BENEFITS FROM LOVING GOD'S WORD

"Bearing Fruit in Every Good Work"

The apostle Paul too spoke of the need to bear fruit, and he linked bearing fruit with God's Word. He prayed that his fellow believers " "be filled with the accurate knowledge of [God's]will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him as you go on bearing fruit in every good work." -Colossians 1:9, 10; Philippians 1:9-11.

Paul thus shows that gaining Bible knowledge is not an end in itself. Rather, love for God's Word motivates us to"walk worthily of Jehovah "by continuing to 'bear fruit in every good work.' What good work? Preaching the good news of the Kingdom is the outstanding assignment for Christians in these last days. (Mark 13:10) in addition, those who love God's Word do their best to give regular financial support to this work. They delight in this privilege, knowing that "God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7) Their contributions go toward defraying the cost of operating the more than one hundred Bethel facilities from which the activity of Kingdom preaching is directed and in some of which Bibles and Bible literature are produced. Their contributions also help to defray the costs of large Christian conventions and of sending out traveling overseers, missionaries and other full time evangelizers.

Other good works involve the constructing of caring for centers of true worship. Love for God's Word motivates his worshipers to ensure that Assembly Halls and Kingdom Halls do not fall into neglect. (Compare Nehemiah 10:39) Since God's name appears inside and outside they be kept clean and attractive and that the conduct of those who worship inside such halls be above reproach. (2 Corinthians 6:3) Some Christians are able to do more. Love for God's Word moves them to travel long distances in order to share in building new places of worship in parts of the world where there is a need because of poverty or a lack of skills. - 2 Corinthians 8:14.

"Bearing fruit in every good work" also includes caring for family obligations and showing concern for fellow Christians. Love for God's Word motivates us to be sensitive to the needs of those "related to us in the faith" and "to practice godly devotion in [our]own household." (Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 5:4, 8) In this regard, it is a good work to visit the sick and comfort the mourning ones. And what fine work is accomplished by congregation elders and Hospital Liaison Committees in assisting individuals who face challenging medical situations! (Acts 15:29) There are a growing number of disasters-some of them natural and others caused by human folly. With the help if God's spirit, Jehovah's Witnesses have built up a fine record in many parts of the earth of providing quick relief to fellow believers and other victims of disasters and accidents. All of these are good fruits manifested by those who love God's Word.

Next time: Glorious Future Benefits

Watchtower, 1999