The Watchtower, August 1, 1982

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The Watchtower — August 1, 1982

Source: jw.org

Contents

What Older People Are Doing

Too Old to Learn?—“Never!”

Work That Refreshes

Sidelights on Dunwoody Kingdom Hall

God’s Gift of Work for His Servants

“Keep Working Out Your Own Salvation”

Her Faith Was Unshakable

Insight on the News

Kingdom Preaching in Parts of Panama

Smile for a Stranger

Moneylending and Christian Love

Questions From Readers

First Place

What Older People Are Doing

What Older People Are Doing

THE athlete eyed his goal and started to run. He sprinted fifty-five feet, dug his glass-fiber pole into the ground and soared gracefully over a crossbar, nine and a quarter feet above the ground. The event? A track meet for junior high schools? No. The athlete was seventy years old, and this was a meet, reported in The Wall Street Journal, for 600 similarly aged athletes. At the same event, a seventy-seven-year-old ran the 100 meters in 15.7 seconds, and a seventy-year-old hurled a special discus to a distance of ninety feet.

Does it surprise you to hear of seventy-year-olds who are still competing in athletics? True, they cannot match what they used to do when in their twenties. But the fact that some can still throw a discus, sprint 100 meters and successfully pole-vault shows something important. It indicates that elderly people should not be “written off” as useless just because they have lived for a certain number of years. Unless some disease intervenes, older people have a lot more physical potential than they are usually given credit for.

Is this also true with regard to their mental and intellectual capacity? That is, can old people learn new things and adopt new life-styles? Sometimes the elderly themselves play down their potential in this field. They may shrink from the challenge of something new and say, ‘I’m too old to learn,’ or ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.’ But is this necessarily so? At what age does the ability to learn fade away?

Growing and Learning

It is interesting to reflect that the person who protests, ‘I am too old to learn,’ was once a young, bright-eyed child full of curiosity. In the vocabulary of the majority of little boys and girls, the most used words are ‘Why?’ ‘Where?’ ‘When?’ ‘How?’ ‘Who?’ There is no question about their desire to learn.

Sometimes parents wish this desire was a little less intense and that their children would stop asking questions for a while. Yet the Bible takes note of the importance of what a child learns at this stage when it says: “Train up a boy according to the way for him; even when he grows old he will not turn aside from it.”​—Proverbs 22:6.

Soon the child attends school, and for a number of years his major project each day is taking in new knowledge about different subjects. His natural desire to learn is handled to some degree by his teachers. He learns new concepts, new skills, and the world gradually opens up for him.

All too quickly school years are over, and a young adult steps out into the world. He now has to learn how to deal with grown-up people and acquire skills for making a living. In most cases he ends up in a regular job, and here the learning process starts to slow down. Most young adults get married, have children, are burdened with pressures and responsibilities, and they gradually cease to enrich their lives with new learning.

When the family grows up, the parents find that now they have time for themselves again. But, in many cases, the pattern of not learning has been established. They are not as inclined as they were when young to start investigating new things, or to ask questions. In Japan some speak of being born in another era. A man may say, ‘I was born in the Meiji era.’ That was the political era that ended in 1912. Hence, having reached an age of at least seventy, he feels his learning days are over and he could never pick up new thoughts in this modern, incomprehensible age.

But does that have to be the case? True, as a person ages his physical body changes. His joints may get stiffer, his muscles less pliable, his eyesight a little weaker and his hearing a little less acute. But unless he gets sick, this causes only a slowing down, not a stopping of all activities. The fact that a group of over-seventies could hold an athletic meet proves that. Is the same thing true for the mind? Or is it true that a person can be too old to learn?

Too Old to Learn?—“Never!”

Too Old to Learn?​—“Never!”

IS IT possible to be too old to learn? Well, consider just a few of the things elderly people have achieved. At ninety-two years of age composer Irving Berlin was still writing music and pianist Arthur Rubinstein was still giving performances at ninety-four. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, at the age of ninety-two, took up the study of Greek. At the age of eighty, Moses embarked on a new career as national leader and public speaker. (Exodus 7:7) And the apostle John must have been in his nineties when he was used to write his well-known Gospel and the book of Revelation.

No, age does not have to limit the mind’s activity. There are some diseases that can slow down the thinking processes of the elderly. The main one of these is Alzheimer’s disease, sometimes called senility, that causes physical deterioration in the brain. Some other diseases show similar symptoms. But the vast majority of older people do not suffer from such diseases. For these, one researcher said, “Creativity is ageless.”

In tests at Cambridge University, England, the performances of some old people were as good as those of the young students. Dr. Weinberg, a psychiatrist and recognized authority on aging, reports that, unless some disease intervenes, a person’s mind retains vigor and learning ability into a fine old age​—particularly if older people keep physically active and mix with people who care for them. “The future for the elderly is bright,” says seventy-year-old Dr. Weinberg, “as long as they maintain their curiosity and their desire to learn and to grow.”

For some, this has certainly been so. In fact, Dr. Weinberg’s statement has been proved true doubtless in a more remarkable way than even he anticipated.

Time to Change Course

Consider, for example, Alice Okon in Nigeria. Her son was a practicing Christian, and he encouraged his mother to read the Bible and learn of the hope it offers. Eventually, she consented to study the Bible, was built up in faith and, at the age of eighty, was baptized in water to show her determination to use the rest of her life serving God.

She strongly believes the statement: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) And because she now exercises that faith, she looks forward confidently to the eternal life that God promised. At eighty years of age, she certainly was not too old to learn.

To Make Decisions

Old people can make tough decisions and live with the results of them. Seventy-nine-year-old Paul Iryang Atua, who also lives in Nigeria, had a difficult decision to make. All his life he had been seeking a religion that taught Bible truth. Eventually, Christian witnesses of Jehovah called on him, and he knew that he had found what he was looking for. However, others were not pleased with his decision.

A minister from a religion with which Paul had previously associated visited him. When he saw a Bible on the table in Paul’s house, he seized it, called it a false religious book and ripped it to pieces. Paul now had to deal with this irate man and calm him down, while trying to defend some of the Bible truths that he had learned.

The minister was not satisfied. He angrily left and tried to stir up persecution against Paul. Moreover, Paul’s fellow villagers wanted to appoint him a village chief to distract him from his newfound faith. Paul rejected their offer, realizing their motive.

Then Paul had to take an even more difficult step. The Bible tells us that a Christian, to be pleasing to God, must be “a husband of one wife.” (1 Timothy 3:2) So Paul had to make arrangements, in harmony with Christian principles, to become a monogamist. This he did. His marriage was legalized, and, finally, he could be baptized.

Remember, Paul was seventy-nine years old when he made these major adjustments in his life. He says: “Even though all these changes have taken place in my old age, I am thankful to Jehovah that he has provided the opportunity to use my last days in his service.” Paul, too, now has a much brighter view of the future than he used to have. Too old to learn? Not seventy-nine-year-old Paul Iryang Atua!

In Spite of Illness

Elderly people sometimes have health problems, but this does not have to prevent them from being curious about things and wanting to learn. A full-time evangelist named Michiyo Fujimi found this to be true. Michiyo was visiting people in the northern part of Honshu Island, Japan, when she met elderly Mr. Kato.

Mr. Kato attracted Michiyo’s attention when he said: “The God of Christianity wants people to have life, not death. Is that not so?” It was an intriguing observation. However, a discussion was very difficult because the old man was almost totally deaf. He was interested in reading, however, and Michiyo left Bible magazines with him. She tried to help him to study the Bible, but he did not seem to understand the arrangement. So for three years, she regularly took Bible magazines for him to read. She learned to answer any questions he had by means of pencil and paper.

A few months ago Mr. Kato​—now ninety years old—​indicated that he had some things he wanted to discuss. He had gained a deep knowledge of the Bible from his reading. A magazine article had directed him to get in touch with Jehovah’s Witnesses, since they could help him to learn how to do God’s will. He asked: “How do I get in touch with Jehovah’s Witnesses?”

Michiyo raised her index finger to her nose​—a Japanese gesture meaning “I am the one.” Yes, she was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The old man was delighted and wanted to know where the Kingdom Hall was. He had learned about that, too, from his reading. Now, in spite of his deafness, this elderly man is studying the Bible using the pencil-and-paper method of communication. He is getting a clear understanding of Bible truths and is associating with fellow Christians. Is Mr. Kato, at ninety, too old to learn? Certainly not!

And neither is Mrs. Takahashi. Compared with Mr. Kato, she may appear young​—she is “only” seventy-three years old! But she has a problem. Forty-three years ago she went blind, and she never had the opportunity to learn Braille. Yet when she was contacted by Jehovah’s Witnesses, she indicated that she wanted to learn about the Bible, so two evangelists studied it with her. Because of her blindness she had to memorize what she learned; hence, at seventy-three years of age, Mrs. Takahashi started to memorize parts of the Bible.

Now, she regularly attends religious meetings in spite of her affliction and age. And, although she is liable to suffer from travel sickness, she has traveled 600 kilometers (370 mi.) in order to attend a religious convention. Last year she was baptized. Too old to learn? Mrs. Takahashi did not think so!

Why They Say “No!”

Yes, as Dr. Weinberg said: “The future for the elderly is bright as long as they maintain their curiosity and their desire to learn and to grow.” For those who in their old age develop a curiosity about God and his purposes, and a desire to learn about him and to grow in faith, the future is very bright.

They realize that their life up to now​—whether seventy, eighty or ninety years or more—​has been a gift from God. They also realize that, even though they are old and experienced, there are still things they can learn. In fact, by God’s reckoning, they are not really so old. The Bible says: “One day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8) By this calculation, an eighty-year-old man has lived for only about two hours! Hence, even an old person can learn from the wisdom of God, who lives “from time indefinite to time indefinite.”​—Psalm 90:2.

Moreover, God offers to all, young and old, the prospect of living as long into the future as he does. Jesus Christ said: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3) Is it possible to be too old to respond to this offer from God? Around the world, elderly men and women are answering: “Never!”

[Picture on page 5]

In tests at Cambridge University, England, the performances of some old people were as good as those of the young students

[Picture on page 6]

At ninety years of age Iwaji Kato, although almost totally deaf, was not too old to learn the true religion

[Picture on page 7]

Tei Takahashi, seventy-three years old and blind, shares with others what she has learned

Work That Refreshes

Work That Refreshes

THE sign on the jobsite in the Atlanta, Georgia, suburb of Dunwoody announced the Kingdom Hall construction date: “23 and 24.” This double date ignited the remark: “Can’t they make up their minds whether to start on the 23rd or 24th?” People just could not comprehend that the sign meant: The Kingdom Hall will be started on the 23rd and finished on the 24th. Nevertheless, what have come to be called two-day miracles are happening about every month in all parts of the United States.

In the early dawn of Saturday in Dunwoody, piles of building materials were strategically placed on the 4,200-square-foot concrete slab that had been previously poured. Ben Kelley, who had supervised the pouring of this slab, pointed out that every item was precisely located for quick use when needed. “Notice the Sheetrock,” he said. “It’s stacked right in the middle of where the auditorium will be. We’ll build around and over it, but when the time comes it will be exactly where the sheetrockers need it.”

While he was talking the field kitchen was serving breakfast​—at 6 a.m.​—to three hundred volunteer workers.

Walls Up in Minutes

At five minutes to seven work began. All the workers ringed the concrete foundation as one consolidated crew, all wall builders. Hammers started whanging. Walls materialized out of precut studs. In a few minutes Wall One was raised. Then Wall Two. Then Three. And Four. The perimeter of the hall had risen in minutes, and its 2 by 6 studs were soon clothed with plywood panels and black insulating board. The banging of hammers subsided as bodies of workers disengaged themselves from wall raising to re-form as smaller crews​—electricians, cabinetmakers, plumbers, masons, landscapers and others. Each crew was directed by a work leader who responded to a walkie-talkie on his hip.

A crew of insulators, mostly women, was packing the inside walls with glass-wool batts. Strong-armed men were wrestling flip-floppy roof trusses toward one end. Partition walls were rising. Foyer, rest rooms, library, literature rooms, stage and the large half-oval auditorium itself​—all were taking shape. Somehow the different crews sifted through one another as they performed their operations, none seriously impeding the work of the others.

“This is where we get down to what makes the system work,” Stanley Peck explained. Peck, a builder and a minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses, had developed the method with the help of a corps of Midwest Witness builders. “In the first place,” he said, “the system takes advantage of our having plenty of volunteer help and enough talented craftsmen and managers to use this unlimited help.” Yet how do you coordinate three hundred workers on a single jobsite? “People are always asking us that,” Peck replied. “Maybe a hive of bees can do it. Or a colony of ants. But humans? Not unless they are Jehovah’s dedicated workers. Real craftsmen are in charge of every crew and every crew is directed by supervisors. It’s like in the Christian congregation, where God equips some with ‘abilities to direct and some with abilities to perform helpful services.’”​—1 Corinthians 12:28.

It should be added that putting up such a meeting hall so quickly could not be done anywhere and everywhere. As can be seen, it takes more than willing hands. It requires the availability of skilled tradesmen experienced in the type of planning, preparation and coordination necessary for such a building to take shape. And good cooperation from communal authorities and building inspectors is necessary.

“It Looks Like a Busy Anthill!”

The skeleton of the hall was rising so fast on its two-acre setting that by midmorning astonished passersby began to understand the meaning of the two-day construction date. Masons were setting up scaffolding; support crews were getting bricks and mortar ready. Carpenters and roofers were swarming all around them. The masons accommodated themselves to working around and under them and, sometimes, between the legs of finishers boxing in the overhangs. Meanwhile air-conditioning workers were threading power lines through the midst of all the other crews. Nearly a hundred workers were on the roof, laying down decking, unfurling rolls of felt, carrying and locating heavy bundles of shingles.

On the ground even more were scurrying about. Some were carrying building materials to where they were needed. Fencing crews were busy. Landscapers were transforming the grounds into sodded lawns, shrubbery and flower beds. Batteries of youngsters and oldsters moved about constantly to pick up every bit of trash​—bent nails, discarded containers, odd pieces of lumber. Nothing was allowed to litter or impede anybody’s progress. And from the beginning a mobile refreshment department​—pairs of girls and boys—​circulated throughout the project with snacks and cold drinks. One observer remarked: “It looks like a busy anthill!”

Day One is considered successful if, by late in the day, the sheetrockers and drywallers can take over. These workers have to wait for studded and insulated walls and raftered ceilings. Then they work into the evening nailing up the heavy plaster sheets. These surfaces must be spackled with a quick-set compound, sanded, and painted or papered before noon of Day Two. At that time all work stops and the congregation holds its first meeting in the new Kingdom Hall. At Dunwoody the carpet had not yet been laid, so three hundred people sat on the concrete floor and two hundred others settled down outside the building to attend the weekly Watchtower study.

“We have visitors from Virginia and Florida,” remarked Charles Leibensperger, secretary of the building committee. “Some of them are planning to build halls. They want to see how it is done. Now that Stan Peck has come and got us organized, we can begin planning to help them.” Peck explained: “We have an arrangement whereby anyone who is experienced goes over their plans and their personnel preparations. Then arrangements are made to have two or more job veterans work with their building committee to organize everything and check the list of building materials; and one or more of us arranges to be present during the two days of construction.” No one is paid for any of this work.

As Day Two ended in Dunwoody and a group stood outside and looked at the hall where none had been early the day before, one of the Witnesses commented: “This is how Jehovah’s spirit operates to accomplish work like this. It’s simple. His people are responsive to his spirit. They cooperate for a common cause. They’re doing everything not for personal gain but out of love for their brother and their God. Are these not the two great commandments of Mark 12:28-31, to ‘love Jehovah your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself’?”

[Picture on page 9]

With a crew like this a Kingdom Hall can be built in two days

Sidelights on Dunwoody Kingdom Hall

Sidelights on Dunwoody Kingdom Hall

THE city of Atlanta could not have cooperated more fully. Mr. Gardner, director of inspections, heard of our schedule, but his inspectors do not work on Saturday and Sunday. So he allowed Witnesses licensed in their trades to be responsible for inspections. In addition, a registered and licensed architect visited the site periodically over the weekend to see that the structure more than met the county building codes.

The three network television stations had their filming crews at the building site. One of the newscasters was impressed, stayed long after his filming crew had left and concluded his program of the twenty-third with: “The brothers and sisters will be back tomorrow, and so will we.”

On the morning of the twenty-fourth, more than a hundred miles from Dunwoody, a Witness was going from door to door. At six different doors he was told: “Well, you’re the people that are on TV who are building the Kingdom Hall in just two days, down in Atlanta.”

A businessman in Atlanta had house guests that weekend. Early that Saturday morning they passed the site and saw the walls going up. They were amazed at the activity and returned every two hours that day and the next to check progress. Subsequently this businessman talked about this event in the Philippines, Mexico and many of the Western states.

On the twenty-third at the Dekalb County Police Department, a lieutenant was being assigned to monitor traffic near the Kingdom Hall. Her captain explained that a church was being built there, but she argued that no church was being built in that area. Still insisting that the captain was wrong, she went anyway. Upon her arrival she stopped in the middle of the road, blocking traffic, and exclaimed: “I don’t believe it! That wasn’t there yesterday!”

A Witness works as a waiter at the Perimeter Marriott Hotel in Atlanta. The restaurant manager was having dinner with his visiting parents, and he asked the Witness to tell them about the church that was built in two days. His father retorted: “It can’t be done! I’ve been in construction for years and I know it can’t be done!” He then asked, “What religion are you?” When told Jehovah’s Witnesses, he said: “They could do it!” He had managed a convention hall that the Witnesses had used and had seen how they worked together. “Any other religion couldn’t do it,” he said, “but Jehovah’s Witnesses could do it.”

Streams of cars passed the building site during the two days to see what was going on. Many stopped to visit. At times up to eight hundred curious neighbors and passersby were on the grounds. Some of them ate with the workers. The cafeteria department served thirty-five hundred free meals during the two days.

A few days after the hall construction, a salesman visited a Witness. He had heard about the hall on the TV news and was very much impressed. It reminded him of “ants on an anthill.” His family was religious, but he was disillusioned with religion. He then said: “If any religious group could work together so efficiently and produce a building in one weekend, they had to have something that other religions don’t offer.” Later he and a companion came to a meeting at the Kingdom Hall.

A father was very upset when his daughter became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and would not listen to her explanations at all. But he is now eager to discuss the construction of the Dunwoody Kingdom Hall and said to his daughter, “I’m proud that you were a part of that.”

God’s Gift of Work for His Servants

God’s Gift of Work for His Servants

“I have glorified you on the earth, having finished the work you have given me to do.”​—John 17:4.

1. What did Jesus do about his work for which he was sent to earth?

JESUS CHRIST, the only-begotten Son of God, is the chief servant of the Creator of heaven and earth. When Jehovah sent him to the earth for the purpose of vindicating His universal sovereignty and ransoming the world of mankind, Jesus became an object of amazement, particularly to mankind. This was as foretold in Isaiah 52:13, 14: “Look! My servant will act with insight. He will be in high station and will certainly be elevated and exalted very much. To the extent that many have stared at him in amazement​—so much was the disfigurement as respects his appearance more than that of any other man and as respects his stately form more than that of the sons of mankind.” This rare work he faithfully finished, just as he confessed in his prayer to Jehovah God, saying: “I have glorified you on the earth, having finished the work you have given me to do.” (John 17:4) He is an example to all fellow servants of God.

2. In what sense are we in the image of God?

2 Men and women have a need to work. It comes from the way they were made. “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness,” Jehovah God said at the time of creating man as his servant on earth. (Genesis 1:26) This likeness is not in any physical resemblance to God, who is spirit and unseen by human eyes. Rather, it means that certain attributes of God were given to perfect man, qualities such as justice, wisdom, love and others that set man apart from the lower animals. That this is the correct view is shown by Colossians 3:9, 10, where dedicated fellow servants of Jesus Christ are told to change their personality, in these words: “Strip off the old personality with its practices, and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it.”

3, 4. (a) What do the opening words of the Bible show God to be? (b) In what sense was he refreshed upon completion of the work of creation?

3 One feature of God’s “image” is that of being a worker. Jehovah has absolute freedom to do as he pleases, and what he pleases to do is work. The opening words of the Bible introduce him to us as a tireless worker: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) This work did not leave him exhausted: “Jehovah, the Creator of the extremities of the earth, is a God to time indefinite. He does not tire out or grow weary.”​—Isaiah 40:28.

4 Hence, it could not be in the sense of needing to recuperate that he refreshed himself at the end of the sixth creative day: “In six days Jehovah made the heavens and the earth and on the seventh day he desisted and proceeded to refresh himself.” (Exodus 31:17, New World Translation, footnote, 1963 ed.) God did not rest from all work, but just from this particular creative work. Upon its completion he contemplated it and noted that it was very good, up to his standard of perfection, and he was refreshed and satisfied by the accomplishment of this work of highest quality. To see this fine work completed was a joy and a satisfaction and a refreshment to Jehovah the Creator of it all. (Genesis 1:31; John 5:17) From all of this we see that people, made in God’s likeness, have an innate need not only to be workers but also to be refreshed by a feeling of accomplishment over work well done.

Man’s Need for Meaningful Work

5. (a) What else is God shown to be, and what follows from this? (b) What is a partial explanation of the decline of the work ethic?

5 Additionally, Jehovah is a God of purpose and his works are purposeful. “Everything Jehovah has made for his purpose,” including mankind. (Proverbs 16:4) Hence, it follows that man’s works must also have purpose. “The striving to find a meaning in one’s life,” writes psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, “is the primary motivational force in man. . . . There is nothing in the world, I venture to say, that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions, as the knowledge that there is a meaning in one’s life.” But many find it monotonous to perform repeatedly one operation on an assembly line on a product in which they have no interest or pride. Therein lies a partial key to the loss of the work ethic​—much of today’s work fails to meet people’s psychological need for meaning and a feeling of fulfillment.

6. What purposeful work was the first man given to do?

6 Since everything God made was for a purpose, man was made for a purpose. He was made and put on earth to work. The work God gave him to do was meaningful, involving the use of both his mind and his hands in productive ways. “Jehovah God proceeded to take the man and settle him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and to take care of it.” Perfect man was to “have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every moving animal that is moving upon the earth,” and “Jehovah God was forming from the ground every wild beast of the field and every flying creature of the heavens, and he began bringing them to the man to see what he would call each one; and whatever the man would call it, each living soul, that was its name.”​—Genesis 2:15; 1:26; 2:19.

7, 8. (a) Why can work in God’s service properly be called a gift from him? (b) Why do hobbies fail as a substitute for work?

7 It was for man’s pleasure and enjoyment and satisfaction that Jehovah assigned him suitable work. The work would fill his life, rout any possibility of boredom or dull monotony, and give him the satisfying feeling of being useful. It would be purposeful work because of being assigned by the Creator of the earth and the universe, the Almighty God of purpose. Rather than the divine attributes being repressed or frustrated or stagnated by disuse, as often happens in secular work, the work assignment from Jehovah allowed the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, free expression. And even after man’s ouster from the garden of Eden and after he was told that work would be done “in the sweat of your face,” it was still for man’s good.​—Genesis 3:19.

8 Recent scientific studies confirm the Scriptural truth that man was made to work. They have shown that the majority of elderly persons in good health do not want to retire, that retirement more often brings boredom instead of happiness. Investigators believe retirement makes bored and idle persons lose the will to live and actually shortens their life span. Hobbies do not satisfactorily replace work in the lives of retired persons. Hobbies may be enjoyable a few hours a week as a change and relaxation from regular work, but they become tiresome when pursued full time. They fall short of making us feel that our lives are serving a useful purpose. Wise King Solomon wrote: “My heart was joyful because of all my hard work, and this came to be my portion from all my hard work. With a man there is nothing better than that he should eat and indeed drink and cause his soul to see good because of his hard work. This too I have seen, even I, that this is from the hand of the true God.” So work in God’s service is a gift from God.​—Ecclesiastes 2:10, 24.

The Worker to Enjoy the Fruits of His Work

9, 10. (a) What illustrations show that man is to enjoy the fruits of his labor? (b) Whose cries does Jehovah hear?

9 Jehovah does not want man deprived of the fruits of his labor. “The hardworking farmer,” wrote the apostle Paul, “must be the first to partake of the fruits.” Elsewhere he expounded this divine principle at greater length, saying: “Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not eat some of the milk of the flock? Am I speaking these things by human standards? Or does not the Law also say these things? For in the law of Moses it is written: ‘You must not muzzle a bull when it is threshing out the grain.’ Is it bulls God is caring for? Or is it altogether for our sakes he says it? Really for our sakes it was written, because the man who plows ought to plow in hope and the man who threshes ought to do so in hope of being a partaker.”​—2 Timothy 2:6; 1 Corinthians 9:7-10.

10 Even the working animals were to partake of the fruits of their labor. If Jehovah safeguards the interests of the working brute, how much more so will he champion the cause of human workers! Actually, he clearly indicates his intent to do this: “Look! The wages due the workers who harvested your fields but which are held up by you, keep crying out, and the calls for help on the part of the reapers have entered into the ears of Jehovah of armies.”​—James 5:4.

Jesus and His Followers​—Workers

11. How did Jesus feel about work, and why must we take to heart his view of it?

11 Along with his heavenly Father Jehovah, Jesus is a worker. “My Father has kept working until now,” he said, “and I keep working.” (John 5:17) He does the work Jehovah assigned to him. He willingly and voluntarily does this work and expresses delight in the doing of it. He finds it as nourishing, as satisfying and as refreshing as food. More so, in fact, for on one occasion when his disciples urged him to eat, he responded: “My food is for me to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34) The joy of accomplishment would refresh him at the end of the work, dissipating any tiredness and leaving him satisfied and exhilarated. Those who profess to be Christian should take to heart this course and attitude of Christ Jesus. Why so? Because the Bible shows that Christ left “you a model for you to follow his steps closely.”​—1 Peter 2:21.

12, 13. (a) What illustration shows it is proper to commend good workers, and what reward was given them? (b) What happened to the unproductive slave? (c) What purpose do vacations serve?

12 By an illustration Jesus showed that work gives its own reward in joyfulness. A man was going on a trip. He summoned his slaves and distributed his goods among them according to their different abilities. He did not ask more of them than they were capable of, but he did expect them to produce according to their capabilities. After a long absence he returned for an accounting. The one given five talents doubled them, the one given two doubled them, but the one given one talent did nothing with it. How were the two industrious workers rewarded? With a vacation? No, but, of all things, more work! The master commended each one, saying, “Well done, good and faithful slave!” and then added: “You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.” The master’s joy was in this work, and by getting more of it to do the industrious slaves entered more fully into his joy. But what about the lazy slave? The decision was: “Take away the talent from him and give it to him that has the ten talents.”​—Matthew 25:14-30.

13 Now the lazy slave could loaf. But was he happy? No, he ended up ‘weeping and gnashing his teeth!’ To be happy we need useful work. However, we also need periods of rest. Unlike Jehovah, we do get tired. But after a vacation has restored our physical and nervous energies and revived our spirits, we are ready for more work​—eager, in fact, to get back to work. This is so unless the work is boring and repetitious, lacking in purpose and meaning for the worker, as much secular work is today.

14. Of what lasting profit is a materialistic course?

14 But in addition to uninteresting work causing a decline in the work ethic, many today are ensnared by materialism. Yet, of what lasting profit are material possessions accumulated beyond legitimate needs? As moderns say, “You can’t take it with you.” Solomon expressed it more forcefully: “Just as one has come forth from his mother’s belly, naked will one go away again, just as one came; and nothing at all can one carry away for his hard work, which he can take along with his hand. And this too is a grave calamity: exactly as one has come, so one will go away; and what profit is there to the one who keeps working hard for the wind?”​—Ecclesiastes 5:15, 16.

15. By what further vanities are some ensnared?

15 Some involve themselves in another futile vanity: working to “keep up with the Joneses,” as the saying goes. Or, more often, to get ahead of the Joneses. “I have also learned why people work so hard to succeed,” Solomon said. “It is because they envy the things their neighbors have.” Or, “It means the rivalry of one toward another.” (Ecclesiastes 4:4, Today’s English Version; NW) Futile and vain indeed are the lives and works of the wicked: “You will become like a big tree the foliage of which is withering, and like a garden that has no water. And the vigorous man will certainly become tow, and the product of his activity a spark; and both of them will certainly go up in flames at the same time, with no one to do the extinguishing.”​—Isaiah 1:30, 31.

The Exhilarating Work Ahead

16. What satisfying work lies ahead for obedient mankind?

16 Work for people on the earth will not always be a striving after the wind. It will be as purposeful and meaningful as that originally assigned to the first human pair in Eden. Jehovah’s purpose to have earth a global paradise cared for by righteous human creatures will be accomplished. (Isaiah 55:11) Over such an earthful of perfect people God’s kingdom under Christ will reign. Life in that new system will never become monotonous or boring, because there will be plenty of work to do​—not the vain and futile work of this old world that makes the workweek a grind and makes men speak of its beginning as Blue Monday. No, it will be the interesting and fascinating work of beautifying the earth, exercising loving dominion over the animals, rearing children, and educating resurrected humans, until the earth is filled with a righteous race and many other undreamed-of joys. Then busy people will ‘long enjoy the work of their hands and use it to the full.’​—Isaiah 65:22.

17. What shows that life will never become humdrum because we have learned it all and done it all?

17 Besides works of the hands there will be problems to engage perfect minds, using thinking abilities to the full. Never can mankind know it all, for “mankind may never find out the work that the true God has made from the start to the finish.” “O the depth of God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How unsearchable his judgments are and past tracing out his ways are!” (Ecclesiastes 3:11; Romans 11:33) There will always be new challenges and mysteries to be researched and penetrated. Although servants of Jehovah will live forever, eternity itself will never suffice for them to learn all there is to know about the earth and the universe that Jehovah has created.

18. What must precede our sharing in God’s gift of work in a paradise earth?

18 Before that exhilarating work will be our lot, however, there is a present work we must do to assure our getting there to become a part of that paradise earth. It is now a life-or-death matter for us to learn what that vital work is.

□ Why do people have a need to work?

□ In what sense did Jehovah rest after making the heavens and the earth?

□ What purposeful work did God originally give man to do?

□ Why can it be said that even in man’s imperfect state work is good for him?

□ What shows that humans were meant to enjoy the fruits of their labors?

□ How did Jesus show his attitude toward work?

□ What fine work lies ahead for God’s servants?

[Picture on page 13]

God gave man meaningful work to do

“Keep Working Out Your Own Salvation”

“Keep Working Out Your Own Salvation”

“Keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”​—Philippians 2:12.

1. (a) Who or what praises Jehovah without words, and how is this possible? (b) Who else are invited to do so?

JEHOVAH’S works praise him. “Praise him, you sun and moon. Praise him, all you stars of light.” Without the power of speech, they speak his praises. So do the mountains and hills, the plants and animals, the birds and creeping things. (Psalm 148:3, 9, 10; 19:1-4) How is this praising possible when there are no words? It is possible because work reflects the worker. This is specifically stated concerning the works of Jehovah: “His invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship.” (Romans 1:20) If speechless creations are to praise him, how much more so those who possess the power of speech! So it is appropriate that Psalms 146 through 150 open and close with the rallying cry, “Praise Jah, you people!”

2. What works should reflect our Christianity?

2 Just as Jehovah’s works reflect him, so our works reflect us. Do they reveal us to be seekers of wealth or praisers of Jehovah? The primary work Christians must now do is to fulfill Jesus’ words: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” His parting words to his followers were: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20) As we ‘bear witness thoroughly from house to house,’ our preaching work should be of high quality. Thus we may have a fine standing before the Kings Jehovah and Christ Jesus. “Have you beheld a man skillful in his work? Before kings is where he will station himself.”​—Acts 20:20, 21; Proverbs 22:29.

3. How are we trained for this work, and why must we become skilled at it?

3 For necessary instruction and training, the Bible is provided, in order that “the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.” So by private and group study, by regular attendance at congregational meetings and by participation in training programs “do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright.” (2 Timothy 3:17; 2:15) Satan, the god of this present wicked world, has woven a gigantic tissue of religious lies and spreads it like a veil over the nations so that unbelievers are blinded to the enlightening good news of Christ’s kingdom. But Jehovah’s Word is like a two-edged sword and Jehovah’s Witnesses must be skilled in wielding it to slash to shreds the blinding veil and let the light shine into the honest minds and hearts of sheeplike men, women and children.​—2 Corinthians 4:3, 4.

Acceptable Sacrifices of Praise

4. To what is our praise likened, and what failure is shown at Malachi 1:6-8?

4 Our words of praise to Jehovah are likened to the sacrifices required by the Mosaic law: “Let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name.” Words are also likened to “the young bulls of our lips.” (Hebrews 13:15; Hosea 14:2) The sacrifices offered under the Law were to be unblemished, and priests who ignored this requirement were rebuked by Jehovah, as described at Malachi 1:6-8:

“‘A son, for his part, honors a father; and a servant, his grand master. So if I am a father, where is the honor to me? And if I am a grand master, where is the fear of me?’ Jehovah of armies has said to you, O priests who are despising my name. ‘And you have said: “In what way have we despised your name?”’ ‘By presenting upon my altar polluted bread.’ ‘And you have said: “In what way have we polluted you?”’ ‘By your saying: “The table of Jehovah is something to be despised.” And when you present a blind animal for sacrificing: “It is nothing bad.” And when you present a lame animal or a sick one: “It is nothing bad.”’ ‘Bring it near, please, to your governor. Will he find pleasure in you, or will he receive you kindly?’”

5. How can we avoid offering blemished sacrifices of praise?

5 Are our sacrifices today, “the young bulls of our lips” and our “fruit of lips,” as unblemished as it is within our power to make them? Have we by study and the training and exercise of our faculties made our sacrifices of praise as fine as we can? Do we search out and ponder over words of truth, to present them at the people’s homes in a pleasing way? “Besides the fact that the congregator had become wise, he also taught the people knowledge continually, and he pondered and made a thorough search, that he might arrange many proverbs in order. The congregator sought to find the delightful words and the writing of correct words of truth.”​—Ecclesiastes 12:9, 10.

6. How can we make it easier for people to accept the Kingdom message?

6 It is difficult for persons to acknowledge that they have been wrong and need to change their thinking, especially on something as emotionally charged as their religious views. Do we try to make it easier for them? Do we put ourselves in their place, as the apostle Paul did? He said: “To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those under law I became as under law, though I myself am not under law, that I might gain those under law. To those without law I became as without law, although I am not without law toward God but under law toward Christ, that I might gain those without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to people of all sorts, that I might by all means save some. But I do all things for the sake of the good news, that I may become a sharer of it with others.”​—1 Corinthians 9:20-23.

7. How can we make our preaching more persuasive?

7 Are we understanding and kind, healing in our words? “The one that is wise in heart will be called understanding, and he that is sweet in his lips adds persuasiveness. Pleasant sayings are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and a healing to the bones.” Do we study so as to show insight when we witness to others concerning God’s kingdom, thereby adding persuasiveness to our speech? “The heart of the wise one causes his mouth to show insight, and to his lips it adds persuasiveness.” (Proverbs 16:21, 24, 23) Salt adds tastiness to food that would otherwise be bland or insipid, and Paul uses this fact to show that the spiritual food we offer to others should be pleasant to consume: “Let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt, so as to know how you ought to give an answer to each one.”​—Colossians 4:6.

Adorn Your Teaching With Fine Works

8. What is vital if we are to avoid condemnation as hypocrites?

8 In addition to works of preaching the good news, works of practicing what we are preaching are vital if we are not to be condemned as hypocrites. The apostle Paul was very much aware of this. He denounced certain Jewish teachers of his day as being guilty of it: “Do you, however, the one teaching someone else, not teach yourself? You, the one preaching ‘Do not steal,’ do you steal? You, the one saying ‘Do not commit adultery,’ do you commit adultery? You, the one expressing abhorrence of the idols, do you rob temples? You, who take pride in law, do you by your transgressing of the Law dishonor God?” (Romans 2:21-23) Paul was clearly aware of this danger in his case, saying: “I pummel my body and lead it as a slave, that, after I have preached to others, I myself should not become disapproved somehow.”​—1 Corinthians 9:27.

9. What arguments disprove the religious fallacy ‘Once saved, always saved’?

9 This shows that Paul did not subscribe to the view held by many religionists today, namely, ‘Once saved, always saved.’ After accepting Jesus as our savior and redeemer, and dedicating our lives to Jehovah God, we have only started on the way to salvation, not finished it. So Paul counsels us to ‘keep working out our own salvation with fear and trembling.’ (Philippians 2:12) Why “keep working” and why with “fear and trembling,” if ‘once saved, always saved’? It is possible to fall away and impossible for certain of such ones to revive to repentance again, “because they impale the Son of God afresh.” And Jesus himself said that it is possible for someone to “take your crown.” He also said in his remarks on the “conclusion of the system of things”: “He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.” (Hebrews 6:4-6; Revelation 3:11; Matthew 24:3, 13) It is our current standing with God that counts, not what we once were, whether good or bad. (Ezekiel 33:12-16) That is why we must continue working at kingdom preaching, continue practicing right conduct, and do both with a healthy fear of falling short.

10. What adornment should accompany our teaching, and with what results?

10 Christians are admonished to be ‘moderate in habits, sound in mind, reverent in behavior, not slanderers or heavy drinkers, loving in family relationships, chaste, clean in speech and good workers.’ And why all of this? “That the word of God may not be spoken of abusively.” Also, that by such conduct they “may adorn the teaching of our Savior, God, in all things.” Adding this adornment of fine conduct to their preaching, Jehovah’s Witnesses become “an example of fine works.” (Titus 2:1-10) “Give orders to those who are rich in the present system of things,” the apostle Paul instructed, “not to be high-minded, and to rest their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, who furnishes us all things richly for our enjoyment; to work at good, to be rich in fine works, to be liberal, ready to share, safely treasuring up for themselves a fine foundation for the future, in order that they may get a firm hold on the real life.”​—1 Timothy 6:17-19.

11. What vital need is served by this present life, in spite of its few trouble-filled days?

11 This present life as the world lives it is not really living. “The one that goes in for sensual gratification is dead though she is living.” (1 Timothy 5:6) This life, however, serves this one principal need, namely, “to be rich in fine works,” ‘to treasure up a right foundation for the future,’ to “get a firm hold on the real life” in the realm of Jehovah’s kingdom under Christ. We could have everything that this life has to offer, and yet if empty of fine works it would be wasted and worthless. The days of this life are few and full of trouble and pain, sorrow and suffering, grief and disappointment, wickedness and death. The days are few, but there are enough of them for us to get rich in fine works if we do not delay. To do such works brings us joy and satisfaction, peace and contentment, feelings of meaning and purpose, spiritual health and eternal life.

Refreshing Work Toward Salvation

12. What proves exhausting to faithful witnesses of Jehovah, but what brings refreshment?

12 Strange though it may seem in these times of much indifference and opposition, to hold back from announcing Jehovah’s kingdom is exhausting to conscientious witnesses of Jehovah. To speak is a relief and a refreshment to them. When Jeremiah decided not to preach, the message was like a fire in his bones, and he finally cried out: “I am worn out with holding it in​—I cannot endure it.” (Jeremiah 20:9, An American Translation) Elihu needed the relief of speaking truths long held in: “I am full of things to say, and my mind urges me to speech. My mind is like wine bottled up, ready to burst out, like new bottles. I must relieve myself by speaking.” (Job 32:18-20, Moffatt) After doing this work Elihu felt refreshed. God was refreshed after completing his work of creation. Doing Jehovah’s work was like refreshing food to Jesus. And accomplishing the preaching work now is refreshing to Jehovah’s Witnesses. They “mount up with wings like eagles.”​—Isaiah 40:31.

13. What is it timely for us to do now, and to whom and how is it helpful?

13 Now is the time to study God’s Word the Bible, to quit being fashioned after this old wicked system, to be transformed by making your mind over. “Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world.” “The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.” (1 John 2:15, 17; Romans 12:2) Equip yourself to comfort mourning ones with the good news of God’s kingdom. Adorn your teaching by bearing spiritual fruits in your personal life​—“love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22, 23) Help meek ones to make their minds over, to become rich in fine works, and to remain forever on a paradise earth. (Psalm 37:11, 29) Help them to work out their salvation as you keep working out your own.

14. (a) What admonition for gaining salvation is given, and why is it now so timely? (b) By applying it to ourselves, what are we able to be and do?

14 These days are critical and the time is reduced, so the admonition from God is: “Preach the word, be at it urgently in favorable season, in troublesome season.” “Become steadfast, unmovable, always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in connection with the Lord.” “Do not loiter at your business. Be aglow with the spirit. Slave for Jehovah.” (2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Romans 12:11) In all these ways “keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling . . . that you may come to be blameless and innocent, children of God without a blemish in among a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you are shining as illuminators in the world, keeping a tight grip on the word of life.”​—Philippians 2:12, 15, 16.

□ How do Jehovah’s works praise him?

□ What kind of sacrifices are acceptable to God today?

□ How can we make it easier for others to accept the Kingdom message?

□ With what fine works do we need to adorn our teaching?

□ What activity proves to be refreshing to God’s servants?

□ What is this now the time to be doing?

[Blurb on page 18]

Do we search out and ponder over words of truth, to present them at the people’s homes in a pleasing way?

[Blurb on page 19]

Works of practicing what we are preaching are vital if we are not to be condemned as hypocrites

[Picture on page 17]

Jehovah’s magnificent works reflect the kind of God he is. Our works tell what kind of persons we are

[Picture on page 20]

Speaking Bible truths to others is a refreshing work

Her Faith Was Unshakable

Her Faith Was Unshakable

For two years 14-year-old Renata from Brazil had suffered from bone cancer in her left knee. Amputation and cobalt treatment had only postponed her death. Renata’s Christian conscience would not permit her to accept a blood transfusion, in spite of a doctor’s insistence that she have one. Prior to her last entry into the hospital, the doctor and a nurse went to Renata’s home to see her.

“I agree to return to the hospital if Dr. ​——​ promises me not to mention blood transfusion again. I am tired of having to meet that objection,” declared Renata.

The doctor agreed and added that, even though Renata might be living her last moments, her faith was unshakable.

During the last eight months Renata was unable to lie down because of the intense pain. When the time came for a convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses, she cried and said: “If I could just talk to everyone I would say, ‘Use your legs as much as you can. Maybe tomorrow you will not be able to walk and work for Jehovah. Do not miss your assemblies!’”

Renata’s prayers were constant. One day her mother overheard her praying: “Jehovah, I know I will never get better again. The doctors cannot cure me, but You can. But I know that it is not yet time for it; only in the New Order. But please don’t let me swell up anymore; otherwise, mother won’t be able to carry me to the bathroom.”

If others, including her mother, cried in her presence, Renata would encourage them to be strong in faith. Her mother writes: “But I recall that one day after the amputation, a nurse said to Renata, ‘How could you be so animated on the operating table? It’s a good thing that you will be getting an artificial leg, isn’t it?’ Renata answered, ‘No, I expect to have one of flesh and blood, which Jehovah God will give me in the New Order.’”

[Blurb on page 22]

When confined to a hospital, Renata urged: “Do not miss your assemblies!”

Insight on the News

Insight on the News

National Tax Fraud

The US Internal Revenue Service announced that if all taxes due on legitimate income were paid honestly, it would have collected an additional $87.2 billion for the tax year that ended last April 15. That would have been almost enough to wipe out the nagging federal budget deficit, which is around $100 billion. The majority of the unpaid taxes, $83.3 billion, was owed by private individuals through underreported income and inflated deductions. The tax agency estimated that illegal businesses​—prostitution, gambling and drugs—​cheated the government out of possibly as much as another $10 billion of taxes.

That tax fraud of this proportion is happening among people (including not a few prominent religious leaders) in a country where three quarters of its population are said to be Christians is a clear indication that the majority of them are “having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power.” (2 Timothy 3:5) The Bible clearly points out that there is “compelling reason” for Christians to “render to all their dues, to him who calls for the tax, the tax.” What is that reason? “Not only on account of that wrath but also on account of your conscience.” (Romans 13:5, 7) So, rather than succumbing to the temptation to cheat, true Christians conscientiously follow Jesus’ direction: “Pay back, therefore, Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.”​—Matthew 22:21.

Atheism’s Rising Tide

According to the newly published, 1,010-page volume World Christian Encyclopedia, the condition of the world’s religions has gone through drastic changes since the beginning of the century. At that time, the churches of Christendom​—Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox—​claimed 34.4 percent of the world’s population, and atheism had a mere 0.2 percent following. That led to the optimistic goal of “the evangelization of the world in this generation.”

What is the situation after 80 years? The publication shows that while Christendom has declined to 32.8 percent, the tide of atheism has swollen to 20.8 percent of the world. Evidently, if world evangelization had to depend on Christendom, it would never be realized.

To the contrary, what is happening is actually a fulfillment of Bible prophecy regarding Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion: “She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen.” True worshipers of God must heed the prophecy’s further words: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues.” (Revelation 14:8; 18:4) Today, Jehovah’s Witnesses are helping sincere persons everywhere to get out of “Babylon,” and flee to God’s kingdom.​—Matthew 24:14.

Contradictions of Psychology

A recent issue of Psychology Today presented what eleven of “the best minds in the field” considered to be “the most significant work in psychology” in the last fifteen years. The scholarly eighteen-page article prompted The New York Times to publish an editorial that, in part, says:

“The 11 Best Minds in psychology agree on hardly anything. . . . Several contributors mention experiments of their own. Well, if they think that, there is no need for false modesty. But no such work is cited by any other Best Mind except for purposes of criticism; each trumpet blower blows his own tune, which makes for a conspicuous absence of harmony.

“The failure of the 11 psychologists to agree on almost anything evinces a serious problem in their academic discipline. . . . Can psychology be taken seriously as science if even its leading practitioners cannot agree on its recent advances?”

It is just this sort of contradictory and high-minded pseudo knowledge that the apostle Paul advised Timothy to guard against: “Have nothing to do with the pointless philosophical discussions and antagonistic beliefs of the ‘knowledge’ which is not knowledge at all.”​—1 Timothy 6:20, Jerusalem Bible.

Kingdom Preaching in Parts of Panama

Kingdom Preaching in Parts of Panama

WHAT would you be willing to endure to serve God? Would you walk through a jungle? What about facing the possibility of encounters with wild animals? Would you brave the sea?

My wife and I invite you to come along as we visit some of the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in just one circuit in Panama. Then you can see for yourself what Christians in that Central American land are doing to serve their God, Jehovah.

…