There are many subtle ways to coerce money from the sheep in religions, and many forms of brainwashing. No, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not enforce a literal consistent monthly tithe, at least it isn’t called this. They do not pass a collection basket, but they do provide their own baskets in various forms.
In order to promote donations, there are many options that the organization uses. Stephen Lett produced a very lengthy broadcast last year presenting the shortfalls and projections where donations were needed. Since that broadcast, changes have occurred in the organization making his projections somewhat false. Yet, I remember reading a comment where a member, whom had heard this broadcast, felt in her heart that she had to cut back even further in her budget to give, eliminating the families few recreational activities and cutting back further on the food budget. Is this not underhanded coercion?
A brochure has been produced outlining how one can sign over inheritances, real estate, put the Watchtower in one’s will, etc. This has far greater ramifications than passing a basket.
Credit card machines have become handy to make one’s donation, and through this, a record of the donator is made; no longer is an anonymous giving the main possibility. One can donate through their website, and another universal record becomes apparent, especially with the option to “create a recurring donation”. How is this any different than tithing, then filling out an envelope with one’s name on it? Yet it is no different as it can give access to one’s bank account.
There is no possibility of knowing the breakdown of where one’s money is used by the organization, whereas if we were to feed the needy at our own will, we would have complete control over the use of our money, and surely God would love that cheerful giver.
Matt 6:3,4 – “ But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly”
In the November 11, 2016 Wt, a full page reminder has once again been placed before the eyes of the sheep showing the plentiful ways to donate, plentifully.
Many today “set something aside,” or budget an amount of money, and place it in the congregation contribution box labeled “Worldwide Work.” (1 Cor. 16:2) Each month, congregations forward these contributions to the office of Jehovah’s Witnesses that serves their country. It is also possible for you to send donations directly to a legal entity that is used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in your country. To learn the name of the primary legal entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in your country, please contact the branch office. The address can be found on www.jw.org. The types of donations that you can send directly are the following:
OUTRIGHT DONATIONS ˙ Donations via electronic bank transfer, debit card, credit card, or mobile money transfer. In some branches this is also possible using jw.org or another designated website. ˙ Donations of cash, jewelry, or other valuable personal property. Include a letter indicating that the cash or the item is an outright donation.
CONDITIONAL DONATION ARRANGEMENT ˙ Donations of cash with the condition that it can be returned if needed by the donor. ˙ Include a letter stating that the donation is conditional.
CHARITABLE PLANNING In addition to gifts of money and valuable personal property, there are other methods of giving to bene- fit Kingdom service worldwide. These are listed below. Regardless of the method or methods you would like to use, please first contact the branch office that serves your country to see which methods are available. Since legal requirements and tax laws vary, it is important to consult qualified tax and legal advisers before choosing the best way to donate.
Insurance: A donation made by specifying an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or a retirement/pension plan. Bank Accounts: Bank accounts, certificates of deposit, or individual retirement accounts set up as a trust or made payable on death to an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in accord with local bank requirements.
Stocks and Bonds: Stocks and bonds donated to an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses as an outright gift or by means of a written agreement to transfer on death.
Real Estate: Salable real estate donated to an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, 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 in the residence during his or her lifetime.
Gift Annuity: Money or securities donated to an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses under an arrangement where the donor receives a specified annuity payment every year for life. The donor may receive an income-tax deduction for the year in which the gift annuity is established.
Wills and Trusts: Property or money may be bequeathed to an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses by means of a legally executed will or by specifying the entity as the beneficiary of a trust agreement. This arrangement 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 giving, a brochure entitled Charitable Planning to Benefit Kingdom Service Worldwide has been prepared. The brochure, available in English and Spanish, was written to provide information on a variety of ways that gifts may be made now or later, such as through a bequest at death. The information covered in this brochure may not apply fully to your situation because of tax laws or other laws in your country. By using such methods of charitable giving, many have helped to support our religious and humanitarian activities worldwide and maximize tax benefits. If available in your country, the brochure may be obtained by requesting a copy from the secretary of the local congregation. For more information, select the link “Make a Donation to Our Worldwide Work” at the bottom of the home page on jw.org, or contact the branch office. HOW SOME CHOOSE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORLDWIDE WORK
Have they missed any opportunity to collect money - to “set something aside”, which is a tithe? These suggestions to give are far greater in value than a “tenth of one’s belongings” required under the law covenant and arranged by God.
The organization operates on money, and lots of it. I use to say while in the organization, we receive free, we give free. It has become blatantly apparent that the organization cannot say this; instead, one bequeaths the larger chunk of the monetary value a person owns in exchange for being known as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Believing in Jesus Christ is taking in life’s water free, and freely giving it to the hearer. Anything, any religion that requires money to operate in Satan’s world is not of God.
Matt 6:14 - “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Mammon means money. One’s loyalty in the organization comes apparent when following the donation arrangement outlined above.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:19-21
Christ did warn us of oppressive wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing. Would these wolves always be visible through their outlandish actions, or could they appear as an “angel of light”; as humble, speaking smooth words and lulling one into a peaceful state? 1 Thess 5:3; Jer 8:11; Ezek 13:1-23 Could they create an open door by saying it is salvation, using both God and Jesus’ words to win over the unsusceptible one? Jesus explained that this would happen.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:1-5
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. John 10:7
How much clearer can this be understood? Does this leave any room for man to sculpt a “door”, and call it salvation; which is alternatively, calling it “Christ” who is our salvation? Not only is the organization considered salvation, but every word heard from the “faithful and discreet slave” is necessary to “obey” and heed for the sake of our salvation from anointed ones standing in for Christ; not as ambassadors, but as Christ himself, who is our true mediator between God and man. 2 Cor 5:20
But we are acting against Jehovah’s purpose if we do not obey the faithful and discreet slave or if we choose to obey only what we think is important. W 11/7/15
On the other hand, if we minimized the Bible-based counsel that we receive through the faithful and discreet slave class, choosing to follow an independent course, we would be placing ourselves at odds with God’s unfolding purpose. W 11/7/15
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconcilingthe world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (not to be the reconciliation, or the mediator) 2 Cor 5:18,19
Acts 4:12 - And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Would it be considered an independent course to willingly follow Jesus? Do we follow what we see physically, or do we follow the scriptural words leading to Christ?
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col 3:1,2
“All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. “
Are we to be condemned if we follow Christ explicitly and not follow an earthly run corporation needing our money to survive – our livelihood? Isn’t it incredible to think that the extensive outlining of options to give, makes the organization run? If Holy Spirit were truly spearheading the “preaching work”, what need would there be to bring financial woes to the table as Stephen Lett did, or produces ingenious ways to donate?
“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Jesus can give life abundantly to any who follow him. It isn’t a requirement to become another identity, other than the identity of being Christ’s sheep; subsequently a true witness of our Father in heaven.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” John 10:11-13
The “hired hands” are false shepherds, and in the organization there are many known as the elder body. Would they protect anyone who desires to enter the true “door”, being Christ, completely? No, they would allow the “wolf” to devour them with written decrees of oppression experienced while under false shepherds, and disfellowshipping, when one desires to exit the false door claiming salvation. Jer 8:8
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Acts 20:29
Paul was speaking of those within the anointed Body of Christ, those “among” them, who have fabricated this alternative door to salvation, and posing as the Christ. Jesus called them “false prophets”, wearing sheep’s clothing with a belly hungry to destroy. Matt 7:15
“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.”
“Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” Matt 24:23-28
A desert can be a wasteland where one finds miles of sand, good soil for producing a crop is not there, and life is scant. Matt 7:26,27 Water is sparse in this environment; symbolically, Jesus is showing that the living water and bread from Christ cannot be found in such an environment, but only through him. John 7:38; 6:35; Amos 8:11; Matt 24:7
The “inner rooms”: Strong’s - αμεῖον tameîon, tam-i'-on; neuter contraction of a presumed derivative of ταμίας tamías (a dispenser or distributor; akin to τέμνω témnō, to cut); a dispensary or magazine, i.e. a chamber on the ground-floor or interior of an Oriental house (generally used for storage or privacy, a spot for retirement):—secret chamber, closet, storehouse.
Additionally, the Bible-based publications of the faithful and discreet slave class provide spiritual food in the spiritual paradise. W 04/10/15
He has made it possible for honest hearted ones to move out of the wicked world, figuratively speaking, and into the spiritual paradise that he has created. W 11/1/15
“So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:7-10
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14,15
“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.” Isa 51:1-3
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:10
