The WTS must think that only worldlies are going to read this. I was reading this article which they posted on their website titled Religion- How Should It Be Financed?
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2002/12/1/article_02.htm
It appears that the WTS is trying to say that they finance their entire operation through 'voluntary donations'. They even show a photo as seen here of someone dropping cash into a box. Chances are, this guy dropped more in the donation box than he did for his kid's college fund but anyway, the following is what came to mind as I read this:
Why don't they show the box next to the 'literature counter' at the KH?
Why don't they show a JW dropping $20 in the box in exchange for a stack of Awake mags?
Why didn't this article talk about how the literature is distributed for a fee which they call a 'voluntary donation' in third world countries?
Why doesn't it mention that the WTS is able to fund it's operations through non-profit tax loopholes and by paying it's workers less than the U.S. minimum wage without even a retirement plan?
Considering the donations made for their publications and 'worldwide work', tithing is actually a bargain.
Consider this:
- If I earn $20,000 a year and I tithe 10% I'm giving God $2,000 a year and I'm done.
- However, if I'm an active J-Dub who donates accordingly for 50 Watchtowers, 25 Awakes, 15 books and 10 Bibles a month - at an average of $2.50 per publication (this is how much they would expect to get from a householder) this would total $250.00 a month, or $3000.00 yearly.
- This amount will increase if I purchase the new literature which is introduced at every annual convention and even more when I donate for the 'Worldwide Work'. Don't forget, there are two types of donation boxes at the KH. One for the congregation and the other for the worldwide work. I'm easily spending more than $3200.00 at this point.
In conclusion, you're better off tithing then to be exploited at the expense of your children's education.