said this about our refusal to imitate the churches and solicit funds:
"'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."
P.S.-They use older publications when it suits their purpose but discourage the rest of the dubs from doing any meaningful research into past writings of theirs. Laughable, if not for all of the injured souls left in the wake.
I wonder if anybody at Bethel stopped and thought for a second..."Should we really quote this Dim, Old Light ? After all, it might make 'em curious and hungry to read their history...and that wouldn't be a good thing."
Rabbit
Ah..what a relief.
So I WAS doing just as they asked when I refused to ever raise my hand to agree with some petition to pay for the CO's visit, or to pay for a new parking lot, or to help pay the bills.
I actually never did "contribute"
Well see, I'm just loyal to the end! Not letting the solicitaions in....no siree bob!
Raylo
Russell expected the end to come within a few years of his conversion (1878 being the first date), so building stockpiles of money and solicitation were not an issue.
It was Rutherford that made the push to build a huge financial empire so pushed soliciting money by selling books.
