Well friends how about another update straight from the mole in the Treasurers Office?
Fact: Tens of thousands of Bethelites have taken a vow of poverty and live/work in branches all over the world.
Fact: They all get a stipend based on local need, "cost of living", tenure, ect. Sure room, board, and the 'Bethel boutique' provide most things but these people still have needs (travel home, tampons, McDonalds, ect). Whatever the case it ain't much money they personally get.
Fact: A large portion of them are sent gifted money from family and friends.
Fact: Bethelites are given specific direction to never have family and friends directly send them money.
Fact: Normally, there is a trail. If money is sent via post it must be claimed through customs + ergo someones taxes. If money is wired, there is also a trail and it must be claimed on someones taxes. "This can cause problems for the branch."
Fact: Via the treasurers office they facilitate routing person to person money through their internal non-profit financial systems. The sender makes a 401c "donation" to WT Attn: US Treasurers office earmarked for Brother Bobby or Sister Tammy and au voila, off it goes tax free and untraceable. The Bethelite on the other end receives into their Bethel account @ some branches and others they are given a local branch disbursement check to locally cash.