Structures and appliances within need maintenance, repair, remodel, replacement, supplies, etc. We went over this before in another thread some days ago. The contribution is quite modest, really.
Definitely what publishers get out of the assemblies in information, spiritual comforting, Biblical knowledge and comradery with fellow JWs is plenty and priceless. There'll be the ones that will contribute much more than that in order to cover whatever the cost.
Hey, if you think it's so stiff a contribution, how about joining the many religions that not "suggest" but "demand" an amount monthly? How about 10% of a person's earnings? A lady I work with tells me the pastor sees their monthly paychecks and determines how much a person has to give. She's changed churches 5 times since I've known her over money conflicts.
Stop the whining already!
DY