DAILY TEXT, From today Friday February 24, Use your gift to serve one another (1 Pet. 4:10).

DAILY TEXT, From today Thursday February 23,  Use your gift to serve one another (1 Pet. 4:10).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Friday February 24

Use your gift to serve one another (1 Pet. 4:10).

All the hard work we do for Jehovah and all the success we may have in helping others to get baptized is only possible because of Jehovah's blessing. Another lesson we learn from the examples of Apollos and the Apostle Paul is that the more responsibilities we have in the congregation, the more we can do to foster peace and unity. Elders and ministerial servants do this when they base their advice on God's Word and focus not on themselves but on our model, Jesus Christ. How grateful we are to have them! (1 Cor. 4:6, 7). God has given all of us talents or abilities. Perhaps we feel that what we contribute is not much. But the little things we do to foster unity are like the little stitches of thread that hold pieces of clothing together. Therefore, let us strive to erase from within ourselves any trace of a competitive spirit and do everything possible to promote peace and unity in the congregation (Eph. 4:3). w21.07 19.

What did Paul do to promote peace?

The apostle Paul was well aware of the good work Apollos was doing. But he didn't feel threatened by him. In the advice he wrote to the Corinthian congregation, we can see that Paul was humble, modest, and reasonable. Instead of being flattered because some said “I belong to Paul,” he turned all attention to Jehovah God and Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:3-6).

What kind of person was Apollos?

Apollos was "a native of Alexandria," which was a first-century cultural center. Apparently, he was a good speaker and "knew the Scriptures very well" (Acts 18:24). When Apollos spent time in Corinth, some of the congregation there made it clear that they preferred him to other brothers, such as Paul (1 Cor. 1:12, 13). Did Apollos encourage that divisive attitude? It's hard to imagine. In fact, some time after Apollos left Corinth, Paul urged him to return (1 Cor. 16:12). Paul would never have asked that if he thought Apollos was dividing the congregation. Without a doubt, Apollos was using his abilities in the best way: to preach the good news and strengthen his brothers. We can also be sure that Apollos was a humble man. For example,

How were Apollos and Paul alike?

Finally, let's see what the examples of the disciple Apollos and the apostle Paul teach us. Both had tremendous knowledge of the scriptures and were well-known and influential teachers. Furthermore, both of them had helped make many disciples. But neither of them saw the other as a rival.

What do we learn from Ana's example?

What do we learn from Ana's example? If someone tries to compete with us in any way, let's remember that we can control how we will react. We don't have to let ourselves be provoked. Instead of paying evil for evil, let's try to make peace (Rom. 12:17-21). Even if the other person does not change, we will maintain inner peace.

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