DAILY TEXT, Today Thursday December 22, 2022, We are God's collaborators (1 Cor. 3:9).

DAILY TEXT, Thursday December 22, We are God's collaborators (1 Cor. 3:9).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022

Thursday December 22

We are co-workers with God (1 Cor. 3:9).

In our congregation there may be missionaries, special pioneers or regular pioneers, brothers who are dedicated to preaching and making disciples full time. Although they generally have little materially, Jehovah has gifted them with a blessed life.—Mark 10:29, 30. Isn't it true that we feel grateful to have these dear brothers in the congregation? So are 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. 3:6-8). This is so because one of the most important objectives of the congregation is to make disciples of Christ (Matt. 28:19, 20; 1 Tim. 2:4). All the publishers in the congregation, baptized or not, strive to make this work the most important thing in their lives (Matt. 24:14). w20.08 21 pars. 7, 8.

Why do we value our sisters?

What can we say about the sisters? Jehovah gives them an important place in the congregation. He values the wives, mothers, widows, and single sisters who serve him loyally. The Bible highlights the good example of many women who pleased God for their wisdom, faith, enthusiasm, courage, generosity, and good works (Luke 8:2, 3; Acts 16:14, 15; Rom. 16:3, 6; Philip. 4:3; Heb. 11:11, 31, 35). In the congregations, there are sisters who demonstrate these beautiful qualities. How grateful we are to Jehovah for having them with us.

Why do we value older siblings?

We are also blessed to have many older siblings. Some have spent their entire lives serving Jehovah faithfully. Others may have learned the truth in recent years. In either case, they may be struggling with the infirmities of age and can no longer do as much in the congregation and in the ministry. Still, they do their best in preaching and use their energies to encourage and train others. And how much his experience teaches us! They are certainly beautiful to Jehovah and to us (Prov. 16:31).

How does the example of the youth in his congregation encourage you?

Let us also think of the young. It is not easy for them to grow up in this world dominated by the Devil and his satanic ideas (1 John 5:19). But how encouraging it is to see them speak at meetings and preach, and to know that they courageously stand up for their faith at other times. Young men, you occupy an important place in the congregation of Jehovah (Ps. 8:2).

Now, some of our brothers and sisters find it hard to believe that they are useful in the congregation. What can help us see that each of us has a place in it? Let's see.

Why might some think that they are not useful in the congregation?

The second lesson from Paul's example makes us think of a problem that many have today, which is that it is hard for them to believe that they are useful in the congregation. Paul wrote: “If the foot were to say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be a part of the body. And if the ear were to say, 'Because I am not an eye, I am not part of the body,' it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body” (1 Cor. 12:15, 16). What do we learn from these words?

If we compare ourselves with other brothers in the congregation, we may not be able to see our worth. Some brothers are excellent teachers, organizers or pastors. And we may think that we are not as good as them. This shows that we are humble and modest (Phil. 2:3). But beware. If we spend our lives comparing ourselves with those who stand out for their abilities, we will become discouraged. As Paul pointed out, we may even feel that we are contributing nothing to the congregation. What can help us fight those feelings?

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