Be Alert to the Importance of Commendation

HAVE you ever heard anyone complain that his employer gives him too little commendation?  Have you possibly even complained about that yourself?  Or if you are a young person, have  you said the same thing about your parents or your teachers/

Some of these complaints are probably legitimate.  But according to one German motivational trainer, when employees make this complaint, what bothers them is not so much the lack of commendation as the lack of personal interest on the part of their boss.  At any rate, something is obviously missing.   Commendation and a feeling of personal interest are both vital if we are to enjoy satisfying relationships.

In the matter of worship, this is also true.  The Christian congregation needs to be marked by a spirit of commendation, warmth, and a feeling of personal interest.  Its members achieve and maintain such a fine condition by observing the Bible's guidelines.  Nevertheless, no matter how loving the congregation is, improvement is always possible.  With this in mind, let us consider three fine examples of offering commendation:  God's pre-Christian servant Elihu, the apostle Paul and Jesus Christ himself. 

Next time: Courteous and Respectful Counsel

Watchtower, 2007