DAILY TEXT, Today's Saturday October 8, 2022. The body is one but it has many members (1 Cor. 12:12).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022

Saturday October 8

The body is one but it has many members (1 Cor. 12:12).

It is a great honor to be part of Jehovah's congregation. We all enjoy peace and happiness in our spiritual paradise. But what place does each one of us occupy in the congregation? The apostle Paul said that the congregation is like the human body and those who compose it are like the parts of that body (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:16). One lesson we learn from his example is that everyone has an important place in Jehovah's family. He began his example by saying: “Just as in one body there are many members but not all members have the same function, so we, though many, form one body in union with Christ, but individually we are members who belong to one another. others” (Rom. 12:4, 5). What Paul meant is that each one has a different function in the congregation, but we are all valuable. w20.08 20 paras. 1, 2; 21 para. Four.

 What “gifts” has Jehovah given the congregation?

When we think of those who have a place in the congregation, we may immediately think of those who lead it (1 Thess. 5:12; Heb. 13:17). It is true that through Christ Jehovah has given the congregation “men as gifts” (Eph. 4:8). These include members of the Governing Body and their assistants, members of Branch Committees, circuit overseers, school instructors, congregation elders, and ministerial servants. All of these brothers have been appointed by holy spirit to care for Jehovah's precious sheep and to strengthen the congregation.​—1 Pet. 5:2, 3.

According to 1 Thessalonians 2:6-8, what do the brothers who are appointed by holy spirit strive to do?

The brothers are appointed by holy spirit to take care of different responsibilities. Just as the hands, feet, and other parts of the body perform functions that benefit the entire body, so named brothers perform functions that benefit the entire congregation. Instead of seeking praise from others, they strive to encourage and strengthen their brothers (read 1 Thessalonians 2:6-8). We thank Jehovah for having such mature brothers in the congregation who put the interests of others ahead of their own.

What blessings do pioneers and missionaries enjoy?

There may be missionaries, special pioneers, or regular pioneers in our congregation. In fact, all over the world there are brothers and sisters who dedicate themselves to preaching and making disciples full time. In this way they have helped many to become disciples of Christ Jesus. Although these brothers usually have little materially, Jehovah has gifted them with a life full of blessings.—Mark 10:29, 30. Aren't we grateful to have these dear brothers in the congregation?

Why is each publisher valuable to Jehovah?

So, are the appointed brothers and full-time servants the only ones who have a place in the congregation? Of course not. Each publisher is important to Jehovah and to the congregation.​—Rom. 10:15; 1 Cor. 3:6-9. This is so because one of the most important goals of the congregation is to make disciples of Christ (Matt. 28:19, 20; 1 Tim. 2:4). All publishers in the congregation, baptized or not, strive to make this work the most important thing in their lives.—Matt. 24:14.

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