ARE YOU FULFILLING YOUR WHOLE OBLIGATION TO GOD!

Is Everything Vanity?

Some may think that the wise man's words are not very encouraging to anybody -young or old. "The greatest vanity!" said the congregator, 'Everything is vanity.' " (Ecclesiastes 12:8) Actually, it is the very height of vanity to ignore the Grand Creator in youth, to grow old without serving him and to have only advanced age to show for a long life. All has been vanity, or emptiness, for such a person, even if he dies with wealth and fame in this world that is lying in the power of the wicked one, Satan the Devil. -1 John 5:19.

Not everything is vanity for those who lay up treasured in heaven as Jehovah's faithful servants. (Matthew 6:19, 20) They have plenty to do in the rewarding work of the Lord, and such labors definitely are not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58) But if we are dedicated Christians, are we keeping busy in God-assigned work in these last days? (2 Timothy 3:1) Or have we settled into a life-style that differs from that of our neighbors in general? They may be associated with various religions and may be quite devout, attending their houses of worship regularly and trying to carry out what their form of worship requires of them. Of course, they are not proclaimers of the Kingdom message. They do not have accurate knowledge of that this is "the time of the end" and have not sense of urgency about the days in which we are living. -Daniel 12:4.

Jesus Christ said of our critical times: "Just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be." (Matthew 24:37-39) In moderation, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and marriage is an arrangement originated by God himself. (Genesis 2:20-24) Yet, if we realize that the normal pursuits of life have become our chief concern, why not make this a matter of prayer? Jehovah can help us to keep Kingdom interests firs, do what is right, and fulfill our obligation to him. -Matthew 6:33; Romans 12:12; 2 Corinthians 13:7.

Next time: Dedication and Our Obligation to God

Watchtower, 1999