I get what you're saying but at one time it wasn't always all about the money. Some joined for criminal prestige, others joined for brotherhood, still others joined just because they liked the idea of belonging to a secret criminal organization. Even Philly mobster Joe Sodano said, "isn't it great, that you could be a member, and nobody knows?" And of course there are those who joined for money. But if it was only about money, you wouldn't have had people paying money to join. That means that membership at one time was very desirable, excluding the money aspect.