They will remain spiritually awake, shunning all worldliness. Their social gatherings can then bring glory to the happy God Jehovah and move sincere observers to say: “God is really among you.” (1 Cor. 14:25) Moreover, they will continue to stand as approved before God and Christ, eagerly looking forward to the time when “the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces” and “make for all the peoples . . . a banquet of well-oiled dishes”​—for their balanced enjoyment along with all other loving provisions in God’s creation.​—Isa. 25:6-8.

Be Wise​—Shun Greediness

“KEEP your eyes open and guard against every sort of covetousness, because even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.”​—Luke 12:15.

What provided the occasion for Jesus Christ to say this? A large crowd was listening to him when a man called out: “Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” (Luke 12:13) There really should have been no basis for such a request, because the Mosaic law stipulated that the firstborn son should get two parts of everything that had belonged to his father. Evidently, therefore, covetousness was involved in the case of the man who wanted Jesus Christ to pass judgment in his favor.

Jesus’ words about covetousness, quoted above, were directed to the crowd that had heard the man’s request. These words revealed that a person must evaluate things properly to be able to shun covetousness or greed. He should not lose sight of the fact that whatever the object of his wrong desire may be, it can in no way contribute to the preservation of his life. In fact, greed can lead to calamity.

This is well illustrated by what befell Gehazi, the attendant of the Hebrew prophet Elisha. Through Elisha, the Syrian army chief Naaman was healed of