All Must Render an Account to God

“Each of us will render an account for himself to God.”—ROMANS 14:12.

1. What limits were placed on the freedom of Adam and Eve?

JEHOVAH GOD created our first parents, Adam and Eve, as free moral agents. Though they were lower than the angels, they were intelligent creatures capable of making wise decisions. (Psalm 8:4, 5) Yet, that God-given freedom was not a license to exercise self-determination. They were accountable to their Creator, and this accountability has extended to all their descendants.

2. Jehovah will soon make what accounting, and why?

² Now that we are nearing the climax of this wicked system of things, Jehovah will make an accounting on the earth. (Compare Romans 9:28.) Soon, ungodly men will have to render an account to Jehovah God for the despoiling of earth’s resources, the destruction of human life, and especially the persecution of his servants.—Revelation 6:10; 11:18.

3. What questions will we consider?

³ Faced with this sobering prospect, it is beneficial for us to reflect on Jehovah’s righteous dealings with his creatures in times past. How can the Scriptures help us, on our part, to render an acceptable account to our Creator? What examples may be helpful, and which ones should we avoid imitating?

Angels Are Accountable

4. How do we know that God holds angels accountable for their actions?

⁴ Jehovah’s angelic creatures in the heavens are just as accountable to him as we are. Before the Flood of Noah’s day, some angels disobediently materialized in order to engage in sexual relations with women. As free moral agents, these spirit creatures could make this decision, but God held them accountable. When the disobedient angels returned to the spirit realm, Jehovah did not permit them to regain their original position. The disciple Jude tells us that they have been “reserved with eternal bonds under dense darkness for the judgment of the great day.”—Jude 6.

5. What fall has been experienced by Satan and his demons, and how will the account for their rebellion be settled?

⁵ These disobedient angels, or demons, have Satan the Devil as their ruler. (Matthew 12:24-26) This wicked angel rebelled against his Creator and challenged the rightfulness of Jehovah’s sovereignty. Satan led our first parents into sin, and this resulted in their eventual death. (Genesis 3:1-7, 17-19) Although Jehovah permitted Satan to have access to heavenly courts for a period thereafter, the Bible book of Revelation foretold that in God’s due time, this wicked one would be cast down to the vicinity of the earth. Evidence indicates that this took place shortly after Jesus Christ received Kingdom power in 1914. Eventually, the Devil and his demons will go into everlasting destruction. With the issue of sovereignty finally resolved, the account for rebellion will then have been justly settled.—Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7; Revelation 12:7-9; 20:10.

God’s Son Is Accountable

6. How does Jesus view his own accountability to his Father?

⁶ What a fine example has been set by God’s Son, Jesus Christ! As a perfect man on a par with Adam, Jesus was delighted to do the divine will. He was also glad to be held accountable for compliance with Jehovah’s law. Concerning him, the psalmist fittingly prophesied: “To do your will, O my God, I have delighted, and your law is within my inward parts.”—Psalm 40:8; Hebrews 10:6-9.

7. When praying on the eve of his death, why could Jesus say the words recorded at John 17:4, 5?

⁷ Despite the hateful opposition that Jesus experienced, he did God’s will and maintained integrity to death on a torture stake. He thereby paid the ransom price to redeem mankind from the death-dealing consequences of Adam’s sin. (Matthew 20:28) Hence, on the eve of his death, Jesus could confidently pray: “I have glorified you on the earth, having finished the work you have given me to do. So now you, Father, glorify me alongside yourself with the glory that I had alongside you before the world was.” (John 17:4, 5) Jesus could say those words to his heavenly Father because he was successfully meeting the test of accountability and was acceptable to God.

8. (a) How did Paul show that we must render an account of ourselves to Jehovah God? (b) What will help us to find acceptance with God?

⁸ Unlike the perfect man Jesus Christ, we are imperfect. Yet, we are accountable to God. The apostle Paul said: “Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you also look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written: ‘“As I live,” says Jehovah, “to me every knee will bend down, and every tongue will make open acknowledgment to God.”’ So, then, each of us will render an account for himself to God.” (Romans 14:10-12) In order that we may do so and find acceptance with Jehovah, he has lovingly given us both a conscience and his inspired Word, the Bible, to guide us in what we say and do. (Romans 2:14, 15; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17) Taking full advantage of Jehovah’s spiritual provisions and following our Bible-trained conscience will help us to find acceptance with God. (Matthew 24:45-47) Jehovah’s holy spirit, or active force, is an added source of strength and guidance. If we act in harmony with the spirit’s direction and the leadings of our Bible-trained conscience, we show that we do not ‘disregard God,’ to whom we must account for all our actions.—1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; 1 Peter 3:16, 21.

Accountable as Nations

9. Who were the Edomites, and what happened to them because of their treatment of Israel?

⁹ Jehovah calls nations to account. (Jeremiah 25:12-14; Zephaniah 3:6, 7) Consider the ancient kingdom of Edom, situated south of the Dead Sea and north of the Gulf of Aqaba. The Edomites were a Semitic people, closely related to the Israelites. Though the forefather of the Edomites was Abraham’s grandson Esau, the Israelites were denied permission to travel through Edom on “the king’s road” while en route to the Promised Land. (Numbers 20:14-21) Over the centuries Edom’s animosity developed into an implacable hatred for Israel. Finally, the Edomites had to account for their urging the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. (Psalm 137:7) In the sixth century B.C.E., Babylonian troops under King Nabonidus conquered Edom, and it became desolate, as Jehovah had decreed.—Jeremiah 49:20; Obadiah 9-11.

10. How did the Moabites act toward the Israelites, and how did God call Moab to account?

¹⁰ Moab fared no better. The Moabite kingdom was north of Edom and east of the Dead Sea. Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the Moabites did not act hospitably toward them, evidently supplying them with bread and water only for financial gain. (Deuteronomy 23:3, 4) Moab’s King Balak hired the prophet Balaam to curse Israel, and Moabite women were used to lure Israelite men into immorality and idolatry. (Numbers 22:2-8; 25:1-9) However, Jehovah did not let Moab’s hatred for Israel pass unnoticed. As prophesied, Moab suffered desolation at the hands of the Babylonians. (Jeremiah 9:25, 26; Zephaniah 2:8-11) Yes, God called Moab to account.

11. Moab and Ammon became like what cities, and what do Bible prophecies indicate regarding the present wicked system of things?

¹¹ Not only Moab but also Ammon had to render an account to God. Jehovah had foretold: “Moab herself will become just like Sodom, and the sons of Ammon like Gomorrah, a place possessed by nettles, and a salt pit, and a desolate waste, even to time indefinite.” (Zephaniah 2:9) The lands of Moab and Ammon were devastated, even as God had destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. According to the Geological Society of London, researchers claim to have located the sites of ruined Sodom and Gomorrah on the east coast of the Dead Sea. Any reliable evidence that may yet come to light in this regard can only support Bible prophecies indicating that the present wicked system of things will also be called to account by Jehovah God.—2 Peter 3:6-12.

12. Although Israel had to render an account to God for its sins, what had been foretold regarding a Jewish remnant?

¹² Though Israel had been highly favored by Jehovah, it had to render an account to God for its sins. When Jesus Christ came to the nation of Israel, the majority rejected him. Only a remnant exercised faith and became his followers. Paul applied certain prophecies to this Jewish remnant when he wrote: “Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: ‘Although the number of the sons of Israel may be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved. For Jehovah will make an accounting on the earth, concluding it and cutting it short.’ Also, just as Isaiah had said aforetime: ‘Unless Jehovah of armies had left a seed to us, we should have become just like Sodom, and we should have been made just like Gomorrah.’” (Romans 9:27-29; Isaiah 1:9; 10:22, 23) The apostle cited the example of the 7,000 in Elijah’s time who had not bowed to Baal, and then he said: “In this way, therefore, at the present season also a remnant has turned up according to a choosing due to undeserved kindness.” (Romans 11:5) That remnant was made up of individuals personally accountable to God.

Examples of Personal Accountability

13. What happened to Cain when God called him to account for murdering his brother Abel?

¹³ The Bible cites many cases of personal accountability to Jehovah God. Take Adam’s firstborn son, Cain, as an example. Both he and his brother Abel offered sacrifices to Jehovah. Abel’s sacrifice was acceptable to God, but Cain’s was not. When called to account for brutally murdering his brother, Cain callously told God: “Am I my brother’s guardian?” For his sin, Cain was banished to “the land of Fugitiveness to the east of Eden.” He showed no sincere repentance for his crime, regretting only his just punishment.—Genesis 4:3-16.

14. How was personal accountability to God illustrated in the case of high priest Eli and his sons?

¹⁴ One’s personal accountability to God is also illustrated in the case of Israel’s high priest Eli. His sons, Hophni and Phinehas, served as officiating priests but “were guilty of injustice towards men, and of impiety towards God, and abstained from no sort of wickedness,” says historian Josephus. These “good-for-nothing men” did not acknowledge Jehovah, engaged in sacrilegious conduct, and were guilty of gross immorality. (1 Samuel 1:3; 2:12-17, 22-25) As their father and Israel’s high priest, Eli had the duty to discipline them, but he merely reproved them mildly. Eli ‘kept honoring his sons more than Jehovah.’ (1 Samuel 2:29) Retribution came upon the house of Eli. Both sons died the same day as their father, and their priestly line was eventually cut off completely. Thus the account was settled.—1 Samuel 3:13, 14; 4:11, 17, 18.

15. Why was King Saul’s son Jonathan rewarded?

¹⁵ An entirely different example was set by King Saul’s son Jonathan. Soon after David killed Goliath, “Jonathan’s very soul became bound up with the soul of David,” and they concluded a covenant of friendship. (1 Samuel 18:1, 3) Likely, Jonathan discerned that God’s spirit had left Saul, but his own zeal for true worship remained undiminished. (1 Samuel 16:14) Jonathan’s appreciation for David’s God-given authority never faltered. Jonathan realized his accountability to God, and Jehovah rewarded him for his honorable course by ensuring that his family line continued for generations.—1 Chronicles 8:33-40.

Accountability in the Christian Congregation

16. Who was Titus, and why can it be said that he rendered a good account of himself to God?

¹⁶ The Christian Greek Scriptures speak well of many men and women who rendered a good account of themselves. For instance, there was the Greek Christian named Titus. It has been suggested that he became a Christian during Paul’s first missionary journey to Cyprus. Since Jews and proselytes from Cyprus may have been in Jerusalem during Pentecost of 33 C.E., Christianity may have reached the island shortly thereafter. (Acts 11:19) Nevertheless, Titus proved to be one of Paul’s faithful fellow workers. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on the journey to Jerusalem about 49 C.E., when the vital issue of circumcision was resolved. The fact that Titus was uncircumcised added weight to Paul’s argument that converts to Christianity should not be under the Mosaic Law. (Galatians 2:1-3) The fine ministry of Titus is attested to in the Scriptures, and Paul even directed a divinely inspired letter to him. (2 Corinthians 7:6; Titus 1:1-4) Evidently to the very end of his earthly course, Titus continued to render a fine account of himself to God.

17. What account did Timothy render, and how can this example affect us?

¹⁷ Timothy was another zealous individual who rendered an acceptable account of himself to Jehovah God. Though Timothy had some health problems, he displayed ‘faith without any hypocrisy’ and ‘slaved with Paul in furtherance of the good news.’ The apostle could therefore tell fellow Christians in Philippi: “I have no one else of a disposition like [Timothy’s] who will genuinely care for the things pertaining to you.” (2 Timothy 1:5; Philippians 2:20, 22; 1 Timothy 5:23) In the face of human frailties and other trials, we too can have unhypocritical faith and can render an acceptable account of ourselves to God.

18. Who was Lydia, and what spirit did she display?

¹⁸ Lydia was a godly woman who evidently rendered a fine account of herself to God. She and her household were among the first individuals in Europe to embrace Christianity because of Paul’s activity in Philippi in about 50 C.E. A native of Thyatira, Lydia was probably a Jewish proselyte, but there may have been few Jews and no synagogue in Philippi. She and other devout women were meeting by a river when Paul spoke to them. As a result, Lydia became a Christian and prevailed upon Paul and his associates to stay with her. (Acts 16:12-15) The hospitality that Lydia showed remains a hallmark of true Christians.

19. By what good deeds did Dorcas render a fine account of herself to God?

¹⁹ Dorcas was another woman who rendered a fine account of herself to Jehovah God. When she died, Peter went to Joppa in response to a request by disciples living there. The two men who met Peter “led him up into the upper chamber; and all the widows presented themselves to him weeping and exhibiting many inner garments and outer garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.” Dorcas was brought back to life. But is she to be remembered solely for her magnanimous spirit? No. She was a “disciple” and surely engaged in disciple-making work herself. Christian women today similarly ‘abound in good deeds and gifts of mercy.’ They are also delighted to have an active share in proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and making disciples.—Acts 9:36-42; Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20.

20. What questions may we ask ourselves?

²⁰ The Bible clearly shows that nations and individuals must render an account to the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. (Zephaniah 1:7) If we are dedicated to God, we may therefore ask ourselves, ‘How do I view my God-given privileges and responsibilities? What kind of account am I giving of myself to Jehovah God and Jesus Christ?’

May Jehovah Credit Good to Your Account

“This . . . do remember to my account, O my God . . . Do remember me, O my God, for good.”—NEHEMIAH 13:22, 31.

1. What helps those dedicated to God to render a fine account to Jehovah?

JEHOVAH’S servants have all the help needed for rendering a fine account to him. Why? Because they have a close relationship with God as part of his earthly organization. He has revealed his purposes to them, and he has given them help and spiritual insight by means of his holy spirit. (Psalm 51:11; 119:105; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13) In view of these special circumstances, Jehovah lovingly calls upon his earthly servants to give him an account of themselves both for what they are and for what they accomplish in his strength and with the help of his holy spirit.

2. (a) In what ways did Nehemiah give a good account of himself to God? (b) With what plea did Nehemiah conclude the Bible book bearing his name?

² One man who gave a good account of himself to God was Nehemiah, cupbearer to Persian King Artaxerxes (Longimanus). (Nehemiah 2:1) Nehemiah became governor of the Jews and rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall in the face of foes and dangers. With zeal for true worship, he enforced God’s Law and showed concern for the oppressed. (Nehemiah 5:14-19) Nehemiah urged the Levites to purify themselves regularly, guard the gates, and sanctify the Sabbath day. He could therefore pray: “This, also, do remember to my account, O my God, and do feel sorry for me according to the abundance of your loving-kindness.” Appropriately, too, Nehemiah concluded his divinely inspired book with the plea: “Do remember me, O my God, for good.”—Nehemiah 13:22, 31.

3. (a) How would you describe a person who does good? (b) Reflecting on Nehemiah’s course may cause us to ask ourselves what questions?

³ A person who does good is virtuous and performs upright deeds that benefit others. Nehemiah was such a man. He had a reverential fear of God and great zeal for true worship. Moreover, he was thankful for his privileges in God’s service and rendered a fine account of himself to Jehovah. Reflecting on his course may well cause us to ask ourselves, ‘How do I view my God-given privileges and responsibilities? What kind of account am I giving of myself to Jehovah God and Jesus Christ?’

Knowledge Makes Us Accountable

4. What commission did Jesus give his followers, and what did those who were “rightly disposed for everlasting life” do?

⁴ Jesus gave his followers this commission: “Go . . . and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them . . . , teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19, 20) Disciples were to be made by teaching them. Those thus taught and who were “rightly disposed for everlasting life” would get baptized, as Jesus did. (Acts 13:48; Mark 1:9-11) Their desire to observe all the things he had commanded would come from the heart. They would get to the point of dedication by taking in and applying accurate knowledge of God’s Word.—John 17:3.

5, 6. How are we to understand James 4:17? Illustrate its application.

⁵ The deeper our Scriptural knowledge is, the better is the foundation for our faith. At the same time, our accountability to God becomes greater. James 4:17 says: “If one knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him.” This statement is evidently a conclusion to what the disciple James had just said about boasting instead of completely depending on God. If a person knows that he can accomplish nothing lasting without Jehovah’s help but does not act accordingly, this is a sin. But James’ words can also apply to sins of omission. In Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats, for instance, the goats are condemned, not for bad acts, but for not helping Christ’s brothers.—Matthew 25:41-46.

⁶ One man with whom Jehovah’s Witnesses were conducting a Bible study was making little spiritual progress, apparently because he did not give up smoking, although he knew that he should do so. An elder asked him to read James 4:17. After commenting on the significance of this scripture, the elder said: “Though you are not baptized, you are accountable and must take full responsibility for your decision.” Happily, the man responded, stopped smoking, and soon qualified for baptism in symbol of his dedication to Jehovah God.

Accountable for Our Ministry

7. What is one way to display our gratitude for “the very knowledge of God”?

⁷ Our heartfelt desire should be to please our Creator. One way to display our gratitude for “the very knowledge of God” is to carry out the commission to make disciples of his Son, Jesus Christ. This is also a way to show our love for God and for our neighbor. (Proverbs 2:1-5; Matthew 22:35-40) Yes, our knowledge of God makes us accountable to him, and we need to view our fellow humans as potential disciples.

8. Why can we say that Paul felt accountable to God for his ministry?

⁸ The apostle Paul knew that wholehearted acceptance of and obedience to the good news results in salvation, whereas rejection of it can bring destruction. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-8) He therefore felt accountable to Jehovah for his ministry. In fact, Paul and his associates appreciated their ministry so much that they carefully avoided even giving the appearance of making financial gain from it. Moreover, Paul’s heart impelled him to say: “If, now, I am declaring the good news, it is no reason for me to boast, for necessity is laid upon me. Really, woe is me if I did not declare the good news!”—1 Corinthians 9:11-16.

9. What notable debt do all Christians have to discharge?

⁹ Since we are Jehovah’s dedicated servants, ‘necessity is laid upon us to declare the good news.’ It is our commission to preach the Kingdom message. We accepted that responsibility when we dedicated ourselves to God. (Compare Luke 9:23, 24.) Furthermore, we have a debt to discharge. Paul said: “Both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to wise and to senseless ones I am a debtor: so there is eagerness on my part to declare the good news also to you there in Rome.” (Romans 1:14, 15) Paul was a debtor because he knew that it was his duty to preach so that people could hear the good news and be saved. (1 Timothy 1:12-16; 2:3, 4) He therefore labored to fulfill his commission and discharge his debt to fellow humans. As Christians, we too have such a debt to discharge. Kingdom preaching is also a principal way to demonstrate love for God, for his Son, and for our neighbors.—Luke 10:25-28.

10. By doing what have some expanded their ministry?

¹⁰ One way to render an acceptable account to God is to use our abilities to expand our ministry. To illustrate: There has been an influx of people of many national groups into Britain in recent years. To reach such people with the good news, over 800 pioneers (full-time Kingdom preachers) and hundreds of other Witnesses are learning different languages. This has resulted in a fine stimulus to the ministry. Said a pioneer teaching a Chinese class: “I never thought I would ever teach my language to other Witnesses, for them to share the truth with others in this way. It is so satisfying!” Could you expand your ministry in a similar way?

11. What resulted when one Christian witnessed informally?

¹¹ Likely, each one of us would do what we could to save a drowning man. Jehovah’s servants are similarly eager to use their abilities to witness at every opportunity. A Witness recently sat next to a woman on a bus and talked to her about the Scriptures. Thrilled with what she heard, the woman asked many questions. When the Witness was about to get off the bus, the woman implored her to come to her home instead, as she still had many questions. The Witness agreed. The outcome? A Bible study was started, and six months later the woman became an unbaptized Kingdom publisher. Soon she was conducting six home Bible studies of her own. What a thrilling reward for using one’s abilities in Kingdom service!

12. How can our abilities as ministers be put to good use in the field service?

¹² Our abilities as ministers can be employed effectively in the field by using such publications as the 192-page book Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. By April of 1996, the Writing Committee of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses had approved the publication of the Knowledge book in over 140 languages, and by then 30,500,000 copies of it had already been printed in 111 languages. This book was written with the objective of helping Bible students to learn enough about God’s Word and purposes to make a dedication to Jehovah and get baptized. Since Kingdom publishers will not be conducting a home Bible study with the same student for many years, they can conduct studies with more people or increase their share in the house-to-house work and other forms of the ministry. (Acts 5:42; 20:20, 21) Aware of their accountability to God, they call attention to divine warnings. (Ezekiel 33:7-9) But their main interest is to honor Jehovah and help as many as possible to learn about the good news in the short time yet remaining for this wicked system of things.

Rendering a Fine Account as Families

13. Why should godly families have a regular family Bible study?

¹³ Each individual and family embracing true Christianity is accountable to God and should therefore “press on to maturity” and become “solid in the faith.” (Hebrews 6:1-3; 1 Peter 5:8, 9) For example, those who have studied the Knowledge book and have been baptized need to round out their Scriptural knowledge by attending meetings regularly as well as by reading the Bible and other Christian publications. Godly families should also have a regular family study, for that is an important way to “stay awake, stand firm in the faith, carry on as men, grow mighty.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) If you are the head of a household, you are especially accountable to God to make sure that your family is well-fed spiritually. Just as nutritious physical food contributes to natural health, so abundant and regular spiritual food is needed if you and your family are to remain “healthy in the faith.”—Titus 1:13.

14. What resulted from the witness given by a well-taught Israelite girl?

¹⁴ If there are children in your household, God will credit good to your account for giving them sound spiritual instruction. Such teaching will benefit them, as it did a little Israelite girl captured by the Syrians in the days of God’s prophet Elisha. She became the maidservant of the wife of a leprous Syrian army chief, Naaman. Young though the girl was, she told her mistress: “If only my lord were before the prophet that is in Samaria! In that case he would recover him from his leprosy.” Because of her witness, Naaman went to Israel, finally complied with Elisha’s direction to bathe seven times in the Jordan River, and was cleansed of leprosy. Moreover, Naaman became a worshiper of Jehovah. How that must have thrilled that little girl!—2 Kings 5:1-3, 13-19.

15. Why is it important for parents to give their children fine spiritual training? Illustrate.

¹⁵ It is not easy to raise God-fearing children in this morally impoverished world that is lying in Satan’s power. (1 John 5:19) From Timothy’s infancy, however, his grandmother Lois and his mother, Eunice, successfully taught him the Scriptures. (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14, 15) Studying the Bible with your children, taking them to Christian meetings regularly, and eventually having them accompany you in the ministry are all part of the pattern of training for which you must render an account to God. One Christian in Wales, now in her mid-80’s, recalls that in the early 1920’s, her father took her with him when he walked 6 miles [10 km] over a mountain (a round-trip of 12 miles [20 km]) to distribute Bible tracts to villagers in the next valley. “It was during those walks that my father instilled the truth in my heart,” she says with gratitude.

Elders Give an Account—How?

16, 17. (a) What privileges were enjoyed by spiritually mature older men in ancient Israel? (b) Compared with the situation in ancient Israel, why is more required of Christian elders today?

¹⁶ “Gray-headedness is a crown of beauty when it is found in the way of righteousness,” said the wise man Solomon. (Proverbs 16:31) But it is not mere physical age that equips a man for responsibility in the congregation of God’s people. Spiritually mature older men in ancient Israel served as judges and officers for the administration of justice and the maintenance of peace, good order, and spiritual health. (Deuteronomy 16:18-20) Although the same is true of the Christian congregation, more is required of elders as the end of this system of things draws close. Why?

¹⁷ The Israelites were a ‘chosen people’ whom God delivered from ancient Egypt. Since they received the Law through their mediator, Moses, their descendants were born into a dedicated nation and were familiar with Jehovah’s precepts. (Deuteronomy 7:6, 11) However, nobody is born into such a dedicated nation today, and comparatively few grow up in godly families well acquainted with Scriptural truth. Especially may those who have recently started “walking in the truth” need instruction on how to live according to Scriptural principles. (3 John 4) What a responsibility therefore rests on the shoulders of faithful elders as they ‘hold to the pattern of healthful words’ and assist Jehovah’s people!—2 Timothy 1:13, 14.

18. What kind of assistance must congregation elders be prepared to give, and why?

¹⁸ A young child learning to walk may stumble and fall. He feels insecure and needs parental help and reassurance. An individual dedicated to Jehovah could likewise stumble or fall spiritually. Even the apostle Paul found it necessary to struggle to do what was right or good in God’s sight. (Romans 7:21-25) Shepherds of God’s flock need to give loving assistance to Christians who have erred but are truly repentant. When elders visited one dedicated woman who had made a serious mistake, she said in the presence of her dedicated husband: “I know you will disfellowship me!” But she broke down in tears when told that the elders wanted to know what help was needed to restore the family spiritually. Aware that they must render an account, the elders were happy to assist a repentant fellow believer.—Hebrews 13:17.

Keep On Rendering a Fine Account

19. How can we keep on rendering a fine account of ourselves to God?

¹⁹ Congregation elders and all other servants of God need to keep on rendering a fine account of themselves to Jehovah. This is possible if we adhere to God’s Word and do his will. (Proverbs 3:5, 6; Romans 12:1, 2, 9) We especially want to do good to those related to us in the faith. (Galatians 6:10) However, the harvest is still great, and the workers remain few. (Matthew 9:37, 38) So let us do good to others by diligently proclaiming the Kingdom message. Jehovah will render good to our account if we fulfill our dedication, do his will, and faithfully proclaim the good news.

20. What do we learn from considering the course of Nehemiah?

²⁰ Let us therefore continue to have plenty to do in the Lord’s work. (1 Corinthians 15:58) And we do well to consider Nehemiah, who rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall, enforced God’s Law, and zealously promoted true worship. He prayed that Jehovah God would remember him for the good he had done. May you prove to be as devoted to Jehovah, and may he credit good to your account.