Keeping Kingdom Interests First

“Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and [God’s] righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.”—Matt. 6:33.

1. What is the general attitude toward God’s kingdom, and in what position do most men find themselves?

MOST people find little place in their lives for God’s kingdom under Christ. More particularly, those who shape the thinking of this world have no interest in that kingdom. Furthermore, they are determined to prevent as many others as possible from becoming interested. To keep men in subjection, those responsible for world affairs have obtained a strangle hold on man’s interests. The way of life they have arranged for him forces him into certain channels that he feels he must follow if he is to survive. As a result, and often as a defense measure, he becomes blinded to any other possibility and continues to follow the course laid out for him as the way of least resistance.

2. What course must men follow to remain free from demon-controlled thinking, and what assurance did Jesus give of the wisdom of that course?

² Over and above all these is the god of this world, whose main interest is to turn all peoples away from the Kingdom, which God now holds out as the way of salvation. If, therefore, anyone is to move in the same cycle of activity as this world without being sucked into the whirlpool of demon-controlled thinking, he must keep the interests of God’s kingdom foremost in his life. That is the course Jesus outlined for Christians when he said: “Stop being anxious about your souls as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear. Does not the soul mean more than food and the body than clothing? Observe intently the birds of heaven, because they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses; still 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 on the matter of clothing, why are you anxious? Take a lesson from the lilies of the field, how they are growing; they do not toil nor do they spin, but I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. If, now, God thus clothes the vegetation of the field which 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 put on?’ For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. For your heavenly Father knows 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.”—Matt. 6:25-33.

3. To whom did Jesus give this counsel, and on what does following it depend?

³ This commandment from Jehovah’s chief representative of his kingdom contains the promise that God will deliver from this world’s clutches and provide for the needs of all those who obey His law and put the interests of His government first in their lives. (Ps. 18:20; Prov. 13:13; Heb. 11:6) Jesus was not here speaking just to those who were already Jehovah’s servants. The words of this commandment are a part of his “sermon on the mount” and he was speaking down through the centuries to men of all nations who are seeking a better life in God’s way. For that reason all professed followers of Christ Jesus today would do well to consider these words seriously as measured against their own interests and position in this world. Jehovah’s ability to provide is beyond question, as Jesus here points out; so no one need feel any dependency on this world. The Christian’s course, then, becomes entirely a matter of faith and of his willingness to make his own interests secondary to those of God’s kingdom.

4. What relationship should exist between the Kingdom interests and one’s own personal interests?

⁴ Taking this view, every interest the Christian has becomes a Kingdom interest. As Paul put it: “Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah.” (Col. 3:23) Food is acquired not just for self-gratification, but that the Christian might be physically strengthened for his assigned work in the ministry. The Christian’s interest in secular employment will be only to the extent necessary to clothe and house himself and his family for his continued service to God. Business advancement will not be his main interest. Even his social activities will be strictly guarded and brought under complete control so that his thinking on Kingdom activity will be stimulated and properly directed. Devotion to Kingdom interests brings a life that is sustaining. Greed and selfishness bring many sorrows. As Paul admonishes: “To be sure, it is a means of great gain, this godly devotion along with self-sufficiency.”—1 Tim. 6:6.

5. How did Noah furnish an example of the proper balance of interests?

⁵ Proper balance becomes a matter of faith, and if we have faith like that of Noah we can live in the midst of a world whose God-given interests have been diverted to personal and selfish ends and we can still maintain our balance and our interests in our God-given responsibilities. Noah did. Noah was a married man and so were his sons. Yet his family interests, his need to provide food and drink for his family, did not interfere with his God-given assignment of building an ark. He kept his mind on his work and it prospered and Noah survived the end of a world. Because of his putting Kingdom interests first Noah is called a preacher of righteousness, and Paul says of him: “By faith Noah . . . condemned the world, and he became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (2 Pet. 2:5; Heb. 11:7) Not only was Noah an example to the world in which he lived, but the testimony of Christ Jesus marks him as an example to this present system of things. (Matt. 24:37-39) Those who put the interests of God’s kingdom first, therefore, need feel no fear of insecurity.

6. Why do Jehovah’s witnesses take the attitude they do toward governments of this world, yet how do some persons view their attitude?

⁶ Because Jehovah’s witnesses have made the interests of God’s kingdom first in their lives, some uninformed persons view with suspicion their relationship and attitude toward the governments of this world. If these nations were self-sufficient and able to provide the needs of the people, then God’s kingdom would not be necessary. Yet Jesus taught his followers to pray for God’s kingdom to come so that God’s will might be done upon earth. (Matt. 6:10) Certainly Christians cannot be condemned for relying upon and working toward the hope expressed in this prayer. Those looking to the governments of this world would do well to ask themselves, If Jesus were here today, which nation’s flag would he salute? Which country would he fight for? Which political party would he vote for? There is no point in the argument that it is different with Jesus Christ. Jesus himself said: “A pupil is not above his teacher, but everyone that is perfectly instructed will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40) The sincere follower of Jesus Christ will be interested in His view of matters and endeavor to take exactly the course that Jesus himself would take. Many professed Christians would not bow before or salute a picture of Christ Jesus as representing God’s government. To them it would be an act of idolatry. Yet they will perform similar acts before an emblem of a nation of this world. For those who put the interests of God’s kingdom first all of such acts are inconsistent with the Lord’s prayer and with the principles of God’s Word and mean a subverting of God’s interests to another sovereign. This the Christian cannot do in true conscience to God’s kingdom.

7. Why are Jehovah’s witnesses no security risk to any nation in keeping first the interests of God’s kingdom?

⁷ Such exclusive devotion to God and the interests of his kingdom does not constitute a security risk to any nation. Jesus Christ was not subversive though he was so accused by his religious opposers. (Luke 23:2) He refused to become politically active in this world’s affairs because, as he said: “No one can be a slave to two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other.” (Matt. 6:24) It is because of such admonition by Jesus that Jehovah’s witnesses have refused to mix these interests in government. But this does not make them subversive. The refusal of Jehovah’s witnesses in the past to fulfill such patriotic duties as voting, saluting a flag or participation in the armed forces, is an insurance to every country that Jehovah’s witnesses will not endanger the security of that nation, because they have been refraining from the same activities in all other countries at the same time. Hence the threat of aggression on the part of any nation will not be the responsibility of Jehovah’s witnesses. It is not Jehovah’s witnesses who pose the serious problem to a nation. Their stand of neutrality worldwide is a pledge of noninterference, of nonaggression more binding and dependable than all the treaties that could be signed by such “enemy” states, because it is based on exclusive devotion to God and to the interests of his kingdom. These bonds cannot be broken with impunity.

8. In what way are the false religions of this world different in their responsibility for the security of the nations?

⁸ Those religions that are the most reprehensible are those that meddle in the politics of all nations and therefore help shape the thinking of those nations, even those opposing each other. Yet these are the most prominent religions, the ones most honored among men. Of course, they disclaim any responsibility if a country becomes an aggressor and they try to wash their hands clean. But the blood of the young men who follow them as “spiritual guides” rises up to heaven from both sides of the battle line, “Christian” brother killing “Christian” brother. (Isa. 1:15) Failure on the part of such “accepted” religions to keep the interests of God’s kingdom first has kept the earth bathed in innocent blood. Progressive, practical-minded persons will give such matters serious consideration before condemning Jehovah’s witnesses for putting the interests of God’s government above those of every nation of the earth.

9. What reason do some persons give for not listening to the Kingdom message, yet how do Jehovah’s witnesses regard such reasons?

⁹ Many persons unacquainted with the purpose and work of Jehovah’s witnesses believe that their own membership in some religious denomination is valid reason for refusing to consider the message of God’s kingdom as presented by Jehovah’s witnesses. When anyone says to the Witnesses that he is a member of some church organization, they always assume that that church member is sincere in his belief. Nevertheless, since the Witness is dedicated to keep the interests of God’s kingdom first, he will encourage that person to consider the scriptures he has for his attention.

10. How were Jesus and John the Baptist viewed by many Jews, and what did these Jews lose out on as a result?

¹⁰ Jesus set the example in his day. Himself a Jew, he spent the three and a half years of his ministry preaching the good news of God’s kingdom to the Jews. To them this was a new doctrine. To them it was a change from the Law God had given them through Moses. To many Jews Jesus Christ and those who followed him were apostates and therefore to be shunned or put to death. But to those who refused to be turned aside by such bitterness, who listened and weighed his words carefully in the light of the Law of Moses and the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures, he established himself as truly God’s representative and the one authorized to bear God’s message to them. Even John the Baptist, Jesus’ forerunner, who was not calling on the Jews to accept a new covenant, as Jesus did later, was rejected by the religious Pharisees and Sadducees because he called for honest-hearted Jews to forsake the traditions and practices that had been built up over the centuries by the religious leaders. Those too blind or engrossed in their own interests even to hear him lost the opportunity that had been uppermost as a hope for the Jewish nation since the days of Moses, that of meeting the Messiah on his arrival.

11. On the basis of what arguments might these Jews have felt justified in their course, yet how did Jesus demonstrate their lack of appreciation?

¹¹ Some of the Jews no doubt felt justified in such a course. Was not their nation established on God’s own Law through Moses? Was not the very position occupied by their leaders ordained of God? Yet when Jesus presented himself as the long-looked-for Messiah he did not turn to these men who claimed to sit in Moses’ seat. He could not make Kingdom heirs out of those whose interests were opposed to God’s government. Instead, he gathered to himself fishermen, despised tax collectors and others of low reputation among the people. By this choice of his apostles he demonstrated that acceptance by God is an individual matter based upon faith and upon works consistent with that faith, not upon position or upon a false “pedigree” of religious ancestors.

12. (a) Why did the Jews have no excuse for not accepting Jesus as the Messiah, and how is their responsibility viewed by Christians today? (b) What questions should all professing Christians ask themselves today, and what are they in danger of losing out on?

¹² But God did not overlook or excuse the Jews’ refusal to investigate the works of his Messiah. Jesus had urged them: “If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me. But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, in order that you may grasp the fact and may continue knowing that the Father is in union with me and I am in union with the Father.” (John 10:37, 38) Today all Christians claim to recognize the value of the work Jesus did among the Jews. That is because today we have the advantage in perspective of centuries of time. But we might well ask ourselves, If we had lived in Jesus’ day would our decision have been as simple? The answer to that question might be found in our attitude today toward the interests of God’s kingdom. Can we truly say we are being honest with God, or with ourselves? Are we allowing ourselves to be blinded or turned aside by men whose divided interests disqualify them as spiritual advisers in the exclusive worship of God and devotion to his kingdom interests? If we are, then we are certain to lose the opportunity that has been uppermost as a hope for the Christian congregation since Jesus’ first advent, that of welcoming him on his return and entering into the blessings of his kingdom rule.

13. How did Paul and Peter warn of the danger of losing out on this Christian hope?

¹³ Paul warned against the man “that 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.” (Col. 2:8) Such are like those Peter spoke of when he said: “For you know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires and saying: ‘Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.’” (2 Pet. 3:3, 4; Ezek. 13:8, 16) These completely discount the Kingdom message and refuse to give heed to all the evidences pointing to Christ’s presence and continue ensnared to this system of things.

14. What other view stumbles some as to Christ’s presence, and on the basis of what misunderstanding do they take this position?

¹⁴ Others are stumbled by the view that Christ is not present now but will shortly come. They base their position on the evidence Jesus gave in pointing to his return, recognizing these conditions as being here now. However, such persons fail to realize that these evidences were given by Jesus to testify to the fact that he would already have returned, not that his return would follow such evidences. The disciples asked him: “What will be the sign of your presence and of the consummation of the system of things?” (Matt. 24:3) The fact that Christ cannot now be seen does not argue against his actual presence along with these evidences. For if he had intended to be visibly recognized by men at his return, why would he have needed a sign?

15. (a) How can Revelation 1:7 and John 14:19 be harmonized? (b) How do 1 Timothy 6:14-16 and Hebrews 1:3 shed light on Christ’s return?

¹⁵ Some who argue for a visible return quote Revelation 1:7, which says: “Look! he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.” (Rev. 1:7) Yet Jesus clearly stated before his death: “A little longer and the world will behold me no more.” (John 14:19) This being true, it becomes clear that the statement in Revelation speaks of seeing him with the eye of understanding. Otherwise, the words of Paul at 1 Timothy 6:14-16 would be meaningless when he speaks of Christ Jesus and describes him as the one “who dwells in unapproachable light, whom not one of men has seen or can see.” That it is possible for Christ to visit mankind and still be unseen is clear from the record of Israel where it clearly states in many instances that God visited the nation, yet was unseen. (Gen. 50:24; Ruth 1:6) All students of the Bible will readily admit that no man can see God and live; yet Paul, when writing to the Hebrews, said of Jesus: “He is the reflection of his [that is, God’s] glory and the exact representation of his very being.” (Heb. 1:3) God’s Son thus being transformed into this express likeness of God at his resurrection, it is clear why this “world will behold” him “no more.” Such an inaccurate view of Christ’s return, therefore, should not be allowed to blind one to the truths of God’s Word and of his kingdom. Personal or private views that interfere with the clear vision of God’s kingdom must be set aside in order to gain salvation.

16. What appeal do Jehovah’s witnesses make to all lovers of righteousness?

¹⁶ Jehovah’s witnesses appeal to sincere lovers of righteousness regardless of their religious background to consider the facts now available that point to this generation as the time for Christ’s return and for the fulfillment of God’s promises to mankind. (Matt. 24:1-51) Consider, for instance, the Lord’s model prayer. Jesus pointed in the direction of the divine will when he taught us to pray: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will come to pass, as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matt. 6:10) Is God’s will being done on earth today, filled as this world is with the oppression of communism, hot and cold wars, delinquency on all social levels, and disease ravaging the peoples of all nations? Let sincere persons turn to 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and read these same conditions foretold by God as a warning to us to turn aside from this world and look away from it for the fulfilling of the divine will. Turning aside from empty promises of men, let such sincere persons lift up their hearts in response to God’s promise of a new earth as pointed out to them from the Bible by Jehovah’s witnesses. Let such read from their own Bibles God’s assurance that righteousness will prevail throughout all the earth, that man will live in peace and prosperity without fear for all time to come.—2 Pet. 3:13; Isa. 66:22; Ps. 78:69; Rev. 21:1-4.

17. How should the issue confronting the world today be met?

¹⁷ Now let such sincere members of the world’s religions ask themselves, Is this not a worth-while hope? Is it not a worth-while effort to consider such promises of God? Would it not be short-sighted to ignore such hope of blessings and the organization that points the way to realization of these hopes? Truly can it be said that God’s sheep have been scattered and are ravished by this world and, as Jesus’ heart turned to them in pity, so today the Great Shepherd, Jehovah God, through his shepherd Son Jesus Christ, turns the attention of his witnesses to all corners of the world to proclaim the truth that will set them free. (John 8:32) How foolish is the irresponsible attitude of some who say: “I’ll do the best I can now and take my chances when the time comes”! This is the course of least resistance, and all who follow it are certain to fall into the snare set by the god of this world. The issue that confronts the world today must be met with positive action on the part of all those who sincerely desire to keep God’s kingdom interests first in their lives.

Resisting Entanglement with This World’s Interests

1. What three obstacles are there to friendship with God?

KEEPING Kingdom interests first requires not just positive acts of obedience. It requires also restraint from wrongdoing. It is clear from God’s Word that friendship with the world is enmity with God. “Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.” (Jas. 4:4) This means that the Christian who is interested in doing the divine will must learn to recognize the three main obstacles to friendship with God and avoid them. These are Satan the Devil and his demons, man’s own imperfection of flesh and the world of which Satan is the god.—2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 6:12; Matt. 26:41.

2. How did Jesus resist the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life?

² Jesus himself recognized that “everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world.” (1 John 2:16) His example in resisting these temptations is a model for us to follow. After spending forty days and nights in the wilderness in the study of God’s Word he was tempted by Satan to satisfy the desire of the flesh by performing a miracle in his own behalf, turning the stones in the wilderness to bread that he might eat. Jesus rebuffed Satan by turning to God’s Word, from which he emphasized the superior quality of spiritual food above that food for the flesh. He was next tempted to make a spectacle of himself, thus yielding to the desire of the eyes, by hurling himself from the battlement of the temple. To Satan’s subtle twisting of the Scriptures in suggesting that God’s power would protect him he replied: “You must not put Jehovah your God to the test.” Finally Jesus was offered great power and position as ruler of this world’s governments in return for an act of worship to Satan. But he refused to become entangled and said: “It is written, ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”—Matt. 4:1-11.

3. What counsel is given in James 4:7, and how are barriers to be overcome?

³ Just as Satan withdrew temporarily from Jesus because of his faithful stand, so it is true of us. “Subject yourselves, therefore, to God; but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you.” (Jas. 4:7) Most persons have problems that are very serious to them, and the only way many know to solve them is by getting even more deeply entangled in this world’s interests. If these barriers are to be overcome and an interest in the only real hope for mankind is to replace them, then the strangle hold that this world has on man’s interests must be loosened.

4. What was Martha’s complaint to Jesus, and what were the circumstances that prompted it?

⁴ This experience of Jesus and the counsel he gave illustrates how subtly even ordinary duties of life can encroach on opportunities for spiritual advancement and entangle us in unnecessary details. “Now as they were journeying he entered into a certain village. Here a certain woman named Martha received him as guest into the house. This woman also had a sister called Mary, who, however, sat down at the feet of the Master and kept listening to his word. Martha, on the other hand, was distracted with attending to many duties. So, she came near and said: ‘Master, does it not matter to you that my sister has left me alone to attend to things? Tell her, therefore, to join in helping me.’ In answer the Master said to her: ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and disturbed about many things. A few things, though, are needed, or just one. For her part, Mary chose the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.’”—Luke 10:38-42.

5. (a) In what regard did Martha show lack of appreciation, and in what way did Mary choose the better portion? (b) How can Mary’s example be followed today?

⁵ According to the custom then, and even now in many homes, Martha’s hospitality prompted her to prepare a very elaborate meal for her distinguished guest and to see to many other details designed to make his stay in her home more enjoyable and more comfortable. The result was, though, that because of her earnest attention to all these details she was losing out personally on the benefits to be derived from Jesus’ visit. Jesus did not scold her for her hospitality. Neither was he telling Martha that she too should sit idle and do nothing at all to provide for their physical needs. Notice he did say: “A few things, though, are needed, or just one.” His admonition to Martha was that, since this was her home and she had a guest, it was proper for her to prepare something for him and for her household to eat, but elaborate preparations were unnecessary on this occasion. Therefore Mary had chosen the better portion because she realized the value to be gained by Jesus’ presence. Had Martha had this same appreciation she would have been content with preparing just those things essential, leaving unnecessary details for another occasion when she would not have this opportunity of hearing the words of Jesus. Mary’s position in seeking Kingdom information is the example that people in this spiritually starved world would do well to follow. When a caller comes to the home with nourishing spiritual information, those of that household would do well to set aside, momentarily at least, those nonessential matters that can be done on another occasion and avail themselves of all the advantages to be had in the visit of this one representing God’s theocratic government.

6. What selfish interests should be avoided in the practice of religion, how did Jesus warn of such, and when are personal interests proper?

⁶ Failing to do so, one might become like seed sown among thorns. “This is the one hearing the word, but the anxiety of this system of things and the deceptive power of wealth choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” (Matt. 13:22) On the other hand, Christians should not practice their religion simply for personal gain. Some who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ will join a particular church because of certain advantages to be gained. Others believe they can use their religion to gain power with God or for other personal advancements. Such an interest in religion is a selfish one and should be avoided, just as Jesus warned those whom he had miraculously fed with loaves and fishes when they came looking for him the next day. “Most truly I say to you, You are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate from the loaves and were satisfied. Work, not for the food that perishes, but for the food that remains for life everlasting, which the Son of man will give you, for upon this one the Father, even God, has put his seal of approval.” (John 6:26, 27) Personal interests are necessary and proper only when controlled and directed to advance the interests of God’s kingdom.

7. How can an improperly directed interest in health cause serious harm, and into what situation can it lead the unwary?

⁷ A personal interest in health that is improperly directed can kill one’s desire for true spiritual healing. If that interest so controls the thinking that one seeks it to the exclusion of truth from God’s Word, then it does far more injury to the individual than his physical ailment. Because of this desire for health many persons today fail to heed Jesus’ warning concerning those who make great claims of miraculous powers. “Many will say to me in that day: ‘Master, Master, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew you at all. Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matt. 7:22, 23) These words should give grounds for serious doubt about so-called faith healers and should cause the honest seeker of health to weigh his own personal interest in such claims against the truth of God’s Word before he becomes hopelessly entangled in this subtle and deceptive “desire of the flesh.”

8. How was the miraculous gift of healing used in Bible times, and in what way does this expose so-called faith healers in modern times?

⁸ A careful examination of God’s Word reveals that acts of healing in former times were not performed on those already in the congregation. Although the apostle Paul possessed the gift of healing he told Timothy: “Do not drink water any longer, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent cases of sickness.” (1 Tim. 5:23) He did not perform an act of healing in his case. In another letter to Timothy he said: “I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.” (2 Tim. 4:20) Here again was his testimony that he had not performed a miraculous cure. Nor was this the case just in the Christian congregation. As evidence that such healings were performed as a sign to outsiders even before his day, note the following words of Jesus: “There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the man of Syria was.” (Luke 4:27) Furthermore, contrary to the general practice among “healers” today, Christians were admonished to take no money for the exercise of their miraculous gifts. Jesus told his disciples as he sent them out: “Cure sick people, raise up dead persons, make lepers clean, expel demons. You received free, give free.”—Matt. 10:8. See also the account at 2 Kings 5:15-27.

9. What did Paul reveal about miraculous gifts of the spirit, and what balanced view should the Christian take in the matter of health?

⁹ Having accomplished their purpose of demonstrating God’s power on his representative, Jesus, and on his disciples as the first members of the Christian congregation, these miraculous gifts were no longer needed and were withdrawn. Paul then speaks of this when he says: “Love never fails. But whether there are gifts of prophesying, they will be done away with; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will be done away with.” (1 Cor. 13:8) The greatest gift of the spirit today is the gift of preaching, which God has seen fit to extend to all sincere persons regardless of age, nationality, race or station in life. (Acts 2:17, 18) From this it can be seen that even such personal interests as health or physical training must be secondary to the Kingdom interests. Exercise and normal care of oneself are important, but as Paul points out: “Bodily training is beneficial for a little, but godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and that which is to come.” (1 Tim. 4:8) This requires a balanced view on the part of the Christian, not neglecting himself, yet certainly not neglecting the responsibilities attached to his Christian ministry because of that personal interest.

10. What immature view do some persons take of the work of Jehovah’s witnesses, and what sometimes prompts such a position?

¹⁰ A wrong balance of interests throws one’s view out of focus. “The lamp of the body is your eye. When your eye is sincere, your whole body is also bright; but when it is bad, your body is also dark. Be alert, therefore. Perhaps the light that is in you is darkness.” (Luke 11:34, 35) Some persons look at the work Jehovah’s witnesses are doing and for fear of bodily harm or criticism they conclude that they could not do that work themselves. Such “desire of the eyes” leads them directly into the entangling snare of the god of this world. (Prov. 29:25; Matt. 10:28) This emphasizes the need for maturity of knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. It means one’s faith must be strengthened through a regular spiritual diet. Someone without that faith might convince himself that there are more personal advantages to him in not submitting to baptism than in adhering strictly to God’s will and being immersed in water. Such a person might believe that he could not be one of Jehovah’s witnesses because he does not have faith enough to do this. He may fail to realize that faith is built on knowledge and he has made no effort to acquire such knowledge as to the meaning and reason for baptism. The foundation of knowledge must first be laid, and then in one’s exercising that knowledge faith will result.

11. Why is knowledge a necessary foundation in resisting the entanglements of this world?

¹¹ The same is true of having a share in the witness work. Some persons will not resist the entanglements of this world even sufficiently to acquire the knowledge that must come as a necessary foundation. With such knowledge of God’s Word comes faith and with faith comes the ability and the desire to preach. “For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation. For the Scripture says: ‘None that rests his faith on him will be disappointed.’ . . . For ‘anyone that calls upon the name of Jehovah will be saved’. However, how will they call upon him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent forth?” (Rom. 10:10-15) Strengthened by his newborn faith, such one will realize that his preaching has a twofold saving quality, as pointed out by Paul: “Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.”—1 Tim. 4:16.

12. What service are Jehovah’s witnesses responsible to render to persons of good will, and in what attitude of mind must this service be performed?

¹² It is to enable sincere persons to gain a proper balance of interests and to put all aside for the Kingdom that Jehovah God sends his witnesses to the ends of the earth. Through Isaiah the prophet centuries ago he commands them: “Pass out, pass out through the gates, you men. Clear the way of the people. Bank up, bank up the highway. Rid it of stones. Raise up a signal for the peoples.” (Isa. 62:10) Our setting aside these stones of stumbling that are in the way of persons sincerely interested in God’s service is not done to cause injury to such persons or to ridicule their beliefs. In order to recognize these stones that are in the way, the Kingdom minister must have an accurate knowledge of God’s Word; and if he is to clear them out, he must have confidence in his position and must be tactful and poised as he goes about his work. The minister takes the position that his hearer has an honest desire for better things and a sincere love of righteousness. He will therefore appeal to his reason rather than attempt to frighten him. In this way he will not lose his spirit if the person he addresses does not immediately appreciate the real purpose in his call. It is not the purpose or intention of Jehovah’s witnesses just to win an argument. Their interest is to demonstrate the sincere love that God has for his sheep. Their aim is to present the truth from God’s Word in such a way that their hearers will accept it or at least be prompted to a further consideration of the heartcheering good news of the Kingdom. This will give them a real vision of that kingdom and how important it is to serve its interests. This will help persons of good will to be drawn to the New World society of Jehovah’s witnesses in order to learn more of the life-giving hope of God’s new world, thereby equipping them to keep Kingdom interests first.

13. What model course did Jesus set, and how do Jehovah’s witnesses follow it?

¹³ That is the course Jesus Christ set as our model to follow. Paul quotes him as saying: “Look! I am come (in the roll of the book it is written about me) to do your will, O God.” (Heb. 10:7) Throughout his whole ministry Jesus made his own interests God’s interests. Fully dedicated to his Father and baptized in water in symbol of it, he set the pattern for all who would keep the Kingdom interests first. A complete dedication to God followed by water baptism is a necessary beginning to their doing the divine will. As Jesus preached, they preach in fulfillment of Jesus’ words: “And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations, and then the accomplished end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) Nor will they be turned aside by objections, ridicule or persecution. They will persist in their preaching until the end comes.

14. Why do Jehovah’s witnesses continue to call at many homes, and how long is the work to continue?

¹⁴ As they increase in number and their calls become more frequent at the homes of the people they will continue to call because they realize it means life to their hearers to recognize and accept God’s kingdom as their hope. They realize that everyone must be given an opportunity to hear and accept that good news. They realize, too, that not all in the same household feel alike about their visits. Whereas one might object and forbid the Witnesses to return, another in that same household might welcome a return visit. On this chance Jehovah’s witnesses persist in their labor of love for those who truly are God’s sheep. All the sheep must be found and it will not be done simply by calling once or twice. The persistency of God’s searching methods is written in Jeremiah’s prophecy. “‘Here I am sending for many fishers,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘and they will certainly fish for them; and afterward I shall send for many hunters, and they will certainly hunt for them from upon every mountain and from upon every hill and out of the cleft of the crags.’” (Jer. 16:16) That the work must continue until all the sheep are out of this old world is clearly seen in the answer to a question by Isaiah centuries ago. “I said: ‘How long, O Jehovah?’ Then he said: ‘Until the cities actually crash in ruins to be without an inhabitant, and the houses be without earthling man, and the ground itself is ruined into a desolation; and Jehovah actually removes earthling men far away, and the deserted condition does become very extensive in the midst of the land.’”—Isa. 6:11, 12.

15. How is one certain to become entangled with this world’s interests, and how can it be avoided?

¹⁵ Those that incline at all to the thinking, the practices, the ideals of this present world are certain to become engulfed by the anxieties and cares of this world and will lose their standing with God and any ability they may have to help those that sorely need help. No one should permit himself to be deluded or stampeded into the fatalistic view of this world that men can or will survive only by their own efforts, that unless men work out the solution to these problems there will be no solution at all. The truth of God’s Word speaks plainly that this is a time of trial by fire and every man’s works will be made manifest by the searching tests of this time of the end. Only by maintaining strict balance and keeping Kingdom interests first can the Christian resist entanglement with this world’s interests and stand as a real bulwark against the rising tide of godless materialism that is now flooding the earth.

16. In what additional way can efficiency in preaching be gained, and what view must always be maintained?

¹⁶ If the Christian is to be convincing in the words that he speaks, then he must live according to the expression of his belief. He must constantly apply in his life those principles learned from God’s Word and then continually seek to expand that knowledge. He should try to make each day count for theocratic advancement, not leaving necessary work undone, not overlooking any opportunity to break down the wall of misunderstanding that the god of this system of things has built up around Jehovah’s purposes. If he keeps Kingdom interests first he will not walk carelessly, just putting in time in his field ministry because he feels an obligation to do so. He will realize that the complete end of this system is near and those who remain in it will perish. He will recognize that diligent effort and improved efficiency will be required to finish the job of warning persons of good will to come free of the entanglements of this world and flee to the place of refuge Jehovah has lovingly provided. Doing so, he will insure his own place in that righteous new world and he will have the unspeakable privilege and joy of being used by Jehovah to magnify his name and to hold out the only proper example to be followed by persons of good will, that of keeping the interests of Jehovah God’s kingdom first in their lives.

“Perfect Accuracy”

A. Rendle Short writes in Modern Discovery and the Bible about the book of Acts: “It was the Roman custom to govern the provinces of their far-flung empire by continuing as far as they safely could the local system of administration, and consequently the authorities in different districts went by many different names. No one, unless he were either an observant traveller or a painstaking student of records, could possibly give all these gentry their correct denomination. It is one of the most searching tests of Luke’s historical sense that he always manages to achieve perfect accuracy. In several cases it is only the evidence of a coin, or an inscription, that has given us the necessary information to check him; the recognized Roman historians do not adventure themselves on such a difficult terrain. Thus Luke calls Herod and Lysanias tetrarchs; so does Josephus. Herod Agrippa, who slew James with the sword and cast Peter into prison, is called a king; Josephus tells us how he became friendly at Rome with Gaius Caesar (Caligula) and was rewarded with a royal title when Caligula came to be emperor.

“The governor of Cyprus, Sergius Paulus, is called proconsul. . . . Not long before, Cyprus had been an imperial province, and governed by a propraetor or legatus, but in Paul’s time, as is shown by Cyprian coins, both in Greek and Latin, the correct title was proconsul. A Greek inscription found at Soloi on the north coast of Cyprus is dated ‘in the proconsulship of Paulus,’ probably the same as Sergius Paulus. . . . At Thessalonica the city magnates took the quite unusual title of politarchs, a name unknown to classical literature. It would be quite unfamiliar to us, except from Luke’s use of it, if it were not for the fact that it appears in inscriptions. . . . Achaia under Augustus was a senatorial province, under Tiberius it was directly under the emperor, but under Claudius, as Tacitus tells us, it reverted to the senate, and therefore Gallio’s correct title [Acts 18:12] was proconsul. . . . Luke is equally happy, equally accurate, in his geography and his travel experiences.”