DAILY TEXT, Monday, August 5, 2024, All hard work generates benefits (Prov. 14:23).

DAILY TEXT, Today Monday, August 5, 2024, All hard work generates benefits (Prov. 14:23).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2024

Monday August 5, 2024

All hard work brings benefits (Prov. 14:23).

Solomon said that the satisfaction we get from our hard work “is a gift from God” (Eccl. 5:18, 19). And he didn't talk just to talk. He knew very well what it was to work, for he built houses, planted vineyards, made gardens and ponds, and also built cities (1 Kings 9:19; Eccl. 2: 4-6). Without a doubt, he had to work very hard. And sure, Solomon was satisfied to a certain degree, but he knew that was not enough to be happy. Furthermore, he did many things for Jehovah. For example, he oversaw the construction of a beautiful temple to worship Jehovah, a work that took seven years (1 Kings 6:38; 9:1). After doing so many different things in his life, he realized that spiritual activities are the most important. He wrote: “After hearing everything, the conclusion is this: he fears the true God and obeys his commandments” (Eccl. 12:13). w22.05 22 para. 8.

What did Jesus do to keep work in place?

Jesus was a hard-working man. When he was young, he was a carpenter (Mark 6:3). He was sure that his parents appreciated the help he gave them to cover the needs of such a large family. And, since he was a perfect man, he could do perfect jobs, so he probably had many clients. We can imagine Jesus enjoying his work. But he did not let it steal the time he needed for spiritual matters (John 7:15). And when he was already a full-time minister he gave this advice: “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that lasts and leads to eternal life” (John 6:27). And in the Sermon on the Mount he said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20).

What danger could we face for being good workers?

The wisdom that Jehovah gives us helps us see employment with balance. Christians are told to work hard and do “good work” (Eph. 4:28). Our employers often notice that we are honest and hardworking, and they may tell us that they love the way we do things. It could be that, with the best of intentions, we started working overtime so that our boss would think even better of Jehovah's Witnesses. But if we did, we may soon begin to neglect our family and spiritual activities. In that case, we would have to do something to restore balance.

What did William learn by observing the example of an old man?

A young Christian named William learned the importance of keeping a job in place. At one time, he worked for a brother who was a congregation elder. Speaking of him, William says: “He is an excellent example of how to be balanced. He works hard and keeps his clients very happy with the quality of his services. But when he finishes the day, he knows how to leave everything behind and focus on his family and his religion. And the truth is that he is one of the happiest people I know.”b

How did Solomon demonstrate that he had a balanced view of himself, and how did he lose it?

While Solomon was a good servant of Jehovah, he had a balanced view of himself. On one occasion, when he was young and had only been on the throne for a short time, he recognized his limitations and asked Jehovah for guidance (1 Kings 3:7-9). Furthermore, he was aware of the danger of becoming a proud person. He wrote, “Pride comes before it crashes, and arrogance comes before it falls” (Prov. 16:18). Unfortunately, he eventually forgot his wise words. When he had been reigning for a few years, he became proud and began to ignore God's rules. For example, the Law included this command for the Hebrew kings: “Neither must he have many wives, lest his heart go astray” (Deut. 17:17). Solomon disobeyed this law and had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and many of them worshiped other gods! (1 Kings 11:1-3). He maybe he thought he had everything under control. Whether he thought about it or not, the truth is that he eventually suffered the consequences of turning away from Jehovah (1 Kings 11:9-13).

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