RULES & REGULATIONS

The Watchtower—Study Edition | September 2024

Enjoy the Greater Happiness That Comes From Giving

9 Though we are imperfect humans, we can imitate Jehovah’s generous use of power. We cannot literally impart strength, or energy, to others. But we can use our power in their behalf. For example, we might run errands or do household chores for an elderly or infirm Christian. If our circumstances permit, we could volunteer to help with the cleaning and the maintenance of the Kingdom Hall. Our use of power in such ways benefits others who worship Jehovah.

14 When we are generous, especially toward our brothers and sisters, they often express appreciation in return. They may send a thank-you note or express their gratitude in another way. (Col. 3:15) Receiving such expressions of appreciation adds to our happiness.

We read many times the parable of 'The Good Samaritan' that Jesus taught. The Watchtower Society have never put this parable into practice. The Watchtower Society have always acted like the priest and the Levite (who passed by the victim who needed help because he was not one of their own).

This study edition shows the Watchtower's true colors...help elderly or infirm Christians ( meaning a Jehovah's Witness), clean and maintain Kingdom Halls, help others who worship Jehovah and be generous towards 'our brothers and sisters'.

The Watchtower Society never mention helping anyone besides their own members. Kingdom Hall maintenance and Kingdom interests always have more priorities than assisting poor people, widows, homeless, orphans and the handicapped.

Dagney

Through years and years of indoctrination of "them and us," JW's have a disconnect with humanity. I realized it when I left that even though I thought I was a "nice" person, I didn't really take any personal interest in others around me, neighbors, work mates etc. It was sobering and embarrassing to me. It was especially sobering when I had left JW, my elderly mom took ill and at times I was really frazzled trying to juggle everything, work, her hospitalization and everything that came after that. My neighbors, and workmates continually offered support, many offering prayers etc. I was humbled and often in tears with their acts of kindness. I didn't need another nail in the coffin, but this was one anyway.

The JW folks follow their master's example.

LongHairGal

RULES & REGULATIONS:

Even though it is a great principle and nothing wrong with doing a favor for somebody once in a while…I tend to read between the lines when the JW religion publishes an article.

When we went out in service years ago we would stop by an elderly person’s home to say hello. This was an inactive member of the congregation. However, there was never a need or a suggestion that we run errands. What I am getting is that they are trying to get people in the congregation to regularly ‘care for’ somebody.. This is a whole different thing.

Regarding the elderly JW who needs help: where are their children or family members? If there are none, the authorities should be called.

Is this a case of adult Witness children who are lax towards their parent(s), OR is this a case of an elderly Witness who shunned their non-believing children years ago (on the say-so of the religion) and NOW finds herself/himself isolated??? If this is the case, it is the JW religion that caused the problem and is now expecting other people in the congregation to ‘fix’ it! This makes me very angry.

NotFormer

In the article Become Doers of the Word:

"5 Most of Jehovah’s people lead very busy lives. We spend a great amount of time caring for our various Scriptural responsibilities. For instance, most of us work secularly to provide for ourselves and for our families. (1 Tim. 5:8) Many Christians look after sick or elderly relatives. And all of us need to care for our own health, which takes time. In addition to these responsibilities, we have assignments in the congregation. A key responsibility is to have a zealous share in the preaching work. With all the obligations that you personally have, how can you find the time to read the Bible regularly, meditate on what you read, and apply what it says"

Here they're saying that helping people is a nice idea, but don't let it get in the way of free labour for the WT and preaching. Instead of providing the practical help James had in mind when he said to be "doers of the word", they want you to preach. IOW, they encourage the parsimonious "be filled/be clothed" spirit of those James is condemning.

Interesting how the WT in one article encourages helping people and in the same WT says "don't get carried away with helping people".

WT talking out of both sides of their mouth? Colour me shocked! 😮

LongHairGal

NOT FORMER:

Yes, they want to have it both ways as you said.

But, what infuriates me is they are trying to get unsuspecting people in congregations to fix problems that they inadvertently created with faulty teachings: in this instance getting people to care for elderly JWs who shunned their own children (on the say so of the religion) who would otherwise be caring for them. The ‘New System’ was supposed to be here to take care of this problem. It ain’t here…

The other BIG problem the religion caused is all the seniors who reached retirement age unprepared. They never worked because they were assured the ‘New System’ would be here’ to save them..

There must be thousands of people like this in congregations - all needing assistance til they die.. I don’t see any social programs in the religion to help, do you? ..Well, guess who gets cornered with an envelope to regularly contribute?? The John Q Publishers who are still there with two nickels to rub together, that’s who.

In my opinion this panhandling mentality is what it has come to in the religion.👎

RULES & REGULATIONS

There must be thousands of people like this in congregations - all needing assistance til they die..

I know an elderly couple from my old congregation that had to sell their home and move to an assisted living apartments. After using up all their profits from the sale of their home and using their pensions for living in their units, they do not have enough money to stay. Now, they have no choice but to live in a State Facility ( paid by the tax payers). I'm sure the units and care will be not up to par as a private facility.

I don’t see any social programs in the religion to help, do you?

The only social program the Society have are multi-million $$$$ facilities for themselves in beautiful tree lined Lake settings.

Rattigan350

New changes with this issue.

STUDY TIP

Study With an Open Mind

As we prepare to study, we might ask ourselves, ‘What do I expect to learn?’ However, we do well to be careful not to let our expectations blind us to what Jehovah is teaching us. How can we keep an open mind when we study?

Beth Sarim

Having it both ways..

And,,

Speaking out of both sides of their mouths.

No wonder why JWs are so,,, confused..

😐

ukpimo

Page 15, paragraph 19 of the School for Congregation Elders manual

Hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8) An elder 'follows the course of hospitality.’ (Romans 12:13; Hebrews

13:2) The Greek word for “hospitable” literally means “fond of strangers.” Thus, the hospitable elder welcomes new ones to Christian meetings, showing the same interest in the poor as he does in the materially prosperous. He is hospitable to those traveling in the interests of Christianity and sends them on their way “in a manner worthy of God.” (3 John 5-8)

Indeed, an elder shows hospitality especially to fellow believers according to their needs and as his circumstances permit.—James 2:14-17

https://files.accessjw.org/s/eG8G9iXEJYJMM3r

This is the official teaching. The term for hospitality is used for internal relationships rather than external.

NotFormer

"The term for hospitality is used for internal relationships rather than external."

Which totally nullifies their Greek definition of the word for hospitality. Their distortion of scripture to justify their insularity is reprehensible. They don't understand the first thing about The Golden Rule 😑

The Watchtower—Study Edition | September 2024

Study With an Open Mind

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