Why does WT publish stats?
Good question, and one I was pondering last night. As we all know, nowhere in the NT is there any command of continually counting publishers, hours, etc. Can we think about a Bible example of someone who decided to do something like that?
Well, Jehovah commanded a census be taken a few times, but they had very specific purposes. However, when David did it, there was no specific purpose stated, except: "so that I may know the number of the people". Why was this a sin? According to WTBTS, it's probably because he was incited by Satan to do so (or, perhaps a "bad human counselor", explains the Insight book, since the word rendered Satan could also mean "a resister"). (1 Chron 21:1) The Insight book further says, "On David’s part, there may have been wrong motive due to pride and trust in the numbers of his army, hence a failing to manifest full reliance on Jehovah. In any case, it is clear that on this occasion David’s chief concern was not that of glorifying God."
Now, who incites WTBTS to take a continual census? And what is the reason for that? Who is WTBTS trusting in to get the preaching work done? Could it be pride in numbers?