DAILY TEXT, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. God assigned people in the congregation (1 Cor. 12:28).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2026

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

God assigned people in the congregation (1 Cor. 12:28).

In the first century, some brothers were appointed as ministerial servants (1 Tim. 3:8). Apparently, they were the ones who provided the “helping services” that the apostle Paul spoke of. They apparently took care of some tasks necessary so that the elders could concentrate on teaching and shepherding. For example, the ministerial servants may have helped to make copies of the Scriptures or to purchase the materials needed to make those copies.

What are some of the tasks that ministerial servants perform today? (1 Pet. 4:10) They may handle the congregation's accounts, manage territories, order publications and distribute them to publishers, operate audio and video equipment, serve as ushers, or help maintain the Kingdom Hall. All of these things are necessary for the congregation to function well.

On the other hand, some ministerial servants are assigned speaking roles in the Life and Ministry meeting and public talks. They may also be appointed as assistants to a group overseer. And sometimes an elder may ask a ministerial servant to accompany him on a shepherding visit. (1 Cor. 14:40) w24.10 19 pars. 4, 5

Why do we value the work of ministerial servants?

Why do we appreciate the work of the ministerial servants? Let’s see what some brothers and sisters have said. A sister in Bolivia named Beberlyb says: “Thanks to our ministerial servants, I can fully enjoy the meetings. Their work allows me to sing, give comments, listen to the talks, and learn from the videos and pictures. They take care of security and assist the brothers and sisters who connect by videoconference. After the meeting, they help with the cleanup and accounting, and they make sure we have the publications we need. I am so grateful to them!” Leslie lives in Colombia and is the wife of an elder. She says: “The ministerial servants are a great help to my husband. If they didn’t handle various assignments, he would be even busier. So I am very grateful to them for their enthusiasm and willingness.” Surely we are all just as grateful. (1 Tim. 3:13)

How can we show our appreciation for ministerial servants?

We may feel appreciation for ministerial servants, but the Bible tells us: “Show your appreciation.” (Col. 3:15) Consider how an elder in Finland named Daavid shows his appreciation: “I send him a card or a message quoting a scripture and mentioning a specific way in which the ministerial servant has encouraged me or a reason why I am grateful for his work.” Pascal and Jael, who live in New Caledonia, speak to Jehovah about ministerial servants in their prayers: “Lately we have been thanking Jehovah a lot for the ministerial servants in our congregation and have begged him to be with them and help them.” Jehovah hears such prayers, and the entire congregation benefits. (2 Cor. 1:11)

Why was Paul able to say that the elders of the first century worked hard? (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13).

In the first century, elders did very hard work (read 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13; 1 Tim. 5:17). They led the congregations, which included conducting meetings and making decisions as a body of elders. They also gave specific but loving counsel to the brothers and sisters in order to protect the congregations (1 Thess. 2:11, 12; 2 Tim. 4:2). And, of course, they also strove to remain spiritually strong and to take good care of their families (1 Tim. 3:2, 4; Titus 1:6-9).

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