"Do You Love Me More Than These? -OUR VIEW OF RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

We need some time to relax and find refreshment from our hard work and busy schedules. God's Word states:  "There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in his hard work."  (Ecclesiastes 2:24)  Jesus recognized the need to rest on occasion. Following one particularly intense witnessing campaign, he told his disciples:  "Come, you yourselves, privately into an isolated place and rest up a little." -Mark 6:31,32.

Indeed, recreation and entertainment fill and important need. However, the danger exists that having a good time could become the primary focus of our life. Back in the first century, many had the attitude "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we are to die."  (1 Corinthians 15:32) That same spirit prevails in many parts of the world today. For example, years ago a young man in Western Europe began attending Christian meetings.  But his fascination with entertainment was so strong that he stopped associating with Jehovah's people. In time, however, he understood that his focus on entertainment had only led to problems and disappointments. So he resumed his Bible study and eventually qualified to become a publisher of the good news.  After his baptism, he said:  "The only regret I have is  that I lost so much time before I realized that serving Jehovah brings far more happiness than pursuing the entertainment offered by this world."  

The purpose of recreation is to refresh and rejuvenate us.  To achieve that, how much time should we spend on it?  Think of this comparison:  Many of us love to eat dessert once in awhile, but we realize that a stead diet of cakes and candies will harm our health. Therefore, we mainly nutritious food.  Similarly, a steady diet of recreation and entertainment will  weaken our spiritual health.  To prevent that,  we regularly engage   in Kingdom activities. How can we determine if we have a balanced view of recreation?  We could select a week and keep a record of the number of hours we spend on spiritual activities, such as attending meetings, sharing in the field ministry, and engaging in personal and family Bible study. Then we could compare that figure to the number of hours we spend that same week on recreational activities, such as participating in sports, enjoying hobbies, watching television, or playing video games. What does the comparison reveal?  Might there be a need to cut back on "dessert"? -Read Ephesians 5:15, 16.  

Individuals and family heads are free to choose the recreation they prefer, as long as it consists of activities that are in harmony with Jehovah's guidelines expressed in Bible principles.  Wholesome recreation is a "gift of God."  (Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13)  Of course, we realize that choices in recreation may differ from one person to the next.  (Galatians 6:4, 5)  Whatever  entertainment we may choose, we want to keep it in its proper place. Jesus said:  "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  (Matthew 6:21) Thus, our heartfelt love for Jehovah will move us to focus our thoughts, speech, and actions primarily on Kingdom activities rather than on the everyday affairs of life. -Philippians 1:9, 10. 

Next time: "Do You Love Me More Than These?" - OUR FIGHT AGAINST MATERIALISM

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