Let's search the scriptures every 2021
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
My Father continues working even now and I continue working too (John 5:17).
Do the examples of Jehovah and Jesus indicate that we do not need to rest? Of course. Jehovah never tires, so he doesn't need to rest like we do. But the Bible says that after creating the heavens and the earth, “he stopped working and rested” (Exodus 31:17). These words apparently mean that he stopped creating and that he took the time to enjoy what he had done. And as for Jesus, although he worked hard when he was on earth, he also spent time resting and enjoying eating with his friends (Matt 14:13; Luke 7:34). The Bible says that God's servants should be hardworking, not lazy (15:19). We can work to support our family. And all Christians have an obligation to preach the good news. However, we also need enough rest. w19,12 2 par. two; 3 paras. Four five
Who gave Jesus a good example of working hard?
Certainly, while Joseph was teaching the carpenter trade to Jesus, his adopted son, he took the opportunity to teach him how God views work (Matt 13:55, 56). And Jesus must have seen Joseph work hard day in and day out to support his large family. Remarkably, Jesus later told his disciples, "The worker deserves his pay" (Luke 10:7). So he knew what it was to work hard.
What texts show what the Bible teaches about hard work?
The apostle Paul also knew what it was like to work hard. Above all, he was dedicated to bearing witness to the name and message of Jesus. But he also worked to support himself. The Thessalonians knew that he had worked “day and night, without rest and with much effort, so as not to be a financial burden” for anyone (2 Thess. 3:8; Acts 20:34, 35). By these words, perhaps he was referring to what he did in Corinth. There he stayed with Aquila and Priscilla and “worked with them”, because “their job was to make tents”. Just because he said he worked "day and night" doesn't mean he didn't stop. For example, he used the Sabbath to preach to Jews, who also did not work that day (Acts 13:14-16, 42-44; 16:13; 18:1-4).
What can we learn from Paul's example?
The apostle Paul set a good example. Although he had to work, he made sure to regularly participate “in the holy work of the good news of God” (Rom. 15:16; 2 Cor. 11:23). He encouraged others to do what he did. Consequently, Aquila and Priscilla were his "collaborators in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 12:11; 16:3). Paul counseled the Corinthians to "be very busy in the work of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 9:8). And he wrote by inspiration: “If anyone does not want to work, let him not eat either” (2 Thess. 3:10).
What did Jesus mean by the words of John 14:12?
The most important work in these last days is preaching and disciple making. Jesus predicted that his followers would do works greater than his (read John 14:12). He didn't mean that they would perform miracles, just like him, but that they would preach and teach in a larger territory, to more people and for longer than he did.
What questions should we ask ourselves and why?
If we have a job, we ask ourselves, “Am I known as a good worker? Do I finish my work on time and do my best? If our answer is yes, then our boss is likely to trust us and our colleagues are more likely to hear the good news message. On the other hand, in relation to our work of preaching and disciple-making, let us ask ourselves: “Am I known as someone who works hard in the ministry? Do I prepare well for initial visits? Do I go back to visit people who show interest right away? And do I regularly participate in the various facets of the ministry? If we answer yes, we are likely to enjoy our work.
All rights reserved Copyright © 2020 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania JW.ORG.
Comments
Post a Comment