(Continued from page 584) “Rejoice, young man, in your youth and let your heart do you good in the days of your young manhood, and walk in the ways of your heart and in the things seen by your eyes. But know that on account of all these The [true] God will bring you into judgment. So remove vexation from your heart and ward off calamity from your flesh, for youth and the prime of life are vanity.” So to those who are young we say, Work for a favorable judgment from Jehovah, not for the latest-model car. Why not direct your energies into the full-time service? A Bethel branch home, Gilead School and the pioneer service are marvelous and worthwhile goals. Work toward one of them. Moreover, how wrong it would be for parents to encourage their children to strive for material riches! The greatest heritage you can bestow upon your child is the desire to serve Jehovah full time. Do not frustrate their entering the full-time service by encouraging them to work for large salaries so the family can now enjoy some of the finer things of life. Yes, youth as well as the older ones must resist materialism, and parents can help their children much along these lines.

15. In setting a proper example for their children, how will parents provide a mighty bulwark against materialism?

¹⁵ Those who set the proper example in teaching their children to respect true spiritual values provide a splendid means of combating delinquency. Set a proper example by attending and participating in the meetings regularly. Remember, good training in the early formative years will provide a real foundation that will act as a mighty bulwark against materialism in later years. Parents, give due consideration to this and gain untold blessings for yourselves and your family. Yes, resist materialism in the spirit of Colossians 3:23:“Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah.” This would include having a balanced view of material riches, for a wise use of resources is required. Such is in harmony with the instructions given in Proverbs 30:8: “Give me neither poverty nor riches.”

16. (a) Soldierlike, how can we wage war against materialism? (b) Show how Satan cleverly maneuvers some into a position where they are vulnerable to attack.

¹⁶ True Christians realize that materialism is out to conquer all the people in this world with its philosophy. Of necessity its conquest will be brief. Nonetheless, it will claim many victims, and that is why we must wage relentless war against it like a true soldier. Paul said: “No man serving as a soldier involves himself in the commercial businesses of life, in order that he may meet the approval of the one who enrolled him as a soldier.” (2 Tim. 2:4) There is a twofold lesson to be learned here. First, a soldier cannot afford to have divided interests. It is essential that he be singularly devoted to his cause; otherwise he will not be a real fighter. Second, a good soldier is keenly interested in victory. Just as a soldier trains, fights and wages relentless war against the enemy in order to gain victory, so too we must fight materialism. The real enemy Satan the Devil is adroit and clever at tactical warfare. He has outflanked and outmaneuvered some by isolating them through their consuming desire for material things. This has placed them on the fringe, where they are easy prey for Satan’s snipers, and the results can be disastrous. Hence none can afford to relax for a moment. We must learn how to use the greatest weapon we have against materialism, the “sword of the spirit.” Against it no materialistic philosophy is successful, for it can slash to pieces and lay bare the most clever arguments in favor of materialism.

17. Why is Jehovah’s Word a mighty weapon against materialism, and how can we fight covetousness?

¹⁷ In this vein Paul wrote: “The word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and their marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is not a creation that is not manifest to his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting.” (Heb. 4:12, 13) Secretly we may have materialistic designs and be jealous of what someone else has. This would in time influence our thinking and cause us to become off-balanced and covetous. Jehovah in his Word indicates how strongly he feels against covetousness, for he included this in one of the Ten Commandments. Covetousness is really the power of wrong desire at work, and in time one’s thoughts will give way to action, for, ‘where the treasure is, there the heart will be also.’ How profitable it is, then, not to allow our thinking to dwell on materialistic improper desires! We should be satisfied with the necessities and let the joy of Jehovah’s service be our real satisfaction. A failure to let the principles of God’s Word direct our thinking can result in our being drowned in the sea of materialism.

18. (a) How can specious reasoning weaken our resistance? (b) Illustrate how some have allowed selfishness to cause them to evaluate improperly material necessities, and how can we slash away such clever reasonings?

¹⁸ Further, to illustrate how vital it is to slash away false reasonings by applying the principles in God’s Word, let us observe a brother who feels there are just too many meetings. He believes that he can keep up with the truth nicely by missing out on one or two and at the same time utilize such evenings by working longer hours to get more pay. He muses that he cannot lose too much if he misses a meeting or two. However, what he fails to recognize is that he has let the bars down and has allowed the subtle encroachments of materialism to direct his thinking and his way of life. This brother and his wife feel that they need a more complete wardrobe. No, they are not destitute of the necessary clothing. They make a good appearance in the service and at meetings, but now they want more clothes. Their wardrobe would not be complete if they did not have just the proper attire for each occasion. Nonetheless, Jehovah provided each meeting for a particular purpose, and to flout that arrangement is to lose Jehovah’s spirit. Which is more important in Jehovah’s eyes: the fine apparel of this world or the incorruptible apparel of the quiet and mild spirit? (1 Pet. 3:4) How skillfully Satan appeals to the desire of the eyes and the pride of life to entice one away from Jehovah’s organization! A seemingly harmless practice on the part of this brother becomes a deeply entrenched habit, and he will have to make a complete reversal if he is going to win out in the fight against materialism. Slash away such clever reasonings that favor materialism by effectively using the “sword of the spirit.” Stop improper and unnecessary desires from getting rooted. Be satisfied with less materially in order to be rich spiritually.

Keep your minds fixed on the things above, not on the things upon the earth.—Col. 3:2.

Self-Examination Vital to Fight Materialism

1. Why is self-examination so necessary, and where must it begin?

AS SEEN from the previous article, materialism is subtle and can appear as a benefactor. Hence we must examine our motives. Self-examination is very necessary. While we favor ourselves by nature, nonetheless Jehovah has provided a splendid means of self-scrutiny. First of all, we must ask ourselves, “Where is our heart?” Jeremiah understood how wicked the heart could be: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”—Jer. 17:9, 10, AS.

2. What proves whether we have a new love or not?

² Where is your heart? Is your first love still the priceless possession of the truth, or have you a new love, materialism? We may say we do not have a new love. But what do our actions show? Do we still get that incomparable joy from field service? Or have we begun to crowd out that joy by spending more hours at leisure, being entertained and satisfied by materialistic pleasures and possessions and spending less hours in field service? Remember, a covetous heart seeks materialism, but a loyal heart shuns it.

3. How can the organization’s resources aid us in a fight against materialism? What are some of these resources?

³ To continue our self-appraisal we ask, “Are we utilizing the resources of the organization to fight materialism?” Such resources are the qualifications that the “faithful and discreet slave” possesses and that can aid us to progress to maturity and successfully resist materialism. Do you recognize the wisdom of the organization in publishing wholesome information that will help us successfully resist these encroachments? For example, among the organizational resources from which we may benefit today are the years of Christian growth and experience of the organization, its example in the proper use of time, faculties, abilities and aptitudes; and its providing of a deep and detailed understanding of Jehovah’s Word, with proper enlightenment as to right doctrine and organization. These are valuable assets and well qualify Jehovah’s New World society to aid us in our fight against materialism.

4. Why are Christian growth and experience invaluable in fighting materialism? Illustrate this point.

⁴ Are we making daily application of the good things learned in the Watch Tower Society’s publications? Are we letting them help us make our minds over? To illustrate the point, a young teen-age brother may be quite intelligent, get good grades in school and feel that he has the answers to many problems. However, because he lacks experience and has not dealt with the problems of life to any great degree, he can go off on a tangent. His father, a mature, well-qualified man, recognizes this, sits down with his son and gives him practical wisdom that will aid the boy to make right paths for his feet. These sound principles that the father has learned by a progressive application of Jehovah’s Word can be of great value to the son in making a success out of life and not leaning on his own understanding. This is how the organization should be viewed—as an “older man” full of wisdom, maturity, good judgment, sound balance and discernment.

5. Of what value are today’s “gifts in men”?

⁵ How do you view the theocratic organization with its appointed servants and with various ones placed in positions of responsibility? Do you view them as “gifts in men”? Do you fully appreciate them? At times they act as a rescue team retrieving wayward ones from the undertow, always ready and willing to serve. Here is another of the resources we can tap to aid us in our fight against materialism. Do not neglect this life line. Your mature Christian brothers can help you to direct your mind and heart in the right channel. Otherwise you might find yourself floundering in the sea of materialism, too weak to resist any longer. This could be disastrous.

6. In our continued self-examination, what part do meeting attendance and participation play?

⁶ Next in our self-examination we ask, “Are we attending and participating in the meetings?” Not only is it important to attend but it is very important to say something constructive while we are there. This enables us to become more qualified to teach. At the meetings matters are discussed and one acquires wisdom and understanding. We become fortified with sayings from Jehovah’s mouth; and since Jehovah is unalterably opposed to materialism, then an application of the principles in his Word will aid us to fight this menace. Hence the value of attending and participating in the meetings. And is it not good and encouraging to hear the expressions of the newer brothers? Nothing is so heart-warming as to hear the comments of those new in the truth and to watch them grow to maturity, transforming their mind and heart from this old system to the new. This is indeed good insurance against materialism. Keep your love where their love is and you will please Jehovah.

7. How can one discern whether he is setting a good example for his family in resisting the encroachments of materialism?

⁷ Also, it is good to examine what we think and talk about. What do we talk about when we are at home with our children? What kind of an example are we setting for them? Do we always talk about things that we plan on purchasing for the home or developments we wish to pursue in connection with our home? What do we discuss with our family, our mate and our children? Do we discuss spiritual things such as improving our sermons and how to give better comments at the meetings? Is our example a good one? Will they profit from it? What will they learn from us that is practical and of theocratic value?

8. Is faithful, regular field service of value in minimizing the inroads of materialism? How?

⁸ Moreover, it is good to analyze our ministerial service record. What kind of an example are we setting for our family as far as service is concerned? We may say we are not materialistically inclined. If one’s service record is slipping, it is time to analyze why it is being minimized. Perhaps materialism is making inroads to a greater extent than one has ever realized. Regular field service is very valuable. When we engage in the field service regularly we are forming good habits. We place literature, and if we are interested in the growth of the New World society of Jehovah’s witnesses we will make back-calls. Then, if conscientious, we will try to start a home Bible study. This is not difficult, for even the newest publisher can do it with a little training. Such is developing a pattern of right works. It means we are gaining maturity, and with increased maturity we shall more properly evaluate things. We shall think twice before taking one step backward. We shall treasure our service, knowing that it leads to life. We shall then resist any philosophy that would upset our trend in the right direction. Hence, if we would but follow the leading of the “faithful and discreet slave” and form good service habits it would crowd out materialistic tendencies.

9. Why is proper association vital?

⁹ Also vital is our association. When Paul said: “Bad associations spoil useful habits,” how well this applies to materialistically-minded brothers! (1 Cor. 15:33) A Christian who has wandered from the narrow path of proper theocratic activity to the wide path of materialism is bad enough; but when that same one either by example or by word subtly entices his brother to join him, it is much worse. Therefore, keep company with brothers whose conversation is uplifting, whose service activity is exemplary and whose New World outlook is bright. Remember, false friendship is like the ivy vine that decays and ruins the wall it embraces, but true friendship is mutually strengthening and upbuilding, giving new life and vigor to its participants.

10. Should prayer be employed in the fight against materialism? How?

¹⁰ After this careful self-examination, should there be any symptoms of materialism, then set out to conquer such by immediate forthright action. Paul said: “Do this, too, because you know the season, that it is already the hour for you to awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers.” (Rom. 13:11) It would be a shame if some who have been faithful for many years would now weaken to the subtle temptation of materialism. It is best not to say, “It will not happen to me”; rather, pray that it does not. Prayer cannot be overemphasized. It enables one to communicate with one’s God. We should daily petition Jehovah to aid us to overcome materialistic tendencies. Imperfect as we are, it requires constant alertness to guard against the inroads that materialism can make; and, coupled with our prayers, we should keep on increasing our spiritual maturity, which will truly aid us to conquer the menace of materialism.

11, 12. What examples are provided in (a) our brothers in Russia? (b) our sisters in Korea?

¹¹ We should fight it like our brothers in Russia and our sisters in Korea. What a wonderful example we have in these brothers and sisters! The 1957 Yearbook speaks of one Polish brother who spent fifteen years in Russia and fourteen years in the camps. After much torture and much trial and persecution he came out alive, singing songs of praise to Jehovah’s name. His love for the truth kept him alive. Is our love for the truth that strong? How can we guard ourselves for the turbulent time ahead? Certainly not by spending all our extra time relaxing before TV or working extra hours for the luxuries of this life.

¹² Then too, our sisters in Korea are an inspiration. Many find that they can vacation-pioneer for three months in a year. One sister with an opposing husband and three small children answered the call. With one tied to her back, one carrying the bookbag and the other holding on to her hand she witnessed. She had her hands full, but at the month’s end she had made her time and kept up her humble home. She had no modern conveniences and was up before daylight, carried water, did the chores in connection with her home. Poor in this world’s goods, but she was rich spiritually. She also kept her five studies going even after vacation-pioneer service ended. So it is with the missionaries and other full-time servants. They are setting a good example in putting first things first, spiritual above material. Real happiness and many blessings await those who seek first the Kingdom by entering the full-time service. If you cannot be a pioneer, at least you can have the pioneer spirit. It can aid you in overcoming materialistic desires.