Have You ‘Stopped Storing Up Treasures on Earth’?

“Stop storing up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal.”​—Matt. 6:19

1. (a) What is the aim of commercial men today? (b) Why is there no satisfaction in fulfilling ‘created desires’?

THE WORLD at the present time abounds in material goods and possessions. There is no end or limit to the variety of material things money can buy. Realizing this, commerce today has as its objective the making of great gains for itself rather than satisfying the basic needs of the people. Accordingly, the commercial men are investing great sums of money in advertising, advertising, advertising. With what end in view? In order to create in you a desire, the desire for their products, that they may exploit you. Once you have entered into the way of not only satisfying your actual needs, but also trying to satisfy these created desires, you find yourself on an interminable path that will consume the major part of your time, energy, attention and interest without giving you, in the end, the satisfaction that you desire. How true the words of the wise man Solomon, who wrote: “A mere lover of silver will not be satisfied with silver, neither any lover of wealth with income [proceeds]. This too is vanity”!​—Eccl. 5:10.

2, 3. (a) What excellent advice did Jesus give regarding earthly treasure? (b) How can both the “remnant” and the “other sheep” benefit from this counsel?

² In his Sermon on the Mount the Greater Solomon, Jesus Christ, showed that those who were seeking the blessings of God’s Messianic kingdom would occupy themselves with treasure far more important. Accordingly, how opportune today is his counsel to his disciples: “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures upon 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”!​—Matt. 6:19, 20.

³ What excellent advice this is for the remnant of the anointed disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ who have the prospect of an “unfading inheritance” in the spiritual heavens! (1 Pet. 1:4; Eph. 1:18) For in the long run, at the end of their earthly career, they have to leave ALL their material possessions behind them. They cannot transport these with themselves to heaven. In the same manner with regard to the “great crowd” of “other sheep” who have the prospect of surviving the “great tribulation” that is just ahead, to live eternally on a paradise earth. (Rev. 7:9-14; Matt. 24:21, 22; Ps. 37:29) Jehovah God has not promised these “other sheep” that he will preserve all their material possessions here on earth through that “great tribulation” to be used thereafter.

HISTORICAL EXAMPLES

4. How does Peter show Jehovah’s ability to deliver, and what do we learn from the example of Noah?

⁴ For a certainty, we have no reason to doubt Jehovah’s ability to preserve and deliver. This power has been demonstrated on many occasions and in many ways in times past. The apostle Peter reminds us of this and assures us that “Jehovah knows how to deliver people of godly devotion out of trial.” (2 Pet. 2:9) In this connection he gives us some striking examples, such as when Jehovah “did not hold back from punishing an ancient world, but kept Noah, a preacher of righteousness, safe with seven others when he brought a deluge upon a world of ungodly people.” (2 Pet. 2:5) Clearly and accurately God’s Word preserves this account for us, going back over four thousand years to the time when Jehovah delivered this faithful patriarch, Noah, and his family through the global flood in an ark that he was privileged to construct according to God-given instructions. (Gen. 6:14-16) However, we must note that no mention is made that God preserved the home, the fixed abode, of Noah and his family on earth. Undoubtedly, these earthly, material possessions were swept away when “all the springs of the vast watery deep were broken open and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And the downpour upon the earth went on for forty days and forty nights.”​—Gen. 7:11, 12.

5. How does Lot’s deliverance further stress the point?

⁵ Peter next refers to the time of Abraham’s nephew Lot. When God brought the wicked, immoral cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to a fiery end, “he delivered righteous Lot, who was greatly distressed by the indulgence of the law-defying people in loose conduct​—for that righteous man by what he saw and heard while dwelling among them from day to day was tormenting his righteous soul by reason of their lawless deeds.” (2 Pet. 2:7, 8) Here, also, we observe that, when Lot fled with his wife and two daughters, there is no record of their bringing their material possessions with them. They could not do so. The angelic instruction to them was: “Escape for your soul!” But Lot’s wife undoubtedly still retained a “longing” for the material things left behind. She disobeyed the angelic instructions by looking back, which resulted in her becoming a pillar of salt.​—Gen. 19:17, 23-26.

6. What instructions were given the Christianized Jews regarding Jerusalem?

⁶ Likewise, in the first century of our Common Era, after the temporary siege of the Holy City of Jerusalem by the Roman legions under the leadership of the Roman general Cestius Gallus, the Christianized Jews had to obey the advice of the Lord Jesus Christ. They had to abandon their properties and possessions in Jerusalem and Judea and “flee” to the mountains outside the province of Judea, leaving practically everything behind them. Those who were at the time outside this district were not to come in to claim anything that they may have had there of a material nature.​—Luke 21:20-24.

7, 8. In 607 B.C.E., what two men received Jehovah’s special blessing, and how?

⁷ Going back farther in history, we find a similar situation. God’s Word shows that in the year 607 B.C.E. there were two men whom Jehovah God particularly named and who would have his special blessings at the time when the Holy City of Jerusalem would be destroyed by the Babylonian armies. One of these men was an Ethiopian by the name of Ebed-melech. He was the one who interceded with King Zedekiah of Jerusalem for the prophet Jeremiah, in order that the king might rescue Jeremiah, who was in danger of dying in a cistern. (Jer. 38:6-13) Speaking of the reward for Ebed-melech’s consideration of Jehovah’s servant, Jehovah said to him: “‘I shall without fail furnish you an escape, and by the sword you will not fall; and you will certainly come to have your soul as a spoil, because you have trusted in me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah.”​—Jer. 39:18.

⁸ The other man named by Jehovah was Baruch, the faithful secretary of the prophet Jeremiah. He had the wonderful privilege of writing two scrolls, at the dictation of Jeremiah, pronouncing the prophetic message of Jerusalem’s doom. During the writing of the first scroll, which was later burned piece by piece by Jehoiakim, Baruch complained of weariness. Jehovah cautioned him: “But as for you, you keep seeking great things for yourself. Do not keep on seeking.” However, due to his faithfulness he was promised preservation and safety, not only during this terrible siege of Jerusalem but also later when the rebellious escapees compelled him and Jeremiah to go down to Egypt with them. (Jer. 36:4-32; 43:4-7) But note of what this preservation would consist: “‘For here I am bringing in a calamity upon all flesh,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘and I will give you your soul as a spoil in all the places to which you may go.’” (Jer. 45:1-5) So both Baruch and Ebed-melech were promised nothing more than their “souls,” their bare lives, during the time of siege and destruction of the city of Jerusalem.

QUESTIONS TO ASK OURSELVES

9. In view of the time in which we are living, what questions should we seriously consider?

⁹ As we consider these fine examples and appreciate today that “the end of all things has drawn close” (1 Pet. 4:7), that we are living in a much more serious time period with a far greater destruction impending, it causes us to ask ourselves seriously: Is it sensible for us to spend much time and effort on specialized training for some professional job in this worldly system of things, that we may increase our income? Is it reasonable for us to want to increase our earthly possessions beyond our actual needs so that we may feather the bed of our future life here on earth and live more comfortably and luxuriously in the short remaining time before the “great tribulation”? Do we fail to see that there is something far more important and valuable about which we should now be concerned? Do we lack faith that, if we put Him first in our lives, our Great Preserver will look after us in the days to come? These are questions that each of us, individually, must consider. Our lives depend upon it!

10. Why should we be concerned with Jesus’ words at Luke 17:26-30?

¹⁰ Living in a generation where there are so many things that can consume our time, interest and attention, how we need to keep clearly in mind Jesus’ prophetic words! He said: “Moreover, just as it occurred in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of man: they were eating, they were drinking, men were marrying, women were being given in marriage, until that day when Noah entered into the ark, and the flood arrived and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it occurred in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building. But on the day that Lot came out of Sodom it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed them all. The same way it will be on that day when the Son of man is to be revealed.” (Luke 17:26-30) Having this advance knowledge, where do you find yourself? Are you being submerged with the affairs of everyday living? Is this where your treasure is, where your heart is? (2 Pet. 3:17; Matt. 6:21) How appropriate, therefore, it is that Jesus Christ has counseled all of his disciples, including those of us today who are living at the end of this system of things, to store up for themselves treasures in heaven! What a blessing it will be to us if we do this!

11, 12. (a) What does it mean to ‘store up treasures in heaven’? (b) How is it possible?

¹¹ But you may ask, What does this mean, to store up treasures in heaven? Just how can this be done? It means this: That we endeavor to obtain and maintain a good standing with our Creator, Jehovah God. It means pursuing a course in life of being “rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21) An individual’s record of “fine works” is like riches deposited with the Creator in heaven, assuring him of everlasting benefits that even death itself cannot take away. (Heb. 10:24; Jas. 3:13; John 11:25) This standing is maintained by our continuing steadfast in faith and loyalty to our God, Jehovah, and in doing the divine will.​—Rom. 11:20; 2 Cor. 1:24.

¹² Jesus continually emphasized these heavenly treasures and set the pattern for us. (1 Pet. 2:21; Heb. 10:5-10) After counseling his disciples on earthly treasures, he urged them: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33) So for us to store up these heavenly treasures, it is of utmost importance that we live our lives and act now with a view to gaining a record of approval with our Father in heaven, Jehovah God.​—Ps. 5:12; Prov. 12:2; John 6:27.

13, 14. Who was Zacchaeus, and what dramatic change took place in his life?

¹³ In the first century of our Common Era we have an example of a man who did that, who abandoned his treasures here upon the earth that he might devote himself to the interests of the Messianic kingdom. Who was this? It was a very rich man by the name of Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector who lived in the city of Jericho. To this day the district around Jericho, which is just west of the Jordan River, is very fertile and productive. Undoubtedly, in ancient times it yielded considerable tax returns. In the manner of many tax collectors of his time Zacchaeus employed questionable practices in connection with his position to procure part of his notable wealth.​—Luke 19:2, 8.

¹⁴ Jesus came to Jericho in the spring of 33 C.E., just before going to Jerusalem and to his death. Zacchaeus, desiring to see Jesus, but being short in stature and unable to see over the crowd, ran ahead and gained a vantage point by climbing a tree. Apparently this attracted Jesus’ attention and he called him down and informed him that he would stay with him while in Jericho. This disturbed the townspeople, who complained: “With a man that is a sinner he went in to lodge.” (Luke 19:3-7) However, Jesus’ association had a dramatic effect on Zacchaeus. Listening to Jesus, he evidently gained appreciation of the real treasure, for he exclaimed: “Look! The half of my belongings, Lord, I am giving to the poor, and whatever I extorted from anyone by false accusation I am restoring fourfold.” Yes, he expressed his desire to dispense with his wealth and to become a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. What a wonderful joy Zacchaeus must have experienced when Jesus said to him: “This day salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham”!​—Luke 19:8, 9.

MODERN-DAY EXAMPLES

15. What modern-day example do we have of one’s putting heavenly treasures first in one’s life?

¹⁵ So today, it is with joy that we note modern-day examples of individuals who have seen fit to fix their attention on the things of the Kingdom and to turn their backs on accumulating further wealth here on earth. One such example is that of a brother whose life story was reported in The Watchtower of May 15, 1968, a very successful businessman. His natural abilities enabled him to become highly successful in the field of buying, selling and management of real estate. On one occasion some business associates who were well acquainted with his business acumen approached him with a seemingly tantalizing business offer. What was that? It was a proposition by which he could clear $1,000,000 for himself in just one year! What did he do? He turned his back on it! Why? Because he would have to devote all his time for that period to intensive business matters. As he said: “It is not possible for me to give up my wonderful privileges of serving Jehovah here for even just one year, no, not for ALL the money in the world. Serving my brothers here in Washington, D.C., is more precious to me, as here I know I have Jehovah’s blessing. I no doubt would make a million dollars but at the end of the year of that kind of life what would I be like spiritually or even physically?” Would you make a similar decision if such an offer was temptingly placed before you?

16. What other example can we appreciate today? Why?

¹⁶ Consider, also, another example from sometime earlier, that of a man who was entering his twenties back in the 1870’s, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was in business with his father, operating a chain of stores in men’s furnishings and was on his way to becoming a millionaire. This was before John D. Rockefeller started out in the oil business to become a multimillionaire. But what did this young man of Allegheny do? He saw the priority of studying the Bible, of finding out what it had to teach and what was its message for today. In 1879 he saw the need to publish a new religious magazine, Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence (now The Watchtower). Later on he became the first president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. His name was Charles T. Russell, and his entire fortune he invested in the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom. Yes, what excellent examples we have, past and present, of putting Kingdom interests first in their lives! Are you making such wise decisions to store up for yourself treasures in heaven?

17, 18. (a) How is it possible, before we are aware of it, to be robbed spiritually? (b) What course of Jesus helps us to appreciate the true value of this world’s riches?

¹⁷ What if someone made an offer to you of $10,000 if you would give up your faith in Jehovah and your privilege of serving him? Would you accept? How about $100,000 or $1,000,000? “Why, that is unthinkable,” you say. “No amount of money in the world would permit me to do that!” The only proper decision to make, is it not? Yet, how many, in order to have a “little extra” or something that they greatly desire, have taken on greater responsibilities, perhaps an additional job or just working a “few” evenings a week or weekends! This, of course, prevents them from attending the regularly scheduled meetings of the congregation and profiting by the fine association there. It also hinders their preaching activity and it affects the influence of God’s spirit in their lives. Before they realize it they have been robbed spiritually, losing their love and appreciation of Jehovah and his organization. They are materially richer, yes, but so much poorer spiritually. What a price to pay for a “little extra” or some additional possession, and they even had to work hard for it at that!

¹⁸ When the Devil took Jesus up on a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory and said they would all be his if he would just “fall down and do an act of worship to me,” Jesus said: “Go away, Satan! For it is written, ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’” (Matt. 4:8-10) May we, likewise, appreciate the value of heavenly treasure, making decisions that bring credit with God and gain his approval.

THE VALUE OF HEAVENLY TREASURE

19. In what way is it a course of wisdom to heed Jesus’ advise respecting material possessions?

¹⁹ Let us always appreciate the wisdom of Jesus’ words in respect to material possessions. He said that they corrode, they are in continual danger of being lost, stolen or destroyed. The more one has, the more one has to worry about. How often this is an unnecessary burden! One’s giving too much attention to these material possessions can also cause one to lose out on the “real life.” (1 Tim. 6:19) We have a first-century example of this.

20-22. (a) What advice did Jesus give a rich young ruler, and what did the young man show to be first in his life? (b) If he lived on to 70 C.E., what probably happened to this young ruler?

²⁰ About the year 33 C.E. Jesus was on his way through the Province of Peraea, on the eastern bank of the Jordan River. A man, a rich young ruler, came running up to Jesus and asked: “Teacher, what good must I do in order to get everlasting life?” (Matt. 19:16) Jesus told him what to do and advised him not to let his material possessions on earth prevent him from gaining the everlasting treasure in heaven. Jesus said: “Go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” (Matt. 19:21) Being under the Law he was obligated to help needy Israelites. (Lev. 25:35; Deut. 15:7-11; Isa. 58:6, 7; Ezek. 18:5, 7-9) But did he appreciate this advice of Jesus? No! (Matt. 19:22) What happened then to this young man? Did he go on to continue successful with greater wealth? If he lived thirty-seven years more to 70 C.E., he was in for some drastic changes.

²¹ As mentioned, he was living in the province that the majority of the Christianized Jews fled to in 66 C.E., in order to escape with their lives from the destruction of Jerusalem, which was just at hand. The Roman soldiers did not find themselves obligated to invade the Province of Peraea in order to put down a rebellion of Jews there. But what about this rich young ruler who was living in that province with all his earthly possessions? He was a very conscientious observer of the law of Moses. (Matt. 19:20) If he survived to 70 C.E. this conscientious Law keeper would probably be crossing the Jordan River to the western side, entering into the Province of Judea and going up to the city of Jerusalem to celebrate the annual Passover to God.​—Deut. 16:1, 2.

²² Being then in the city, he would be trapped by the Roman legions that surrounded the Holy Place. So he would either perish in the destruction of Jerusalem or survive to be taken captive by the Roman soldiers and to be led off into slavery somewhere in the Roman Empire. In any event, he would have to leave everything behind him upon this earth, but not for the sake of Jesus Christ, not as being one of his followers. What stupidity upon the part of that young man! With each one of us, how we need a credit, a good standing, with God up there in the heavens! And our credit or standing with him is something most valuable and it will endure forever.

23. In what way can the wisdom of Proverbs 23:4, 5 be seen?

²³ The governments of this earth cannot guarantee that our material possessions will not lose their value in the course of time, either by an economic depression, inflation, revaluation of currency or by a disastrous crash in the stock market. God’s Word assures us, in Proverbs 23:4, 5: “Do not toil to gain riches. Cease from your own understanding. Have you caused your eyes to glance at it, when it is nothing? For without fail it makes wings for itself like those of an eagle and flies away toward the heavens.”

24. What illustrates the folly of trusting in earthly treasures?

²⁴ How true when we consider the economic conditions within just this generation! “In Germany at the end of 1923 it took 1,200,400,000,000 paper marks to buy what only 35 marks could purchase just two years earlier, and in Hungary it took 1.4 nonillion pengoes to buy in 1946 what only one pengo could obtain in 1938. (One nonillion equals 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.)” (See Money and Economic Activity by Houghton Mifflin.) In Uruguay, South America, during a recent year, the cost of living rose about 500 percent. In the neighboring country of Chile the figure was 375 percent. Certainly if we store up treasures in heaven, they will not undergo such alterations in value, becoming cheapened and finally be of no worth.​—Luke 12:33.

25, 26. (a) In view of the time, what course should we be pursuing? (b) What future is there for those who store up “treasures in heaven”?

²⁵ So, then, it behooves us today to follow the counsel of the Lord Jesus Christ and, instead of submerging ourselves in the game of acquiring further riches for ourselves, let us submerge ourselves in the most urgent work of all time: preaching the good news of God’s kingdom and making disciples of people of all the nations. (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8) Let us remember that no amount of material riches will carry us through the coming “great tribulation.” Just as it is written in Proverbs 11:4: “Valuable things will be of no benefit on the day of fury, but righteousness itself will deliver from death.”

²⁶ Let us make it our decision to look heavenward and to put the kingdom of God and its concern first in our lives. If we do this, we are assuring ourselves of countless blessings, indescribable blessings, both material and spiritual, for ourselves now and also, after Armageddon, eternal life in God’s new system of things. That is something that all the money in the world cannot buy. Is that what you desire? Then know that everlasting life, peace and happiness in God’s righteous new order under Christ’s kingdom are the reward of all those who today stop storing up for themselves treasures on earth.​—Isa. 9:7; 1 Tim. 6:17-19.

“Having Nothing and Yet Possessing All Things”

“As poor but making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.”​—2 Cor. 6:10.

1. In what way does money fill a need?

FOR a certainty money is essential for daily living. Without it, how could you live in this present system of things? How could you obtain the necessities of life? In many parts of the earth it can buy hospital care, transportation, electricity, heat and piped-in water, things that are useful to man. But if you did not have money, how could you feed and clothe yourself and your family? How could you obtain a place in which to live and maintain it? As Ecclesiastes 10:19 so wisely expresses it: “Bread is for the laughter of the workers, and wine itself makes life rejoice; but money is what meets a response in all things.”

2. Against what should a Christian continually be on guard? Why?

² So, as long as this present system of things remains, money can be very well utilized by Christians to meet their daily needs, especially in respect to carrying on their Kingdom service. However, due to its usefulness and the multitude of things that it can obtain, a Christian has to exercise self-control continually, always keeping money (wealth, material possessions) in its place, that is, as an instrument, a servant. Never should it be allowed to become an object of one’s love, one’s “heart’s desire.” How necessary it is, therefore, for a Christian today, in view of the time in which we are now living, to acquire and maintain the proper view toward riches!

3. (a) How does Paul help us to view material riches? (b) Where did he place his heart?

³ Because of being from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew and, as respects Judaism, one of the Pharisees (who had the reputation of being ‘lovers of money’), the apostle Paul could speak from a background of experience in helping us to obtain the proper spiritual balance. (Phil. 3:5; Luke 16:14) Due to his abilities and education, being instructed from the learned Pharisee Gamaliel, he could undoubtedly have been highly successful in accumulating material wealth. (Acts 5:34; 22:3) However, Paul demonstrated where true riches were. After spending more than twenty-five years in the full-time preaching work, and being thrown into prison because of it, he wrote respecting his conviction, his decision in giving up a life of perhaps great material gain, saying: “I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. On account of him I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse, that I may gain Christ and be found in union with him . . . to see if I may by any means attain to the earlier resurrection from the dead.” Paul showed where he had placed his heart, and what really was of value in his life. (Phil. 3:8-14; Heb. 6:10-12) Since his attitude toward material riches was wholesome, he could maintain a healthy view. During his life he observed the damaging effects that the love of riches had upon many.​—2 Tim. 4:10.

THE SNARE OF SELFISH DESIRE

4. To what danger was Timothy being alerted?

⁴ Having genuine concern for the young man Timothy, Paul wrote to him when Timothy was in Ephesus, Asia Minor, which, at the time, was a very wealthy commercial city. Alerting him to the danger of cultivating a craving for material wealth and the disastrous results, he cautioned: “Those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains.” (1 Tim. 6:9, 10) Do you appreciate this counsel? Are you heeding it? Have you seen its truthfulness in the lives of many today?

5. (a) How can a desire for material wealth become a “snare”? (b) Why can one not serve two masters?

⁵ When your interest for money in providing for the necessities of life changes into a consuming desire to be rich, or to acquire things beyond your needs, money will cease to be your instrument, your servant. Instead, it becomes your master! It now becomes a “snare.” 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.” (Matt. 6:24) The Bible does not condemn riches; it condemns your becoming a slave to it. Why? Because when your covetous desire for material gain becomes so great that you become its slave, you no longer have Jehovah God as your Master. You cannot then “love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.” (Matt. 22:37) Some say that “money talks.” But, when you become its slave, it will even do your thinking!

6. (a) What damaging effects can the love of money have on a Christian? (b) How is money viewed by some?

⁶ This craving for money (riches) can become so soul-consuming that it can eat away Christian qualities. It can degrade one to become beastlike. It can cause one to lose sight of justice, truth, honesty, of being generous and showing mercy. (Deut. 16:19, 20; Ex. 23:8) Having a strong desire for material abundance easily leads to indulging in the world’s dishonest business practices. “A man of faithful acts will get many blessings, but he that is hastening to gain riches will not remain innocent.” (Prov. 28:20) But you say, “This is not the situation with me; I can control it. How could I ever develop an affection for it? After all, money is only paper!” True, but how much time and effort are you spending to acquire it? Is it proving to be your master? David T. Bazelon, in his book The Paper Economy, makes an honest confession: “Money is a dream. It is a piece of paper on which is imprinted in invisible ink the dream of all the things it will buy . . . Most of us who are not outright losers in the Great American Scramble love money much more than any of the things it will buy. It is not a means to an end for us, it is a passion.” We are living in a time that Paul prophetically pointed to at 2 Timothy 3:1, 2, and about which he said: “In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be . . . lovers of money.” So, how important it is for a Christian to maintain the proper balance, guarding against this insatiable appetite for material wealth!

7. In what has the toiling for riches often resulted?

⁷ This toiling for and love of riches have caused no end of heartache, misery, suffering, unhappiness, frustration and bloodshed. Pitiful are the examples of those who have lost balance, who have cultivated covetous hearts. Let us appreciate, like Paul, that “the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction” and that they are “for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived.”​—Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11.

“THE DECEPTIVE POWER OF RICHES”

8. (a) What heart attitude was manifested in Achan? (b) What lesson do we learn from this?

⁸ Let us remember the time when Jehovah God was leading the Israelites through the wilderness and they were about ready to take possession of the Promised Land. As firstfruits of the conquest, the city of Jericho “must become a thing devoted to destruction . . . it belongs to Jehovah,” they were told. God’s instructions forbade the looting of it, as was the usual procedure when capturing a city, but it was to be burned with fire. The silver and gold were to be given “into the treasure of Jehovah.” (Josh. 6:17-19) However, Achan, from the tribe of Judah, allowed his heart to become covetous. Later he confessed: “When I got to see among the spoil an official garment from Shinar, a good-looking one, and two hundred shekels of silver and one gold bar, fifty shekels being its weight, then I wanted them, and I took them.” (Josh. 7:21) The love for riches moved Achan to disloyalty, to dishonesty, to stealing from Jehovah. When Israel was attempting to capture the next city, Ai, Jehovah withdrew his spirit from Israel until Achan the wrongdoer was exposed. When singled out, Achan, his family and his entire livestock were stoned to death and burned with fire. What a price to pay for corruptible treasure!​—Josh. 7:1-26.

9. (a) How did Gehazi show his “love of money”? (b) Similarly, what caused Ananias and Sapphira to lose their lives?

⁹ Take, too, the attendant of Elisha, Gehazi. After Elisha’s curing the Syrian general Naaman of leprosy, Naaman desired to express appreciation and make a gift to Elisha, but he refused it. Gehazi, however, had a love for riches. He tried to turn this miraculous event into one of personal gain. It led to his fabricating a lie both to Naaman and to Elisha. With what outcome? Elisha said: “So the leprosy of Naaman will stick to you and your offspring to time indefinite.” (2 Ki. 5:20-27) There was also Ananias and his wife Sapphira who “played false . . . to God” and secretly held back part of the price of their field, and lost their lives as a result.​—Acts 5:1-10.

10. To what extremes can a covetous heart move one?

¹⁰ Then we have the example of one who had the marvelous privilege of being one of Jesus’ apostles, Judas Iscariot. Undoubtedly faithful and dependable at first, he undertook caring for the common finances of Jesus and the twelve; but later on he became a greedy, practicing thief. (John 12:6) For just thirty pieces of silver his covetous heart prompted him to betray his Master. To what end? After seeing that Jesus had been condemned, he went out and “hanged himself.” (Matt. 27:3-5) That is the danger with those who become slaves to riches!

11. In what way are material riches deceptive? Explain.

¹¹ The Bible speaks of “the deceptive power of riches.” (Matt. 13:22) The reason it is deceptive is that the one who seeks or pursues it usually fails to realize its limitations. He becomes deceived because, in these riches that he so diligently seeks, he never really finds the satisfaction for which he hungers so much. He continually feels that what a little wealth fails to accomplish, a greater wealth will. So there is a constant hungering for more and more and more, one never being satisfied. Of interest is the fact that this hunger increases the more it is indulged in. As American statesman Benjamin Franklin once so truthfully recognized: “Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum it makes one. If it satisfies one want, it doubles and trebles that want another way. That is a true proverb of the wise man, rely upon it. ‘Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.’”​—Prov. 15:16, AV.

12. How will our understanding the limitations of material riches help in maintaining the proper view toward them?

¹² Realizing the limitations of material riches will help us to maintain balance. Material wealth fails when the human needs are the greatest. As Jesus said, a person’s life does not depend on his material possessions. (Luke 12:15-21) When one loses a loved one in death, can money ease the pain of sorrow? Is there any amount you can give to buy that one back from Sheol, the grave? When one loses one’s youth and old age sets in, can stocks and bonds get rid of the wrinkles, make one young and strong again? When one’s health fails, what happiness is gained by having a whole bank full of money? If you were born blind, would all the money in the world cause you to see expressions of love on the face of your parents, a beautiful sunset or young animals at play? If born deaf, could mountains of gold substitute for hearing a beautiful symphony, the sound of the ocean or even your own voice? How limited are the powers of material treasures!

13. What view does Proverbs 30:8, 9 give us?

¹³ Obtaining the approval and blessing of Jehovah does not depend upon what we may or may not have, but on how we use and view what we have. “Give me neither poverty nor riches. Let me devour the food prescribed for me, that I may not become satisfied and I actually deny you and say: ‘Who is Jehovah?’ and that I may not come to poverty and I actually steal and assail the name of my God.” (Prov. 30:8, 9) Whether we have little of this world’s possessions or an abundance, either can be dangerous if we do not keep balanced and maintain the proper view.

14. (a) What viewpoint do some who are poor in this world’s goods take? (b) Is this reasoning correct?

¹⁴ An individual who lacks in material possessions can manifest a very strong love for riches. Having nothing, he may feel justified in stealing, or being dishonest in other ways in obtaining what he craves. Envying what others have, he may feel completely justified in spending his entire time and effort toward acquiring the thing desired. Or, perhaps, like many today, he may feel that the world owes him a living. However, it is a matter of viewpoint. This very one who feels poor may, in the eyes of another living in a different country, appear to be rich in comparison. We must appreciate what we have and use it properly. “Let not the wise man brag about himself because of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man brag about himself because of his mightiness. Let not the rich man brag about himself because of his riches.” (Jer. 9:23) Here the right attitude is expressed regardless of whether one is wise, mighty or rich. Not that one has to be any of these, but that one needs to be balanced. Let him brag over knowing Jehovah.​—1 Cor. 1:31.

15. (a) How does Paul show that having an abundance is not wrong? (b) What dangers, however, face those who have such?

¹⁵ God’s Word does not condemn one for having an abundance of this world’s goods. Acknowledging the fact that some were rich in his day, Paul did not instruct Timothy to advise these rich brothers to divest themselves of their wealth, to become poor and live a life of poverty. No! Rather, he urged them to maintain the right attitude toward riches. “Give orders to those who are rich in the present system of things not to be high-minded, and to rest their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, who furnishes us all things richly for our enjoyment; to work at good, to be rich in fine works, to be liberal, ready to share, safely treasuring up for themselves a fine foundation for the future, in order that they may get a firm hold on the real life.” (1 Tim. 6:17-19) Paul warns of the danger of possessing too much. One may have the tendency to put one’s hope in riches. They can distract one from spiritual things. One could become a slave in taking care of them, protecting them. Whether one is rich or poor, there is a limit to how much one can eat and wear. Whatever we have, we should be content, using it to further the interests of the Kingdom, getting “a firm hold on the real life.”

SEEKING TRUE RICHES

16. What view of the future should we take respecting material possessions?

¹⁶ To what extent, then, should we be concerned about material things? Paul counseled: “We have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. So, having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things.” (1 Tim. 6:7, 8) Instructing his disciples on how to pray, Jesus said: “Give us our bread for the day according to the day’s requirement.” (Luke 11:3) No mention is made of stockpiling. Just be concerned with your daily requirements, not making an issue of what you will have in the future. Why store up wealth for a time that may never come for you? Why store up treasures in a world that is passing away?​—1 John 2:15-17.

17, 18. (a) How do we guard against anxiety? (b) What is the point of Jesus’ illustrations?

¹⁷ You can be assured that Jehovah will see to it that you will have material necessities if you put the interests of his kingdom first in your life. Jesus presents the proper view: “On this account I say to you: Stop being anxious about your souls as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear. Does not the soul mean more than food and the body than clothing?” (Matt. 6:25) Jesus emphasizes the important matters, spiritual ones, the “soul,” one’s life, not the material things that can cause such anxiety! He tells us to “observe intently the birds,” how Jehovah “feeds them,” and to “take a lesson from the lilies of the field, . . . not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these.” Striking at the very basis for anxiety, he says: “So never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to put on?’ For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. For your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. ‘Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.’” (Matt. 6:26-33) Do you have such faith?

¹⁸ This does not mean that we are to sit back, do nothing, and wait until God gives us food and clothing. Jesus’ illustration shows how the birds search for what they require. Jehovah gives them the ability and strength to do so. He will do the same for us. (Phil. 4:13) What is stressed is our not being overly concerned with material matters, but to make our service to God our treasure. Doing this will bring innumerable blessings. This is one’s going beyond the limitations of material riches and receiving the reward of things that money cannot buy, riches without comparison!​—Rom. 11:33.

19. Why are spiritual riches not to be compared with material ones?

¹⁹ The surpassing value of these riches is well defined for us at Proverbs 3:13-18: “Happy is the man that has found wisdom, and the man that gets discernment, for having it as gain is better than having silver as gain and having it as produce than gold itself. It is more precious than corals, and all other delights of yours cannot be made equal to it. Length of days is in its right hand; in its left hand there are riches and glory. Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its roadways are peace. It is a tree of life to those taking hold of it, and those keeping fast hold of it are to be called happy.” From these riches come true peace and happiness, in fact, our very future life!

20. (a) What example did Jesus set in respect to material possessions? (b) What did he make available?

²⁰ Do you appreciate these treasures? Jesus did! His treasure was the doing of the will of his Father. In fact, he said: “My food is for me to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34; 6:38) Everything else in his life took second place. He properly evaluated true riches. Although he was the Son of God, we do not read of Jesus as having an abundance of material riches while on earth. But to the contrary! “Foxes have dens and birds of heaven have roosts, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay down his head.” (Luke 9:58) Though poor, however, he was rich. Consider his life and you will find that he was happy, peaceful, contented. He was as one with little of the world’s goods, yet he was able to redeem the entire human race, making available the greatest riches, namely, the prospect for his followers to become “sons of God.” Additionally, other spiritual riches became available to them.​—2 Cor. 8:9; Rom. 8:14, 19; Jas. 2:5; Col. 1:27; 2:2, 3.

21. (a) How did Jesus’ apostles show appreciation for heavenly treasure? (b) What questions could we consider?

²¹ The same fact held true respecting the apostles. They, too, maintained the correct view by putting heavenly treasures first. Peter and his brother Andrew were fishermen, but, at Jesus’ invitation, they responded and “at once abandoning the nets, they followed him.” (Matt. 4:20) John and James responded similarly. “At once leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.” (Matt. 4:22) How they appreciated the opportunity to serve Jehovah God with his sent-forth Son! If you were there at the time, what would you have done? Would you have abandoned your nets right then and there? Or would you have delayed your decision, reasoning that, since the fishing business was so profitable, you would continue on a little while longer until you were in a better financial position to follow? How we need today to appreciate where the real treasure is! Are you proving by your course of life now that these spiritual treasures are the most important thing in your life? (Matt. 13:44-46) Are you growing in appreciation of the spiritual treasures, of seeking Jehovah’s favor and blessings? Do you recognize all the spiritual benefits flowing to us through God’s organization and are you taking full advantage of them?

KEEPING OUR “EYE” IN FOCUS

22. (a) How is our eye “the lamp of the body”? Explain. (b) What does it mean to have the ‘eyes of our heart’ in focus?

²² Jesus said: “The lamp of the body is the eye. If, then, your eye is simple [sincere; all one way, in focus, generous], your whole body will be bright; but if your eye is wicked [selfish, Moffatt], your whole body will be dark. If in reality the light that is in you is darkness, how great that darkness is!” (Matt. 6:22, 23) How appropriate this counsel is! Can we not all appreciate a light in a dark place to prevent us from stumbling or walking into something, doing damage to ourselves? To have proper vision, our eye must be simple, that is, all one way in performing its function. It must be in focus, faithfully catching all the light rays it can from an object and being able to register them in such a way that objects are seen as they really are. Likewise with the ‘eyes of our heart.’ (Eph. 1:18) They too must be in focus, must be all one way. We must consider matters in their proper perspective to make proper decisions. Having a sincere (generous) eye will help us not to be overly concerned with ourselves. We will desire to share with others. (Phil. 2:4) Having a ‘bad eye’ or one that is out of focus will result in our pursuing a course of self-indulgence, making wrong choices. Our whole body will be totally “dark.”

23. (a) How can we, as being poor, make many rich? (b) What view can we take toward full-time service?

²³ Possessing this ‘generous eye,’ we are able to appreciate Paul’s statement that he was “as poor but making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.” (2 Cor. 6:10) Paul had no financial obligations that required him to maintain regular employment at tent-making, but at times he made tents so as to be no financial burden to local congregations. No amount of money can compare with the treasure of serving Jehovah with your complete attention. Like Paul, there are thousands today who, by keeping their eye “simple,” are able to devote all their time to preaching and teaching as pioneers, special overseers and workers in Bethel homes. Having the proper perspective toward money, they consider these spiritual blessings of far greater value than the material possessions that they could have if they were spending most of their time in secular pursuits.

24. How can giving be a treasure?

²⁴ Having our eye ‘in focus,’ we can appreciate the unsurpassed joy of aiding others to learn God’s wonderful truths and of witnessing the change that it brings in their lives. Here is the basis for real happiness! As Jesus said: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) The joy and blessing of aiding others, especially in a spiritual way, make one richer than any amount of material wealth does. Do you “see” and appreciate this?

25. In what way is the “fruitage of the spirit” a treasure? Why so, especially today?

²⁵ Consider, also, the treasure of God’s holy spirit. It cannot be bought. (Acts 8:18-20) Neither can any amount of money buy the fruitage of God’s spirit. Describing this treasure, the Bible says: “The fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.” (Gal. 5:22, 23) In this day of worldwide strife, think how valuable these qualities are! How precious it is to have the “peace of God that excels all thought.” It “will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7) By shunning the money-loving spirit of this world, by conforming to God’s will, by constant prayer, by asking for his spirit and understanding and by letting it be the dominant force in your life, you can also realize the blessings of this treasure.

26. What is the reward for those “other sheep” who keep their eye “simple”?

²⁶ Having your spiritual vision clear, can you see this other treasure​—the prospect of everlasting life? Yes! Imagine, living forever on a paradise earth! This is the reward for those “other sheep” who now keep their eye “simple,” all one way. (John 10:16; Titus 1:2; 1 John 2:17; 1 Tim. 6:12) No amount of material riches could ever obtain this. (Luke 12:15-21) For “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) This is God’s promise to those who love him and do his will, including the “other sheep.”

27. (a) In view of the time in which we are living, what view of material wealth should be maintained? (b) What joy and privilege are ours?

²⁷ May we all, then, keep our spiritual vision clear by maintaining the proper view of riches, remembering that all the money of this system of things is destined to become a thing of the past, worthless. (Ezek. 7:19; Luke 16:9) Soon, when the “great tribulation” puts an end to all the nations of the earth, gone will be the value of this world’s riches, both for the dead and for the “tribulation” survivors. Let us heed the counsel of Jesus and use what we have to glorify God. (John 15:8) May we show, not only by our words, but through our actions that we are putting spiritual riches first by fully taking advantage of the many provisions Jehovah has made. Let us share with others the good news of the Kingdom, helping them to obtain spiritual riches, and continually keeping our material possessions in their place and building up a record with our Father in the heavens. May it be ours to have the joy and privilege of being “as poor but making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.”​—2 Cor. 6:10.