http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/ws20131015/slave-for-jehovah/#?insight[search_id]=2f9c63ad-74a9-46c3-b006-d3976357ea3d&insight[search_result_index]=1
12 A worldly master could make life very difficult for a Christian slave. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul said: “Were you called when a slave? Do not let it worry you; but if you can also become free, rather seize the opportunity.” ( 1 Corinthians 7:21 ) If the slave had a worldly master who made life difficult, it would have been much better for the slave to be free. Today, in many countries, the law says that young people should go to school for a certain number of years. After that, students are given a choice. They can choose whether to continue to get more education or not. It can become very difficult to have the freedom to serve Jehovah in the full-time service when a Christian chooses higher education just to have a career in this world. — Read1 Corinthians 7:23.
HIGHER EDUCATION OR THE BEST EDUCATION?
13. What education helps Jehovah’s servants the most?
13 Paul warned the Christians who lived in Colossae: “Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8) Many teachers teach “the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men.” Higher education, which often includes these teachings, does not always provide students with practical skills, and they may not be prepared for everyday life. But Christians choose education that will give them the skills they need to live a simple life so that they can serve God. They take seriously Paul’s counsel to Timothy: “To be sure, it is a means of great gain, this godly devotion along with self-sufficiency. So, having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things.” (1 Timothy 6:6, 8) Instead of getting degrees so that they can have titles after their names, true Christians work hard to get “letters of recommendation” by being in the field ministry as much as they can.—Read 2 Corinthians 3:1-3.
14. When we read Philippians 3:8, what do we learn about Paul’s view of being a slave of God and Christ?
14 We can learn from Paul’s example. He was taught by the Jewish Law teacher Gamaliel. The education he received can be compared with a university education today. But what did Paul think when he compared it with the honor of being a slave for God and Christ? He wrote: “I . . . consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” Then he added: “On account of him I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse, that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8) Paul’s view can help young Christians and their parents to make a wise choice in education. (See pictures.)
BENEFIT FROM THE BEST EDUCATION
15, 16. What education does Jehovah’s organization provide, and what is its purpose?
15 What is it like in many places of higher education? People at these places often feel free to rebel and show that they are angry with the government and other authorities. (Ephesians 2:2) However, Jehovah’s organization provides the best education in the peaceful environment of the congregation. All of us can benefit every week from the Theocratic Ministry School. There are also other schools that we can benefit from. For example, there is a school for single pioneer brothers called the Bible School for Single Brothers, and for married pioneers there is the Bible School for Christian Couples. All these schools help us to obey our heavenly Master, Jehovah.
16 We can discover many precious truths from the Watch Tower Publications Index or the Watchtower Library on CD-ROM. The main purpose of our Bible education is to worship Jehovah. It teaches us how to help others become friends of God. (2 Corinthians 5:20) Then those we teach will be able to teach others.—2 Timothy 2:2.
