The Silver is Mine, and the Gold is Mine; stocks bonds and live pigs ok too

marmot

Next week's service meeting is gonna be a doozy. After the local announcements there is going to be a 15-minute talk by an elder based on the November 1, 2007, Watchtower, pages 17-21.

Somebody with the resources to do it really ought to scan the article and post it as a PDF, it's hilarious, frightening and nauseating all at once. I've got my copy right here and I'll give you some highlights, my commentary is in parentheses.

(starts with intro paragraph about Haggai's prophecy about the rebuilding of the temple, then)

"Haggai's words have also motivated God's servants in more recent times during large projects related to the worship of Jehovah. In 1879 when the faithful and discreet slave class began publishing this journal - then called Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence - it contained the following statement: 'Zion's Watch Tower has, we believe, JEHOVAH for it's 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.'"

(goes on to say how publication was never suspended, eleventy gajillion magazines published every month blah blah blah, then)

"In practical terms, though, how are the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses financed?"

(next part deals about how work is supported by unpaid volunteers, cites Matthew 10:8 "You received free, give free." Then it talks about how printeries, Assembly Halls, missionary homes and so on demand large expenditures and how all money is from voluntary donations and nobody is required to give.)

Next, there are three boxes on pages 18 and 19 with some motivational examples:

"A Singular Donation

The Mexico branch of Jehovah's Witnesses received the following letter from Manuel, an appreciative six-year-old who lives in Chiapas State. As he does not yet know how to read and write, a friend wrote for him: 'My grandmother gave me a mother pig. When it had baby pigs, I picked out the nicest one and raised it with the help of the brothers. With much love, I am sending as a donation what I received from selling the pig. It weighed [100 kilograms], and I got 1,250 pesos [$110, U.S.] for it. Please use the money for Jehovah.'" (includes picture of boy with pig)

"They Make us Think Seriously

A 14-year old girl wrote to the Cameroon branch of Jehovah's Witnesses: 'After buying my school supplies for the year I was able to sell two of last year's textbooks for 2,500 francs [$5, U.S.]. I am contributing this amount plus an additional 910 francs [$1.82, U.S.] from my savings. I would like to encourage you to continue the fine work you are doing. Thank you for the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. They make us think seriously.'"

"Use This to Translate the Bible

At the 2005 district conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses in Ukraine, the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures was released. The next day, this message was found in a convention contribution box: 'I am nine years old. Thank you very much for the Greek Scriptures. Our mother gave my little brother and me this money to take the bus to school. But when it was not raining, we walked to school and saved these 50 hryvnia [$10, U.S.]. My brother and I would like you to use this to translate the whole Bible into Ukrainian.'"

(Anyone else notice a theme here? Using examples of third-world kids to guilt-trip the rest into opening up their wallets. Also works at subtly targeting kids to donate their money and pressure mommy and daddy to make Jehovah happy like the little Mexican boy. And how would the parents do that, you might ask? flip to the gigantic two-page box starting on page 20 with some very creepy shit)

"WAYS IN WHICH SOME CHOOSE TO GIVE

- CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORLDWIDE 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 WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF CANADA, c/o OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY AND TREASURER, BOX 4100, HALTON HILLS (GEORGETOWN), ONTARIO, L7G 4Y4, or to the branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses that serves your country. Checks sent to the above address should be made payable to 'Watch Tower.' Jewelry or other valuables may be donated as well. A brief letter stating that such items are an outright gift should accompany these contributions.

- CHARITABLE PLANNING: In addition to outright gifts of money, there are other methods of giving to benefit Kingdom service worldwide. These include:
> Conditional donation arrangements: Money may be given to Watch Tower under an arrangement which, should the donor have a personal need, the donation will be returned to him. In the event of death, any money remaining with Watch Tower would automatically become Watch Tower's. In the province of Quebec, this gift would have to be specifically bequeathed in the donor's will.
> Charitable Gift Annuity: A gift annuity allows an individual to donate to Watch Tower and, at the same time, arrange for a guaranteed income for life. One can transfer money or marketable securities to Watch Tower who will, in turn, arrange with an insurance company for an annuity that will pay a stipulated amount every month for as long as the individual lives.
> Insurance: Watch Tower may be named as the beneficiary of, or assigned ownership of, a life insurance policy.
> Retirement plans: Watchtower may be named as the beneficiary of a retirement fund or pension plan.
> Stocks and Bonds: Stocks and Bonds may be donated to Watch Tower as an outright gift.
> Real Estate: Salable real estate may be donated to Watch Tower either by making it an outright gift or by reserving a life estate to the donor, who can continue to live therein during his or her lifetime. Contact the local branch office before deeding any real estate.
> Wills and Trusts: Property or money may be bequeathed to Watch Tower by means of a legally executed will, or Watch Tower may be named as a beneficiary of a trust agreement. A trust benefiting a charitable organization may provide certain tax advantages. A copy of the will or trust should be sent to Watch Tower.

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 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 religious and humanitarian activities 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."

(Phew! Sickening, no? Gotta love all those creepy references "Watch Tower" as if it were a person. But wait, here's the heartwarming kicker on page 21!)

"It is true that he who says 'the silver is mine, and the gold is mine' does not depend on our financial assistance in order to accomplish his work. Yet, Jehovah has dignified his servants with the privilege of having a share in sanctifying his name by their contributing to the preaching of lifesaving truths 'to all the nations.' (Matthew 24:14; 28:19,20) Are you not moved to do all you can to support this never-to-be-repeated work?"

(Wow, I've been "dignified" with the "privilege" to donate live pigs, jewelry and my retirement savings plan to "Watch Tower" while maximizing my tax benefits. I feel special.)

Brother Apostate

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

-Acts 20:29-35

bobld

What never "beg" or 'petition" than why do they past resolution every 3 months to donate,give take,steal a certain amount each month.Liar,liar your pants are on fire(wbts).

Bob

Uncertain

I read that article yesterday and wished the pig had been delivered, alive, to Brooklyn.

For a very different take on money and bible-readers, go to NorthRidgechurch.com and listen to the "money" talk. Yup, they call it a talk, too. And there are no crosses, unless they are used for effect in a presentation. But I digress.

For those not interested enough to listen, salient points include:

Jesus spoke more about money than about heaven

Negative uses of money include controlling others with it and corrupting the world.

Positive uses include providing for self and family, charity, creation of jobs, taking care of the world.

Reminded several times that God owns it all, 1 Chronicals 29:11b-12

There are more valuable things than money Pro 22:1, Mark 8:36

and especially Luke 16:13.

The right plan for our money should involve sharing it, saving it and spending it, Phil 4:19 and my personal favorite, 1Tim 6:17b ..."God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."

Amber Rose

I always wanted to know why children made the effort to write a letter and mail it to the branch. Seemed fishy to me. Maybe nobody ever showed them the multiple contribution boxes located conveniently throughout the KH? Besides, why waste money on postage when you could give the $ 0.41 to the WTS?