His “pay-as-you-go” policy played a significant role in allowing the unendowed BJU to survive the loss of its federal tax exemption in the 1980s. At the same time, Johnson seems to have enjoyed an unusually warm family life.
The passage highlights how Johnson's "pay-as-you-go" policy helped BJU survive financial difficulties, and it also suggests a contrast between his success in managing finances and the warmth of his personal life.