The First Question

What is the chief end of man? This is the most ancient of questions. The answer is simple: man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.

A man must aim at something. He must have a reason to rise, to work, to keep going. His reason is God. His life should move toward God, like a river to the sea. He was made for this. It is his design. Man is here to glorify God. Man is here to enjoy Him.

The Purpose of Man

A man must work. He must feed his family. He must eat and drink. He must rest. These things matter, but they are not the aim. They serve the aim. "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we instructed you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need." (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). Work is good. Food is good. But in all these things, a man must keep his eyes on God. "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31).

What It Means to Glorify God

To glorify God is not to add to His greatness. He is already great. He is already perfect. A man glorifies God by showing His greatness in how he lives.|

In the Heart: A man who honors God trusts Him. He fears Him. He loves Him. "For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:20).

In the World: A man glorifies God by his words, his actions, his praise. "Magnify the Lord with me, and let’s exalt His name together." (Psalm 34:3).

What It Means to Enjoy God

To enjoy God is to rest in Him. To find peace in Him. "Return to your rest, my soul, For the Lord has dealt generously with you." (Psalm 116:7).

In This Life: A man enjoys God when he trusts Him. When he tastes His goodness. When he feels the warmth of His love. "Taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" (Psalm 34:8).

In the Next Life: One day, the man who trusts God will stand before Him. He will see Him face to face. "You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." (Psalm 16:11).

Glory and Joy Go Together

A man cannot glorify God without enjoying Him. He cannot enjoy Him without glorifying Him. The two are bound together. "Blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You." (Psalm 84:4).

Why It Matters

God Made Man for This: "Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." (Psalm 100:3).

God Sustains Man for This: "Bless our God, you peoples, And sound His praise abroad, Who keeps us in life, And does not allow our feet to slip." (Psalm 66:8-9).

God Redeemed Man for This: "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

God Guides Man for This: "Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters: did God not choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?" (James 2:5).

The Highest Joy

To glorify God is the highest aim. To enjoy Him is the highest joy. Nothing else will satisfy. Not wealth. Not fame. Not power. Only God. "You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." (Psalm 16:11). Live for Him. Seek Him. Glorify Him. Enjoy Him. Forever.