1. What are some of the problems we must endure, but why is Jehovah pleased with his faithful servants? (See opening pictures.)

LIFE in this system is not easy. For example, many of you dear brothers and sisters are suffering from a serious illness. Others, who are already older, are having to care for elderly relatives. Still others are struggling to provide what their family needs. And we know that many of you are dealing with, not just one of these problems, but several of them all at once! This takes a lot of time, energy, and money. But you are absolutely sure that Jehovah will help you. You know that things will get better because that is what he has promised. Your faith must truly please Jehovah!

2. How does Isaiah 40:29 encourage us, but what serious mistake could we make?

² Do you sometimes feel, though, that the problems you have are just too difficult to endure? If you feel that way, you are not alone. Some of God’s faithful servants in the past felt the same way. (1 Kings 19:4; Job 7:7) What helped them to keep enduring? They relied on Jehovah for strength. The Bible says that God “gives power to the tired one.” (Isaiah 40:29) Sadly, though, some of God’s people today feel that the best way to endure the problems they have in life is to stop serving Jehovah for a while. They feel that serving Jehovah is a burden rather than a blessing. So they stop reading the Bible, going to the meetings, and preaching. This is exactly what Satan hopes they will do.

3. (a) How can we prevent Satan from weakening us? (b) What will we discuss in this article?

³ The Devil does not want us to be strong. And he knows that we become stronger when we are very busy in our service to Jehovah. So when you feel physically and emotionally exhausted, do not draw away from Jehovah. Draw closer to him. The Bible says: “He will make you firm, he will make you strong.” (1 Peter 5:10; James 4:8) In this article, we will learn from Isaiah 40:26-31 about Jehovah’s ability to strengthen us. We will then discuss two situations that could cause us to do less in our service to Jehovah, and we will learn how applying Bible principles can help us to endure.

THOSE HOPING IN JEHOVAH WILL REGAIN POWER

4. What lesson can we learn from Isaiah 40:26?

⁴ Read Isaiah 40:26. No one has been able to count all the stars in the universe. Scientists believe that there may be as many as 400 billion stars in just our galaxy. Still, Jehovah gives each star a name. What does that teach us about Jehovah? If he takes a personal interest in lifeless stars, imagine how he must feel about you! You serve him, not because you have to, but because you love him. (Psalm 19:1, 3, 14) Our dear Father knows everything about you. The Bible says that “even the hairs of your head are all numbered” by him. (Matthew 10:30) Jehovah wants us to know that he “is aware of what the blameless go through.” (Psalm 37:18) Clearly, Jehovah sees all the problems you have, and he can give you the strength you need to endure each one of them.

5. How can we be sure that Jehovah is able to strengthen us?

⁵ Read Isaiah 40:28. Jehovah is the Source of all energy. Consider, for example, the amount of energy he gives to our sun. Science writer David Bodanis said that each second the sun produces as much energy as the explosion of billions of atomic bombs. Another researcher calculated that the amount of energy that the sun produces in just one second would supply people all over the world with enough energy for 200,000 years! Certainly, Jehovah, the one who gives energy to the sun, can give us the strength we need to endure our problems.

6. In what way is Jesus’ yoke kindly, and how does this affect us?

⁶ Read Isaiah 40:29. Serving Jehovah gives us much joy. Jesus told his disciples: “Take my yoke upon you.” And he added: “You will find refreshment for yourselves. For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) This is so true! At times, we may feel exhausted when we leave home to attend a meeting or to preach. But how do we feel when we return? We feel refreshed and better prepared to cope with our problems. Truly, Jesus’ yoke is kindly.

7. Give an experience that shows that Matthew 11:28-30 is true.

⁷ Consider the experience of one of our sisters. She suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and bad headaches. So sometimes it is very difficult for her to be at the meetings. However, one day, after she made the effort to attend a meeting, she wrote: “The talk was about discouragement. The information was presented in such an empathetic and concerned way that I was moved to tears. I was reminded that the meetings are where I need to be.” She was so happy that she made the effort to attend!

8, 9. What did the apostle Paul mean when he wrote: “When I am weak, then I am powerful”?

⁸ Read Isaiah 40:30. We may have many skills, but we are limited in what we can do in our own strength. This is a lesson we all must learn. The apostle Paul was able to do many things, but he could not do everything he wanted to do. When he told Jehovah how he felt, Jehovah said to him: “My power is being made perfect in weakness.” Paul understood what Jehovah told him. That is why he said: “When I am weak, then I am powerful.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) What did he mean?

⁹ Paul realized that there was a limit to what he could do on his own. He needed help from someone much more powerful. God’s holy spirit could give Paul power when he felt weak. And it could do even more. God’s spirit could also give Paul the power to accomplish things that he could not do in his own strength. The same thing can happen to us. When Jehovah gives us his holy spirit, we will be truly strong!

10. How did Jehovah help David to endure his problems?

¹⁰ The psalmist David often experienced how God’s holy spirit made him strong. He sang: “With your help I can charge against a marauder band; by God’s power I can scale a wall.” (Psalm 18:29) Like a high wall that is impossible for us to climb, sometimes our problems are so big that we cannot solve them on our own. We need Jehovah’s help.

11. How does holy spirit help us to endure our problems?

¹¹ Read Isaiah 40:31. Eagles do not stay in the air using only their own strength. The power from rising warm air lifts an eagle up into the sky. This allows the eagle to fly for long distances and to save energy. So when you have an overwhelming problem, think about the eagle. Beg Jehovah to give you more power by means of “the helper, the holy spirit.” (John 14:26) We can ask Jehovah to give us his spirit anytime, 24 hours a day. We may especially feel the need to ask for Jehovah’s help when we have a disagreement with one of our brothers or sisters in the congregation. But why do such disagreements happen?

12, 13. (a) Why are there disagreements between Christians at times? (b) What does Joseph’s life teach us about Jehovah?

¹² Disagreements happen because we are all imperfect. At times, we may be irritated by what others say or do, or others may be irritated by us. This can be a difficult test. But it gives us an opportunity to be loyal to Jehovah. How? By learning to work together in harmony with our brothers and sisters. Jehovah loves them despite their imperfections, and so should we.

¹³ Jehovah does not prevent his servants from being tested. We learn that from the life of Joseph. When Joseph was a young man, his half brothers became jealous of him. They sold him as a slave, and he was taken to Egypt. (Genesis 37:28) Jehovah saw exactly what was happening and was no doubt pained to see how badly his friend, his faithful servant Joseph, was treated. Still, Jehovah did not stop what happened. Later, when Joseph was accused of trying to rape Potiphar’s wife and was thrown into prison, Jehovah still did not rescue Joseph. But did God ever abandon Joseph? No. The Bible says that “Jehovah was with Joseph and Jehovah made whatever he did successful.”​—Genesis 39:21-23.

14. How do we benefit when we let go of anger?

¹⁴ Another example is David. Most people have never been treated as badly as David was. Still, that friend of God did not allow himself to become filled with anger. He wrote: “Let go of anger and abandon rage; do not become upset and turn to doing evil.” (Psalm 37:8) The most important reason to “let go” of anger, or stop being angry, is that we want to imitate Jehovah. He “has not dealt with us according to our sins” but has forgiven us. (Psalm 103:10) There are other practical benefits to letting go of anger. For example, anger can cause high blood pressure and respiratory problems. It can damage the liver and the pancreas, and it can cause digestive problems. Also, when we are angry, we do not always think clearly. We may say or do things that hurt others, and this can cause us to feel depressed for a long time. It is much better to remain calm. The Bible says: “A calm heart gives life to the body.” (Proverbs 14:30) So, what can we do when others hurt our feelings, and how can we make peace with our brother? We can apply the Bible’s wise advice.

WHEN WE ARE DISAPPOINTED BY OUR BROTHERS

15, 16. What should we do when someone has hurt us?

¹⁵ Read Ephesians 4:26. We are not surprised when we are mistreated by people who do not serve Jehovah. But when a Christian brother or sister or a family member says or does something that hurts us, we may feel devastated. What if we simply cannot forget what happened? Will we allow ourselves to stay angry, perhaps even for many years? Or will we follow the Bible’s wise advice to settle matters quickly? The longer we wait to talk with the other person, the harder it will be for us to make peace.

¹⁶ What if you feel hurt by a brother and you cannot stop thinking about it? What can you do to make peace? First, you can pray to Jehovah. Beg him to help you have a good conversation with your brother. Remember, your brother is one of Jehovah’s friends too. (Psalm 25:14) God loves him. Jehovah treats his friends with kindness, and he expects us to do the same. (Proverbs 15:23; Matthew 7:12; Colossians 4:6) Second, think carefully about what you are going to say to your brother. Do not assume that he wanted to hurt you. Perhaps it was a mistake or you misunderstood the situation. Be willing to admit that you might have caused part of the problem. You might begin the conversation by saying something like this, “Perhaps I am being overly sensitive, but when you spoke to me yesterday, I felt . . .” If the discussion does not help to make peace between you and your brother, keep trying. Pray for your brother. Ask Jehovah to bless him and to help you focus on his positive qualities. You can be sure that Jehovah will be pleased with your sincere efforts to make peace with your brother, who is one of God’s friends.

WHEN WE FEEL GUILTY ABOUT OUR PAST

17. How does Jehovah help us repair our relationship with him when we sin, and why should we accept that help?

¹⁷ Some feel unworthy to serve Jehovah because they have committed a serious sin. Guilt can take away our peace, joy, and energy. King David struggled with feelings of guilt and said: “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away because of my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me.” Happily, David had the courage to do what Jehovah wants his servants to do. “Finally I confessed my sin to you,” he wrote, “and you pardoned the error of my sins.” (Psalm 32:3-5) If you have sinned seriously, Jehovah is ready to forgive you. He wants to help you repair your relationship with him. But you have to accept the help he provides through the elders. (Proverbs 24:16; James 5:13-15) So do not wait! Your everlasting life depends on it. But suppose that you still feel guilty long after a sin was forgiven. What should you do?

18. How can Paul’s example help those who feel unworthy to serve Jehovah?

¹⁸ There were times when the apostle Paul was discouraged because of sins he committed in the past. He said: “I am the least of the apostles, and I am not worthy of being called an apostle, because I persecuted the congregation of God.” Even so, Paul added: “But by God’s undeserved kindness I am what I am.” (1 Corinthians 15:9, 10) Jehovah knew that Paul was imperfect. But he accepted Paul for who he was, and he wanted Paul to be sure of that. If you are truly sorry for what you have done and have talked to Jehovah about it, and to the elders if necessary, Jehovah will surely forgive you. Believe that Jehovah has forgiven you, and accept his forgiveness!​—Isaiah 55:6, 7.

19. What is the yeartext for 2018, and why is it needed?

¹⁹ As we get closer to the end of this system, we can expect to have more problems. But we should remember that Jehovah, the one who “gives power to the tired one and full might to those lacking strength,” can give you whatever you need to keep serving him faithfully. (Isaiah 40:29; Psalm 55:22; 68:19) During 2018, we will be reminded of this important truth every time we attend a meeting at the Kingdom Hall and see the words of our yeartext: “Those hoping in Jehovah will regain power.”​—Isaiah 40:31.

1, 2. In 2018, what event will unite us in a unique way, and why? (See opening picture.)

ON March 31, 2018, millions of people around the world will go to an event that happens only once a year. After the sun has set, Jehovah’s Witnesses and many others will meet together to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Each year, the Memorial of Christ’s death unites people in an amazing way, more so than any other event on earth.

² Jehovah and Jesus must be truly happy when they see millions of people going to that special event hour after hour, all around the world. The Bible describes “a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues,” shouting: “Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9, 10) It is wonderful that each year at the Memorial, so many people honor Jehovah and Jesus for the great things they have done!

3. What questions will this article answer?

³ In this article, you will find the answers to these four questions: (1) How can I prepare for the Memorial so that I will truly benefit from it? (2) In what ways does the Memorial help all of God’s people to be united? (3) What can I do to promote unity among God’s people? (4) Will there ever be a final Memorial? If so, when?

HOW CAN WE PREPARE FOR THE MEMORIAL AND BENEFIT FROM ATTENDING IT?

4. Why is it important for us to be at the Memorial?

⁴ Why is it important for us to be at the Memorial? One reason is that attending meetings is a way we worship Jehovah. We can be sure that Jehovah and Jesus notice each one who does his best to attend this most important meeting of the year. We want Jehovah and Jesus to see that we will be at the Memorial unless it is absolutely impossible for us to be there. When our actions prove that our meetings are important to us, we give Jehovah one more reason to keep our name in his “book of remembrance.” This book is also called “the book of life.” It has the names of all those to whom Jehovah wants to give everlasting life.​—Malachi 3:16; Revelation 20:15.

5. In the weeks before the Memorial, how can you “keep testing whether you are in the faith”?

⁵ In the weeks before the Memorial, we can spend extra time praying and thinking carefully about how strong our relationship with Jehovah is. (Read 2 Corinthians 13:5.) The apostle Paul told Christians: “Keep testing whether you are in the faith.” How can we do that? We can ask ourselves: ‘Do I really believe that this is the only organization that Jehovah has chosen to do his will? Am I doing my best to preach and teach the good news? Do my actions show that I truly believe we are living in the last days and that the end of Satan’s rule is near? Is my trust in Jehovah and Jesus as strong as it was when I first started serving Jehovah?’ (Matthew 24:14; 2 Timothy 3:1; Hebrews 3:14) Thinking about the answers to these questions will help us to “keep proving” what we are.

6. (a) What is the only way for us to receive everlasting life? (b) How does one elder prepare for the Memorial each year, and how can you do something similar?

⁶ One way that you can prepare for the Memorial is by reading and thinking about articles that explain why this event is so important. (Read John 3:16; 17:3.) The only way for us to receive everlasting life is to come to know Jehovah and to have faith in his Son, Jesus. To prepare for the Memorial, we can choose study projects that will help us to feel closer to them. This is what one brother who has been an elder for a long time does. For many years, he has collected Watchtower articles that discuss the Memorial and the love that Jehovah and Jesus have shown us. In the weeks before the Memorial, he reads these articles again and thinks seriously about why this event is so important. Sometimes he adds an article or two to his collection. He also reads and thinks deeply about the Memorial Bible reading. This elder says that by doing all of this, he learns new things each year. Most important, his study makes him love Jehovah and Jesus more. When you study in that way, you too will love Jehovah and Jesus more and more. You will also be more thankful for what they have done, and you will benefit more from the Memorial.

THE MEMORIAL HELPS US TO BE UNITED

7. (a) What did Jesus pray for on the night of the first Lord’s Evening Meal? (b) What shows that Jehovah has answered Jesus’ prayer?

⁷ On the night of the first Lord’s Evening Meal, Jesus said a special prayer. He prayed about the precious unity that he and his Father have. Jesus also prayed that all his disciples would be united in the same way. (Read John 17:20, 21.) Jehovah has definitely answered that prayer of his dear Son. More than any other meeting, the Memorial clearly proves that Jehovah’s Witnesses are united. On that day, millions of people of many different countries and skin colors meet together around the world and show that they believe that Jehovah sent his Son. In some places, it is very unusual for people of different races to have religious meetings together, or if they do, others feel that this is not proper. But that is not how Jehovah and Jesus feel. To them, our unity at the Memorial is beautiful.

8. What message did Jehovah give to Ezekiel?

⁸ As Jehovah’s people, we are not surprised that we are united in this way. Jehovah foretold this unity in his message to Ezekiel. He told Ezekiel to take two sticks, one stick “for Judah” and one “for Joseph,” and to bring them together so that they would become one. (Read Ezekiel 37:15-17.) The “Questions From Readers” published in The Watchtower of July 2016 explained: “Through his prophet Ezekiel, Jehovah foretold that his people would return to the Promised Land and that they would be united as one nation again. That prophecy also foretold that those who worship God during the last days would be united as one people.”

9. Each year at the Memorial, how do we see the unity foretold in Ezekiel’s prophecy?

⁹ Beginning in the year 1919, Jehovah first gradually reorganized and reunited the anointed. They were like the stick “for Judah.” Then, more and more of those who hope to live forever on earth began to join the anointed. These ones with an earthly hope are like the stick “for Joseph.” Jehovah promised to join these two sticks and to “make them one stick” in his hand. (Ezekiel 37:19) He made the anointed and the “other sheep” become “one flock.” (John 10:16; Zechariah 8:23) Today, both groups are united and serve Jehovah together. And they have one King, Jesus Christ, who in Ezekiel’s prophecy is called God’s “servant David.” (Ezekiel 37:24, 25) Each year at the Memorial, when we meet together to remember Jesus’ death, we see the unity of these two groups as foretold through Ezekiel. But what can each one of us do to preserve and promote the unity of God’s people?

WHAT CAN EACH ONE OF US DO TO PROMOTE UNITY?

10. How can we promote unity among God’s people?

¹⁰ What is the first way we can promote unity among God’s people? By working hard to be humble. When Jesus was on earth, he told his disciples that they must be humble. (Matthew 23:12) People in the world often view themselves as more important than others. But if we are humble, we will respect the brothers who take the lead in the congregation and we will obey their direction. Only then can the congregation be united. Most important, if we stay humble, we will please God, because he “opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones.”​—1 Peter 5:5.

11. How can thinking about the bread and the wine used at the Memorial help us to promote unity?

¹¹ What is the second way we can promote unity? By thinking carefully about what the bread and the wine really mean. We should do this before the Memorial and especially on that night. (1 Corinthians 11:23-25) The unleavened bread represents the perfect body that Jesus gave as a sacrifice. The red wine represents his blood. But we need to do more than simply understand these basic facts. We need to remember that Jesus’ ransom sacrifice involved the two greatest acts of love. Jehovah gave his Son for us, and Jesus willingly gave his life for us. When we think about their love, it will motivate us to love them. And the love we all have for Jehovah will strengthen our unity.

12. In the story about a king and his slaves, how did Jesus make it clear that Jehovah wants us to forgive others?

¹² What is a third way we can promote unity? By freely forgiving others. When we do so, we show that we are thankful that Jehovah can forgive our own sins because of Jesus’ sacrifice. To show why it is important to forgive, Jesus told a story about a king and his slaves. Please read Matthew 18:23-34 and ask yourself: ‘Am I motivated to do what Jesus taught? Am I patient and understanding with my brothers and sisters? Am I ready to forgive those who have offended me?’ It is true that some sins are more serious than others. And some sins can be very hard for us as imperfect humans to forgive. But Jesus’ story teaches us what Jehovah wants us to do. (Read Matthew 18:35.) Jesus makes it clear that Jehovah will not forgive us if we do not forgive our brothers when they are genuinely repentant. That is certainly something that we must think carefully about. To protect and preserve our precious unity, we need to forgive others as Jesus taught us.

13. How do we promote unity when we keep peace with others?

¹³ When we forgive others, we keep peace with our brothers and sisters. The apostle Paul said that we should work hard to remain united with one another and have peace. (Ephesians 4:3) So around the time of the Memorial, and especially on that night, think deeply about how you treat others. Ask yourself: ‘Is it clear to those who know me that I do not stay angry with people who offend me? Can people see that I try hard to make peace and promote unity?’ These are serious questions to think about.

14. How can we show that we are “putting up with one another in love”?

¹⁴ What is a fourth way we can promote unity? By imitating Jehovah in showing love. (1 John 4:8) We would never say, “I may have to love my brothers, but I don’t have to like them.” If we think this way, we are not following Paul’s counsel to be “putting up with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2) Notice that Paul did not simply say that we should be “putting up with one another” but that we should do so “in love.” There is a difference. There are various kinds of people in our congregations, and Jehovah has drawn them all to him. (John 6:44) So he must see many good reasons to love them. If our brothers and sisters are worthy of God’s love, how can we say that they are not worthy of our love? We should be eager to love them the way Jehovah wants us to.​—1 John 4:20, 21.

WHEN WILL THE FINAL MEMORIAL BE?

15. How do we know that there will be a final Memorial?

¹⁵ One day, we will attend the Memorial for the last time. How do we know? Paul told anointed Christians that when they remember Jesus’ death each year, they “keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26) In his prophecy about the time of the end, Jesus also talked about his “coming.” Speaking about the great tribulation soon to come, he said: “The sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity.” (Matthew 24:29-31) Jesus will “gather his chosen ones” when he takes all anointed Christians still on earth to heaven. That will happen after the great tribulation has started but before the war of Armageddon. In that war, Jesus, along with all of the 144,000, will fight against the kings of the earth and win. (Revelation 17:12-14) The last Memorial that we will attend before Jesus “comes” to gather the anointed will be the final one.

16. Why are you determined to be at the Memorial this year?

¹⁶ Be determined to be at the Memorial on March 31, 2018. And ask Jehovah to help you do your part so that we as his people can remain united. (Read Psalm 133:1.) One day, we will go to the Memorial for the last time. Until that day, let us show that the pleasant unity we have each year at the Memorial is very precious to us.

1, 2. How is Jehovah generous with us?

JEHOVAH is a generous God. Everything we have comes from him. He owns all the precious things of the earth, and he uses them to support life. (Psalm 104:13-15; Haggai 2:8) From the Bible, we learn how Jehovah sometimes used these precious things in a miraculous way to provide for his people.

² For example, Jehovah provided manna and water for the nation of Israel when they lived in the wilderness for 40 years. (Exodus 16:35) As a result, they had everything they needed. (Nehemiah 9:20, 21) Later, Jehovah gave the prophet Elisha power to increase the small amount of oil that belonged to a faithful widow. This gift from God helped her to pay off her debts and still have enough money for her and her sons to stay alive. (2 Kings 4:1-7) And with Jehovah’s support, Jesus miraculously provided food and even money when needed.​—Matthew 15:35-38; 17:27.

3. What will we discuss in this article?

³ Jehovah can use anything he chooses in order to support his creation. Still, he invites his servants to give what they can to support the work of his organization. (Exodus 36:3-7; read Proverbs 3:9.) Why does Jehovah expect us to use our valuable things to give back to him? How did Jehovah’s servants in Bible times support his work? How does the organization use the money that is donated today? This article will answer these questions.

WHY DO WE GIVE TO JEHOVAH?

4. What do we show Jehovah when we support his work?

⁴ We give to Jehovah because we love and appreciate him. When we think about all that Jehovah has done for us, our hearts are deeply moved. King David felt this way when he explained what was needed to build the temple. David said that everything we receive comes from Jehovah and that anything we give to Jehovah comes from what he has already given us.​—Read 1 Chronicles 29:11-14.

5. How does the Bible teach us that unselfish giving is an important part of true worship?

⁵ We also give to Jehovah because this is a way to worship him. In a vision, the apostle John heard Jehovah’s servants in heaven say: “You are worthy, Jehovah our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they came into existence and were created.” (Revelation 4:11) Surely, Jehovah deserves all the glory and honor, so we want to give our very best to him. Through Moses, Jehovah commanded the nation of Israel to hold three festivals a year. Part of their worship at these festivals involved giving to Jehovah. The people were told not to “appear before Jehovah empty-handed.” (Deuteronomy 16:16) Today, too, an important part of our worship is unselfish giving. In this way, we show that we value and support the work of Jehovah’s organization.

6. Why is it good for us to give? (See opening picture.)

⁶ It is good for us to give generously and not just to receive. (Read Proverbs 29:21.) Imagine a young child who receives a small allowance from his parents and then uses part of it to buy his parents a gift. How does his gift make the parents feel? Or imagine a young pioneer who lives with his parents and gives them some money to help pay the rent or buy food for the family. His parents may not expect him to do so, but they accept his gift. Why? Because it is a way for him to show appreciation for all they do for him. In a similar way, Jehovah knows that it is good for us to give from our valuable things.

HOW GOD’S SERVANTS GAVE IN THE PAST

7, 8. How did Jehovah’s people in Bible times set an example when they contributed (a) for specific projects? (b) to support his work?

⁷ In the Bible, we learn that Jehovah’s people made contributions to support his work. Sometimes they gave for specific projects. For example, Moses encouraged the Israelites to contribute for the building of the tabernacle. Later, King David did the same for the building of the temple. (Exodus 35:5; 1 Chronicles 29:5-9) During the reign of King Jehoash, the priests repaired the temple using the money that people had given. (2 Kings 12:4, 5) In the first century, Christians learned that there was a famine in Judea and that the brothers needed help. So each Christian decided what he could afford to send to the brothers there.​—Acts 11:27-30.

⁸ Jehovah’s people also gave financial support to those who took the lead in his work. For example, under the Law of Moses, the Levites did not have an inheritance as the other tribes did. So the rest of the Israelites gave a tenth of what they had to the Levites. This allowed the Levites to focus on their work at the tabernacle. (Numbers 18:21) In a similar way, generous women used what they had to support Jesus and his apostles.​—Luke 8:1-3.

9. Where did contributions come from in the past?

⁹ Those contributions came from different sources. The Israelites who contributed for the building of the tabernacle may have given valuable things they had brought from Egypt. (Exodus 3:21, 22; 35:22-24) In the first century, some Christians sold things they owned, such as fields or houses, and brought the money to the apostles. The apostles then used that money for brothers and sisters who needed help. (Acts 4:34, 35) Other Christians regularly put money aside so that they could give it to support the work. (1 Corinthians 16:2) So from the very rich to the very poor, everyone could give something.​—Luke 21:1-4.

HOW WE GIVE TODAY

10, 11. (a) How can we imitate generous servants of Jehovah who lived in Bible times? (b) How do you feel about supporting the Kingdom work?

¹⁰ Today, we too may be asked to contribute for a specific purpose. Perhaps your congregation is planning to renovate your Kingdom Hall or build a new one. Or maybe your local branch office needs to be renovated. We may also be able to help with the expenses of our convention. Or perhaps our brothers in another place have suffered a natural disaster and need our help. Our contributions also support missionaries, special pioneers, circuit overseers, and those who work at world headquarters and at branch offices around the world. Your congregation may also be sending regular contributions to help build Assembly Halls and Kingdom Halls for our brothers in other parts of the world.

¹¹ All of us can give something to support the work that Jehovah’s organization is doing during these last days. Most donations are anonymous. When we put money in the contribution boxes at the Kingdom Hall or make donations online through jw.org, we do not let others know how much we gave. But what if you feel that your contributions are too small to matter? The truth is that most of the donations the organization receives come from many small gifts rather than a few large ones. Even our brothers who have very little money imitate the early Christians in Macedonia. They were in “deep poverty,” but they begged to be allowed to give and then gave generously.​—2 Corinthians 8:1-4.

12. How does the organization try to use donations in the best way possible?

¹² The Governing Body is faithful and discreet in the way the contributions are used. (Matthew 24:45) Its members pray to make good decisions, and they carefully plan how to use the money. (Luke 14:28) In Bible times, faithful men who looked after contributions made sure that they were used only for Jehovah’s worship. For example, Ezra returned to Jerusalem with valuable donations from the king of Persia, including gold, silver, and other treasures that would be worth more than $100 million (U.S.) today. Ezra viewed these contributions as gifts to Jehovah. So he gave specific instructions to protect them as they were carried through dangerous lands. (Ezra 8:24-34) Many years later, the apostle Paul collected money to help needy brothers in Judea. He made sure that those who delivered the money cared for “everything honestly, not only in the sight of Jehovah but also in the sight of men.” (Read 2 Corinthians 8:18-21.) Today, our organization imitates Ezra and Paul and uses contributions very carefully.

13. Why has the organization recently made certain changes?

¹³ A family may make changes in the way they handle their money so that they do not spend more than they earn. Or they may look for ways to make their life simpler so that they can do more for Jehovah. The same is true of Jehovah’s organization. Recently, there have been many exciting new projects, and at times, more money was spent than was received. So the organization, like a family, looks for ways to save money and make the work simpler, so that it can do as much good as possible with your generous contributions.

BENEFITS FROM YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS

14-16. (a) What are your contributions being used for? (b) How have these projects helped you personally?

¹⁴ Many who have been in the truth for years say that we are now receiving more gifts from the organization than ever before. We now have jw.org and JW Broadcasting. We have the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures in many more languages. In 2014/2015, the three-day “Keep Seeking First God’s Kingdom!” International Conventions were held in some of the largest stadiums in 14 cities around the world. Everyone who attended was happy to be there!

¹⁵ Many have expressed how grateful they are for these gifts from Jehovah’s organization. For example, a couple who serve in Asia wrote: “Our assignment is in a small city. As a result, we sometimes feel isolated, and we easily forget the scope of Jehovah’s work. But as soon as we watch the various programs on JW Broadcasting, we remember that we are part of an international brotherhood. Our dear local brothers and sisters are very excited about JW Broadcasting. We often hear them say that after watching the monthly programs, they feel close to the members of the Governing Body. Now they are prouder than ever to be part of God’s organization.”

¹⁶ Around the world, almost 2,500 Kingdom Halls are currently being built or renovated. Members of one congregation in Honduras said that they used to dream of having their own Kingdom Hall, but now that dream is a reality. They wrote: “We feel truly happy to be part of Jehovah’s universal family and to enjoy our wonderful worldwide brotherhood.” Many express similar feelings when they receive the Bible and other publications in their own language, when brothers and sisters help them after a natural disaster, or when they see the good results of metropolitan and public witnessing in their territory.

17. How do we know that Jehovah is supporting his organization today?

¹⁷ Many who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot understand how we do all these things using only voluntary contributions. An executive from a large company toured one of our printeries. He was amazed that all the work was done by volunteers, with voluntary donations, and without ever organizing events to raise money. He said that what we do should not be possible. We agree! We know that it is possible only because Jehovah is supporting the work.​—Job 42:2.

BLESSINGS WHEN WE GIVE BACK TO JEHOVAH

18. (a) What blessings do we receive when we give to support the Kingdom? (b) How can we teach our children and new ones to do the same?

¹⁸ Jehovah gives us the honor and the opportunity to support the grand Kingdom work. He guarantees that when we do so, he will bless us. (Malachi 3:10) Jehovah promises that if we give generously, things will go well for us. (Read Proverbs 11:24, 25.) He also tells us that we will be happy when we give, for “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) By what we say and do, we can teach our children and new ones how they too can contribute to this work and enjoy many blessings.

19. How has this article encouraged you?

¹⁹ Everything we have comes from Jehovah. When we give back to him, we show that we love him and value all he has done for us. (1 Chronicles 29:17) When the Israelites contributed for the building of the temple, they “rejoiced over making these voluntary offerings, for they made the voluntary offerings to Jehovah with a complete heart.” (1 Chronicles 29:9) Let us too continue to find joy and satisfaction as we give back to Jehovah from what he has already given to us.

1. Why is the time that we live in different from any other time?

WE LIVE in a time that is very different from any other time in human history. Jehovah is gathering a great crowd “out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues,” just as the Bible foretold. They are “a mighty nation” of more than eight million happy people who “are rendering [God] sacred service day and night.” (Revelation 7:9, 15; Isaiah 60:22) There have never before been so many people who have come to love God and their fellow humans.

2. What misdirected kind of love do we see in people who are not God’s friends? (See opening picture.)

² However, the Bible also foretold that in our day, people who are not friends of God would have a misdirected kind of love that is selfish. The apostle Paul wrote that in the last days, people would be “lovers of themselves, lovers of money,” and “lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:1-4) This self-centered kind of love is the opposite of love for God. Pursuing selfish goals does not make a person happy, although he may think that it will. Instead, it creates a selfish world and makes life difficult for everyone.

3. What will we examine in this article? Why?

³ The apostle Paul knew that selfish love would become very common and would be dangerous for Christians. So he warned them to “turn away” from, or to avoid, those who show selfish love. (2 Timothy 3:5) But we cannot avoid all contact with such people. So, what can we do to protect ourselves from the attitudes of people around us and please Jehovah, the God of love? Let us see the difference between the love that God wants us to have and the love described at 2 Timothy 3:2-4. Then we can look at ourselves and see how we can show the kind of love that will make us truly satisfied and happy.

LOVE FOR GOD OR FOR SELF?

4. Why is it not wrong to have some love for ourselves?

⁴ Paul wrote: “Men will be lovers of themselves.” Does this mean that it is wrong to love ourselves? No, loving ourselves is normal and necessary. Jehovah designed us that way. Jesus said: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31) In fact, we cannot love other people if we do not love ourselves. The Bible also tells us: “Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cherishes it.” (Ephesians 5:28, 29) So it is clear that we should have some love for ourselves.

5. How would you describe people who love themselves too much?

⁵ The love of self that we read about at 2 Timothy 3:2 is not a normal or healthy love. It is selfish. If someone loves himself too much, he thinks more of himself than he needs to. (Read Romans 12:3.) He cares more about himself than about anyone else. When things go wrong, he blames others instead of himself. One Bible commentary compares such a person to a hedgehog that rolls itself up in a ball, staying warm with its soft fur but showing others only its sharp spines. Such people are not really happy.

6. What good results come when we love God?

⁶ Some Bible scholars believe that Paul mentioned love of self first because it produces the bad qualities he mentioned next. In contrast, the kind of love God wants us to have produces good qualities. It is related to joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22, 23) The psalmist wrote: “Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!” (Psalm 144:15) Jehovah is a happy God, and his people are happy too. Also, in contrast with those who love themselves too much and think only of what they can receive, Jehovah’s servants are happy because they give to others.​—Acts 20:35.

7. What questions will help us to analyze our love for God?

⁷ How can we know if our love of self is becoming stronger than our love for God? Think about this wise advice: “Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with humility consider others superior to you, as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3, 4) We may ask ourselves: ‘Do I listen to this advice? Am I trying to do what God wants me to do? Do I look for ways to help others in the congregation and in the field ministry?’ It is not always easy to give our time and energy. It may mean that we have to work hard and sacrifice some things that we enjoy. But nothing could make us happier than knowing that the Sovereign of the universe is pleased with us!

8. What have some Christians done because they love God?

⁸ Because they love God and want to serve him more fully, some Christians have given up careers that could have made them very rich. Ericka, who is a doctor, chose to pioneer rather than to focus on her medical career. She and her husband have been able to serve in several countries. She says: “The many experiences we have had in helping out in a foreign-language field, along with the friendships we have made, have truly enriched our lives.” Ericka still works as a doctor, but she uses most of her time and energy to teach people about Jehovah and to help her brothers and sisters. She says that this brings her “heartfelt joy and inner satisfaction.”

RICHES IN HEAVEN OR ON EARTH?

9. Why will a person who loves money not be happy?

⁹ Paul wrote that people would be “lovers of money.” Some years ago, a pioneer in Ireland spoke to a man about God. The man opened his wallet, held up some paper money, and said: “This is my god!” Although they might not admit it, many people feel this way. They love money and the things it can buy. But the Bible warns: “A lover of silver will never be satisfied with silver, nor a lover of wealth with income.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10) A person who loves money never feels he has enough. He always wants more and spends his life trying to get it. This brings him “many pains.”​—1 Timothy 6:9, 10.

10. What does the Bible say about riches and poverty?

¹⁰ Of course, we all need money. It gives us some protection. (Ecclesiastes 7:12) But can we be happy if we have just enough for our basic needs? Yes! (Read Ecclesiastes 5:12.) Agur son of Jakeh wrote: “Give me neither poverty nor riches. Just let me consume my portion of food.” It is easy to understand why this man did not want to be very poor. He said that he did not want to be tempted to steal, because stealing would bring dishonor to God. But why did he not want to be rich? He wrote: “So that I do not become satisfied and deny you and say, ‘Who is Jehovah?’” (Proverbs 30:8, 9) You probably know people who trust in riches instead of in God.

11. What did Jesus say about money?

¹¹ A person who loves money cannot please God. Jesus said: “No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches.” He also said: “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”​—Matthew 6:19, 20, 24.

12. How can living a simple life help us to serve God? Give an example.

¹² Many of Jehovah’s servants are trying to live a simpler life. They find that doing so gives them more time to serve Jehovah and also makes them happier. Jack, who lives in the United States, sold his large home and business so that he could pioneer with his wife. He explains: “It was hard to give up our beautiful home and property in the country.” But for years he used to come home frustrated because of problems at work. He says: “My wife, a regular pioneer, was always so happy. She would say, ‘I have the greatest boss ever!’ Now that I too am pioneering, we both work for the same Person, Jehovah.”

13. What can help us to examine our view of money?

¹³ When we examine our view of money, we need to be honest and ask ourselves: ‘Does my life show that I really believe what the Bible says about money? Is making money the most important thing for me? Do I care more about material things than about my relationship with Jehovah and with people? Do I truly believe that Jehovah will provide the things I need?’ We can be sure that he will never disappoint those who trust in him!​—Matthew 6:33.

DO WE LOVE JEHOVAH OR PLEASURES?

14. What is a balanced view of pleasures?

¹⁴ The Bible also foretold that in the last days, people would be “lovers of pleasures.” Just as we know that there is nothing wrong with having a balanced view of ourselves and money, we also know that there is nothing wrong with enjoying life in a balanced way. Some people believe that they should not have any pleasure, but this is not what Jehovah wants for us. The Bible encourages faithful servants of God: “Go, eat your food with rejoicing, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart.”​—Ecclesiastes 9:7.

15. What does it mean to be “lovers of pleasures”?

¹⁵ Second Timothy 3:4 speaks of those who love pleasures and leave God out of their lives. Notice that the verse does not say people would love pleasures more than God. That would mean they do love God a little. But the verse says “rather than” God. One scholar wrote that this verse “definitely does not mean that they also love God to some extent. It means that they do not love God at all.” This is a serious warning to people who love pleasures. The Bible describes lovers of pleasures as those who are “carried away by” pleasures of life.​—Luke 8:14.

16, 17. What example did Jesus set in his view of pleasures?

¹⁶ Jesus showed us what it means to be balanced about pleasures. He went to both “a marriage feast” and “a big reception feast.” (John 2:1-10; Luke 5:29) At the wedding, there was not enough wine, so Jesus performed a miracle and turned water into wine. Another time, when people criticized Jesus for eating and drinking, he made it very clear that those people were not balanced in their view.​—Luke 7:33-36.

¹⁷ Still, Jesus did not make pleasure the most important thing in his life. He put Jehovah first and did all he could to help others. He was willing to die a painful death on a stake to save mankind. Jesus told those who wanted to follow him: “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. Rejoice and be overjoyed, since your reward is great in the heavens, for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you.”​—Matthew 5:11, 12.

18. What questions will help us to examine how much we love pleasures?

¹⁸ What will help us to examine how much we love pleasures? We can ask ourselves: ‘Is entertainment more important to me than meetings and field service? Am I willing to sacrifice some of the things I enjoy because I want to serve God? When I choose entertainment, do I think about how Jehovah will view my choices?’ Because we love God and want to make him happy, we carefully avoid not just things we know are wrong but even things we think may displease him.​—Read Matthew 22:37, 38.

HOW TO BE HAPPY

19. Who can never be really happy?

¹⁹ Satan’s world has made humans suffer for some 6,000 years. Now, in the last days of this system, the earth is full of people who focus on themselves, money, and pleasures. They think of what they can get and make their own desires the main thing in life. But people like that cannot be truly happy! In contrast, the Bible says: “Happy is the one who has the God of Jacob as his helper, whose hope is in Jehovah his God.”​—Psalm 146:5.

20. How has your love for God made you happy?

²⁰ Jehovah’s servants truly love him, and every year many others come to know and love him too. This proves that God’s Kingdom is ruling, and it will soon bring blessings that we cannot even imagine! When we do what Jehovah wants us to do, we make him happy, and this brings us true joy. Those who love Jehovah will be joyful forever! In the next article, we will examine some of the bad qualities that result from selfish love. Then we will see how these are the opposite of the good qualities of Jehovah’s servants.

1, 2. Why can life be difficult for God’s servants today? (See opening pictures.)

MANY doctors and nurses work around people who have contagious diseases. They take care of their patients because they want to help them. But they also need to protect themselves so that they do not get infected with the disease they are trying to cure. As Jehovah’s servants, we are in a somewhat similar situation. Many of us live and work with people who are infected with attitudes and qualities that are completely different from God’s qualities. This can be difficult for us.

² In the last days of this system, people who do not love God ignore his standards of right and wrong. The apostle Paul described their negative qualities when he wrote his letter to Timothy. Paul said that these negative qualities would become even more common as we near the end of this system. (Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13.) Even though we may find these bad qualities shocking, we could still be influenced by the way people around us think, talk, and act. (Proverbs 13:20) In this article, we will see how different these qualities are from the qualities of God’s people. We will also see what we can do to protect ourselves from being infected with bad qualities while we help people come to know Jehovah.

3. What kind of people are described at 2 Timothy 3:2-5?

³ Paul wrote that in the last days, there would be “critical times hard to deal with.” Then he made a list of 19 negative qualities that would be very common in our time. These qualities are similar to the ones Paul mentioned at Romans 1:29-31, but the list in his letter to Timothy uses words we do not find anywhere else in the Christian Greek Scriptures. Paul began with the words “for men will be.” Here, “men” means “people,” since both men and women can have bad qualities. But not all humans have the negative qualities that Paul described. Christians have very different qualities.​—Read Malachi 3:18.

HOW WE VIEW OURSELVES

4. What do you think it means to be puffed up with pride?

⁴ After Paul said that many would be lovers of themselves and lovers of money, he added that people would be boastful, haughty, and puffed up with pride. People who have these qualities often think that they are better than others because of how they look, what they can do, what they have, or what their position in life is. Such people want more than anything to be admired. One scholar wrote about a person like that: “In his heart there is a little altar where he bows down before himself.” Some have said that pride is so ugly that even proud people do not like it when they see pride in others.

5. How have even faithful servants of Jehovah become proud?

⁵ Jehovah hates pride, which is described in the Bible as “haughty eyes.” (Proverbs 6:16, 17) In fact, pride keeps a person far from God. (Psalm 10:4) Pride is a quality of the Devil. (1 Timothy 3:6) The sad truth is that even some loyal servants of Jehovah have become infected with pride. For example, King Uzziah of Judah was faithful for many years. But the Bible says: “As soon as he was strong, his heart became haughty to his own ruin, and he acted unfaithfully against Jehovah his God.” Uzziah went to the temple and burned incense, which was not his right to do. Later, faithful King Hezekiah also became proud, though only for a while.​—2 Chronicles 26:16; 32:25, 26.

6. What could have caused David to become proud? But why did he remain humble?

⁶ Some people become proud because they are good-looking, popular, musically talented, strong, or admired by others. David was all these things, but he remained humble his whole life. For example, after David killed Goliath, King Saul said that David could marry his daughter. But David said: “Who am I and who are my relatives, my father’s family in Israel, for me to become son-in-law to the king?” (1 Samuel 18:18) What helped David to remain humble? He knew that any qualities, abilities, and privileges he had were because God was humble and paid attention to him. (Psalm 113:5-8) David realized that anything good he had came from Jehovah.​—Compare 1 Corinthians 4:7.

7. What will help us to show we are humble?

⁷ Like David, Jehovah’s people today try to be humble. It touches our hearts to know that Jehovah himself, who is the Most High, is humble. (Psalm 18:35) We want to apply these words: “Clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, humility, mildness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12) We also know that love “does not brag, does not get puffed up.” (1 Corinthians 13:4) When others see that we are humble, they too may want to get to know Jehovah. Just as an unbelieving husband can be drawn to Jehovah by the good conduct of his Christian wife, people can be drawn to God by the humility of his servants.​—1 Peter 3:1.

HOW WE TREAT OTHER PEOPLE

8. (a) How do some people today view disobedience to parents? (b) What does the Bible tell children to do?

⁸ Paul described how people would treat one another in the last days. He wrote that children would be disobedient to parents. Today, many books, movies, and television programs make it seem normal and acceptable for children to be disobedient to their parents. But the truth is that disobedience weakens the family, the basic unit of society. Humans have known this truth for a long time. For example, in ancient Greece, a man who hit his parents would lose his rights in the community. Under Roman law, someone who hit his father could be punished the way a murderer would be. Both the Hebrew and the Greek Scriptures command children to honor their parents.​—Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3.

9. What will help children to obey their parents?

⁹ What can help children to obey their parents even if those around them are not obedient? When children think about all the good things their parents have done for them, they should feel grateful and want to obey them. Young ones also need to understand that God, the Father of us all, expects them to obey their parents. As young people say good things about their parents, they help their friends to respect their own parents more. Of course, if parents have no natural affection for their children, it might be more difficult for their children to obey them. But when a young person feels that his parents really love him, it can help him to obey them even when it is difficult. A young brother named Austin says: “Though I often felt inclined to try to get away with things, my parents set reasonable guidelines, explained the reasons for rules, and kept the lines of communication wide open. This helped me to be obedient. I could see that they cared for me, and that made me want to please them.”

10, 11. (a) What bad qualities show that people do not have love for one another? (b) How much do true Christians love other people?

¹⁰ Paul also described other qualities that show that people do not have love for one another. After “disobedient to parents,” he mentioned unthankful. This makes sense, because unthankful people do not value the good things that others do for them. Paul also said that people would be disloyal. They would not be open to any agreement, which means that they would not want to make peace with others. They would be blasphemers and betrayers, saying cruel and harmful things about people and even about God. And they would be slanderers, those who tell harmful lies to ruin the reputation of others.a​—See footnote.

¹¹ Jehovah’s servants are very different from most people in the world because they show genuine love for others. This has always been true. In fact, Jesus said that the only command in the Law of Moses that was more important than the command to love other people was the command to love God. (Matthew 22:38, 39) Jesus also said that true Christians would be known for the love they show for one another. (Read John 13:34, 35.) True Christians would love even their enemies.​—Matthew 5:43, 44.

12. How did Jesus show love for others?

¹² Jesus showed that he truly loved people. He did this by traveling from one city to another to tell people the good news about God’s Kingdom. He cured the blind, the lame, the lepers, and the deaf. He also brought those who had died back to life. (Luke 7:22) Jesus even gave his life to save humans, although many hated him. Jesus perfectly imitated his Father’s love. All over the world, Jehovah’s Witnesses imitate Jesus and show love for others.

13. How can the love we show for others help them want to know Jehovah?

¹³ When we show people that we love them, it can make them want to get to know our heavenly Father. For example, a man in Thailand went to a regional convention and was impressed when he saw how the brothers and sisters showed love to one another. After he got home, he asked to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses twice a week. Then he preached to all his relatives. Only six months later, this man gave his first Bible reading at the Kingdom Hall. Are we showing love for others? Ask yourself: ‘Am I doing all I can to help people in my family, in my congregation, and in my ministry? Do I try to view others as Jehovah does?’

WOLVES AND LAMBS

14, 15. What bad qualities do many show? How have some changed their personality?

¹⁴ In the last days, people also show other bad qualities that we should avoid. For example, many are without love of goodness. They hate what is good and even oppose it. Such people are without self-control, fierce. Some are headstrong. They do things without thinking and do not care about the effect that their actions will have on others.

¹⁵ Many who used to behave like fierce animals have changed their personality. This dramatic change was foretold in a Bible prophecy. (Read Isaiah 11:6, 7.) We read there about wild animals, such as wolves and lions, who live in peace with domestic animals, such as lambs and calves. Why would they have peace? The prophecy continues: “Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah.” (Isaiah 11:9) Animals cannot learn about Jehovah, so in a symbolic way, this prophecy refers to changes that people make in their personalities.

16. How has the Bible helped people to change their personalities?

¹⁶ Many of our brothers and sisters were once as fierce as wolves but are now peaceable. You can read some of their experiences in the series “The Bible Changes Lives,” found on jw.org. Those who have come to know and serve Jehovah are not like those who have an appearance of godliness but prove false to its power. Such people pretend to worship God, but they behave in a way that proves they do not. However, among Jehovah’s people are many who used to be fierce but who have now “put on the new personality that was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.” (Ephesians 4:23, 24) When people learn about God, they realize that they need to follow his standards. This helps them to make changes in what they believe, how they think, and what they do. It is not easy to make these changes, but God’s spirit will help those who want to please him.

“FROM THESE TURN AWAY”

17. How can we avoid being influenced by people with bad qualities?

¹⁷ It is becoming easier to see the difference between those who serve God and those who do not. We must be careful that the bad qualities of those who do not serve God do not influence us. We want to follow Jehovah’s direction to turn away from the kind of people who are described at 2 Timothy 3:2-5. Of course, we cannot completely avoid everyone who has bad qualities. We may have to work with them, go to school with them, or live with them. But we do not have to think or act as they do. What can help us? We can strengthen our friendship with Jehovah by studying the Bible and choosing as close friends those who love him.

18. How can what we say and do help others to want to know Jehovah?

¹⁸ We also want to help others come to know Jehovah. Look for opportunities to witness, and ask Jehovah to help you say the right thing at the right time. We should let others know that we are Jehovah’s Witnesses. Then, our good conduct will bring glory to God and not to ourselves. Jehovah has taught us “to reject ungodliness and worldly desires and to live with soundness of mind and righteousness and godly devotion amid this present system of things.” (Titus 2:11-14) If we imitate Jehovah and do what he wants us to do, others will see it. Some may even say: “We want to go with you, for we have heard that God is with you people.”​—Zechariah 8:23.