DAILY TEXT, Tuesday, July 2, 2024. They cannot be slaves of God and at the same time of Riches (Matt. 6:24).

DAILY TEXT, Today Tuesday, July 2, 2024. They cannot be slaves of God and at the same time of Riches (Matt. 6:24).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2024.

Tuesday July 2, 2024

They cannot be slaves of God and at the same time of Riches (Matt. 6:24).

Jesus had a balanced view of material things. He enjoyed food and drink (Luke 19:2, 6, 7). On one occasion, he turned water into wine of the highest quality, and that was his first miracle (John 2:10, 11). Furthermore, on the day of his death he wore an expensive robe (John 19:23, 24). But material things were not the most important thing in his life. Jesus taught that if we seek the Kingdom first, Jehovah will see that we have what we need. (Matt. 6:31-33) Many have benefited from following Jehovah’s wise counsel regarding money. Let's look at the example of a single brother named Daniel. He says: “When I was a teenager, I decided that serving Jehovah would be the most important thing in my life.” As Daniel has strived to live a simple life, he has been able to use his time and skills to assist in relief efforts and serve at Bethel. He adds: “There is no money in the world that can compare with all the blessings that Jehovah has given me.” w22.05 21, 22 paras. 6, 7.

A BALANCED VIEW OF WORK

How do we know that Solomon had a balanced view of work? (Ecclesiastes 5:18, 19).

Solomon said that the satisfaction we get from our hard work “is a gift from God” (read Ecclesiastes 5:18, 19). He also wrote, “All hard work brings benefits” (Prov. 14:23). 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).

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 meet 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.”

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