To me there is a difference between "should" and "must" and this letter with it's "should do this and should do that" seems mild when compared to what we've seen happening in the recent past in terms of the taking of congregation bank accounts and selling of properties that were paid for by donations etc.
What I do see however, is that in spite of the huge sums of money that has come to them recently via the sales of the Brooklyn properties, they are still pinching pennies (relatively speaking) when it comes to the comparatively small amounts of money generated at the congregation level. I mean how much do the need ? On top of the regular donations that are always coming in, they now have the equity from several multi million dollar properties that have sold. They are letting people go by the thousands, cutting back printing and cutting corners every possible way. Why do they still need to guilt little Sophia into giving them her ice cream money as well ?
Part of me thinks they are wealthier than ever and the other part of me wonders why they are cutting back and being so watchful of the congregation funds. Were the Brooklyn properties mortgaged to the hilt and the equity in them already spent trying to keep afloat these past several years? How is one to know? I'm sure the flock is clueless as to what is really happening, financially speaking, with the organization they have built their lives around.
It does appear that something serious is going on. I look forward to seeing how this all pans out and would love to know what is really going through the minds of the JW's I know.