Have Jehovah's Witnesses' top leadership made a "vow of poverty"?

score:10

Accepted answer

Yes, everyone working at Bethel facilities has the same vow of poverty, including committee directors and the members of the Governing Body.

The Watch Tower Society is a nonprofit organization, and there are no salaries. The vow of poverty has both a legal and organizational purpose, as it affords tax exceptions as well as allows individuals to have the freedom to accept whatever assignment they may be given in the worldwide organization. Bethel facilities provide most, if not all, of the things needed in order to live at the facility, but a small set monthly allowance is also provided for any out-of-pocket personal expenses.

Here's a direct answer from a Q&A article on page 24 of the December 1, 1990 Watchtower.

Do any of the Watch Tower Society’s officers or members make money from your extensive printing activities?

Emphatically, no! By law, the Society is a nonprofit corporation. There are no stockholders, no dividends, not even salaries. Each minister at headquarters, including the Society’s president and directors, has taken a legal vow of poverty. He receives food, shelter, and necessary medical care, as well as a small reimburs*m*nt of money for out-of-pocket expenses. If a Witness travels on Society business, his travel expenses are usually covered.

In addition, nowhere in the world do our ministers charge for performing weddings, baptisms, or funerals. And there are no admission charges or collections at public lectures or conventions.

Even Brother Russell, the first president of the organization (before the Governing Body was instituted), received only a small monthly sum of money.

This is from the book, Proclaimers of God's Kingdom (emphasis mine):

Instead of using religious activity to acquire material wealth for himself, Brother Russell spent all his resources in the Lord’s work. After his death it was reported in The Watch Tower: “He devoted his private fortune entirely to the cause to which he gave his life. He received the nominal sum of $11.00 per month for his personal expenses. He died, leaving no estate whatsoever.”

With regard to those who would carry on the work of the Society, Brother Russell stipulated in his will: “As for compensation, I think it wise to maintain the Society’s course of the past in respect to salaries—that none be paid; that merely reasonable expenses be allowed to those who serve the Society or its work in any manner.” Those who would serve at the Society’s Bethel homes, offices, and factories, as well as its traveling representatives, were to be provided merely food, shelter, and a moderate amount for expenses—enough for immediate needs but “no provision . . . for the laying up of money.” That same standard applies today.

Those who are accepted for special full-time service at the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses all subscribe to a vow of poverty, as have all the members of the Governing Body and all the other members of the Bethel family there. This does not mean that they live a drab life, without any comforts. But it does mean that they share, without partiality, the modest provisions of food, shelter, and expense reimburs*m*nt that are made for all in such service.

If you factor in inflation since 1916 (which was the year he died), $11 was worth around $260.

More post

Search Posts

Related post