$$ aid to needy JW's....How much have you ever seen???

oompa

I know in all my years...45 in the trut..uhh...make that...cult..........I can only think of one time I ever gave $$ to someone in need....a friend who and no insurance and had a bad accident.........and I really don't remember anytime a person or family was so desperate there was talk about it or an announcement made to help them.

In today's economy with zillions of bankruptcies and foreclosures...esp due to medical problems and no insurance, there must be lots of dubs in need. So how much financial help have you seen given? Or has any JW family or person let other homeless jw's move in with them?.................curious...............oompa

snowbird

I was baptized in 1974, left in 1988, returned in 2003, left for good in 2005.

I've never - repeat never - seen or heard of anyone being helped financially.

Of course, it could have happened, but I wasn't aware of it.

Sylvia

Mandette

Many years ago when I was a kid, I remember the rich elder in our congregation buying shoes for the kids of a family that was extremely poor. I have a vague memory of their house which was little more than a shack. I don't remember any other help for them. It may have happened but I don't remember it.

Since then? Nada.....zilch.....nothing........

Mandette

Bonnie_Clyde

I know of a few cases of help to needy JW's, but it was always on an individual basis--not as a congregation. Not because of the Big O but despite the Big O.

If needy people have ever been helped out on a congregational basis, I've never heard of it.

Bonnie

wobble

On a number of occasions our Congo. passed around an envelope to put in contributions,once for a sister to receive cancer treatment in America,in fact the whole Circuit contributed to that one,and once to help some Pioneers who had left our Congo. but now needed a little help.

Also a number of other times, I can't remember what for,but it was an unusual Congo,we buried our own dead for instance,some Sisters would do the Laying Out,some bros. would make a coffin and others would dig the grave,all to save the family money and show the Congos. love.

I think there are some lovely people still in,but I think those acts of generosity are getting rarer,especially since the Congo split into two.

But credit where it is due!

Love

Wobble

Mary

In today's economy with zillions of bankruptcies and foreclosures...esp due to medical problems and no insurance, there must be lots of dubs in need. So how much financial help have you seen given

Oompa, this is yet another timely thread, as the Craptower study article for January 19 - 25, 2009 is entitled: MAINTAIN A SCRIPTURAL VIEW OF HEALTH CARE. Here's a couple of 'highlights':

"We avoid excessive concern over our health for another reason. Being inordinately concerned about our health could lead to our becoming self-centered. Paul warned against this danger when he urged the Philippians to be "keeping an eye, not in personal interest upon just [their] own matters, but also in personal interest upon those of the others." (Phil. 2:4) It is proper to take reasonable care of ourselves, but the keen interest we show in our brothers and in the people to whom we bring "this good news of the kingdom" will prevent us from being preoccupied with our physical well-being.-Matt. 24:14."

The danger exists that a Christian might let health concerns push Kingdom interests into the background. Obsession with health care could also lead us to try to impose on others our personal opinions regarding the value of some diet, therapy, or food supple- . ment. In this regard, consider the principle embodied in Paul's words: "Make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not be stumbling others up to the day of Christ."-

If we are making sure of the more important things, we will be having an active share in the work of spiritual healing. It is accomplished by preaching and teaching the Word of God. This joyful activity benefits us and those whom we teach. (Prov. 17:22; 1 Tim. 4: 15, 16) The Watchtower and Awake! magazines occasionally include articles regarding our spiritual brothers and sisters who have serious illnesses. These accounts sometimes explain how those individuals cope with their problems or even temporarily take their minds off them by seeking to help others come to know ]ehovah and his wonderful promises."

Nowhere in the article is there any offer of financial help for anyone who cannot afford to pay their medical bills or perhaps even their medical insurance. While there are many countries, like here in Canada and many countries in Europe and Australia, who have national health care, it's a well known fact that Americans do not. Since there are about 1,000,000 American JWs, I will assume that this article is directed mostly at those who perhaps have lost their jobs along with their health benefits, and are now desperately trying to find a way to cover medical bills.

James 2: 15-16 says: "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?"

Yet another good example showing that the WTS does not practice what the bible teaches.

carla

James 2: 15-16 -- What do most jw's make of that script? I used to bring it up to my jw when having the 'jw's do no charity or even help their own' discussion with my jw and of course he managed to change the subject or bring up Katrina and how wonderful the jw's were then. Which only led to the Katrina discussion- only jw's in good standing, possible insurance fraud, sub-standard workmanship, no real choices in material used, etc......

WTWizard

When it does happen (and it is very rare), it is more to make the recipient feel indebted toward those doing the giving. Usually, that means obeying more stupid rules, both from the religion itself and additional ones from the donor(s). Almost always, it gets used against them if they ever start missing boasting sessions. Or, to show off.

Robert7

Im my congregation there was a brother who was very handicapped (after an accident) and had very little money. He drove such an old car it was very unsafe and unreliable.

I was selling my old car, and a brother and I decided to pool some money and buy this car for the brother. It was worth about $2200-2400, so I offered it at $1800 as my 'donation'. There were many brothers who donated $100 or some more.

Of course this was quickly forgotten by everyone else, since it's neither service nor meeting attendance. Good deeds don't matter.

I still feel good for helping this brother out.

oompa

wobble: Also a number of other times, I can't remember what for,but it was an unusual Congo,we buried our own dead for instance,some Sisters would do the Laying Out,some bros. would make a coffin and others would dig the grave,all to save the family money and show the Congos. love.

Holy crap that is almost unbuweaveable!.........sounds o 1850!....and passin the envelope is too!.......oompa

$$ aid to needy JW's....How much have you ever seen???

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