I ran across a change between the printed edition of the December 15, 2013 WT Study Edition and the magazine as a PDF download from the JW.Org website.
Whether the change amounts to much, I'm not sure. But it is curious. The change is in paragraph 16 on page 15:
| Printed Edition | PDF Edition |
| 16 However, a word of caution is needed. As was true of the ancient Israelites, we must make sure that our voluntary sacrifices are acceptable to God. What could call that into question? We have to maintain our balance so that we care for our primary responsibilities in connection with our families and the worship of Jehovah. Assisting with Kingdom Halls, relief work, and other activities would not be "especially acceptable" if our giving causes us to neglect the spirituality or physical welfare of our family. We would, in effect, be giving from what we do not have. (Read 2 Corinthians 8:12.) Additionally, we must maintain our own spirituality so that we do not become disqualified somehow. (1 Cor. 9:26, 27) Be assured, though, that when we live up to Bible standards, our sacrifices bring much joy and satisfaction to us, and they are "especially acceptable" to Jehovah. | 16 However, a word of caution is needed. As was true of the ancient Israelites, we must make sure that our voluntary sacrifices are acceptable to God. We have to maintain our balance so that we care for our primary responsibilities in connection with our families and the worship of Jehovah. The giving of our time and resources in behalf of others should not cause us to neglect the spirituality or physical welfare of our family. Otherwise, we would, in effect, be giving from what we do not have. (Read 2 Corinthians 8:12.) Additionally, we must maintain our own spirituality. (1 Cor. 9:26, 27) Be assured, though, that when we live up to Bible standards, our sacrifices bring much joy and satisfaction to us, and they are "especially acceptable" to Jehovah. |
I emboldened and underlined the differences. I suspect the PDF version is more recent than the printed edition due to lead times needed for printing. So, for some reason, they saw a need to rephrase or change the printed edition to the PDF version.
The changes are:
Original included question (removed in PDF):
- What could call that into question?
Original sentence:
- Assisting with Kingdom Halls, relief work, and other activities would not be "especially acceptable" if our giving causes us to neglect the spirituality or physical welfare of our family.
Becomes:
- The giving of our time and resources in behalf of others should not cause us to neglect the spirituality or physical welfare of our family.
Original phrase (removed in PDF):
- . . . so that we do not become disqualified somehow. [just before "(1 Cor. 9:26, 27)"]
The paragraph question remains exactly the same.
I wonder what led to that? Any thoughts? I wonder if they thought the first sentence might have caused some to back off of the activities specified after analysing their personal circumstances? The revised paragraph is a bit more 'bland.'
Take Care