Happiness in Giving

“There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”—Acts 20:35, NW.

1. How does the greater happiness come?

HAPPINESS comes in greater measure through giving. Have you ever had that pleasure? Yes, you say, I have given many things to people I love, which made me very happy. But has not such happiness been only momentary and without permanence? Or, have you ever felt that you must give a gift to someone because he gave you a gift which more or less obligated you to do something in return? There was no happiness in that giving, was there? You were giving under compulsion, because you felt you must reciprocate. That is often the case in this system of things; this old world operates on that basis: You give a gift to me, and then I will give you a gift. In that way individuals obligate themselves to others. It occurs all the time in the political, religious and commercial world.

2. How can we gain the happiness of feasting in God’s kingdom?

² The people of this world do not follow the excellent advice of Jesus, as it is related in Luke 14:12-15 (NW): “When you spread a dinner or evening meal, do not call your friends, or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors. Perhaps some time they might also invite you in return and it would become a repayment to you. But when you spread a feast, invite poor people, crippled, lame, blind; and you will be happy, because they have nothing with which to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous ones.” “On hearing these things a certain one of the fellow guests said to him: ‘Happy is he who is at the feast in the kingdom of God.’” Would you like to sit at the feast in the kingdom of God? You can, if you follow the Master’s advice and do not follow the practices of this old world.

3, 4. (a) How long has Jehovah been giving, and in what way? (b) What can we show in response, and how?

³ Let us look back to a time long before ever we appeared on earth. It was Jehovah God who was doing the giving, and even then it was for our benefit. He gave of his great power, his wisdom, knowledge and love. He gave constantly in a way that affects our lives now. He is still giving. Blessings continually flow from him to his creation, and we are the recipients of these gifts from “the happy God”. (1 Tim. 1:11, NW) Out of his abundance Jehovah God gives to us. He asks for no return, but we can show our gratitude.

⁴ Will you show your appreciation for the many blessings that Jehovah has bestowed upon you? He has been happy in giving to us. Is not there something that we can give to Jehovah? Everything we have we received from him in the first place; so if we are going to give him anything at all, what will it be? Really, all that the Father, the Creator of man, wants from his human creatures on earth or that such creatures could give him is the right kind of worship, true worship. This means worshiping Jehovah in holy array. It is something that comes out of the heart, out of a pure mind. If we worship the true God in the way he directs in his Word, he will be pleased. Our worship is our service to him. It should be performed in a spotless manner, and this we can do by observing his commandments.

5, 6. (a) What does Proverbs 2:6 say Jehovah gives, and who may get it? (b) After getting it, what should we be like with it?

⁵ A wise man of centuries ago wrote: “Jehovah giveth wisdom; out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Prov. 2:6, AS) Think of the vast amount of information known to the Creator. Think of his unfathomable knowledge and his wisdom. All this is his possession, but he does not just hold it to himself. Rather he reveals much of his wisdom to his intelligent creatures. He sends it forth through his Word and gives it to us for our blessing.

⁶ Every one of his creatures, whether we be young or old, whether we have gone through school or not, can obtain a portion of this wisdom and knowledge. It makes no difference whether you are a new Kingdom publisher in a company of Jehovah’s witnesses, or are a pioneer, a missionary, a member of a Bethel home or in a branch office of the Watch Tower Society—you may receive of these wonderful things from God. You must apply yourself, though, and put forth the effort to obtain this knowledge and then show wisdom in dispersing it. We do not want to be like a sponge, just absorbing water, and then needing to have someone squeeze it out of us once in a while so that the good things we have learned will benefit others. It should not be necessary for other people to squeeze us and force the truth out of us. We should be so filled with the truth and with the understanding of God’s Word that it runs out of us constantly. It would be better to be like a bubbling spring, always giving forth fresh life-giving water freely, not making it necessary for someone to dig for the waters of truth. Do not forget, “There is more happiness in giving.” So why not bubble like a spring, “and let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life’s water free”?—Rev. 22:17, NW.

7. To experience happiness in giving, with what attitude must we do it?

⁷ To give means to bestow without a return. When God gave us the gift of his only-begotten Son, he did not give expecting that we would be able to repay him in like manner. No, his gift of life to us was full and generous. It is ours to keep if we continue faithfully obedient to his will. Likewise when we give this good message of life to others, we do not expect to be paid back with money, in time spent, or in possessions by those who receive it from us. We have received the message of life from our Father as a gift, and we want to freely give to others the knowledge we enjoy, that they also may gain the hope of eternal life. So if we are going to have real happiness in giving in the way Jehovah does, we must do something for other people without expecting a return from them. Man cannot add anything to God; but in view of the many gifts he has received from the hands of his Creator he certainly should show gratitude and follow the course of true worship and service to Jehovah. This service brings happiness.

8. What is happiness and what does its absence in a congregation indicate?

⁸ Happiness is a state of well-being and pleasurable satisfaction. One who is happy is in a peaceful state of mind and has comfort. But we do not always find our brothers and sisters in Jehovah’s organization in a pleasurable state of mind and at peace, comforting one another. Sometimes they are disturbed; something is irritating or bothering them. When peace is not present in a congregation, it is easy to see that something is lacking. Someone is not giving, and as a result others are not receiving the gifts they would if happiness existed in the congregation. Love is missing. Someone has forgotten that Jesus said: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength,” and, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30, 31, NW) So that is it: someone was not giving love to his neighbor, as Jesus said we should.

THE SECRET OF IT

9. Where do we learn the secret of happiness, and what is it?

⁹ There certainly is no pleasure in living without happiness. By turning to Jehovah’s Word we can find the secret to happiness; and we can have that happiness day in and day out throughout the years, even throughout eternity, if we strive for it. Surely if we find this secret to happiness, we ought to be eager to reveal it to others. The secret to happiness is, not merely in receiving, but more so in giving. If that is so, then let us give of what we have received to others. And what we have to give as Christian worshipers of the Sovereign Ruler of the universe is the truth, the greatest gift, the knowledge of Jehovah God. We know Jehovah’s requirements for true worship, and we should give this knowledge to others.

10. What makes for even greater happiness in giving, as shown in God’s case?

¹⁰ Jehovah must have great pleasure and happiness in giving to his creatures. He gave us so much in his original creation; and he shows his love continuously by giving the sun, the rains, the fruits and vegetables, wool and cloth, trees and shelter, but, most of all, his words of life. Jehovah directed Paul the apostle to write for us: “Love . . . does not look for its own interests.” (1 Cor. 13:4, 5, NW) Jehovah was certainly not looking out for his own interests when he gave the warm spring rains to bring blossoms to fruitage, or the sun to ripen the wheat, or sheep to grow the wool, or trees to provide timber. All these things were gifts and blessings for mankind. They were an expression of God’s love. God was giving and is still giving all these things and many others to mankind, and he is a “happy God” in his giving. If we follow this same principle of love, then when we give we should not be looking after our own interests. Love does not work that way. Furthermore, there is more happiness in giving to others when they cannot repay. Jehovah allows the rain to drop upon the just and the unjust; his sun shines on the good and the evil. We should not be selective in giving the good news to others. Jesus said to preach the Word to all nations, and it is by doing this that we shall receive happiness.

11. What brings satisfaction to living? How may we get it, and for how long?

¹¹ If happiness is what brings us real satisfaction in living and makes our living worth while, then happiness is certainly to be sought after. Living at this time would not be enjoyable without happiness; so how can we increase our happiness? We live for only a short period of time now, but we should like to live indefinitely, for ages. Peter knew that understanding the words of the Most High brings life. He said to Jesus: “You have sayings of everlasting life.” (John 6:68, NW) If we follow Jehovah’s Word and Jesus’ sayings, we shall have not only life, but life with happiness. That is why Paul said: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35, NW) Living in happiness certainly would be a delight for any person.

12, 13. How did Paul himself illustrate giving and his own admonition, “Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock”?

¹² After writing much information and instruction for our help in this day, Paul reminded us that real, full happiness comes in giving. Starting with Acts 20:27 (NW), let us observe now what he brought to our attention. He said: “I have not held back from telling you all the counsel of God.” He certainly was giving of what knowledge he had. How? In the twentieth verse of Ac 20 this same chapter he showed that he was teaching “publicly and from house to house”. So he did not hold back from any kind of activity. Now the example that Paul set is profitable for all God’s servants to follow. Are you also a house-to-house preacher? It was this course of action that Paul took as a preacher that made him so happy. He went on to say: “Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock.” (Ac 20 Vs. 28) So are you doing yourself the most good and God’s flock too? Paul’s interest was in his brothers, all of them. He knew the flock of God needed attention. He did not want to see the sheep of God scattered, and so he urged proper leadership. Paul knew what would happen after he left the disciples he had made and he repeated Jesus’ warning against wolves: “After my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness.”—Ac 20 Vs. 29.

¹³ Paul not only gave good news of the ransom sacrifice of Christ Jesus and of the promised heavenly kingdom, but also gave the necessary warning to those who were striving for a place in God’s organization. He spoke plainly and yet with compassion, for he loved Jehovah’s congregation and the new systems of things Jesus introduced. Paul knew what Jesus had said about oppressive wolves’ getting into the congregation and causing a great disturbance. (See what John 10:7-16 says.) Paul’s interest in his brothers was keen and he wanted to give all he could in the way of admonition and example. Paul knew of the impending perils which might befall the Ephesian Christians and that to be forewarned meant to be forearmed. That is why he said: “Therefore keep awake, and bear in mind that . . . I did not quit admonishing each one with tears.” (Acts 20:31, NW) Are all God’s people today taking such counsel? Do they heed God’s word through the apostle? Are they reading the Bible? Are they studying it? Are they building themselves up? Remember: “Pay attention to yourselves.” So ask yourselves: What am I doing in the way of providing an example for the flock? What is my service record?

14. How was Paul no financial burden to the congregation, and with a love than which there is no greater?

¹⁴ Paul was not a burden to anyone in the congregation. He said: “These hands have attended to the needs of me and of those with me.” (Ac 20 Vs. 34) He did not ask someone else to take care of him or to arrange for his travel from place to place. It would have been a wonderful privilege to help him in any way possible, but Paul was there to give to his brothers, and it was by so doing that he received happiness. He was not asking them to give to him, nor was he giving expecting a return. Paul devoted his life to his brothers just as Jesus had set the pattern when he was upon the earth by devoting his time and energy to his apostles and to the people of good will who listened to him. Christ Jesus gave everything he had, even his life, for his brothers. He said: “No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his soul in behalf of his friends. You are my friends if you do what I am commanding you.” (John 15:13, 14, NW) Paul followed this wise counsel of Jesus and kept his commandment by serving his friends. Are you doing as much? If you are, then from experience you can say as Paul did: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”—Acts 20:17-35, NW.

15. Is there happiness in receiving? And what do Paul’s and our own experience show?

¹⁵ Paul did not say that in receiving there was no happiness; there is. He knew the joy and happiness that come with receiving and hearing the truth. So do we. Look how Paul showed his gratitude after he listened to Jesus’ voice in the brilliance of his appearance. (Acts 9:3-22, NW) Today we delight to go to conventions and assemblies, to Watchtower studies and book studies, and to receive the good news from the instructor. But once we have absorbed all these good things, there is more happiness in giving the truth to others, more happiness even than we enjoyed in receiving it. Was not that true in Paul’s case? Yes. So let all dedicate themselves to Jehovah God and share his Word with others that they too may live. “Preach the word.”—2 Tim. 4:2.

16. How was it that we individually received the truth, and what has added to the happiness of having it?

¹⁶ As we read the Christian Greek Scriptures, we can see how all the apostles gave to their brothers. Likewise, someone at some time gave to you. Do you remember when you first heard the truth? Was it from someone who called at your door and explained the Kingdom message? or did you hear it in some other way? When you came to an appreciation of what was being explained to you, you were glad, and in a short time you began to see God’s organization and to associate with his people. You were happy to become a part of that organization, because its system of doing things was just, righteous and lovable. The truth, learning to think as God thinks, began to change your entire course of life. Someone had given something to you without cost; it was free, and it was making a change in you for the better and you were grateful to the giver. Next you wanted to tell others about it. So you dedicated your life to Jehovah God, and now you find more happiness in taking the truth that you have received and giving it to others. Now you are bringing them comfort, joy, pleasure, new ideas and the spirit of the new world; you can give the people a hope for life. Is it not the giving of this good news to others that brings you real happiness? There is no satisfaction in just storing up knowledge and information in your own mind and heart without ever letting it out. To keep it to yourself makes a miser of you, and a miser is a wretched person. His life is a miserable one; he just thinks of increasing his own hoard. He never has happiness in giving. Do you want to be a miser with your knowledge? If that is the way you are, you will always be a miserable person, because the real secret to full happiness is in giving.

17. How can one’s receiving of knowledge turn out to be useless?

¹⁷ Happiness cannot lie dormant; it must be expressed. Happiness must affect you or someone else. Have you kept your happiness inactive? Have you kept it asleep? Are you the miser type who prefers to be unhappy and miserable, never giving to anyone else of that which you have learned? Even if you were to gather all the knowledge of the world into your mind, it would be useless if you never gave it out. In time it would be forgotten, and your knowledge would die with you. Why get knowledge if you are not going to use it? Real Christians receive knowledge from Jehovah. They are taught of Jehovah through his Word, and their happiness comes by telling others.

Happiness of Kingdom Ambassadors

1. In what capacity were Jesus’ apostles sent out, and why were their days of ministry happy ones?

JESUS sent out twelve apostles as ambassadors to preach. He “gave them authority over unclean spirits, in order to expel these and to cure every kind of disease and every kind of ailment”. He told them to go to the lost sheep and to “preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’” Their message was to show the Israelites how necessary it was for them to draw near to God and to repent of their wrong ways, and to listen to the Messiah and to acknowledge the kingdom of the heavens which was at hand. The apostles were to give these life-sustaining truths to their hearers, teaching them of the superior government that would bring blessings and life. The things that would be accomplished by this new government were illustrated in a miniature way; for the apostles had power to cure the sick, to raise up the dead, to make lepers clean and to expel demons. All these blessings they gave freely to the people who would hear. (Matt. 10:1-15, NW) The days of their ministry must have been happy ones for them. They gave so much.—See Luke 10:17-21.

2. How had the apostles received, and how did they give as instructed?

² As Jesus continued giving his instructions to his apostles, he stressed this important thought by saying: “You received free, give free.” The powers that God gave the apostles through Christ Jesus by the holy spirit were not to be used for their own benefit, but to increase the interest of the people in Jehovah’s kingdom. After Pentecost marvelous signs were performed by means of the wonderful gifts of the spirit which were granted to the apostles. But even then the gifts of the spirit were not used by the apostles on themselves or on the congregation of God. The holy spirit or active force was used to heal the sick, to open blind eyes, and to make the lame leap. It was by reason of such miracles performed by the apostles that large crowds were attracted to them and then the apostles talked to the people about the good news of the Kingdom. This was done without money and without price.

3. How did Jesus say that his ambassadors should not let opposers disturb their happiness of giving?

³ The Master pointed out that the workers deserved their food in return for such labors of love. If the people did not appreciate what was being given to them and would not listen to the Word, then the apostles were instructed to move on to another city. If a minister of God was unwelcome in a house, he was to leave that house; or if he was unwelcome in a city, he was to shake the dust off his feet and to go on. Jesus did not instruct the apostles to force the good news of the Kingdom upon the people. The individuals hearing the message had to decide whether they wished to accept it or to rebel against it. Likewise today, if they rebel, why spoil your own happiness by staying? It is best to leave the unfriendly people. In this day and age even in democratic countries where there is freedom of speech and of worship we find individuals, sometimes groups of people, whole towns, who say, “We don’t want you here doing this preaching.” They get the mayor or the police officials after Jehovah’s witnesses, arouse the ire of the people, and have these ministers of God driven out of town. Do you agree that they should then leave? Is that all right? Sure, they will go; they will shake the dust off their feet, and they will remain happy because they have a good message to take to other people in the next town.—Matt. 10:11-15, NW.

4. Are we obliged to force the gift upon others, and so who will accept it and with what result to themselves?

⁴ Jesus warned that such conditions of opposition would exist, for he said: “Look! I am sending you forth as sheep amidst wolves; therefore prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves.” (Matt. 10:16, NW) Do not try to force the truth on other people. Jehovah God is not trying to force his Son or the acceptance of his Son upon the world of mankind. He clearly states that whoever voluntarily believes on him shall have everlasting life, but those who do not believe will not be forced to live in the new world under Christ Jesus. Nor does he threaten them with theories of hell-fire and brimstone or purgatory to make them come to his Kingdom arrangement. He is not using inquisition methods as some religious organizations have done and are still doing to force people into his congregation. Jehovah God has something to give to the world of mankind. He is happy to give it to them, and they can accept it if they want to. It is a gift of life-giving truth which Jehovah’s witnesses are bringing to all nations, peoples, kindreds and tongues. These words from the Bible are the words of life. Those who have ears to hear will gladly and gratefully accept the truth and thank Jehovah for bringing the knowledge to them. They will gain great happiness, for in a short time they also will share in the service of giving this word of truth to others. So despite all the hardships in the house-to-house work that a Christian may encounter in preaching this gospel of the Kingdom, there is still more happiness in giving than in being the householder standing on the other side of the door, just listening to what is said.

5. No matter how much we give it out, why shall we never run out of truth and consequently happiness?

⁵ All the apostles and disciples of the early church had much to give to the people, and they gave it with gladness; they gave it freely. There is one thing we are sure of: No matter how much of the truth one might give, he would never run out of it. There is no limit to the speaking of the truth. It is like a stream that comes down out of the mountains, with a source far behind it in the towering, snow-capped peaks. That stream will always flow, and so will the truth of God’s Word always flow. It comes through his organization to all the nations of the earth. We shall never run out of truth or happiness as long as we keep on receiving and giving of what we receive. In fact, the more we give of the truth, the more happiness we shall possess. At the same time the truth will build us up and continue to make us stronger in carrying forth the good news from house to house. If our hearts and minds are filled with this good message from God’s abundance, we cannot refrain from telling it to others. All of God’s people, then, move forward, ‘worshiping Jehovah in holy array.’—Ps. 29:2, AS.

CHEERFUL GIVER LOVED

6, 7. (a) How shall we reap happiness abundantly? (b) How should we get out persons who do not go out in preaching service?

⁶ Paul told the Corinthians: “But as to this, he that sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he that sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:6, 7, NW) If you know the truth, why should you begrudge it to others? Why should you thus short-change yourself in happiness? On the other hand, God will not compel you to preach it, because he does not love one who is a grudging giver; rather he loves one who is cheerful in his giving. Are you so full of the truth that it flows over, so full that you just cannot hold it in? If you are not that way, then you have not taken in enough truth for yourself. Why have you not been feeding and drinking with Jehovah’s people at their organizational study meetings? Remember, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matt. 12:34, NW) Be a cheerful giver and abundantly reap happiness.

⁷ Sometimes we find persons in the organization of Jehovah’s witnesses who do not go out in the preaching service. How are we going to assist such individuals? Scolding will do no good. It would be much better to talk to such a person and show him the wonderful blessings that are in store for him, reminding him of the things he has received from God through his Word. Each one must resolve in his own heart what he is going to do, whether he will go out in the service of Jehovah and practice true worship, or not. No one should serve under compulsion. Forced praise is not acceptable to the Most High God; cheerful praise is. Just as your knowledge and understanding of his Word is determined by the time and effort you put into study, similarly your fruitage and harvest in the field service will be according to the effort you put forth. If you sow sparingly, if you do not want to plant the seed of truth by preaching the good news of the Kingdom in your territory, then you will not reap bountifully. If you sow plentifully by doing much preaching in your own home town or in an isolated territory that may be assigned to you, then you will reap plentifully.

8. Why do some miss out on good field experiences and so what checkup should we make of ourselves?

⁸ There are a number of folks who go out in the field service and who wonder why they never have any good experiences. Usually you find that they are working only one or two hours in a month. They are not giving out enough to get happiness from the service. They hardly get started before they quit, and then they wonder why people never come into the truth because of their efforts. How about yourself? Are you paying attention to yourself and your life? You need to! Check yourself: Are you sowing sparingly, just a little bit now and then and never watering what you do sow, never looking after it? Are you afraid to go out and scatter seed abundantly in territory near your house or anywhere else? How do you feel about your service to God? Is it satisfactory? Do you do it grudgingly or under compulsion, or are you happy when others assist you? If you do your service, that is, enough of it, as to God, you will receive a great blessing. Give of your knowledge to others. Plant and reap.

9. How should we accept help for field service, and how should we render it?

⁹ Your brothers want to assist you, just as Paul wanted to help the Ephesians and the Corinthians and all the other congregations that he had organized. So the company servants, the circuit servants and other servants appointed by the Watch Tower Society want to help you, the Kingdom publishers, become more efficient in the preaching of the good news. Accept their help in loving appreciation. And whatever you do in the field service, you should do because you love Jehovah. Do it because you know it is the right thing to do, because it is your worship of the Most High. Do it because you want the “joy of Jehovah”. Do it because you want the happiness in giving. If you do give the truth freely to others, you will find happiness. Jesus certainly was not unhappy in his service, and it was he who said: “Happy are those who are conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.” (Matt. 5:3, NW) See how happy all those can be who are seeking Jehovah’s kingdom, as Jesus expressed in his lecture on the mount, recorded at Matthew 5:1-13.

THE RESPONSIBILITY TO TALK

10. Are we to leave the talking to Jesus personally, and what did Paul say on this point?

¹⁰ Think of the responsibility that rests upon Christians today. Some prefer to think that the whole load of responsibility is upon Jesus Christ and that he did all the necessary preaching in addition to redeeming. Some today look upon Christ as the one who was supposed to do the preaching from house to house, and now all they need to do is to sit down and listen to his words as recorded in the Bible and watch what happens. Do you believe, as do many: “We’ll just wait now until God does something”? The early disciples did not look at it that way and neither do faithful followers of Christ Jesus now. They appreciate and apply what Paul said: “We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us.” In other words, we are God’s ambassadors instead of Christ; or, we can be ambassadors in the name of Christ. But no matter how you construe what Paul said, we are the ones who are commanded to do the talking, representing God. That is why Paul pleaded with all those who would hear his words: “Become reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20, NW) He felt his responsibility; he took hold of the task at hand as an ambassador.

11. Hence we must do the same as who did, and so how are those that mourn happy?

¹¹ If that is the case, then to be ambassadors we must do the same thing that Jesus did when he was upon the earth and “comfort all that mourn”. Certainly Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 61:1, 2, because he did preach good tidings; he did bind up the broken-hearted; he did proclaim liberty to the captives, and he did open the prison to those that were bound. He comforted all that mourned. While Jesus was sitting on the mountain, he said: “Happy are those who mourn, since they will be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4, NW) There is much comforting yet to be done, and this can be done only by ambassadors substituting for Christ. The comfort is furnished by their giving the good news they have to others.

12, 13. How are the meek or mild-tempered ones, the ones hungering for righteousness and the merciful happy?

¹² One does not have to be hardhearted and domineering to get a place in Jehovah’s new world of righteousness. Just the opposite is essential; for Jesus said at the same time: “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5, NW) The study of Jehovah’s Word will make one mild-tempered. Those in the old world who are not of a gruff but of a peaceful disposition are the ones who seek after truth and righteousness. They are the kind of people who love living, and Jesus said they are going to inherit the earth. Anyone who is hungering and searching for righteousness is going to be filled, and such ones will also be made happy. Can you think of any greater joy to come to a person than for him to receive a knowledge of the truth and establish his faith to such firmness that he goes out and preaches the good news he has learned? Think of how filled with the truth such a person is, even to the point of overflowing! Yes, it makes those who have studied God’s Word and who rejoice in the wisdom and knowledge they have received from it merciful toward others in sharing the truth with them. The knowledge of the truth changes their lives, and they become mild-tempered and generous. So this quality is expressed in their giving, and they are happy.

¹³ Many people in the old world show mercy, and the truth will find such ones too. As Jehovah’s witnesses go about the world proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and trying to feed the other sheep, the merciful ones will listen with appreciation. Certainly, “happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy.” (Matt. 5:7, NW) Jehovah God will show mercy to these merciful ones and will not let them go down into everlasting destruction at Armageddon, because they have the right heart condition. These Christ is gathering now as his other sheep and a great many will survive Armageddon. They are pure in heart, happy and peaceable.

14. Why, like the multitude in the mountain, are we astounded at Jesus’ teaching?

¹⁴ It was for all such ones that the Master “opened his mouth and began teaching” as he sat there upon the mountain. The things that he taught would bring happiness to any individual with a right heart who would listen and believe. For wise counsel concerning the right course to be taken as a Christian, much can be gained by reading Matthew, chapters five, six and seven, which contain the sermon on the mount. The great crowd who heard that discourse were amazed at the way Jesus taught. He spoke to the people so differently from the scribes and the Pharisees who were the religious leaders of that time. You will find, too, in reading this discourse of Jesus that he spoke altogether differently from the clergy of Christendom today. You, too, will be like the multitude; for “when Jesus finished these sayings, the effect was that the crowds were astounded at his way of teaching; for he was teaching them as a person having authority, and not as their scribes”.—Matt. 7:28, 29, NW.

15. (a) With a view to our happiness, what responsibility is now placed upon us? (b) What has made it possible for Jehovah’s witnesses to preach the good news to the ends of the earth?

¹⁵ Christendom’s clergy are not substituting for Christ as ambassadors. So the responsibility is now placed upon us as individuals to give others the knowledge we have; for thereby will come our happiness. Christ Jesus as the Son of God had the authority from his Father to preach this good news of the Kingdom. The command to preach this same message was passed on to the apostles and to the Christians who followed thereafter. Hence today we are ambassadors substituting for Christ. Jehovah’s witnesses have taken up that command to preach, and throughout the world they can be found ‘worshiping Jehovah in holy array’. Each one of them takes his position in Jehovah’s organization, doing with his might what his hands find to do, seeking for opportunities to help others do the same. They have the joy of their Lord Jesus Christ. It is their joy in giving that has made them such earnest ministers of Jehovah God. It is their happiness in giving and their knowing they are right and have the backing of Jehovah that has made it possible for them to preach this good news of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth.

Maturity Brings Happiness

1. Why and how does a baby enjoy getting older?

A BABY enjoys getting older. New fields are invaded by the child’s mind. When a youngster is but a baby its field of exploration is the crib or its mother’s arms. It is not long though until a baby wants to do more exploring, and it starts to crawl. It gets into and takes hold of everything possible. The child wants to see; it wants to know, and it is reaching out for knowledge whether it knows it or not. Often when you explain things to a child it will say, “Why?” Sometimes the questions children ask us make us stop and think, and at times our reply is simply, “Just because.” But that is not satisfactory; there must be reason, there must be logic and purpose in our answers. The child is growing up, getting more mature, and it receives happiness from knowing the whys of things.

2. In the years of his elementary schooling what are the things the child learns, and why are these important?

² It is not long until the child is old enough to go to school. Then he really starts using his mind and taking in much information. The things a child learns in the first grade or the few years following he does not have to go back and study over again. These first things he learns are fundamental; they are basic. On these fundamental principles all the theories of grammar, arithmetic and pronunciation are based. He is ready to go to new ideas and greater things. So by the time he gets to high school he is working on algebra, geometry, perhaps studying chemistry, physics, languages—and those very early fundamental principles he learned are still with him and are always very helpful. They are basic things. Without that first fundamental information he could not gain maturity, and he would not be happy.

3. Why do some people have to go over the primary things again and again, but what course brings increased happiness?

³ When an individual takes up a subject for study he must get the elementary principles of the subject in mind and then build on them. As he builds on these true principles he gains greater knowledge and understanding. If he does not study and does not try to advance he will forget even the basic principles. Some people are like that. They become lazy in the use of their minds and they do not take the time to review the things they have learned or to use the knowledge they have to gain greater knowledge. Many people today get a knowledge of the truth and learn the fundamental doctrines, but because they do not use what they have learned by telling it to others, they find they must keep studying the same things over again and again. They are like the people Paul spoke about in Hebrews 5:12 (NW): “For, indeed, although you ought to be teachers in view of the time, you again need someone to teach you from the beginning the first principles of the sacred pronouncements of God, and you have become such as need milk, not solid food.” It is absolutely necessary to use the Word of God in order to have it stick in our minds. If we do not use that Word as mature teachers, we shall continue as spiritual babes. But think of the happiness that comes with increased knowledge! Then why should we always be going back to the things we learned once before? Paul said: “For everyone that partakes of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” (Heb 5 Vss. 13, 14, NW) There is no happiness in doing wrong. If you are mature you will know what is right and do it, and your knowledge and maturity will bring you happiness.

4. Why is associating with Jehovah’s witnesses necessary, and how many companies of them are available for such association?

⁴ Associating regularly with Jehovah’s witnesses for Bible study is the thing you need to build you up in the faith. Jehovah’s witnesses have Kingdom Halls scattered throughout the world. In fact, there are 13,942 companies or congregations of Jehovah’s witnesses in the world with regular meeting places so those who want to learn can learn. By regular attendance and study you can gain maturity. Jehovah God has given humans the mind to use, and it is only through use that one’s perceptive powers will be trained.

5. What do we naturally expect those with whom we study to do eventually, and how many on the average were doing this monthly?

⁵ It is natural for Jehovah’s witnesses as ministers and teachers to come to the conclusion that after a time the individuals with whom they are studying the Bible in their homes are ready to go out into the field service and do something with the knowledge they have gained. These ministers know that “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving”. During the service year of 1952, there were 426,704 ministers of Jehovah God preaching the good news every month. That is the average for the service year. There are many more publishers of the Kingdom message than that throughout the world, but not all of them got out every month to preach the Word, due to interferences or duties in life. But if they would arrange their affairs (and they should), they could be regular publishers preaching the good news, which is the most important thing a creature can do today. They would have more happiness in life if they were doing this regularly, because they would be giving.

6. Why were back-calls made last year, and how many together with how many home Bible studies?

⁶ Mature ministers of Jehovah keep busy making back-calls by going to the homes of people who are interested in the truth. The reason for making these back-calls is to try to help the people of good will use their perceptive powers, training them to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong, and teaching them the fundamental doctrines set forth in God’s Word. To accomplish this Jehovah’s witnesses made 21,980,794 back-calls on interested persons world-wide last year. They have been conducting 279,622 regular Bible studies on the average every month in the homes of people who want to learn.

7, 8. According to Hebrews 6:1-12, what is our proper desire and aim toward those with whom we thus study?

⁷ After spending six months or maybe a year studying in these homes, they believe it is time for these persons to advance into service; and they feel as Paul did when he expressed himself at Hebrews 6:1-3 (NW): “For this reason, now that we have left the elementary doctrine about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying a foundation again, namely, repentance from dead works, and faith toward God, the teaching on baptisms and the laying on of the hands, the resurrection of the dead and everlasting judgment. And this we will do, if God indeed permits.” If you will read the 6th chapter of Hebrews from verses 1 to 12, you will see that Paul is trying to get these early Christians to grow, to become mature and to be like himself in the service. He points out that “God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name, in that you have ministered to the holy ones and continue ministering”.—Heb. 6:10, NW.

⁸ As to those who are kind to Jehovah’s witnesses, giving them a cup of cold water, the Lord Jesus says: ‘These will be blessed.’ They are as sheep being put on the right side of the Master. At least they do not show the goatlike spirit. But do not stop with just giving a cup of cold water. Grow up to maturity. Do not stop when you have learned the fundamental doctrines that lead to life. Go on and gain life. Seek it and you will find it. That is why Paul says, in the 11th and 12th verses Heb 6:11, 12: “But we desire each one of you to show the same industriousness so as to have the full assurance of the hope down to the end, in order that you may not become sluggish, but be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

9. How many pioneers have been showing maturity and gaining happiness, and how many company publishers, and with what results as to literature?

⁹ The 1953 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses shows how industrious these ministers of God have been during the twelve months of their service year and how they have been striving for maturity and happiness in Jehovah’s service. Many of them are in the pioneer service. By that we mean they are spending at least 100 hours a month or more, some as high as 150 or 200 hours, in preaching this good news of the Kingdom that must be announced in all the world for a witness. There were 18,181 pioneers on the average every month throughout the year, devoting themselves to the ministerial activity. Of this number there are 1,421 who have gone through the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead and who are serving in the capacity of pioneers, missionaries, circuit servants or branch servants. This great array of God’s ministers, 18,181 pioneers and 408,523 company publishers, has gone forth to the ends of the earth. In fact, their joy in wanting to give freely of the truth took them into 127 different lands, countries, territories and islands of the sea to preach the good news. They distributed literature to the amount of 14,662,122 Bibles, books and booklets so that the people might learn more of the wonderful promises Jehovah has set forth in his Word. In addition to that, they saw to it that many of the interested people would receive the Watchtower and Awake! magazines regularly. During the year they obtained 704,063 new subscriptions for these two fine magazines.

10. What quantity of magazines did they place, and how, and from what supply?

¹⁰ You probably have seen Jehovah’s witnesses on the street corners offering these two magazines, and you may have wondered, How many do they distribute? The report for the year shows that these diligent servants of God have placed 22,484,345 individual copies of these two magazines all over the world in 36 different languages and in 127 different countries. Many of the magazines were distributed in house-to-house work where much time can be spent talking to the people. To supply all the Watchtower and Awake! magazines world-wide the Society printed 58,531,323 copies.

11. How much time did they report preaching, and with what effect on many preached to?

¹¹ Jehovah’s witnesses see that there are many things to be done in these days, but the greatest work is to promote the true worship of Jehovah God and to preach about his kingdom so that others may share in this wonderful hope. So interested are these ministers in their work that they spent 68,703,699 hours preaching. That is a great deal of talking. Have you shared in preaching the Kingdom message to others? Have you reported your work? Because of the preaching Jehovah’s witnesses have done they have interested many others in the work. In fact, before the year ended a new peak of publishers was reached, because many of those who had become interested in the great ministerial activity of Jehovah’s witnesses had gone out with them in the service.

12. The publishing was engaged in by what peak number, together with how many public meetings, and what is the reason for such effort?

¹² The peak in number of publishers reported for any one month throughout the whole year was 456,265. This is the highest number of persons who have engaged in field service to help others gain knowledge of Jehovah ever to report to the Society in one year. So that such ones will never go back to childlike living, the Watch Tower Society has regular Bible studies in Kingdom Halls and in the homes of the people. Attending these meetings helps one grow to maturity. Public lectures also are arranged at the Kingdom Halls, and these talks totaled 240,921 last year. What is the reason for all this effort? It is that those who are turning to the truth may grow in powers of understanding. Paul expressed it this way: “Brothers, do not become young children in powers of understanding, but be babes as to evil; yet become full-grown in powers of understanding.”—1 Cor. 14:20, NW.

13. In what direction must we look, and how could we average 468,374 publishers in 1953?

¹³ The time is here for those who have dedicated their lives to Jehovah God to forget the things that are behind, this old world and its immoral way of living, and to move forward. Look to the things ahead; consider the New World society and the blessings to come. This means activity. If every company of Jehovah’s witnesses increased its number of publishers by 10 per cent during the 1953 service year, we would average 468,374 publishers for 1953. Expansion comes by bringing to maturity those who are interested in Jehovah’s kingdom. We know they will gain happiness in their maturity because they will want to give freely of the water of life. So we must expect increases and help the new ones to see their responsibility to teach others.

14. How many were baptized, and what should mature ministers do during 1953, and with what increase of publishers possible?

¹⁴ Jesus said: “My Father is glorified in this, that you keep bearing much fruit and prove yourselves my disciples.” (John 15:8, NW) Are you going to bear fruit, or are you going to be a baby all your life? Why not be a teacher? You ought to be! Let your maturity bring you happiness. “Let us press on to maturity.” (Heb. 6:1, NW) As those in Jehovah’s organization strive for maturity, they will increase in numbers. So let those who are mature ministers help others during 1953, and take those who are growing in the truth out in the witnessing work with you. If you do, we can expect a 20 per cent increase in the peak number of publishers in every company in the world and a corresponding 20 per cent increase in the year’s peak report for 1953. Why not strive to hit this new peak of 512,044 by the end of April 1953? It can be done by striving for maturity and happiness and by really helping the 54,707 individuals who symbolized their dedication to Jehovah’s service last year by water baptism.

15. According to Philippians 3:13-16, of what mental attitude should both remnant and other sheep be now?

¹⁵ Jehovah God will bring these mature, happy ministers into his kingdom of righteousness in not too long a time. Paul said: “Forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead, I am pursuing down toward the goal for the prize of the calling above and which God extends in Christ Jesus. Let us, then, as many of us as are mature, be of this mental attitude; and if you are mentally inclined otherwise in any respect, God will reveal the above attitude to you. At any rate, to what extent we have made progress, let us go on walking orderly in this same routine.” (Phil. 3:13-16, NW) The anointed remnant must be of this mental attitude, and the other sheep too are urged to follow the same advice.

16. Of those attending the Memorial supper how many must be babes spiritually, and what happiness-bringing course should we take toward them?

¹⁶ All of us have experienced the sorrow and unhappiness of this old world. Now having turned to God’s Word we have learned what it means to be happy and joyful in his organization. So Peter said: “Accordingly, put away all moral badness and all deceitfulness and hypocrisy and envies and all kinds of backbiting, and, as newborn infants, form a longing for the unadulterated milk belonging to the word, that through it you may grow to salvation, provided you have tasted that the Lord is kind.” (1 Pet. 2:1-3, NW) So Jehovah’s servants everywhere are trying to help the “newborn infants” to grow up and gain salvation. There are many of these young ones who need help as babes in the truth. At the Memorial service of Jehovah’s witnesses last year there were 667,099 who associated themselves with God’s people on that one night. It is easy to see there is much interest, but over 200,000 of this number are spiritually babies. Most of them know the fundamental doctrines, and they are happy that they see the difference between the Devil’s organization and Jehovah’s organization. More truth though will bring happiness, satisfaction, contentment, and eventually everlasting life. Why not help all to be mature in the truth? Then they will know, just as you do, the Scriptural reason why this world is in this dilapidated condition and the reason why Jehovah God is going to destroy it. They will know what to say to people in order to comfort them. They will know, as you do, that happiness comes by gaining maturity and by taking the right course now. The right course is to associate with Jehovah’s witnesses in praising Jehovah God, promoting true worship, and preaching that the kingdom of the heavens is at hand. That will bring you true happiness that comes with maturity.

17. Judged by the 1953 Yearbook what makes Jehovah’s witnesses so happy, even despite oppressive governments?

¹⁷ What makes Jehovah’s witnesses so happy? Look at the record of their activity as reported in the 1953 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Examine the chart of their world-wide field service as published on pages 16, 17 in this issue of The Watchtower. There is the answer—service, true worship of Jehovah God. Some countries are not named in the report. In fact, ten of them are grouped together. Why? In order to safeguard the witness work and so as not to reveal how many persons are actually preaching behind the Iron Curtain and in dictator-controlled countries. Still the witnesses are there telling the good news to others even though under terrific persecution. All of them, no matter where they may be, are happily united as one in ‘worshiping Jehovah in holy array’. (Ps. 29:2, AS) Be one of these praisers and worshipers of Jehovah in your country in 1953!