Benefits?

[JMartinez]

Brethren, I am always asked as to, what are the benefits of masonic membership? In my masonic career I have been given opertunities to obtain both tangible and intangible benefits from brethern I have met on my journey. I do want to point out that this was never my reason for joining. However I must say we as craftsmen tend to favor eachother. But we also keep our integrety intact as well as remember our obligations. We need to bare in mind that throughout history brethren like Bro.Benjamin Franklin was a connected gentelment as well an enlighted on due to his masonic membership.

 

[Brother JC]

I feel this was covered in the previous thread on the subject, though I will add my two pennies here...

Anyone who expects material benefits from Freemasonry is not qualified to be a Freemason. It's on the Petition I signed, it was strongly commented upon during my Investigation, and it came up again several times in regard to the Initiation.

Did I discover internal benefits that were individual as well as collective? Yes. A greater sense of self, a higher (or more pronounced) degree of tolerance, an expanded desire to learn and improve myself for the betterment of those around me.

Did I find that world-wide Brotherhood afforded me material things as well? Not so much, but I know there are men of every vocation out there that I can trust should I need help, services, or just an ear to listen.

 

[Brother_Steve]

A friend of mine is not a mason yet owns his own heating and cooling business. He does simple stuff for me for free. I pay cost on parts for bigger jobs and buy some pizza and beer for him/his crew.

The relationship is not based on the give and take.

I've also had dealings with others in the craft but I was not afforded a "break" per say. I was however confident I would not be taken advantage of.

The best I can explain it is taking your car to a mechanic outside of the dealership setting. (even then who knows...) Can you say with 100% that you're not getting ripped off?

Now what if you knew a brother who worked on vehicles? After getting to know him better I bet you'd feel comfortable knowing he was working on your car.

Heck, I'd feel better knowing a mason was the mechanic even if I wasn't a mason myself.