Loved and Valued by God

Those who have given birth and have raise children who "go on walking in the truth" have much to be thankful for. Little wonder the Bible says:  "The father of a righteous one will without fail be joyful; the one becoming father to a wise one will also rejoice in him. Your father and your mother will rejoice, and she that gave birth to you will be joyful"!  -Proverbs 23:24, 25. 

Those Christians who have not had the joy of bringing children into the world have been blessed in other ways. Many of these couples have played a vital role in furthering Kingdom interests in a large way.  Over the years, they have gained experience, wisdom, and skills that enable them to make a valuable contribution to the Kingdom work. Many are at the forefront of the work.

Although they have remained childless for the sake of Kingdom interests, Jehovah has blessed them with a loving spiritual family that deeply appreciates  the sacrifices that they have made. It is as Jesus said:  "No one has left  [literally,"let go off"] house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news who will not get a hundredfold now in this period of time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields . . .and in the coming system of things everlasting life." -mark 10:29, 30. 

How precious to Jehovah are all those who are faithful!  All such loyal ones, both those who have children and those who do not, are assured by the apostle Paul: "God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name, in that have ministered to the holy ones and continue ministering." -Hebrews 6:10. 

Next time: FROM BUILDING WEAPONS TO SAVING LIVES

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000