by The wanderer 11 Replies latest jw friends
Heard throughout the assembly, was the drone from the podium
“Brothers, beware of the snare of materialism because everything
in this world, the desire of the eyes and the desire of the flesh do
not originate with God, but with the world.”
Did this attitude of self-sacrifice sponsor a poor man’s or conformist attitude?
Respectfully,
The Wanderer
I am not sure, but I do know that my experience with the accounts, assemblies, and conventions has shown me that the organization doesn't practice what it preaches. It is one thing to be cognizant of money and its power, its usefullness. It is another matter to constantly chase it.
The organization constantly worries about it and chases it. They are always putting in overtime.
One of the lessons that I took in a positive way from the WTS, was the awareness that material things did not bring happiness - though admittedly they can enhance it at times.
I, a result of Watchtower training, have little interest in getting rich - but I do know the value that comes from being stable in a financial sense. Likely, the balance I believe I have, was not precisely the balance the WTS would have wanted for me. I gave up opportunity and education, but retained pragmatism. As a result, I honestly think I may be happier than the class of poor who constantly struggle just to live, or the class of much richer people than I, who have forgotten to enjoy the simple things in life.
For many though, I do think the Society created an unbalanced view of money. Man is not made to think only to the short term - which is the WTS teaching model. But conversely, we cannot effectively use massive wealth to enhance life either. The average person in western lands of the 'middle class' has sufficient income to be viewed as wealthy in many parts of the earth. Beyond that is usually [IMO] excessive, and creates a situation where disposition of wealth and protection of it exceeds it real value.
Money can enhance moderate lifestyle. But the worship of it will take value away.
Just my view - no pouncing on the poster please.
Jeff
WT-1. make money through multiple lines of investment, including the stock market and real estate
2. exploit an underpaid or unpaid workforce, thus maximizing profits
3. continually reinvest, looking far into the future
WT financial advice to it's followers:
1. reject higher education
2. guard against investing in "this system of things", for example, the stock market and real estate
3. volunteer to be part of the WT's underpaid or unpaid workforce
4. avoid any financial decisions that reflect the belief that one may need a stream of income in the distant future
I know I sure took all that counsel to heart. I embarrass myself with my dollar store mentality.
Buy cheap, live cheap, hang on for the day when Jehoober comes to rescue us.
I dressed shabby, I lived shabby, my hopes and dreams were shabby.
I was never taught about QUALITY and BEAUTY and HIGH STANDARDS.
I fell into the mental trap that clean and simple was beautiful.
But I could never get my life clean enough or simple enough to qualify for the artsy "shabby chic" look.
My cars were always cheap and dented but vacuumed.
My dresses covered my body and thats all they did for me.
My home was always furnished from yard sales.
It seemed to me the meetings discouraged full time employment that might take one away from the 5 meetings.
Having no family support while a witness and no programs for the poor within the organization, a young struggling girl learns fast she must stretch her hard earned housecleaning dollars and learn to do without alot.
We are taught and trained to be servants. To ask for little but to give alot. Serve the almighty borg.
Im afraid this programming to be of the servant class will last my lifetime.
Anewme
As a general rule: Yes.
That also annoyed me it's not whether having wealth is good or not but that the WTS is itself a very materialistic organisation and they have no right to preach poverty as a virtue of the spiritual individual. They will say that all the money they make goes to the global preaching work and is not selfishly used but that is not credible. Their charity work stands at nil and tehre is no transparency on how they use the money they get.
Absof**kinglutely.
Rich:
Yes, they did foster a poor man's attitude. But, god help you if you believed them and took this literally. You would be up that famous creek without a paddle. The poverty they told you to aspire to was not for them. No sir.
I never listened to a word they said about this topic.
LHG
Dear anewme:
Your poster deeply touched me in such a profound
way that I found myself a touch emotional.
What you have to offer is so true in regards to
this subject that I feel all choked up inside.
Do you know how hard it was for me to break out
of this "poor man's mentality?"
Only since graduating college have I been
slowly transforming this "loser" mental state
to one where I can be financially secure and
happy.
Today, I am building a business and I will
not return to the "skidrow" mentality of
the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
MANY THANKS FOR THAT EXCEPTIONAL POSTING!
Respectfully,
The Wanderer
