Work
What is the connection between work and joy?
What are some advantages of learning to do good and skillful work?
Relevant Bible account(s):
1Sa 16:16-23—Young David earns a reputation as a skillful musician, a talent that makes him useful to the troubled king of Israel
2Ch 2:13, 14—Because of his skill as a craftsman, Hiram-abi is useful to King Solomon in a great building work
Servants of Jehovah want to be known as what kind of workers?
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ge 24:10-21—Rebekah does far more for Abraham’s servant than she is asked to do, showing a helpful and industrious spirit
Php 2:19-23—The apostle Paul entrusts the young man Timothy with a weighty assignment because of his willingness to work hard and humbly for others
Why do servants of God fight any tendency toward laziness?
Pr 13:4; 18:9; 21:25, 26; Ec 10:18
Relevant Bible account(s):
Pr 6:6-11—King Solomon uses the ant to teach lessons about working hard and avoiding laziness
Why should we work hard to care for our needs?
Why should we work hard to care for our dependent family members?
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ru 1:16, 17; 2:2, 3, 6, 7, 17, 18—The young widow Ruth works diligently to care for her mother-in-law, Naomi
Mt 15:4-9—Jesus denounces those who use a spiritual pretext to dodge their responsibility to care for their parents
What should Christians be willing to do with the benefits of their hard work?
What balanced attitude should we have toward the wages we earn doing secular work?
How do we know that Jehovah is interested in helping us to carry out our work well and to care for our material needs?
Mt 6:25, 30-32; Lu 11:2, 3; 2Co 9:10
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ge 31:3-13—Laban treats Jacob, his son-in-law and employee, unfairly, but Jehovah sees hardworking Jacob and blesses him
Ge 39:1-6, 20-23—Jehovah blesses Joseph’s work, both as a slave in Potiphar’s house and as a prisoner
Why must our secular work never become more important than our service to God?
Relevant Bible account(s):
Lu 12:15-21—Jesus gives an illustration to teach that it is foolish to put material gain ahead of spiritual wealth
1Ti 6:17-19—The apostle Paul warns wealthy Christians of the danger of arrogance and encourages them to be “rich in fine works”
What principles should guide us in our choice of employment?
Ex 20:4; Ac 15:29; Eph 4:28; Re 21:8—Would the work require me to engage in any practice that God condemns?
Ex 21:22-24; Isa 2:4; 1Co 6:9, 10; 2Co 7:1—Would the work support or promote a practice that God condemns, making me an accomplice?
Ro 13:1-7; Tit 3:1, 2—Would the work require that I violate any secular laws?
2Co 6:14-16; Re 18:2, 4—Would the work make me a part of or a supporter of false religion?
Working for Jehovah
What is the most important work that Christians can engage in?
Why are we eager to do our very best in our service to Jehovah?
Lu 13:24; Ro 12:11; 1Co 15:58; Heb 6:10-12
See also 1Ti 3:1
Why should we not expect that all can do the same amount in Jehovah’s service?
Relevant Bible account(s):
Mt 25:14, 15—Jesus’ illustration shows that he does not expect all his followers to accomplish the same amount of work
Lu 21:2-4—Jesus kindly acknowledges the great value of the tiny contribution made by a needy widow
From where do we get the strength to carry out the work we are assigned to do in Jehovah’s service?
2Co 4:7; Eph 3:20, 21; Php 4:13
Relevant Bible account(s):
2Ti 4:17—The apostle Paul acknowledges that he received the power he needed when he needed it
Why does working diligently in Jehovah’s service result in joy?
See also Mt 25:23