The way to make a guild profitable for the founder/elders/certain people is to set up a large monthly fee (say, 10 gold per month, or more) for those on the bottom of the pyramid, and then have a large monthly grant for those on top. Then you need a compelling reason for people to join the guild (such as only handing out lordships and other positions to those in the guild). Having a fee to move up the pyramid helps too--possibly with very large sums to move up the rungs, with corresponding decreases in the monthly fee as they move up the rungs.
That doesn't make anyone rich, it just gives them great positive balances. However, as the ones lower down never actually pay their dues, none of the temples have the required treasuries to hand out to those up top.
And if you want people to buy lots of ranks... good luck. Still, to be successful, you'll need a lot of guild houses, or large guildhouses, so that the max full member count isn't too low. And doing so costs a lot of gold... much more than the rank fees will bring back. All of these constructions, as well, will take your gold, but not modify your balance, always leaving you in the net negatives.
