Sunday, June 28th - Free books

[Watchman]

There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.—Acts 20:35.

We know from experience that we feel good when we receive a gift. Still, we feel even greater happiness when we are the giver. By creating us the way he did, Jehovah allows us to influence our happiness. We can increase our joy by looking for additional opportunities to give. Is that not a wonderful aspect of how we are made? (Ps. 139:14) The Scriptures assure us that giving brings happiness, so it is little wonder that the Bible describes Jehovah as “the happy God.” (1 Tim. 1:11) He is the original and greatest Giver. Because of him, “we have life and move and exist,” as the apostle Paul stated. (Acts 17:28) Indeed, “every good gift and every perfect present” comes from Jehovah. (Jas. 1:17) All of us would probably like to experience even more of the happiness that comes from giving. We can do so by imitating Jehovah’s generosity.—Eph. 5:1. w24.09 26 ¶1-4

It makes me happy to give books and brochures away. If it makes the recipients happy, that's even better. So far, though, no one has ever said thanks for the info.

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

It makes me happy to give books and brochures away. If it makes the recipients happy, that's even better. So far, though, no one has ever said thanks for the info.

The watchtower never cease to amaze me with the ways they think up to remind people to give them money. Someone needs to donate them a little subtlety, like dumping a ton of Icecream in their letterbox at kings drive. That will give them a donation to think about.

 

[SusanB]

The watchtower never cease to amaze me with the ways they think up to remind people to give them money. Someone needs to donate them a little subtlety, like dumping a ton of Icecream in their letterbox at kings drive. That will give them a donation to think about.

I think it was 3 years ago, the haters started sending coconuts to the US Branch in reply to a talk that said they could send things of value rather than money and even mentioned coconuts and so I guess they got a “coconutty” response from the haters.

https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/11b0q17/give_us_your_money_give_us_your_coconuts_give_us

 

[SusanB]

I found it interesting to note the context of Acts 20:35, which is that Paul was referring to “working hard in this way” as providing for his “needs” and the “needs” of those with him while he was “admonishing” the congregation and building up their appreciation of the “inheritance” that would be given to the “sanctified ones”. He wasn’t looking for life of ease while serving the congregations and he wasn’t looking for others to support him so he wouldn’t have to be bothered with providing for his own needs.

Acts 20:31-35: “Therefore keep awake, and bear in mind that for three years, night and day, I never stopped admonishing each of you with tears. And now I entrust you to God and to the word of his undeserved kindness, which word can build you up and give you the inheritance among all the sanctified ones. I have desired no man’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my own needs and the needs of those with me. I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way, you must assist those who are weak and must keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said: ‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’”

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

I think it was 3 years ago, the haters started sending coconuts to the US Branch in reply to a talk that said they could send things of value rather than money and even mentioned coconuts and so I guess they got a “coconutty” response from the haters.

https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/11b0q17/give_us_your_money_give_us_your_coconuts_give_us

I feel there are few haters of the witnesses - probably those that never really were looking for their creator. Much the same as perhaps our own children will deliver us up out of revenge for what we unwittingly put them through and that they subsequently never reasoned upon with insight. I think the senders of those appropriately aimed coconuts are of much the same frame of mind either through ignorance of Jehovah , or the persuasion of man or just plain aghast at their greedy intransigence; there is not a lot of difference between them because love for Jehovah is missing in all three counts.

 

[PJ54]

The watchtower never cease to amaze me with the ways they think up to remind people to give them money. Someone needs to donate them a little subtlety, like dumping a ton of Icecream in their letterbox at kings drive. That will give them a donation to think about.

Thing is that giving isn't always have to be based on money. We can do good to others is many ways such as deeds and other items of value. Whatever it may be, as long as the motive is proper & and said charity isn't squandered, it's worth it.

John Wesley said it best:

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."

 

[a believer]

Thing is that giving isn't always have to be based on money. We can do good to others is many ways such as deeds and other items of value. Whatever it may be, as long as the motive is proper & and said charity isn't squandered, it's worth it.

But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you..." — Acts 3:6 Berean Standard Bible

—Timothy,
a believer.

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

Thing is that giving isn't always have to be based on money. We can do good to others is many ways such as deeds and other items of value. Whatever it may be, as long as the motive is proper & and said charity isn't squandered, it's worth it.

John Wesley said it best:

That’s true. Wesley was right in many ways, but even he had to have both insight and understanding of whom he was giving to. His maxim was “gain all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.” With watchtower, their motive, their reason for asking, is rarely seen as altruistic. First class travel, legal representation, retirement homes….. the list goes on..As @a believer points out, giving of one’s self - like Wesley, is more than enough on occasion. I ceased giving money to down and outs long ago. I give food instead if I’m inclined to give at all. When I read about watchtower speaking about coconuts as a donation all I see is a cynical backhanded jest that really refers to money being asked for and not consumables - pointing out in jest how useless a coconut would be. Watchtower do not ask for blankets and food to be sent to those in need, wood for building, tents and such like, but money. They control what is to be given and ask money back from those to whom they have given money if covered by insurance.

You’re right in what you say - giving of one’s self is enough. In these days, very little can be solved by money, even though my children do not appear to have learnt that yet……..