Question:
May i please ask if matthew13:22"the anxiety of this system of things" could mean that there's no point going to school?, since we want to give up our earthly desires&everything else to God & i feel that school wisdom never actually helped me along my journey.
Answer:
Dear Qi,
It is admirable and of great gain that you feel guided by a desire to please God and not be distracted by worldly pursuits. But I will point you to something else Jesus said...
These verses are from John17:6,7,8,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18
6 “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have observed your word.
7 They have now come to know that all the things you gave me are from you;
8 because the sayings that you gave me I have given to them, and they have received them and have certainly come to know that I came out as your representative, and they have believed that you sent me forth.
11 “Also, I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world and I am coming to you. Holy Father, watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me, in order that they may be one just as we are.
12 When I was with them I used to watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me; and I have kept them, and not one of them is destroyed except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13 But now I am coming to you, and I am speaking these things in the world in order that they may have my joy in themselves to the full.
14 I have given your word to them, but the world has hated them, because they are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.
15 “I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one. 16 They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world. 17 Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth. 18 Just as you sent me forth into the world, I also sent them forth into the world.
------------------------------------
In this prayer Jesus said to his Father,
we can find guidance on how to cope with our life now, in this world. First Jesus talks about the problems we face because of being physically stuck in this world. Then he gives words to guide us through the world.
Let me gather specific parts of Jesus' words...
"made your name manifest to the men you gave me"
This tells us of two spiritual goals...First, coming to see clearly, the meaning of God's name (Rom.10:13).
"they have observed your word"
Second, learning and obeying Scripture (John17:3,17).
"the sayings that you gave me I have given to them, and they have received them"
"they have believed that you sent me forth."
This tells us that all the things we learn through the recorded words of Jesus, we should thank the Father for, and realize that all Truth originates with the Heavenly Father (John12:49). We must "receive" God's Words...we must accept them and live them (John8:47a).
"but they are in the world"
This verse is very important for you. It says that WE, are STILL IN THE WORLD.
"watch over them on account of your name"
This shows us that our own faithfulness and integrity, will have a part in Jehovah's final victory over Satan. (Rev.12:10,11)
"I have given your word to them, but the world has hated them"
When we really live the way of Truth, we are different from the world, and Satan's world reacts by not loving us. This unloving treatment even comes from those who call themselves Christians. They do not realize that they too, are a part of Satan's world, if they are a part of what he offers...power, prestige, dominating others, and glory (1John2:15,16,9,10,11).
"they are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world"
Here we are clearly told that we must have no part in what Satan's world can offer us (especially in a religious sense), but instead, we look to the example of Jesus in how he lived and did God's will (1John2:6).
“I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one."
Now here, Qi, we are told that we MUST CONTINUE TO COPE WITH THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE. While we do, we have to beware of Satan's tricks; as Satan tries to get us to become part of his world...by giving in to the enticement of power, dominance, riches, a sense of superiority and pride, and letting go of the precious truths we have learned from God's Word and Jesus' teachings. How can we succeed at this???...
"Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth."
This tells us that the Bible will keep us clean and prepared to do good (2Tim.3:16,17)
"Just as you sent me forth into the world, I also sent them forth into the world"
And finally, we need to offer the Truth we have been given, to other receptive ones (2Tim.4:2).
-------------------------------
How do these words of Jesus help you decide what to do about school?
According to Jesus, can you leave this world?
As long as you are in it, will you have physical needs? Will these needs cause anxiety if you do not care for them?
While it is true that Jesus told us that the Father will help care for us (Matt.6:19,20,21,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34; John6:27; Matt.4:4);
It is also true that we ourselves must contribute wisdom and effort to secure what we need (see 2Thess.3:10,12; Ec.7:12; Prov.22:3; 27:12; 1Tim.5:8; 1Thess.2:9).
If you get enough schooling, which will help you to care for your needs with less anxiety;
will that make it easier, or harder, to do God's work?
Unless you have very rich parents who are willing to provide for you until you die; you will have to cope with providing for your physical needs while you are still in this world.
You can and should pray to God to help you meet those needs (Matt.6:11)...and if you are a faithful servant of His, AND YOU DO YOUR PART TO PROVIDE FOR YOURSELF and whatever family you may create in the future; He will provide. We should even prepare to have enough to share with others, including our parents when they get old (Eph.4:28b; Mark7:10,11,12,13).
So, Qi...what will cause more anxiety while you are still in this world?
You have two choices right now:
Quit school, and then for the rest of your life...struggle and sweat for long hours just to meet your basic needs, with nothing left over to share with the poor or your loved ones.
OR
Get enough school to qualify for a better job with a decent wage, so that you can give your attention to God's work in the time and energy you have left over.
?
The Wisdom of God's Word guides us into a balance (1Cor.7:31). For sure, we do not want to fill our life with the work and rewards of the world. But we know we have to use the world enough to survive while we are still in it.
Use the schooling now available to you, to create the ability to take care of yourself (1Tim.6:6,7,8; 2Thess.3:12).
Should you work hard to do well while in school? Read Col.3:17,23.
If you can not apply yourself to your schoolwork, how will you be a mature enough person, to apply yourself to God's work later (Which is harder?)?
Use the work before you, while you are a student, to train yourself to be productive...to have self-control and self-discipline. Those fine character qualities will make you a stronger Christian, useful to God (2Pet.1:5,6,7,8).
"School wisdom" will not directly help you learn divine Wisdom...but it will help keep you alive, and help to keep your body able to devote more of your time and energy to God. True, you won't be able to give him all your time if you have to go to school and work. But if you do not get an education in order to become self-sufficient...you will likely have to become a slave of your basic needs; having little time or energy left, for God.
Jesus said, "I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one." (John17:15)
Therefore...we realize that we have to continue to live in this world. But we remain watchful, that Satan does not pull us into the world, more than is necessary. We want to keep our main goal, that of serving God, and doing what pleases, not us, but Him. 1John2:17
Thank you for your good question. You can follow up with another one, if you still need.
Love,
Pearl
UPDATE:
QUESTION: hi, i have a follow up question. i just want to know, do you know if
Jesus went to school? what subjects might he have learned? :/
thankyou.
Hello again Qi,
I am not a Jewish historian, so I do not know much about the society in which Jesus was raised. The Bible doesn't not give many details about Jesus' childhood. But the few things we do have, may help to give you an answer:
Jesus was referred to in the Bible as both, the "Carpenter's son" AND "the Carpenter" (Matt.13:55; Mark6:3).
This shows that Jesus likely learned to do this job, from his adoptive father, Joseph.
It was common in the time of Jesus, for boys to learn to support themselves and their future families, by learning a trade from a male family member; usually their father.
Girls also, had much to learn from their mothers, so that they too could be a productive adult. Girls usually learned what was common for grown women to be responsible for...childcare, clothing production, domestic animal care, cooking, etc... because although these tasks required strength and stamina; the jobs typically put upon the men required even more physical strength...(construction, pulling in full fishnets, guiding plows, heavy lifting of materials, long hours (even sleeping) out in the weather, etc.).
The difference with educating children today, is that one's work is no longer based in one's own home. Today in our society; employment is usually outside the home. Businesses and bosses want today's workers to be very productive, so that bringing one's child to work to learn their parent's job, is not permitted. So in our society, children must prepare for employment, in schools.
When we consider that Jesus was a carpenter...we should think about all the things he would need to learn to do that job well...
This job not only required much physical strength (to go get your own wood from trees, and to lift beams, plane wood, chop, sand, chisel....and all by hand with no power tools.), but this job also requires intelligence. Wood was scarce where Jesus lived, so that one would need to plan a project so that there would be little waste of materials.
One would need a strong knowledge of math, especially geometry and architecture.
Likely it took many years of study and success, for Jesus to become well-known as "the Carpenter"
(see Luke2:40,52).
We can also learn about Jesus' education, from the story at Luke2:41-49 ; especially Luke2:46,47.
In verse 46 we see that Jesus worked at learning spiritual things, from those who he thought could teach him.
Verse 47 shows, that even at the age of twelve, he has already learned a great amount. This he likely learned through what was taught in the synagogue where he grew up (Luke2:41; 4:16,15,22);
But primarily, he also accepted being taught by his Heavenly Father (Luke4:18,19,1).
From the little bit the Bible tells us about Jesus when he was a boy, we see he worked hard at learning both spiritual things, as well as how to earn a living and do a job. He was attentive, obedient, and industrious; and when he did a job, he did it well! (Col.3:23)
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May i please ask if matthew13:22"the anxiety of this system of things" could mean that there's no point going to school?, since we want to give up our earthly desires&everything else to God & i feel that school wisdom never actually helped me along my journey.
Answer:
Dear Qi,
It is admirable and of great gain that you feel guided by a desire to please God and not be distracted by worldly pursuits. But I will point you to something else Jesus said...
These verses are from John17:6,7,8,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18
6 “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have observed your word.
7 They have now come to know that all the things you gave me are from you;
8 because the sayings that you gave me I have given to them, and they have received them and have certainly come to know that I came out as your representative, and they have believed that you sent me forth.
11 “Also, I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world and I am coming to you. Holy Father, watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me, in order that they may be one just as we are.
12 When I was with them I used to watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me; and I have kept them, and not one of them is destroyed except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13 But now I am coming to you, and I am speaking these things in the world in order that they may have my joy in themselves to the full.
14 I have given your word to them, but the world has hated them, because they are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.
15 “I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one. 16 They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world. 17 Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth. 18 Just as you sent me forth into the world, I also sent them forth into the world.
------------------------------------
In this prayer Jesus said to his Father,
we can find guidance on how to cope with our life now, in this world. First Jesus talks about the problems we face because of being physically stuck in this world. Then he gives words to guide us through the world.
Let me gather specific parts of Jesus' words...
"made your name manifest to the men you gave me"
This tells us of two spiritual goals...First, coming to see clearly, the meaning of God's name (Rom.10:13).
"they have observed your word"
Second, learning and obeying Scripture (John17:3,17).
"the sayings that you gave me I have given to them, and they have received them"
"they have believed that you sent me forth."
This tells us that all the things we learn through the recorded words of Jesus, we should thank the Father for, and realize that all Truth originates with the Heavenly Father (John12:49). We must "receive" God's Words...we must accept them and live them (John8:47a).
"but they are in the world"
This verse is very important for you. It says that WE, are STILL IN THE WORLD.
"watch over them on account of your name"
This shows us that our own faithfulness and integrity, will have a part in Jehovah's final victory over Satan. (Rev.12:10,11)
"I have given your word to them, but the world has hated them"
When we really live the way of Truth, we are different from the world, and Satan's world reacts by not loving us. This unloving treatment even comes from those who call themselves Christians. They do not realize that they too, are a part of Satan's world, if they are a part of what he offers...power, prestige, dominating others, and glory (1John2:15,16,9,10,11).
"they are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world"
Here we are clearly told that we must have no part in what Satan's world can offer us (especially in a religious sense), but instead, we look to the example of Jesus in how he lived and did God's will (1John2:6).
“I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one."
Now here, Qi, we are told that we MUST CONTINUE TO COPE WITH THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE. While we do, we have to beware of Satan's tricks; as Satan tries to get us to become part of his world...by giving in to the enticement of power, dominance, riches, a sense of superiority and pride, and letting go of the precious truths we have learned from God's Word and Jesus' teachings. How can we succeed at this???...
"Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth."
This tells us that the Bible will keep us clean and prepared to do good (2Tim.3:16,17)
"Just as you sent me forth into the world, I also sent them forth into the world"
And finally, we need to offer the Truth we have been given, to other receptive ones (2Tim.4:2).
-------------------------------
How do these words of Jesus help you decide what to do about school?
According to Jesus, can you leave this world?
As long as you are in it, will you have physical needs? Will these needs cause anxiety if you do not care for them?
While it is true that Jesus told us that the Father will help care for us (Matt.6:19,20,21,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34; John6:27; Matt.4:4);
It is also true that we ourselves must contribute wisdom and effort to secure what we need (see 2Thess.3:10,12; Ec.7:12; Prov.22:3; 27:12; 1Tim.5:8; 1Thess.2:9).
If you get enough schooling, which will help you to care for your needs with less anxiety;
will that make it easier, or harder, to do God's work?
Unless you have very rich parents who are willing to provide for you until you die; you will have to cope with providing for your physical needs while you are still in this world.
You can and should pray to God to help you meet those needs (Matt.6:11)...and if you are a faithful servant of His, AND YOU DO YOUR PART TO PROVIDE FOR YOURSELF and whatever family you may create in the future; He will provide. We should even prepare to have enough to share with others, including our parents when they get old (Eph.4:28b; Mark7:10,11,12,13).
So, Qi...what will cause more anxiety while you are still in this world?
You have two choices right now:
Quit school, and then for the rest of your life...struggle and sweat for long hours just to meet your basic needs, with nothing left over to share with the poor or your loved ones.
OR
Get enough school to qualify for a better job with a decent wage, so that you can give your attention to God's work in the time and energy you have left over.
?
The Wisdom of God's Word guides us into a balance (1Cor.7:31). For sure, we do not want to fill our life with the work and rewards of the world. But we know we have to use the world enough to survive while we are still in it.
Use the schooling now available to you, to create the ability to take care of yourself (1Tim.6:6,7,8; 2Thess.3:12).
Should you work hard to do well while in school? Read Col.3:17,23.
If you can not apply yourself to your schoolwork, how will you be a mature enough person, to apply yourself to God's work later (Which is harder?)?
Use the work before you, while you are a student, to train yourself to be productive...to have self-control and self-discipline. Those fine character qualities will make you a stronger Christian, useful to God (2Pet.1:5,6,7,8).
"School wisdom" will not directly help you learn divine Wisdom...but it will help keep you alive, and help to keep your body able to devote more of your time and energy to God. True, you won't be able to give him all your time if you have to go to school and work. But if you do not get an education in order to become self-sufficient...you will likely have to become a slave of your basic needs; having little time or energy left, for God.
Jesus said, "I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one." (John17:15)
Therefore...we realize that we have to continue to live in this world. But we remain watchful, that Satan does not pull us into the world, more than is necessary. We want to keep our main goal, that of serving God, and doing what pleases, not us, but Him. 1John2:17
Thank you for your good question. You can follow up with another one, if you still need.
Love,
Pearl
UPDATE:
QUESTION: hi, i have a follow up question. i just want to know, do you know if
Jesus went to school? what subjects might he have learned? :/
thankyou.
Hello again Qi,
I am not a Jewish historian, so I do not know much about the society in which Jesus was raised. The Bible doesn't not give many details about Jesus' childhood. But the few things we do have, may help to give you an answer:
Jesus was referred to in the Bible as both, the "Carpenter's son" AND "the Carpenter" (Matt.13:55; Mark6:3).
This shows that Jesus likely learned to do this job, from his adoptive father, Joseph.
It was common in the time of Jesus, for boys to learn to support themselves and their future families, by learning a trade from a male family member; usually their father.
Girls also, had much to learn from their mothers, so that they too could be a productive adult. Girls usually learned what was common for grown women to be responsible for...childcare, clothing production, domestic animal care, cooking, etc... because although these tasks required strength and stamina; the jobs typically put upon the men required even more physical strength...(construction, pulling in full fishnets, guiding plows, heavy lifting of materials, long hours (even sleeping) out in the weather, etc.).
The difference with educating children today, is that one's work is no longer based in one's own home. Today in our society; employment is usually outside the home. Businesses and bosses want today's workers to be very productive, so that bringing one's child to work to learn their parent's job, is not permitted. So in our society, children must prepare for employment, in schools.
When we consider that Jesus was a carpenter...we should think about all the things he would need to learn to do that job well...
This job not only required much physical strength (to go get your own wood from trees, and to lift beams, plane wood, chop, sand, chisel....and all by hand with no power tools.), but this job also requires intelligence. Wood was scarce where Jesus lived, so that one would need to plan a project so that there would be little waste of materials.
One would need a strong knowledge of math, especially geometry and architecture.
Likely it took many years of study and success, for Jesus to become well-known as "the Carpenter"
(see Luke2:40,52).
We can also learn about Jesus' education, from the story at Luke2:41-49 ; especially Luke2:46,47.
In verse 46 we see that Jesus worked at learning spiritual things, from those who he thought could teach him.
Verse 47 shows, that even at the age of twelve, he has already learned a great amount. This he likely learned through what was taught in the synagogue where he grew up (Luke2:41; 4:16,15,22);
But primarily, he also accepted being taught by his Heavenly Father (Luke4:18,19,1).
From the little bit the Bible tells us about Jesus when he was a boy, we see he worked hard at learning both spiritual things, as well as how to earn a living and do a job. He was attentive, obedient, and industrious; and when he did a job, he did it well! (Col.3:23)
LINK TO HOME
LINK TO DIRECTORY OF ARTICLES
