Can Jehovah Witness work on Saturday? (do Jehovah’s Witnesses work on weekends?)

Last week, we had a discussion in our bible study on which days Jehovah’s Witnesses are prohibited from working. Some said that because they do door-to-door ministry every day, they are not prohibited from working any day.

Others said they are supposed to observe the Sabbath strictly and not to work on Saturdays.

Having studied Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs in bible school, I explained to them about this denomination’s stand on working on this day.

Based on that discussion, I felt I should share this knowledge with those wondering, “Can Jehovah’s Witnesses work on Saturday?”

Keep reading this article as I take you through the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ rules for working, their stand on witnessing door to door on Saturdays, observing the Sabbath day, and working on Sunday.

What are the rules for working among Jehovah’s Witnesses?

According to John 17:14–16, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they should remain in the description of Jesus’ followers and separate themselves from the world: “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.”

They avoid seeking public office work and remain neutral politically. They also don’t seek work in military industries or serve the armed services.

They are urged not to socialize with non-members because of the worldly dangers. They are therefore selective on who to socialize with at work.

They are only allowed to associate with the worldly when preaching to them and should observe high morals and WatchTower teaching while working with them.

They do not celebrate religious or national holidays such as Easter, Christmas, or New Year because they believe they are false religious beliefs. They are therefore allowed to work during these holidays.

Pioneers are usually committed to witness for 50 hours per month and can take part-time secular jobs. Special pioneers have full-time jobs but they also support pioneer efforts.

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses go door to door on Saturdays?

In Matthew 28:19- 20, it is mentioned that Jesus commanded His disciples to go and make disciples in all nations: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses do this every day of the week in obedience to this command.

According to Watch Tower publications, this is the primary work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Many people see them on Saturdays because they are at home and not working.

They have also set a special day for this activity on every first Saturday of the month.

Witnesses are also taught to do informal witnessing in shopping areas or public transport on any day of the week including Saturday.

They are told that the kingdom of God should come first and other recreation activities and celebrations that usually happen on Saturday are secondary.

Evangelizing is therefore important for them to attain salvation and it frees them from the guilt of being responsible for the ones who will go to hell at Armageddon without having heard God’s word.

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses observe Saturday as the Sabbath day?

It is mentioned in Exodus 20:8-10 that the Sabbath day is to be remembered and kept Holy and that the seventh day is the Sabbath.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they are not required to observe the Sabbath because they are under the law of Christ which doesn’t include keeping the Sabbath.

This denomination believes that the Sabbath law applies to the Israelites who were given the 10 commands by God through Moses as mentioned in Deuteronomy 5:2 and Ezekiel 20:10-12.

Furthermore, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ released the Jews from the law of Moses.

Jehovah’s Witnesses also believe it is a misconception for Christians to observe the Sabbath on Saturday because according to Romans 14:5, it is mentioned that everyone should make his own decision and do so to the Lord: “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.”

According to Sabbath – Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY the seventh day is not a 24-hour day and Christians should not be limited to this.

Instead, they should enjoy it daily by obeying the Bible’s counsel and exercising faith. They do not have a designated day of worship in the week, they worship God every day.

Can Jehovah’s Witnesses work on Sunday?

Yes, Jehovah’s Witnesses are allowed to work on Sundays because they do not observe the Sabbath. They only use this day for meetings with public talks and WatchTower study for convenience.

These meetings can also be held on Saturdays. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe working is necessary to provide food, shelter, and clothing for themselves and family.

However, they prioritize placing God first. Witnessing, prayer, meditation, and following Bible principles are among the things they do to build their relationship with God.