[Watchtower study for the week of June 23, 2014 – w14 4/15 p. 22]
This week’s study contains some practical advice for parents who have worked away from the family for a considerable period of time and are now trying to repair the emotional damage that such a situation can cause. Within the confines of the case histories the article describes, the counsel for the most part is valid and helpful. It cannot cover all the situations that come up in life, but the article makes no acknowledgment of that fact, leaving it up to the reader to use his or her own discernment. As Christians, we do not want to engage in judging our brother since we cannot know what is in his or her heart. We would not want an article like this one to predispose us to a particular cookie cutter point of view.
It is so easy to take a valid bible principle and then apply it too broadly, thereby undoing the good that would otherwise accrue from following Bible counsel. For instance, paragraph 16 states: “Jehovah always blesses decisions based on faith in him, but how can he bless a decision that is contrary to his will, especially when it involves needlessly giving up sacred privileges?” The statement is valid in and of itself. However, placing it into the context provided by the paragraph leads the reader to the conclusion that families moving to a more affluent country are going contrary to God’s will. Who are we to determine God’s will as it pertains to individuals and families. How presumptuous of us to make such an allusion. Who are we to suggest whom Jehovah will bless, or how he accomplishes his purpose? He is the God that “makes it rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Mt 5:45)
Paragraph 17 states: “… Are you willing to obey him when it may mean having to lower your standard of living? (Luke 14:33)” Again, valid counsel. But what particular obedience is the article referring to? Obedience to God or this Organization? Having lived in more than one third world country and seeing firsthand the extreme poverty in which many of our brothers subsist, and then having visited the Bethel home in those same countries, I’m confident in saying that these words ring hollow. For 95% of the brothers in those countries, living in Bethel is a big step up. Truly, for them it is quite simply living in the lap of luxury. One might suggest that rather than spending millions of dollars to create the resort-like environment common to Bethel homes the world over, why not take the counsel from Luke 14:33 that they are proffering to others and apply it to themselves? Why not imitate our Leader who did not even have a place to lay his head. (Mt 8:20)
By setting the example themselves, their words extolling self-denial for the good of the preaching would carry far more weight. Otherwise, they may well be imitating another group of religious leaders that Jesus spoke of at Matthew 23:4.
I would like to apologize for my choice of words in the last comment I made (the section you removed). I meant them as insults in the heat of the moment. In hindsight, I truly regret saying them. It wasn’t right at all. So I would like to thank you for deleting those. I believe discussions should take place sensibly and respectfully and I do appreciate the actions you took as a moderator. Now, should I add anything more to the forum, I will endeavor to be more respectful in the future.
I want to commend you on making the commitment to treat Meleti ( or anyone for that matter) with respect. We should all keep in mind that while we should stand unwaveringly for salvation issues there’s plenty of room for different ways of expressing faith. We should accept and affirm the valuable contributions that imperfect people make through Christian service. Be willing to listen respectfully to people who don’t share your point of view on an issue, yet still share faith in Christ. I am a patient person …. but geez! This hostile language was really trying my patience…… Thank… Read more »
*** Only please show some respect for others when you speak. *** [Part of this comment was deleted for not conforming to site guidelines. – The Moderator] All I ask is for each one of you to read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and ask yourselves if your course conforms to what is stated there. I will be the first to admit I do not measure up either and have lots of room for improvement. The situation is this: when any individual is bad-mouthing working to undermine someone else, it leaves less time and an opportunity to build up and encourage others.… Read more »
Modus Vivendi, I’m not sure what your problem is. You talk as if you are a Jehovah’s Witness apologist…and then you mock Jehovah! Obviously you have something on your mind, or you would not be here. What is it that you want? Can you be specific? Or, are you by any chance one of them there trolls I keep hearing about? Why? What do you possibly get out of it? It would be very sad if this is the high-light of your day. I would feel great pity for you. Look, if you want to join the discussion, no body… Read more »
Again, please re-accept my challenge. Thank you.
What challenge? If one stops to kick at every barking dog, one will never get where one is going.
You said: *** “It is interesting that you attack my motives and my character, but you do not attack my arguments.” **** Let it interest you all you want. Motive is where it all begins. Didn’t Jesus half-brother James say that? His other half brother Jude also defines your kind, your methods and your motives. Read his entire letter and tell me whether or not you see yourself described there, your upstanding character and intentions. The Bible, Jehovah’s Word should be what reproves what you are doing. If you feel in some way ‘attacked,’ then some remnant of what was… Read more »
Manilli Vanilli Jr – That is not a very nice or Christian thing to say.
Good morning Meleti and to our fellow dear brothers. I found it disturbing for our WT conductor this morning to emphasize paragraph 16, “Jehovah always blesses decisions based on faith in him, but how can he bless a decision that is contrary to his will, especially when it involves needlessly giving up sacred privileges?” Since reaching for or desiring a privilege (e.g. overseer/elder) is voluntary, where in the bible do we see a verse that stepping down from the privilege or position is automatically not according to God’s will? The WT supplied Hebrews 11:6 and 1 John 5:13-15 but none… Read more »
Manilli Vanilli Jr, May I suggest that rather than attacking the writer, you simply come to the point, and state what it is you wish to add to this discussion of the Watchtower article “Be of Good Courage Jehovah Is Your Helper!”
I challenge you to put my previous post on your site…although I highly doubt you will do so.
Challenge accepted.
Meleti Vivlon, you remind me of Satan the Devil. Asking innocent-sounding questions (is it really so….?) cunningly inquiring, I imagine you to be one of those false brothers , like Jude describes: when these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots.… Read more »
It is interesting that you attack my motives and my character, but you do not attack my arguments. If my arguments are flawed, then please use the two-edged sword that Jehovah has provided to “discern thoughts and intentions of the heart”. You accuse me of having “a pretty good-sized ego”, but my picture is not printed in the millions and distributed around the world in hundreds of languages? My image isn’t plastered on a 20′ video screen and streamed to an audience in the hundreds of thousands. People do not follow my every words as if it comes directly from… Read more »
I am confused by Milli Vanili Jr’s comment. I am pretty sure that when he came to this site he knew that this was not the official JW.org or a JW apologist site (I can’t think of a better word) According to the GB this would be definitely considered an “Apostate ” site. So if you believe that they are leading God’s “organization ” why are you here? My guess is that you are searching for something….. Meleti’s article must have hit a nerve. I would love to hear a counter argument to the points that Meleti presented. BTW did… Read more »
It is a sad sad situation indeed. I feel pity for all those blind ones being led by the blind guides. Matthew 15:14 “Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Ive noticed over the years they do this constantly they take a bible command or principle and while the interpretation in itself may not be wrong the application may be wrong as its applied to the wrong people or in a wrong situation .For example preach the word be at it urgently and everyone says wow thats gods will for everyone .For goodness sake it was pauls counsel to timothy a young single man with no ties .Would that really apply to a single mother struggling in a third world country to provide food for her kids .for example .They… Read more »
I found the “crux” of the lesson in this sentence in paragraph 16: “My husband had to step down from serving as an elder”. Why did he have to step down? What scripturally did he do to demonstrate he was deficient and no longer qualified to serve? In many of these underdeveloped countries (including Mexico), JW’s are viewed primarily as an “educational” institution, secondarily as a “religion”. Often those who study are of limited education, perhaps not even knowing how to read and write. Through our study programs we educate them, making it possible that they can qualify for higher… Read more »
Hosea 4: 4Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof; For your people are like those who contend with the priest
5So you will stumble by day, And the prophet also will stumble with you by night; And I will destroy your mother.
6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
So let me see if I’ve got this straight. Affluence USUALLY means that one has acquired an education that enables one to obtain a better paying job so that one does not have to do so much hard, physical labor and long hours and cut into field service time…HOWEVER…Education means the ability to think CRITICALLY and ask serious questions that require serious answers and that is the one thing the GB simply CANNOT ALLOW. UGH!!!! I’m sooooooooooo confused! The Bible which I believe is God’s word NEVER tells a parent that they are not to provide for their family. The… Read more »
Well said!
The Society do this all the time, it’s one of their teaching methods – They quote a Bible principle and apply it to whatever they want the brothers to do or not to do; and because of the brothers lack of Bible knowledge and their misplaced trust in the Organisation they do as they are told believing this instruction is from Jehovah. The Organisation proves to be very controlling. How can you serve God if your are controlled by man or an Organisation?
John 3:17,18 NWT For God did not send his Son into the world for him to judge the world, but for the world to be saved through him. 18 Whoever exercises faith in him is not to be judged…. I fully agree that this followup article fits the concept that it is the organisation that can determine how Jehovah will think, judge or react and even speak on behalf of Jehovah. Like the organisation is the filter between us and the Father. How is it possible that most of JW’s (myself included for a long time) do not see that… Read more »
Menrov, when you said, “Like the organization is the filter between us and the Father”, a striking comparison came to mind of my years as a Catholic when young; how the filter there is the priest who sits in the confession booth ready to tell me what God wants me to do – how many Hail Mary’s and Our Father’s need to be said to set things right with God. How wonderful to know that our mediator is Christ, and only him. Sargon said, “Like the Pharisees the watchtower dictates to us how we must serve god.” Isa 46:5 –… Read more »
13“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. [14]b 15“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are. 23“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin.… Read more »