"THE FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE"

Relief supplies are generally dispersed through an organized channel, and Jehovah has similarly made spiritual provision for his people.  For example,  the Israelites were "Jehovah's congregation"  for some 1,500 years.  Among them were those who served as God's channel to teach his Law. (1 Chronicles 28:8; 2 Chronicles 17:7-9) In the first century C.E., Jehovah brought forth the Christian organization.  Congregations were formed, and they functioned under the direction of a governing body made up of apostles and older men. (Acts 15:22-31)  Likewise today, Jehovah deals with his people through an organized body. How do we do this?

Jesus said that at the time of his presence in Kingdom power, "the faithful and discreet slave" would be found providing "food at the proper time" for his followers.  (Matthew 24:45-47) When Jesus was installed as heavenly King in 1914, who did this "slave" prove to be? Certainly not the clergy of Christendom. For the most part, they were feeding their flocks propaganda that backed up their own national governments in World War I.  But proper and timely spiritual food was being dispersed by the group of true Christians who were anointed by God's holy spirit and were a part of what Jesus called the "little flock." (Luke 12:32) These anointed Christians preached God's Kingdom rather than man's governments.  As a result, over the years millions of righteously disposed "other sheep" have joined the anointed "slave" in practicing true religion. (John 10:16) Using the "faithful slave" and its presents day Governing Body, God directs his organized people  to make spiritual food, clothing and shelter available to all who wish to have these provisions.

Next time: "FOOD AT THE PROPER TIME"

The Book - KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995