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Happiness in GivingThe Watchtower—1953 | January 1
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inactive? Have you kept it asleep? Are you the miser type who prefers to be unhappy and miserable, never giving to anyone else of that which you have learned? Even if you were to gather all the knowledge of the world into your mind, it would be useless if you never gave it out. In time it would be forgotten, and your knowledge would die with you. Why get knowledge if you are not going to use it? Real Christians receive knowledge from Jehovah. They are taught of Jehovah through his Word, and their happiness comes by telling others.
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Happiness of Kingdom AmbassadorsThe Watchtower—1953 | January 1
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Happiness of Kingdom Ambassadors
1. In what capacity were Jesus’ apostles sent out, and why were their days of ministry happy ones?
JESUS sent out twelve apostles as ambassadors to preach. He “gave them authority over unclean spirits, in order to expel these and to cure every kind of disease and every kind of ailment”. He told them to go to the lost sheep and to “preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’” Their message was to show the Israelites how necessary it was for them to draw near to God and to repent of their wrong ways, and to listen to the Messiah and to acknowledge the kingdom of the heavens which was at hand. The apostles were to give these life-sustaining truths to their hearers, teaching them of the superior government that would bring blessings and life. The things that would be accomplished by this new government were illustrated in a miniature way; for the apostles had power to cure the sick, to raise up the dead, to make lepers clean and to expel demons. All these blessings they gave freely to the people who would hear. (Matt. 10:1-15, NW) The days of their ministry must have been happy ones for them. They gave so much.—See Luke 10:17-21.
2. How had the apostles received, and how did they give as instructed?
2 As Jesus continued giving his instructions to his apostles, he stressed this important thought by saying: “You received free, give free.” The powers that God gave the apostles through Christ Jesus by the holy spirit were not to be used for their own benefit, but to increase the interest of the people in Jehovah’s kingdom. After Pentecost marvelous signs were performed by means of the wonderful gifts of the spirit which were granted to the apostles. But even then the gifts of the spirit were not used by the apostles on themselves or on the congregation of God. The holy spirit or active force was used to heal the sick, to open blind eyes, and to make the lame leap. It was by reason of such miracles performed by the apostles that large crowds were attracted to them and then the apostles talked to the people about the good news of the Kingdom. This was done without money and without price.
3. How did Jesus say that his ambassadors should not let opposers disturb their happiness of giving?
3 The Master pointed out that the workers deserved their food in return for such labors of love. If the people did not appreciate what was being given to them and would not listen to the Word, then the apostles were instructed to move on to another city. If a minister of God was unwelcome in a house, he was to leave that house; or if he was unwelcome in a city, he was to shake the dust off his feet
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