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How rich is the Watchtower Bible Trace Society of the JW'S? ... take a guess .. supply a web site.?

The web site I found is this one ................ http://www.outofthecocoon.net/blog/file.axd?file=2009%2F9%2FTHE+WATCHTOWER+CASH+COW.pdf Jehovah’s Witnesses often brag to outsiders (non-Jehovah’s Witnesses) that they do not pass a collection plate during services (like the churches do). Many Jehovah’s Witnesses are under the assumption that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, parent organization to their religious group, is extremely poor. This perception comes from the Elders (leaders) in the congregations who regularly talk about how the organization is run on a shoe string. Indeed, thousands of members work in Brooklyn, New York, every year and volunteer their time and resources, receiving a pittance for their nearly-free labor (they receive a small monthly stipend of around $20). Once they leave headquarters, and especially if they stop subscribing to the tenants of the organization, they receive no pension, positive job referral or career assistance. Still, most members do not realize how wealthy the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society really is. In September 2001, Newsday.com reported that the Watchtower was worth $951 million. It was listed in the top 40 of New York City corporations! http://www.watchtowernews.org/Top40NYCcorps.htm

Public Comments

1. Do you mean the Ivory Castle of Millennial Dawnest Society?
2. Why the concern, the Catholic Church has B I L L I O N S and so does the Mormon religion. Swallow whats bitter in your mouth and move on.....
3. I say "Praise Jah you people!" Psalms 149:4 and 150:1-6!
4. Greetings, You have gullibly swallowed the deceptions and misrepresented the facts of this web site. The Witnesses have been divesting themselves of expensive real estate in Brooklyn. Instead they have been using more money for disaster relief and buying less expensive property outside of NYC! No member of the Governing Body or any other worker ever makes money off of any donation or sale of Watchtower property nor could it be possible to do so. Witnesses know the large amounts of money which are required to carry out the tremendous publishing, teaching and disaster relief that the WTS engages in or the great expense this involves. But they also have assurances that their donated money is going to print bibles and to those who need in and not into someone pocket. Just as Christ kept a money box to pay his expenses and give to the poor so also the Christian congregation would properly make use of all donations to spread the Good News! (Jn.12:6; 13:29). "Who's money was Christ using?"!!! Where is there any evidence that any member of the Governing Body or other Bethel workers are making money? They do not live a life of luxury buying mansions and expensive cars. The GB live in small but comfortable apartments similar to all the other volunteers. The unsupported allegations that any Witness ever derived financial gain from donations to the WTS is actually ludicrous. Many of those volunteering at Bethel rejected the opportunity to make good money secularly and instead devoted their whole life to promoting Christian values. And even the governing body members and the president of the Watchtower corporation are only "paid" exactly the same as those who cleaned the restrooms at Bethel. When I was there it was a stipend of a little over $100.00 a month for basic needs not covered in room and board. There are absolutely no Witness who earns a "salary" working for the Watchtower Society or other corporations. From the Governing Body to the janitor they are all volunteers and belong to a legally recognized religious order which requires a vow of poverty. What a contrast to the obscene salaries and greed of other religious executives!! It is impossible for anyone to gain financially from donations to the Watchtower Society! Witnesses have no monetary objectives and so you can be sure that the vast majority of any money donated to the WTS ends up going directly to pay for literature and disaster relief. So we can be sure that our money is going to those who need in and not into someone pocket. No other religions organization can make this claim. Look at the prices the so-called "Christian" publishing houses charge for their bibles! Even the few that are "non-profit" pay their executives enormous salaries! The fact is that the Witnesses distribute bibles and bible based literature worldwide free of charge while other religions' publishing houses are profit making operations. It is a proven fact that, like most "charitable organizations, most of these groups are shams or actually end up giving very little to those in need. Money sent to them largely pay for the large salaries of their executives and go into church coffers. Even the best charities only between 10 and 20 percent of donated money ends up going to where they claimed. But the WTS uses 90%+ of all donations to disaster relief and printing Bibles and bible aids!! When people dishonestly spread such obvious lies like this one you know that you cannot believe anything else they say. Actual evidence irrefutably proves that Jehovah's Witnesses are the true Christian Congregation and it alone has the Truth. On the other hand all other religions have abandoned following Christ, in actions and morals. And ALL who make common cause with these religions are unfaithful to God. Yours, BAR-ANERGES
5. Well it is no wonder the net worth seems high. We all take care of the properties we own. So that when they are valued, the amount is high. This is unlike most religions that would get property and allow it to run down to a slum. Think too about how the money is used. First place is printing literature. In 125 printing facilities, every issue of the Watchtower alone is printed in 188 languages twice per each month simultaneously. Along with the Awake magazine in 83 languages. Altogether literature is made available in 419 languages. Some 6 million pieces of literature are printed altogether each month. Still the need is ahead of supply. Printing all this does not come cheap. Then there are Kingdom Halls and branch offices being built all over the world. Every 3 days, a new Hall is built and ready for service. The number now is above 175,000. Though we can build them for about half the price commercial churches are built, still it is a huge expense. May I point out as well that $20 stipend is all the members of the Governing Body get as well. Plus all Jehovah's Witnesses are ministers. Each Saturday at least, you will see those of the Governing Body out in the public ministry alongside hundreds of others, where ever they happen to be. Now how much does Pat Roberson or the others of his type make? And what do they do for that? In disasters, our relief trucks are generally the first ones there. Ministers volunteer to help wherever needed. Usually with aid of food and clothing and shelter of some type. Later repairing the damage to homes--first to our brothers and sisters, then to others in need. We do this because we are the most well organized. I remember in the 1950s, the Red Cross came to our conventions to learn how to serve good meals at the rate of 1 per second. The Red Cross still use this tactic. The $951 million figure counts in everything. It is not just a large lump of cash in a bag somewhere. It is in use of printing and publishing facilities as well as Kingdom Halls across the world. I have no doubt one would find an equal value of stuff just in the Vatican vaults gathering dust. They live in quite opulent style while others of their faith go without much of anything. One last thing I found interesting lately. The IRS of the US is cracking down on the earnings of people who do things for churches. Organists, landscapers, cleaners and others are paid under the table for doing those jobs and the IRS wants to crack down on this. Paid? Let's see. Supposedly it is a house of God. The idea is to keep it presentable as a place of worship in dignity. They do this for both God and fellow worshipers. So why are they taking payments for that? Possibly copying the example of their clergy? We do not charge. It is volunteer efforts. We do this out of keeping the dignity such a place of worship deserves. We also want to live by Bible standards such as, "[We are;] for we are not peddlers of the word of God as many men are, but as out of sincerity, yes, as sent from God, under God’s view, in company with Christ, we are speaking." (2 Corinthians 2:17) Note that "as many men are" applies to those back then with the same problem. Being too greedy or following the standard of being too greedy.
6. BAR-ANERGES' answer is correct. I ave nothign else to add. He has the best answer.
7. what about the churches who pass around a plate and if you give a little bit of money they want more. you must have a boring life to go around telling lies about Jehovah Witnesses
8. I just couldn't stop laughing when Bar said that the reason that the Org is selling property in Brooklyn is because they want to invest more in disaster relief. Ahh too comical. I'd be interest in knowing how much money the Org really spends in disaster relief (if you can call it that) The Org is selling property because there has been re-zoning in that area of Brooklyn and this is the right time sell. They are instead moving to a less expensive area and with this move they can put a huge amount of money in their coffers. The Org is a heavy player in the stock market and likely they will invest that money to generate a nice return. Now to answer your question, the total assets are in the billions worldwide. The WT society is not transparent with their assets, they keep their books tightly closed, so nobody really knows. The openness stops at the local congregations where accounts and balances are discussed openly with the brotherhood, the leadership doesn't follow this example, and if any JW went to brooklyn to try to examine the financial standing of the Org and the money they contribute, they would likely laugh in his face and close the door.
9. I've never heard any bragging, just stating the truth to those that may not know. Our giving should always come from the heart. 2nd Cor. 9:6 But as to this, he that sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and he that sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Matthew 24:14 Take care.