I really wish Disney would clarify what is still canon.
I'm thinking about what you said about the Order and it's relationship with the Republic. I think you're right about how much the government relies on them for funding, but I question you assumption that they'd even want to be out there as a vigilante force if that wasn't their literal job. The Republic funds them because they provide this service, but otherwise they're basically a monastic order. The Jedi without their relationship with the Republic would probably be like monks, or, possibly like knights Templar. The Templars were an order of armed monks who helped fight the crusades and guarded pilgrims to the holy land. I can easily see the Jedi providing a similar function and living off the payment for their services.
As to recruiting adults, I don't think it would be as hard as you imagine. After all, the knights Templar came from all over Europe to serve. The Templars made it worth their while. They gave non-inheriting noblemen an opportunity to gain wealth and power. They provided commoners a chance to get out, get an education, and see the world. The Jedi could easily do the same. Recruiting kids was easier because they didn't have to break them down first before they molded them into what they wanted.
Re: Recruiting
I'm thinking about what you said about the Order and it's relationship with the Republic. I think you're right about how much the government relies on them for funding, but I question you assumption that they'd even want to be out there as a vigilante force if that wasn't their literal job. The Republic funds them because they provide this service, but otherwise they're basically a monastic order. The Jedi without their relationship with the Republic would probably be like monks, or, possibly like knights Templar. The Templars were an order of armed monks who helped fight the crusades and guarded pilgrims to the holy land. I can easily see the Jedi providing a similar function and living off the payment for their services.
As to recruiting adults, I don't think it would be as hard as you imagine. After all, the knights Templar came from all over Europe to serve. The Templars made it worth their while. They gave non-inheriting noblemen an opportunity to gain wealth and power. They provided commoners a chance to get out, get an education, and see the world. The Jedi could easily do the same. Recruiting kids was easier because they didn't have to break them down first before they molded them into what they wanted.