HELP OTHERS WALK WORTHILY OF JEHOVAH - Conclusion of Work to Strenthen Others

Conclusion of Work to Strengthen Others

Paul could have visitors, but there were many things that he could not do, such as purchase his basic needs-food and clothing for the winter.  How would he obtain scrolls for study or buy writing supplies?  (2 Timothy 4:13) Can you not imagine those brothers helping Paul with his needs, doing such basic things as shopping or running errands  for him?  He might want to check on and up build a certain congregation.  Being confined, he could not, so those brothers may have made visits for Paul, carrying messages, bringing back reports.  How  strengthening!

What Paul wrote about being "a strengthening aid" provides insight into how we might help others.  They may be walking worthily of Jehovah as to his moral standards, attending Christian meetings, and sharing in the preaching work.  For that they merit our words of appreciation.  Could we, though, do more, being 'strenghtening aids' as were those with Paul? 

If you know a sister who wisely held to 1 Corinthians 7:37 but who now lacks a family close to her, could you include her in some family activities, perhaps inviting her to share a meal or attend a small gathering of   friends or relatives?  What of urging her to travel with your family t0 a convention or on vacation?  or ask her  to join you at a convenient time when you shop for food.  Much the same could be said of widows or widowers, or perhaps those now unable to drive.  You could find it rewarding to hear their experiences or to tap their knowledge of things as normal  as choosing fruit or selecting children's clothes.  (Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31)  A corollary effect might be increased closeness.  Thus they may feel freer to ask for your help if they  need some medicine from the pharmacy, or the like.  The brothers with Paul in Rome must have given practical, strengthening   aid, as yours can be.  Both then and now an added blessing is that the bonds of love are strengthened,and we are firmly resolved to serve Jehovah together loyally.

Each of us can reflect on situations mentioned in this article.  They are simply examples, but these can remind us of real situation in which we can become more of  "a strengthening aid" to our brothers and sisters.   The  point is not that we develop the inclinations of humanitarians.  That was not the goal of the brothers mentioned at Colossians 4:10, 11.  They were "fellow workers for the kingdom of God."  The strengthening effect related directly to that.  May it be the same in our case. 

We mentioned  others by name in our private prayers and make efforts to strengthen them because of this:  We believe that our brothers and sisters want to "walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him."  (Colossians 1:10)  That fact is connected to something else that Paul mentioned when writing about Epaphras' prayers concerning the Colossians, that they might "stand complete and with firm conviction in all the will of God."  (Colossians 4:12) How can we personally achieve that?  Let us see. 

Next time: STAND COMPLETE WITH FIRM CONVICTION

The Watchtower, 2000