WTBTS and donations - do you remember this gem?

by Tallon 6 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Tallon
    Tallon

    No organisation can operate without funds - that's a given. However, when it comes to 'suggestions' on how one can make donations to support the Org with its aims they are on a higher level. In light of the recent video whereby they are looking for donations for a disaster fund, do you remember this gem from yesteryear?

    WatchTower 1994, December 1, pages 13 to 18 is the study article on; Make Friends by means of the Unrighteous Riches.

    Then on page 19 there's the box - 'How some make donations to the Kingdom Preaching Work'

    • CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORLDWIDE WORK: Many set aside or budget an amount that they place in the contribution boxes labelled: "Contributions for the Society's Worldwide Work—Matthew 24:14." Each month congregations forward these amounts either to the world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, or to the nearest branch office.

    • GIFTS: Voluntary donations of money may be sent directly to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York 11201-2483, or to the Society's office that serves your country. Jewellery or other valuables may also be donated. A brief letter stating that such is an outright gift should accompany these contributions.

    • CONDITIONAL-DONATION ARRANGEMENT: Money may be given to the WatchTower Society to be held in trust until the donor's death, with the provision that in the case of personal need, it will be returned to the donor.

    • INSURANCE: The Watch Tower Society may be named as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or in a retirement/pension plan. The Society should be informed of any such arrangement.

    • BANK ACCOUNTS: Bank accounts, certificates of deposit, or individual retirement accounts may be placed in trust for or made payable on death to the Watch Tower Society, in accord with local bank requirements. The Society should be informed of any such arrangements.

    • STOCKS AND BONDS: Stocks and bonds may be donated to the Watch Tower Society either as an outright gift or under an arrangement whereby the income continues to be paid to the donor.

    • REAL ESTATE: Saleable real estate may be donated to the Watch Tower Society either by making an outright gift or by reserving a life estate to the donor, who can continue to live therein during his or her lifetime. One should contact the Society before deeding any real estate to the Society.

    • WILLS AND TRUSTS: Property or money may be bequeathed to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania by means of a legally executed will, or the Society may be named as a beneficiary of a trust agreement. A trust benefiting a religious organization may provide certain tax advantages. A copy of the will or trust agreement should be sent to the Society.

    • PLANNED GIVING: The Society has assembled information on "Planned Giving." Those who are planning to make a special gift to the Society now or to leave a bequest at death may find this information helpful. That is especially true if they wish to accomplish some family goal or estate-planning objective while using tax benefits to minimize the cost of the gift or bequest. This information can be obtained by writing to the Society at the address shown below.

  • DesirousOfChange
    DesirousOfChange

    There are some older JWs here that are retired farmers (though actually most are already deceased) that might have significant enough resources to bequeathin a meaningful way to the WTS. Some of that generation of JWs did not have children (as Armageddon was TOO NEAR).

    However, I see very few of the younger (overlap) generation of JWs that (1) have been able to acquire significant assets for this to be meaningful; (2) don't have children that will likely get preference as beneficiaries over WTS (Yeah!).

    I think most of what they could "milk" out of this older, wealthy generation is used up.

  • waton
    waton

    In a "Kingdom Ministry" a while back there was a reminder to executors of estates, , that any items willed ro the Society should be handed over. Evidently not just the corporation is benefitting the harvest.

    When thinking about wt legal work, their in house trained lawyers, think money matters. it does.

  • Drearyweather
    Drearyweather

    Such reminder articles come every year. The current is from November 2017:

    https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2016842

  • Tallon
    Tallon

    @ Drearyweather.

    Thanks for the link - nothing's changed then.

  • darkspilver
    darkspilver

    As drearyweather says, this is an annual thing (possibly since 1984), and it usually appears around November.

    The Box detailing ways to contribute is preceded by an article of varying length.

    The titles from the last 15 years have been:

    Watchtower November 2017: “The Generous Person Will Be Blessed”

    Watchtower November 2016: "The Work Is Great"

    Watchtower November 15, 2015: Show Appreciation for Jehovah’s Generosity

    Watchtower December 15, 2014: Jehovah Richly Blesses a Willing Spirit

    Watchtower November 15, 2013: How We Can Help to Meet the Needs of Others

    Watchtower November 15, 2012: Their Surplus Offset a Deficiency

    Watchtower November 15, 2011: Do You Find Joy in "the Privilege of Kindly Giving"?

    Watchtower November 15, 2010: 'Let Us Present Jehovah's Offering'

    Watchtower November 15, 2009: Cheerful Giving From the Heart

    Watchtower November 15, 2008: Serving God With “One Heart and Soul"

    Watchtower November 1, 2007: "The Silver Is Mine, and the Gold Is Mine"

    Watchtower November 1, 2006: Unitedly Building to Praise God

    Watchtower November 1, 2005: Contributions That Warm God's Heart

    Watchtower November 1, 2004: Do You Know the Happiness That Comes From Giving?

    Watchtower November 1, 2003: Cultivate a Giving Spirit

  • WTWizard
    WTWizard

    Who cares if the organization can't survive without funds? If they do not deserve the funds, they shouldn't be getting any.

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit