Lesson 37

Have you ever felt weighed down by concerns about work or money? It can be challenging to care for our needs and also give Jehovah the worship he deserves. The Bible offers practical advice that can help us.

God wants us to enjoy our work. The Bible says that “there is nothing better for a man than to... find enjoyment in his hard work.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24)

Jehovah works hard. When we imitate him by working diligently, we please him and feel a sense of satisfaction.

Work is important. But we should never allow it to become more important than our worship of Jehovah. (John 6:27)

He promises that when we put him first, he will care for our physical needs.

While the Bible acknowledges that “money is a protection,” it also warns that money alone cannot make us happy. (Ecclesiastes 7:12)

Thus, we are encouraged not to love money but to be “content with the present things.”

Read Hebrews 13.5: Let your way of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things. For he has said: “I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.”

When we remain content with what we have, we free ourselves from the frustration of always wanting more. We avoid unnecessary debt. (Proverbs 22:7)

And we escape the dangers of gambling and pursuing get-rich-quick schemes.

Jehovah is a generous God, and we imitate him when we are “generous, ready to share.” (1 Timothy 6:18)

We can use our money unselfishly by supporting the congregation and by helping others in need, especially fellow worshippers. Jehovah is most interested in, not the amount we give, but our motive for giving. When we give generously from the heart, we will be happy and we will please Jehovah.

Read Acts 20.35: 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.’”

See the benefits of keeping work in its proper place and of being content.

Our friendship with Jehovah should influence our attitude toward work. Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the questions that follow.

In the video, what impressed you about Jason’s attitude and conduct at his workplace?

What did he do to keep work in its proper place?

Read Colossians 3.23, 24: Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as for Jehovah, and not for men, for you know that it is from Jehovah you will receive the inheritance as a reward. Slave for the Master, Christ.

Discuss this question:

Why does our attitude toward work matter?

Many people try to accumulate as much money as they can. But the Bible encourages a different approach.

Read 1 Timothy 6.6-8: To be sure, there is great gain in godly devotion along with contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. So, having food and clothing, we will be content with these things.

Discuss this question:

What does the Bible encourage us to do?

Even if we have very little, we can be happy. Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.

Despite having little money, what makes these families happy?

But what if we have much and still want more? Jesus illustrated this danger.

Read Luke 12.15-21: Then he said to them: “Keep your eyes open and guard against every sort of greed, because even when a person has an abundance, his life does not result from the things he possesses.” With that he told them an illustration, saying: “The land of a rich man produced well. So he began reasoning within himself, ‘What should I do now that I have nowhere to gather my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my storehouses and build bigger ones, and there I will gather all my grain and all my goods, and I will say to myself: “You have many good things stored up for many years; take it easy, eat, drink, enjoy yourself.”’ But God said to him, ‘Unreasonable one, this night they are demanding your life from you. Who, then, is to have the things you stored up?’ So it goes with the man who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”

Discuss this question:

What have you learned from Jesus’ illustration?—See verse 15.

Read Proverbs 10.22: It is the blessing of Jehovah that makes one rich, And He adds no pain with it.

Read 1 Timothy 6.10: For the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains.

Then discuss these questions:

What do you think is more important? Having a friendship with Jehovah or having lots of money? Why?

What problems come from chasing after money?

Work and money problems can test our faith in Jehovah. Play the VIDEO to see how we can deal with such tests of faith, and then discuss the questions that follow.

In the video, what challenges did the brother face?

What did he do to deal with the challenges successfully?

Read Matthew 6.25-34: “On this account I say to you: Stop being anxious about your lives as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear. Does not life mean more than food and the body than clothing? Observe intently the birds of heaven; they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are? Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span? Also, why are you anxious about clothing? Take a lesson from the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin; but I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. Now if this is how God clothes the vegetation of the field that is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much rather clothe you, you with little faith? So never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to wear?’ For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you. So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.

Discuss this question:

What does Jehovah promise to do for those who put him first?

What scripture convinces you that putting your worship of Jehovah first is always the best decision?

Secular work and money are necessary, but they should never distract us from serving Jehovah.

What can help you to keep a balanced view of work?

How does contentment benefit you?

How can you show your trust in Jehovah’s promise to provide for his people?

Lesson completed on:

Review whether your work has caused you to miss meetings regularly over the past few months. If so, make a plan to improve the situation.

Other: Memorizing Bible scriptures is vital for blind individuals to defend the truth using the Bible, build faith, provide comfort during difficult times, and keep God’s principles firm in heart and mind.

From lesson 37, memorize Hebrews 13:5: Let your way of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things. For he has said: “I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.”

1. Examine whether the Bible portrays money as evil.

“Is Money the Root of All Evil?” (Web article) Open explore 1 in new page

2. Learn what kind of giving pleases God.

“What Does the Bible Say About Giving?” (Web article) Open explore 2 in new page

3. Is gambling just an innocent diversion?

“The Bible’s Viewpoint—Gambling” (Awake!, March 2015) Open explore 3 in new page

4. See what motivated a gambler and burglar to change his lifestyle.

“I Was Passionate About Racehorses” (The Watchtower, November 1, 2011) Open explore 4 in new page