As a J.W. "raised in the truth" during the 50s, 60s,and 70s I repeatedly read and heard from the platform how reading the magazines weekly "was the equivalent of a college education" and how many had turned their family economic situation around by being "trustworthy" and giving up expensive bad habits most "worldly people" had. Sounded good.
What is the reality? How does avoiding higher education, and then spending up to 20 hours a week getting ready for, commuting, and then participating in meetings and field service affect family finances?
I find the Pew research numbers interesting. They posted their "Religion in America " 2014 study on Facebook again this week. " OCTOBER 11, 2016
How income varies among U.S. religious groups"
J.W.s had the fewest number of families earning over 100,000 per year. J.W. families also had the THIRD highest number of families living in poverty. Interesting fruits from Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and the "discrete" slave.
"Among those denominations with the lowest household income are two historically black churches, the National Baptist Convention (9% live in households with incomes of at least $100,000) and the Church of God in Christ (9%). Jehovah’s Witnesses also have low household income (4%). In all three of these groups, nearly half of all members have household incomes of less than $30,000 per year."
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/10/11/how-income-varies-among-u-s-religious-groups/