DO NOT LET YOUR STRENGTH BECOME YOUR WEAKNESS

Capable Women - A Wonderful Blessing

Like capable elders, spiritually-minded women are also a fine asset to Jehovah's organization. Generally, women are gifted with an interest in other people-a quality that Jehovah values and encourages. Keep "an eye, not in personal interest upon just your own matters, but also in personal interest upon those of others," wrote the apostle Paul. (Philippians 2:4) Yet, this "personal interest" has its limits, for no Christian would want to be "a busybody in other people's matters;" nor should one be a gossiper. 1 Peter 4:15; 1 Timothy 5:13.

Women have many other gifts. A Christian wife, for example, may be more gifted mentally than her husband is. Nevertheless, as "a capable wife" who fears Jehovah, she would respect her husband and use her gifts to complement him, not to compete with him. And rather than envy or resent her, a wise, humble husband would value his wife's strengths and rejoice in them. He would encourage her to use her talents to the full to build up her household and to help her children 'fear Jehovah,' just as she herself does. (Proverbs 31:10, 28-30; Genesis 2:18) Such modest, humble husbands and wives thrive in marriages that truly honor Jehovah.

Next time: Subjecting A Strong Personality

Watchtower, 1999