may cause real disappointment. Thus a minister placed two Bible study aids with a woman and promised to call back. But for some reason he failed to take his own word seriously. He may have felt that so often he had called back on others without finding any interest. However, be that as it may, it so happened that this woman was different. She was interested​—so much so that she at once read the books.

Disappointed that the minister did not call back as he had promised, this woman wrote the publishers of the books, the Watch Tower Society, telling of her interest and requesting that someone call on her. The Society sent the letter to the congregation in whose assigned territory the householder lived. When the minister heard about the letter, and recognized that the woman was one of his calls, how did he feel? Well, he certainly saw the need to take his ministry more seriously!

INCIDENTAL WITNESSING

And what about incidental witnessing​—talking to people about God’s purposes wherever and whenever you happen to meet them in your daily course of life? Those who are alert to do this often have many outstanding joys and blessings. Thus a Puerto Rican missionary began witnessing to a college student while sharing a taxi ride with him. That incidental witness started the young man on the way to life. Today he is a servant in a congregation.

One day at her secular place of employment a Christian minister heard a woman say that socialism was the only answer to world problems. This gave the Witness an opportunity to tell the woman about the Kingdom hope she had. Soon these discussions at work led to a regular Bible study in the home. In a few months the woman began to witness to others and today she herself is a zealous Christian minister and so is her husband.

And then there was the very earnest Roman Catholic man in the broadcasting profession. He had spent four years studying advanced mathematics at a university, but at heart he was searching for Bible truth. One day he went to the office of one of the executives where he worked to ask some questions about certain statements this executive was supposed to have made. The executive happened to be one of Jehovah’s witnesses who had been doing some incidental witnessing, but who had been misquoted. He was glad to give this Roman Catholic searcher for truth the correct information. It was suggested that it would be best to discuss these things at home instead of on company time.

A few days later the man called again, asking the Witness when they could get together to discuss these things. Thus a call was arranged and several Bible study aids were placed with the man.

A week later he asked about attending one of the meetings, but since his workday began at four in the morning he was able to stay for just the first meeting, the Theocratic Ministry School. He found it so interesting, the students so confident and knowledgeable and the school servant so instructive that he could hardly believe his ears. When asked how he enjoyed it, he said: “I’ve never seen such friendly, confident people . . . even the children.”

He asked about the next meeting and was told it was Sunday morning. As the man’s wife was away for a few weeks, the Witness invited him for lunch after the meeting. The result was that they carried on a discussion from 2 to 11:30 p.m., during which time he also obtained more Bible study aids as well as the Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He attended the Tuesday night and Thursday night congregational meetings during the following week, even taking part in them.

The next Sunday it was much the same​—meetings and luncheon, followed by a study in the book The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life from 2 to 11:30. That Wednesday they completed the study in the Truth book, upon which he asked, “What prevents me from getting baptized?” It was suggested that he get in touch with the congregation overseer, which he did. He soon completed reading the books “Your Word Is a Lamp to My Foot” and Life Everlasting​—in Freedom of the Sons of God. Within three weeks from when he began the study in the Truth book​—not six months—​he was baptized!

The person continues as a zealous Christian witness of Jehovah, averages from forty to sixty hours a month, mostly in door-to-door preaching. Because of the hours of his secular work he is able to take the lead in midweek witnessing. When his wife went away for a few weeks he had not begun studying. When she returned he was already a dedicated Christian minister of God, and waiting to be baptized. It was almost too much for her, but it was not many studies before she was telling her relatives about the wonderful things she had been learning from the Bible. Yes, what marvelous blessings can come from incidental witnessing!

So, if you are a Christian minister, take your ministry seriously. Try to reach all those who are not at home when you first call while going from house to house with the good news. Make return visits wherever persons show interest in God’s purposes. And do not overlook the many opportunities for incidental witnessing. Remember, he that sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.​—2 Cor. 9:6.

Questions From Readers

● What is the meaning of Proverbs 20:19, and how does this apply to a Christian’s keeping certain matters confidential?​—E. M., U.S.A.

The Pr 20 verse 19 in question reads: “He that is going about as a slanderer is uncovering confidential talk; and with one that is enticed with his lips you must have no fellowship.” The first part is quite plain. A slanderer is a person who intentionally spreads harmful talk designed to put someone in a bad light. Often to accomplish this he deliberately makes public and distorts things that were supposed to be kept confidential.

The second portion of the text is somewhat parallel, but it deals with “one that is enticed with his lips.” A person can be enticed with his lips just as with his eyes or hands in that any of these organs can allow him to be tempted and drawn into evil ways. (Matt. 5:27-29) One enticed with his lips is led astray into trouble because his mouth is open in speaking whatever he hears. He has no protection, for he does not control his speech. King David observed: “I will guard my ways to keep from sinning with my tongue. I will set a muzzle as a guard to my own mouth.” (Ps. 39:1) The person that “is enticed with his lips” is just the opposite; he seldom keeps anything confidential. Proverbs 20:19 counsels, “You must have no fellowship” with him, for he can cause you just as much trouble as a slanderer.

There are actually two aspects of this topic of confidential matters. The latter half of Proverbs 20:19 focuses on one of them. The advice basically is to be careful as to the one to whom you entrust confidential matters. Sometimes a person has certain private information or plans that he does not want made public at present. Perhaps he tells these to an acquaintance, expecting