DAILY TEXT, From today  Monday August 14, 2023,  He who is wise listens and receives more instruction (Prov. 1:5).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Monday August 14

He who is wise listens and receives more instruction (Prov. 1:5).

When a young man talks to an older brother, they both come out encouraged (Rom. 1:12). The young man will be even more convinced that Jehovah cares for his faithful servants, and the older man will feel loved and will enjoy telling how he has seen the hand of Jehovah in his life. Physical beauty generally fades with age. But with each passing year Jehovah sees his loyal servants more beautiful (1 Thess. 1: 2, 3). Because? Because over the years they have allowed the spirit of God to mold and refine them. The more we get to know our dear older brothers and learn from them, the more we will see them as a valuable treasure. Now, the congregation is not only strengthened when the young value the older, but also when the older value the young. w21.09 7 pars. 15-18.

How can we show that we honor the brothers who live in residences for the elderly or who can no longer leave their homes?

How can we show that we honor the brothers who live in residences for the elderly or who can no longer leave their homes? To the extent possible, the elders of the congregation can help them preach and attend or listen to the meetings. We can show our interest by visiting them or speaking with them by video call. It is important that we take special account of those who live far from the congregation. We must make sure that we do not overlook them. Some may not find it easy to talk about themselves or may not feel appropriate to do so. But it will do us a lot of good to take the time to ask them about the joys they have experienced in Jehovah's organization and listen to what they have to say.

What can we discover in our own congregation?

It may surprise us to discover that in our own congregation we have older siblings who are fine examples of faithfulness. A sister from the United States named Harriette served Jehovah faithfully for decades in her New Jersey congregation. She then went to live with her daughter. The brothers in her new congregation took the time to get to know her and discovered a treasure about her. She told them encouraging experiences from preaching in the twenties, when she learned the truth. Back then, she always carried a toothbrush when she went to preach, in case she got arrested. In fact, in 1933, she twice spent a week in jail. While she was in prison, her husband—who was not a Witness—supported her and took care of her three little children. Definitely,

What have we learned about the place of older brothers in Jehovah's organization?

Our older brothers have an important place in Jehovah's organization. They have seen how Jehovah has bestowed many blessings on his organization and on them as well. They have learned valuable lessons from their own mistakes. So let's see them as a source of wisdom and draw on his experience (Prov. 18:4). If we spend time getting to know them well, our faith will be strengthened and we will learn more than we thought.

What advice does Deuteronomy 32:7 give young people?

Let's take the initiative and talk to the older brothers (read Deuteronomy 32:7). It is true that perhaps they no longer see as before, they walk more slowly and their voice is muffled. But they are still young at heart and have made “a good name” for themselves with Jehovah.—Eccl. 7:1, note. Let us remember why Jehovah values ​​them and continue to honor them. Let's be like Elisha, who on the last day he spent with Elijah insisted on staying with him. He told her three times: “I will not leave you” (2 Kings 2: 2, 4, 6).

All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania JW.ORG.