Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Come to Macedonia and help us (Acts 16:9).
In recent years, many publishers have made it their mission to learn a language to expand their ministry and serve in a congregation where preaching help is needed. This is a personal decision. Although it takes years for them to become proficient in the new language, they are a great help in the congregation. With their good qualities and experience, they strengthen the brothers. Don't we appreciate your efforts? On the other hand, it would be wrong for a body of elders not to recommend a brother to be an elder or a ministerial servant just because he does not yet speak the language of the congregation well. The brother's evaluation should be based on the biblical requirements for elders and ministerial servants, and not on how well he speaks the language (1 Tim. 3:1-10, 12, 13; Titus 1:5-9). w20.08 30 paras. 15, 16
What did Jesus think of singleness?
In our congregations, there are not only married couples and families with children, but also many brothers and sisters who are not married. How should we view these single brothers? Let's review what Jesus thought of singleness. When he was on Earth, he remained unmarried and devoted all of his time and attention to his ministry. He never taught that it was obligatory for Christians to marry or remain single. But he did say that some Christians would choose not to marry (Matt. 19:11, 12) * He respected those who were not married and did not think of them as inferior or lacking in their lives.
As Paul said at 1 Corinthians 7:7-9, what were Christians to think about?
Like Jesus, the apostle Paul was a single minister of God. He never taught that it was wrong to marry. He knew that this was a personal matter. Still, he encouraged Christians to consider whether they could serve Jehovah without getting married (read 1 Corinthians 7:7-9). Surely Paul did not look down on single people. In fact, he chose young Timothy, who was not married, to handle weighty responsibilities (Phil. 2:19-22).* Therefore, it would be wrong to think that a brother is better or worse off just because he is or is not. he is married (1 Cor. 7:32-35, 38).
What can we say about marriage and singleness?
Neither Jesus nor Paul taught that it was mandatory to marry or remain single. So what can we say about marriage and singleness? The Watchtower of October 1, 2012 put it very well: “In reality, both states can be considered a gift from God. . . . As for singleness, Jehovah does not see that state as a source of pain and shame.” It is clear that we must respect the place that singles occupy in the congregation.
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