Tell me, can a person on welfare earning (6000$ a year canadian) or ($4000 american) follow the watchtower life style. Can that person buy suits, ties, shirts, shoes, trench coats, books, suitcase, magazines, follow to assemblies out of town, put money in the contribution boxes, buy books, watchtowers, awakes, pay the rent, eat, etc... Can this be a good reason not to go to the meetings, if the elders ask why you havn't been to the meetings?
Poverty and JW life style
by JH 8 Replies latest jw friends
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Jim_TX
In a word, "No".
They will quote some scripture about a widow, an orphan, or other homeless person as an example - and say that if they could do it, so can you.
I believe their favorite phrase used to be... "Jehovah will provide." (I don't know if they still use that one, though.)
*shrug*
A 'no win' situation.
Regards,
Jim TX
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Wolfgirl
Not if you're anything like my father. He turned down jobs because it would mean he would miss a meeting a week. We were bailed out countless times by my grandparents, to the tune of around $35,000 US. But heaven forbid my father would take the job that could support his family.
Apparently the scripture that says that he that doesn't provide for his family is worse than a faithless person didn't apply to him.
The elders would say, 'If you do God's will, he'll provide for you.' Yeah, right.
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TR
Some 'hovahs are happy to be leaches and show no initiative to work as long as they put the kingdumb first. Pathetic.
TR
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freedom96
I does indeed take quite a bit to live the WTS lifestyle, for sure. That being said, think of how many times people went to the meetings, (especially the old timers) wearing the same ol' stuff. How about that brother who wore the circa 1960's suit, in the 90's. The same grungy shoes, old ties, etc.
I think the flashy types, who buy new suits and dresses, are usually the younger crowd, who are a bit more ambitious in making money. They were not aware too much of the 1975 ordeal, and there has not been the push like the end is coming as it was then. They may have grown up a witness, but pursued a career like many didn't have the opportunity years back.
But with many of the middle income witnesses, I just did not see much extra money, and drove the same cars, wore the same clothes, etc, yes, because being a JW and having to live cost money.
As far as the original question, could someone be a witness making that kind of money? Doubt they really could do much of anything. At the same time, however, I don't think someone in that postition of making 4,000 a year, would see anything atttractive about the witnesses. Being a witness means getting out of your comfort zone. You must go door to door, you must go to meetings, etc. Someone who is willing to do that, usually, in my opinion, will be willing to go out and get a job. Hence, I believe most witnesses out there do indeed have jobs of some sort, to at least fit the JW lifestyle.
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Scully
JH:
There's a new "sport" in some congregations. Sisters regularly shop at second-hand stores like Value Village (not the Salvation Army, though!!) to see who can get the best meeting clothes for the least money.
One sister boasted about an outfit she got for $50. It was a designer name, original price around $450. So far, she's winning the game. The funny thing is, she can afford to shop in regular stores. They have a HUGE house, she's got tons of jewelry, they have a cottage and a boat. They are always impeccably dressed, and go out to expensive restaurants. Yet she is compelled to scrounge around in second-hand stores and garage sales looking for bargains.
To me, it's just another form of materialism. "The showy display" and all that. I mean, who needs designer clothes to go to CHURCH, unless you're trying to show off to people who are less fortunate??
Love, Scully
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Yerusalyim
My wife is a master bargain hunter. When she was a practicing Dub she went to all the second hand stores on a regular basis. They got to know her and what she wanted, and would put things back for her, tell her when stuff was in, etc. She bought her ex-hubby, herself, and the kids meeting clothes, some really nice, for pennies on the dollar. I've only bought one new suit since being married to her (not counting my Army Dress Uniforms, which I always buy new.
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Utopian_Raindrops
Yerusalyim,
You should wear your Army Dress Uniform to Memorial if your fam goes this year!!
I'd so love to see thier faces!!
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CoonDawg
Well, our family was pretty much piss poor the whole time we were in. Somehow, we managed to scrape money or enough help to go to the conventions. I guess many who are that poor see the KH as being a place where they can have more people to leach off of. I think they deserve each other. My ex wife is one who is a leach on society as well as a JW. She somehow manages to leach off of the governent as well as what little child support she gets. She won't get a job...she says she can't work, yet she can be at a quick build project every single day that they are working on the project. To me, it is a calculated decision to be this way. I personally think it's despicable. But then....I'm a guilty of being a materialistic fiend who happens to like living in a nice neighborhood and driving late-model vehicles. I am also willing to work hard enough to make a good living in able to enjoy these things. Hey, if she wants to drive the same old cars and wear all second hand clothes all the while spouting all that garbage from door to door...well hey, it's just more bucks out there that I have the potential of getting.
Coon
PS...I haven't had a "suit" grace my closet in the last 5 years. and their future doesn't look any better.