Is the Watchtower Society giving any financial statements to their members to show how the money is used?

Question

Do Kingdom Hall members get to know how the money put to the 'contribution box' is used ?

What is the difference between collection plate and contribution box?

Light 4 blind: We all have a lot to learn about love, haven't we?

I love you and I care about your eternal destiny.

Answer 1

To fully answer your question, which no one has done: The individual congregations give a monthly accounting as to where the funds go.
The WBTS gives no such detailed accounting. They give a vague estimate of funds but never reveal the salaries or financial gain or real estate holdings of the larger organization.

Answer 2

The way the finances are used is public knowledge because we contribute, it is good to see what one's contributions are being used for.

We contribute for different things- there is the preaching work, the money goes towards the publishing of Bibles, books, magazines, etc.

Another is for the international brotherhood for disasters, building Kingdom Halls etc

Then there is money for the local congregation , the money used to pay for the water and electricity bills for the local Kingdom Hall.

The difference between a collection plate and a collection box is not just the container, a collection plate is passed around in view of everyone, so there is pressure to donate and to donate as much as possible (everyone will see that $5 note, you'd be pressured to put in a $100 note)

With the collection box, it is sealed, no one can see how much you are dropping in. And also it is situated at the back of the Hall, so even if someone were spying on you, they wouldn't be able to see what you are putting in. No pressure.

Answer 3

Yes. We have accounts reports announced, generally monthly. Also as we wish to comply with legal codes, where applicable all applicable records would be publicly availible.

As for the diff between the plate and box. The plate, or as one person once had the collection net, is passed around, generally publicly, and at times makes people feel put on the spot.

The boxes are discretely placed, and in general No one need know who gives/doesn't give what.

Answer 4

I agree with Unsilenced, the individual congregations give a monthly accounting to their congregation. At the assemblies they also do the same. However, at the headquarter level, in the 30+ years I was associated with the organization, not once did I receive any disclosure of the worldwide funds. I knew how much our congregation and circuit gave to the WBTS, but not what they did with it directly.

It just amazes me how pious some of these answerers are in regards to the assumed pressure not to give a 5 note and instead place $100....GEEZ, I have NEVER been embarassed or caused anyone embarassement or heard of anyone being embarassed about the amount, no matter how big or small, that they give. I know NO ONE that spies into the plate as it is passed around. I couldn't give a rats patootie what the folks ahead of me or behind me give. That's between me and God. We also use envelopes for anyone who wants to place their contribution in private so there is no one who knows what's inside that envelope. So get off ur high horses and stop the nonsense about how JW's giving is better than Church members giving. GIVE IT UP....We're not giving so that we can brag because if we are, we're no better than the Pharisees that Jesus described who have their reward here on earth and not with the Father.

The difference between the plate and the box? Just physical differences. The object is the same: voluntary financial support. The location and process are different. The plate is passed and the funds provided are prayed over for its blessing and for the prospering of the Lords word after being given (at least at my church). Contrary to popular rhetoric of the WBTS, no pressure from the church or other parishioners is received. As Christians we all know that voluntary giving is approved by God. At the KH, the box is placed in an obvious location. There is equal amounts of encouragement to give from churches and kingdom halls.

I am sure someone somehow has access to the financial statements as I believe all churches and kingdom halls must report to SOMEONE, regarding income and expenses. As a publishing company, the WBTS should have to report to the IRS, but even though they are a publishing company, they do take advantage of a church/religious organization status to avoid taxation.

I asked my pastor about the follow up question above regarding the headquarters of churches, and the pastor in moments had the website pulled up and showed me how our churches' "headquarter" publishes on line their financial accounting.

Answer 5

Yes. Each month we get a monthly congregation accounts report, detailing how much money the congregation started out with, how much was received in contributions and how much was dispensed, including a detailed breakdown. The income would include interest received on the amount in the bank the previous month. The detailed breakdown includes how much was contributed for the international work and how much was spent in local expenses. Also, if the congregation takes on a major expenditure, like say replacing the carpeting or some such thing, we approve the expenditure.

Answer 6

One is a plate , you know a flat round disc that is passed around for people to put money on & a box is a square thing most likely to have a slot to incert money and most likely not passed around.

I have never been to any church that gives a full explantion of where every cent goes , especially the headquaters
Why would they be any different ?

Answer 7

I have been to different churches; mostly Catholic. I never heard of a "end-of-year" report on their financial spending. If you have a 1 year box of donation envelopes; they can keep track from that on how many money you donated with using those envelopes. Then you can request for the total sum for that year for income tax purposes. Catholics only know how they money are being used because of all the "headline news" on where millions of their dollars are going.

Answer 8

The two churches I attend, give full disclosure on where the money goes and what portion of the new year's budget is allocated to what missions, programs, administration, etc., giving us the opportunity to discuss if we feel the need. As new needs come up, like we need a new piano right now - you can designate your offering as such and that's where it goes. Technically, only about 20% of the congregation gives. 60 - 80 % do not.

Answer 9

Financial Are Public Record For Anyone Who Wishes to Read Them, There are no Salaries For The Brothers.
and that is why we are not ask to appear before congress.
I notice that unsilence has no problem with following in her fathers footsteps. I fine she lies in most every answer she gives. And she Has followers just like her father.

Answer 10

I so love your questions! They are so full of hate and rancor. I also love it when you lie saying you don't have anything against Jehovah's Witnesses and when you say you're not an apostate. I also love it when you say you celebrate Christmas although you know God doesn't like it.
Charming!

Answer 11

Unsilenced Lamb I feel I have to answer and does your church of Born Again Christians do all these things that you imply that witnesses in your mind deceitfully omit?

The ivory towers and giant cathedral buildings probably cost 100 times to upkeep compared to a quick build kingdom hall. Yet nobody complains about those giant and enormously expensive to operate almost monolithic structures.

Moises_Frias seems to have a level headed answer.

Edit: Funny how Unsilenced Lamb has me blocked now. I supposed daring to disagreeing with her was my sin.
I suppose only her question agreeing buddies are allowed in.