Question to Radhanath Swami: Do we have to give up everything to come close to God?
Radhanath Swami: All the things in this world are meant to be utilized according to our nature, in the service of God. Then it’s wonderful. Not that you have to give up everything; that’s very difficult and in many ways it’s very unnatural. If something can be utilized in a very dynamic and wonderful way in the service of God and for the welfare of others, you should utilize it, you should not renounce it.
For example, we have this body; we can neglect our body thinking it’s illusion, or we could use our body in the service of God, which is the higher principal. One is an expression of love and one is just a very small minded idea of trying to be free from karma. Some spiritually minded people are very much careful not to implicate themselves in karma, but devotees understand the positive side: yes, we will give up all this egoistic, sensual, and selfish activities, but we will use our words and our actions for something higher, for the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
