Three Things That Money Cannot Buy

Even when people face the threat of losing their job, their home, and even their pension, many of them are still obsessed with getting anything and everything that money can buy.

Such people are easy targets for advertisers, whose seductive marketing campaigns tell us that we must have a bigger home, a better car, and brand-name clothes. No cash? No problem—buy on credit! For many, the goal is to look well-off even if they are deep in debt.

Of course, sooner or later reality sets in. Buying flashy consumer goods on credit in order to look and feel like a winner is similar to hitting the crack pipe in order to improve your mood, Both are initially cheap and work really well—but only for a very short period of time. In the long term both leave you penniless and depressed.

The Bible exposes the folly of what it calls “the showy display of one’s means of life.” (1 John 2:16) The fact is, an obsession with possessions distracts us from the very things that matter most in life—the things that money cannot buy.

Consider three examples.

1. FAMILY UNITY

“We have everything we need and more,but my dad is never home because he is always traveling. I know it’s because of his work, but I think he has a responsibility to his family too!” - a teenage girl relate


To think about: What regrets might her father experience later in life? By putting too much emphasis on material things, how is he affecting his relationship with his daughter? What does his family need from him more than money?

Bible principles to consider:

“The love of money causes all kinds of trouble. Some people want money so much that they have . . . caused themselves a lot of pain.”—1 Timothy 6:10, Contemporary English Version.

“Better to eat vegetables with people you love than to eat the finest meat where there is hate.”—Proverbs 15:17, Good News Translation.

The bottom line: Money cannot buy family unity. That only comes from spending time with your family and giving them adequate love and attention.—Colossians 3:18-21.

2. GENUINE SECURITY

“My mom is always telling me that I need to marry a man with a lot of money and learn a trade so that I can have a good job to fall back on for the rest of my life,The only thing that seems to be on her mind is where her next paycheck is coming from.” - Says Sarah 17 years old.


To think about: When contemplating the future, what legitimate concerns do you have? When does legitimate concern cross the line and become inordinate worry? How might Sarah’s mom provide a more balanced approach to financial security?

Bible principles to consider:

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

“You do not know what your life will be tomorrow.”—James 4:14.

The bottom line: There is more to a secure future than stockpiling money. After all, money can be stolen—and it cannot cure disease or prevent death. (Ecclesiastes 7:12) The Bible teaches that genuine security comes from knowing God and his purpose.—John 17:3.

3. PERSONAL CONTENTMENT

“My parents raised me to live simply, My twin sister and I were happy growing up, even though much of the time we had only enough to get by.” a teenage boy relate


To think about: Why might it be difficult to be content with basic necessities? When it comes to attitudes toward money, what example do you set for your family?

Bible principles to consider:

“Having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things.”—1 Timothy 6:8.

“Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.”—Matthew 5:3.

The bottom line: There is more to life than money and the things it can buy. After all, it is as the Bible says: “Even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)

What is depression?

“I have become disconcerted, I have bowed low to an extreme degree; all day long I have walked about sad.”—Psalm 38:6.

WHAT RESEARCHERS SAY

Everyone feels down now and then, but clinical depression is a debilitating disorder that is ongoing and that interferes with a person’s daily life. It should be noted that not all experts agree on what is “normal” sadness and what constitutes a “disorder.” However, it is safe to say that some people experience profoundly negative emotions, at times accompanied by feelings of worthlessness and inordinate guilt.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

The Bible tells of many men and women who experienced negative emotions. For example, Hannah felt “bitter of soul”—a phrase that has been rendered as “brokenhearted” and “deeply distressed.” (1 Samuel 1:10) On one occasion the prophet Elijah was so grief-stricken that he prayed for God to take his life!—1 Kings 19:4.

First-century Christians were instructed to “speak consolingly to the depressed souls.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14) According to one reference work, the term “depressed souls” can refer to those “who are temporarily overwhelmed by the stress of life.” Clearly, even faithful men and women of the Bible at times felt depressed.

Is depression the sufferer’s fault?

“All creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together.”—Romans 8:22.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

The Bible teaches that illness is a by-product of the rebellion of the first human couple. For example, Psalm 51:5 states: “With error I was brought forth with birth pains, and in sin my mother conceived me.”

And Romans 5:12 explains that “through one man [the first human, Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.” Because we have inherited imperfection from Adam, each of us is susceptible to illness, both physical and emotional. As a result, says the Bible, “all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together.” (Romans 8:22)

However, the Bible also offers a hope that no physician can extend—God’s promise of a peaceful new world in which all sicknesses and disorders, including depression, will be gone.—Revelation 21:4.

How can you cope with depression?

“Jehovah is near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.”—Psalm 34:18.

WHY IT MATTERS

You cannot always control your circumstances, and bad things are bound to affect you at times. (Ecclesiastes 9:11, 12) You can, however, develop a practical strategy so that negative feelings do not dominate your life.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

The Bible acknowledges that those who are sick need a physician. (Luke 5:31) So if you suffer from a debilitating mood disorder, there is nothing wrong with seeking medical attention.

The Bible also emphasizes the value of prayer. For example, Psalm 55:22 says: “Throw your burden upon Jehovah himself, and he himself will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to totter.” Prayer is not a psychological crutch; it is real communication with Jehovah God, who is “near to those that are broken at heart.”—Psalm 34:18.

You may also benefit by confiding your feelings to a close friend. (Proverbs 17:17) “A fellow believer gently coaxed me to talk about my depression,” says Daniela, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Although I had been avoiding such a conversation for years, I soon realized that this was what I needed all along. I was surprised at how relieved I felt afterward.”

Teen Depression—Why? What Can Help?


The symptoms of depression can appear during adolescence and may include changes in sleep patterns, appetite, and weight. Feelings of despair, hopelessness, sadness, and worthlessness may also appear. Other signs include social withdrawal, trouble concentrating or remembering, suicidal thoughts or actions, and medically unexplained symptoms. When mental-health professionals suspect depression, they usually look for groups of symptoms that persist for weeks and that disrupt a person’s everyday life.

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF TEEN DEPRESSION

According to WHO, “depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors.” These may include the following.

Physical factors.
Depression often runs in families, suggesting that genetics can play a role, perhaps affecting chemical activity in the brain. Other physical risk factors include cardiovascular disease and changing hormone levels, as well as ongoing substance abuse, which may intensify depression, if not give rise to it.

Stress.
While a little stress can be healthy, chronic or excessive stress can be physically and psychologically harmful, sometimes to the point of plunging a susceptible, or biologically vulnerable, teen into depression. That said, the exact causes of depression remain unclear and may involve a combination of factors.

Stress-related factors linked to depression may include parental divorce or separation, the death of a loved one, physical or sexual abuse, a serious accident, illness, or a learning disability—especially if a child feels rejected as a result. A related factor may be unrealistically high parental expectations, perhaps in regard to scholastic achievement. Other possible causes are bullying, uncertainty about the future, emotional estrangement by a depressed parent, and parental unpredictability.
If depression results, what may help a teen to cope?

CARE FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY
Moderate to severe depression is usually managed with medication and counseling by a mental-health professional. Jesus Christ said: “Those who are strong do not need a physician, but those who are ill do.” (Mark 2:17) And illness can affect any part of our body, including our brain! Lifestyle changes may also be advisable because our mind and body are closely connected.

If you suffer from depression, take reasonable measures to care for your physical and mental health. For instance, eat wholesome meals, get sufficient sleep, and exercise regularly.

Exercise releases chemicals that can lift your mood, increase your energy, and improve your sleep. If possible, try to recognize triggers and early warning signs of a depressive mood and create a suitable plan of action.

Confide in someone you trust. A supportive network of close family members and friends may help you to cope more effectively with your depression, possibly reducing symptoms.

Record your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Above all, be sure to address your spiritual need. This can greatly improve your outlook on life. Jesus Christ said: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.”—Matthew 5:3.

As our Creator, Jehovah God fully understands how our upbringing, experiences in life, and genetic makeup influence our outlook and emotions. He is therefore able to supply needed support and comfort, perhaps doing so through compassionate and understanding fellow humans.

Moreover, the time will come when God will heal us of all our illnesses, physical or mental. “No resident will say: ‘I am sick,’” says Isaiah 33:24.

Yes, the Bible promises that God “will wipe out every tear from [our] eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” (Revelation 21:4)

How comforting and reassuring that is! If you would like to learn more about God’s purpose for mankind and the earth, please visit jw.org. There you will find an excellent online Bible, as well as articles on a broad range of topics, including depression.

WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?


Bad Things Happen to Good People​—Why?
Since Jehovah God is the Creator of all things and is almighty, many people may be inclined to hold him responsible for everything that takes place in the world, including all that is bad. However, consider what the Bible says about the true God:

“Jehovah is righteous in all his ways.”​—Psalm 145:17.

“All his [God’s] ways are justice. A God of faithfulness who is never unjust; righteous and upright is he.”​—Deuteronomy 32:4.

“Jehovah is very tender in affection and merciful.”​—James 5:11.

God does not cause bad things to happen. Does he, though, incite others to commit vile deeds? Not at all. “When under trial,” state the Scriptures, “let no one say: ‘I am being tried by God.’” Why? Because “with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone.” (James 1:13) God does not try, or test, anyone by inciting him to behave badly. God neither causes bad things to happen nor incites others to do what is bad. Who or what, then, is to blame when bad things happen?


BEING IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME

Identifying one reason why humans suffer, the Bible states: “Time and unexpected events overtake them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) When unanticipated events or accidents happen, whether someone is affected or not depends to a large extent on where he is at the time they occur. Nearly 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ spoke of a calamity involving 18 people who were killed when a tower fell on them. (Luke 13:1-5) They did not become victims because of the way they had lived their lives; they were simply under the tower when it happened to fall. More recently, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti in January 2010; the Haitian government says that over 300,000 lives were lost. All those lives were claimed without regard for who the individuals were. Illnesses too can strike anyone at any time.

Some might ask: ‘Could not God prevent such deadly calamities from happening? Could he not shield the good people from the calamity?’ For God to intervene in such ways, it would mean that he knows about bad things before they happen. While God certainly has the ability to foreknow the future, the question we need to consider is this: Does God choose to exercise to a limitless extent his power to foreknow such things?​—Isaiah 42:9.

The Scriptures say: “God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.” (Psalm 115:3) Jehovah does what he deems necessary to do​—not everything he is capable of doing. That applies also to what he decides to foresee. For example, after wickedness became prevalent in the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, God told the patriarch Abraham: “I will go down to see whether they are acting according to the outcry that has reached me. And if not, I can get to know it.” (Genesis 18:20, 21) For a time, Jehovah chose not to know the extent of the wickedness in those cities. Similarly, then, Jehovah can choose not to foreknow everything. (Genesis 22:12) In no way is this an indication of imperfection or weakness on his part. Since “perfect is his activity,” God balances his ability to foreknow the future with his purpose; he never forces humans to follow a certain course.b (Deuteronomy 32:4) What, then, may we conclude? Simply this: God’s exercise of foreknowledge is selective and discretionary.


ARE HUMANS RESPONSIBLE?

Part of the blame for wickedness lies with humans. Notice how the Bible describes a process that can lead to harmful acts. “Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn sin, when it has been carried out, brings forth death.” (James 1:14, 15) When individuals act on improper desires or give in to wrong cravings, they are bound to suffer bad consequences. (Romans 7:21-23) As history shows, humans have committed horrendous acts and caused immense suffering. Moreover, wicked men can influence others to become corrupt, thus perpetuating badness.​—Proverbs 1:10-16.

Should God intervene and prevent people from doing bad things? Consider how man is made. The Scriptures say that God created man in God’s own image, that is, in God’s likeness. Thus, humans have the ability to reflect God’s qualities. (Genesis 1:26) Humans have been given the gift of free will and can choose to love God and stick to him by doing what is right in his eyes. (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20) If God coerced people into following a certain course, would he not be nullifying the gift of free will? Why, humans would be reduced to nothing more than machines, doing exactly what they were programmed to do! The same would be true if fate, or Kismet, dictated what we do and everything that happens to us. How glad we can be that God dignifies us by allowing us to choose our own course! This does not mean, though, that the harm caused by human error and bad choices will forever plague mankind.



IS KARMA A CAUSE OF SUFFERING?

If you were to ask someone from a Hindu or Buddhist background the question posed on the cover of this magazine, you would likely hear this answer: “Bad things happen to good people because of the law of Karma. They are reaping the fruitage of what they did in their previous lives.”

Regarding the teaching of Karma, it is helpful to note what the Bible says about death. In the garden of Eden, where humankind originated, the Creator said to the first man, Adam: “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:16, 17) If Adam had not sinned by disobeying God, he would have lived forever. Death came about as a penalty for disobedience to God’s command. Then, when children were born, “death spread to all men.” (Romans 5:12) Thus, it can be said that “the wages sin pays is death.” (Romans 6:23) The Bible also explains: “The one who has died has been acquitted from his sin.” (Romans 6:7) In other words, people do not keep paying for their sins after death.

Millions of people today explain that the problem of human suffering involves Karma. A believer usually accepts his own suffering as well as that of others without getting too disturbed by it. But the fact remains that this concept holds out no hope of stopping bad things from happening. It is believed that the only relief offered to an individual is liberation from the cycles of rebirth through socially acceptable behavior and special knowledge. These ideas, of course, are far different from what the Bible says.d



THE PRIMARY CAUSE!

The primary cause of wickedness, though, is not man. Satan the Devil, originally a faithful angel of God, “did not stand fast in the truth” and brought sin into the world. (John 8:44) He instigated a rebellion in the garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:1-5) Jesus Christ called him “the wicked one” and “the ruler of the world.” (Matthew 6:13; John 14:30) Mankind in general follow Satan by heeding his urgings to ignore the good ways of Jehovah. (1 John 2:15, 16) “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one,” says 1 John 5:19. There are other spirit creatures who have turned wicked and have joined Satan. The Bible indicates that Satan and his demons are “misleading the entire inhabited earth,” causing “woe for the earth.” (Revelation 12:9, 12) Thus, the principal blame for wickedness has to be placed on Satan the Devil.

Clearly, God is not responsible for bad things that happen to people; nor does he make them suffer. On the contrary, he has promised to eliminate badness, as the following article will show.

Who Is the Antichrist?

The antichrist is not merely one individual person or entity, for the Bible says that there are “many antichrists.” (1 John 2:​18) Rather, the term “antichrist,” which comes from a Greek word meaning “against (or instead of) Christ,” refers to anyone who does the following:

(1) Denies that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) or denies that he is the Son of God.​—1 John 2:​22.

(2) Opposes the Christ, God’s Anointed One.​—Psalm 2:​1, 2; Luke 11:23.

(3) Pretends to be the Christ.​—Matthew 24:24.

(4) Persecutes the followers of Christ, since Jesus views what is done to them as being done to him.​—Acts 9:5.

(5) Falsely claims to be a Christian while practicing lawlessness or deception.​—Matthew 7:​22, 23; 2 Corinthians 11:13.

Besides speaking of individuals who take such actions as being antichrists, the Bible also refers to them collectively as “the antichrist.” (2 John 7) The antichrist first appeared in the time of the apostles and has been active ever since. Bible prophecy foretold just such a development.​—1 John 4:3.

How to identify antichrists

(1) They promote false ideas related to Jesus. (Matthew 24:​9, 11) For example, those who teach the Trinity or that Jesus is Almighty God actually oppose the teachings of Jesus, who said: “The Father is greater than I am.”​—John 14:28.

(2) Antichrists reject what Jesus said about how God’s Kingdom operates. For instance, some religious leaders say that Christ works through human governments. Yet, this teaching contradicts Jesus, who said: “My Kingdom is no part of this world.”​—John 18:36.

(3) They say that Jesus is their Lord, but they do not obey his commands, including the one to preach the good news of the Kingdom.​—Matthew 28:19, 20; Luke 6:​46; Acts 10:42.

Must Christians Keep the Sabbath?


Christians are not required to observe a weekly sabbath. Christians are under “the law of the Christ,” which does not include keeping the Sabbath. (Galatians 6:2; Colossians 2:16, 17) Why can we be certain of that? First, consider the origin of the Sabbath.


What is the Sabbath?

The word “sabbath” comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to rest; to cease.” It first appears in the Bible in commands given to the nation of ancient Israel. (Exodus 16:23) For example, the fourth of the Ten Commandments says: “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it sacred. You are to labor and do all your work for six days, but the seventh day is a sabbath to Jehovah your God. You must not do any work.” (Exodus 20:8-10)

The Sabbath day ran from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. During that time, the Israelites could not leave their locality, light a fire, gather wood, or carry a load. (Exodus 16:29; 35:3; Numbers 15:32-36; Jeremiah 17:21) Violating the Sabbath was a capital offense.—Exodus 31:15.

Some other days in the Jewish calendar, as well as the 7th and 50th years, were also called sabbaths. In Sabbath years, the land was to lie uncultivated and Israelites could not be pressed to repay debts.—Leviticus 16:29-31; 23:6, 7, 32; 25:4, 11-14; Deuteronomy 15:1-3.



Why doesn’t the Sabbath law apply to Christians?

The Sabbath law applied only to the people subject to the rest of the Law given through Moses. (Deuteronomy 5:2, 3; Ezekiel 20:10-12) God never required other people to observe a sabbath rest.

In addition, even the Jews were “released from the Law” of Moses, including the Ten Commandments, by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (Romans 7:6, 7; 10:4; Galatians 3:24, 25; Ephesians 2:15)

Rather than adhere to the Law of Moses, Christians follow the superior law of love.—Romans 13:9, 10; Hebrews 8:13.


Misconceptions about the Sabbath

Misconception: God instituted the Sabbath when he rested on the seventh day.

Fact: The Bible says: “God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” (Genesis 2:3, King James Version)

This verse contains, not a law to man, but a statement of what God did on the seventh creative day. The Bible does not mention anyone observing a sabbath rest before the days of Moses.

Misconception: The Israelites were under the Sabbath law before they received the Law of Moses.

Fact: Moses told the Israelites: “Jehovah our God made a covenant with us in Horeb,” the area around Mount Sinai. This covenant included the Sabbath law. (Deuteronomy 5:2, 12)

The Israelites’ experience with the Sabbath shows that it was new for them. If the Israelites had been under some Sabbath law earlier, while they were in Egypt, how would the Sabbath have reminded them of their deliverance from Egypt as God said it would? (Deuteronomy 5:15) Why did they have to be told not to pick up manna on the seventh day? (Exodus 16:25-30) And why did they not know how to handle the case of the first recorded Sabbath breaker?—Numbers 15:32-36.

Misconception: The Sabbath is a perpetual covenant and is therefore still required.

Fact: Some Bible translations do refer to the Sabbath as a “perpetual covenant.” (Exodus 31:16, King James Version) However, the Hebrew word translated “perpetual” can also mean “lasting into the indefinite future,” not necessarily forever. For example, the Bible uses the same word to describe the Israelite priesthood, which God ended about 2,000 years ago.—Exodus 40:15; Hebrews 7:11, 12.

Misconception: Christians must keep the Sabbath, since Jesus kept it.

Fact: Jesus observed the Sabbath because he was a Jew, obliged from birth to obey the Law of Moses. (Galatians 4:4) After Jesus died, this Law covenant—including the Sabbath—was taken away.—Colossians 2:13, 14.

Misconception: The apostle Paul observed the Sabbath as a Christian.

Fact: Paul entered synagogues on the Sabbath, but not to join the Jews in their observance. (Acts 13:14; 17:1-3; 18:4)

Instead, following the custom of the time, he preached the good news in synagogues, as visiting speakers could be invited to address those gathered for worship. (Acts 13:15, 32) Paul preached “every day,” not just on the Sabbath.—Acts 17:17.

Misconception: The Christian Sabbath is on Sunday.

Fact: The Bible contains no command for Christians to devote Sunday, the first day of the week, to rest and worship. For early Christians, Sunday was a workday like any other. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states: “It was not until the 4th cent[ury] that Sunday began to take on sabbath characteristics, when [the pagan Roman emperor] Constantine decreed that certain types of work should not be done on Sunday.” a

What, though, of passages that seem to indicate that Sunday was a special day? The Bible says that the apostle Paul shared a meal with fellow believers “on the first day of the week,” Sunday, but this was only logical, since Paul was leaving the next day. (Acts 20:7) Similarly, some congregations were told to set aside funds on “the first day of every week,” Sunday, for relief work, but this was just a practical suggestion for personal budgeting. The contributions were kept at home, not turned in at a place of meeting.—1 Corinthians 16:1, 2.

Misconception: It is wrong to set aside one day every week for rest and worship.

Fact: The Bible leaves such a decision to each Christian.—Romans 14:5.

Aemmyjah:


Yes brother
I see you're from Akwa Ibok
You still live here?

From Akwa Ibom but currently in Port Harcourt

MaxInDHouse:
See you soon in Paradise!

And you too !!!

Jesus compared death to a sleep. A person in a deep sleep is not aware of what is happening around him. So after someone dies he dose not feel pains. He does not feel lonely, no matter how much he loved his friends and family. "THE DEATHE KNOWS NOTHING AT ALL" says the Bible. Ecclesiastes 9:5.

THE TRUE CONDITION OF THE DEATH
Read Ecclesiastes 3:20 and see if any part of a person survive death .

Consider as well the resurrection of Lazarus , close friend of jesus. John 11:11-14. See what Jesus compared death to.

The Bible truth about the death free us from fear of the death. Ecclesiastes 9:10.

The Bible truth also protect us from the believe that the death must be appeased or worshipped. Isaiah 8:19. Revelation 4:11


THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DEATH
Many people have been taught that when they die, they will suffer as a result of their past actions. But it comfort us to know that no one suffer after death. Romans 6:7

Jehovah, the Almighty God, would never allow the death to suffer. Deuteronomy 32:4. 1John 4:8


WE DIE TODAY AS A PUNISHMENT FOR THE DEATH AND SIN THAT WE INHERITED FROM ADAM AND EVE. GOD TOLD THEM THAT DEATH IS THE PUNISHEMENT FOR THEIR ACTION. SO WHEN SOMEONE DIES, HE OR SHE HAS AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVES THE PUNISHEMENT.

The Bible contains accurate knowledge about what happened in the past, the reasons for what is happening now and what will definitely happen in the future.
Despite mankind battling with sin and death, the Bible promised a future in which obedient mankind will live forever either as co-rulers with Jesus Christ in heaven or living on Earth as subject under Jesus rulership.
Since from time of creation God has promised that he would actualized his purpose for mankind which is everlasting life .
The Bible offers the hope of everlasting life in a perfect conditions.

PICTURE LIVING IN A WORLD WHERE ;
(1) No one will......

Feel pain, weaken with age or have to die. Isaiah 25:8

Get sick or live with a disability. Isaiah 33:24, 35:5,6

Experience injustice. Isaiah 32:16,17

Suffer as a result of war. Psalms 46:9

Be plagued by troubling thought or memories. Isaiah 65:17


(2) Everyone will .......

See dead loved ones resurrected, brought back to life on earth. John 5:28,29

Enjoy good health and youthful energy. Job 33:25

Have plenty to eat, a comfortable home and satisfying work. Psalms 72:16; Isaiah 65:21,22

Experience complete peace. Psalm 37:11

Live forever in ideal conditions. Psalm 37:29


The hope that the Bible offers for the future can help us to battle discouragement and cope with our current problems successfully . Proverbs 17:22. Romans 12:12

Yes I am

Negroid001:


Are you a witness?

Despite well-meaning efforts to solve the problem, there are millions of people around the world living in poverty.

How can the poor be happy?

Many people believe that happiness and fulfillment are achieved through material prosperity and that real success depends largely on how much money a person has. With little or no access to basic education, quality health care, and other benefits, those trapped in poverty are not expected to have a happy and satisfying life.


WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS
The Bible teaches that real happiness depends, not on one’s economic situation, but on one’s spiritual well-being and relationship with the Creator. The Bible says: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.” (Matthew 5:3) Regardless of their financial status, those who are aware of their spiritual need are moved to seek God’s thinking on matters and can thus learn Bible truths that bring real comfort and peace of mind. That is what brings true happiness.

Those who understand and follow the Bible’s counsel are better equipped to deal with poverty. For example, Bible counsel steers people away from harmful habits, such as the use of tobacco and the abuse of alcohol. Practices like these waste money and potentially result in the need for expensive medical treatment.—Proverbs 20:1; 2 Corinthians 7:1.

The Bible also cautions against the damaging effects of greed and materialism. (Mark 4:19; Ephesians 5:3) Such counsel can help a person avoid wasting money on gambling or developing a “love of money,” which the Bible describes as “a root of all sorts of injurious things.” (1 Timothy 6:10) The Scriptures warn: “Even when a person has an abundance, his life does not result from the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15) Simply put, no amount of money can buy life itself. On the other hand, acting in harmony with the Bible’s wise counsel makes life meaningful and results in genuine happiness.

While those living in poverty may have to struggle to get food, clothing, and shelter, they can find considerable happiness by cultivating contentment, focusing their lives on pleasing their Creator, and living in harmony with his will. They recognize the truth of the Bible’s promise that “it is the blessing of Jehovah that makes one rich, and He adds no pain with it.”—Proverbs 10:22.

KEY SCRIPTURE: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.”—Matthew 5:3.



Will there ever be an end to poverty?

While human relief efforts have been unsuccessful in bringing the problem of poverty under control, in due time, God will give attention to the root of the problem—the tendency of selfish people and governments to look after merely their own interests. (Ecclesiastes 8:9) Our Creator will replace human governments that are driven by self-interest. His Kingdom, or heavenly government, will provide generously for all of earth’s residents, without discrimination. The Bible explicitly promises that the King of God’s Kingdom will compassionately address the needs of the poor. “He will rescue the poor who cry for help . . . He will have pity on the lowly and the poor, and the lives of the poor he will save.”—Psalm 72:12-14.

The earth will be a true paradise with housing and food for all, without a trace of poverty. In the Bible book of Isaiah, God promises that his people “will build houses and live in them, and they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. . . . The work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full.” (Isaiah 65: 21, 22) Instead of struggling to eke out a meager existence, all will enjoy “a banquet of rich dishes” and other good things provided by Jehovah.—Isaiah 25:6.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Reflecting on God’s promise of a poverty-free world reassures those living under oppressive conditions that God cares about them and that the end of their struggles is in sight. Focusing on such a hope can give a person strength to endure difficult conditions now.

KEY SCRIPTURE: “He will rescue the poor who cry for help . . . He will have pity on the lowly and the poor, and the lives of the poor he will save.”—Psalm 72:12, 13.

Does Bible Prophecy Point to the Modern State of Israel?

TODAY the world nervously watches the Middle East. Rocket attacks, clashes of armed militias, and terrorist bombings are frequent occurrences. Add to this explosive mixture the very real possibility that nuclear weapons could be used. No wonder people everywhere are worried!

The world was also anxiously watching the Middle East in May of 1948. At that time, 62 years ago, the British mandate to occupy what was then called Palestine was ending, and war was imminent. The year before, the United Nations had authorized the creation of an independent Jewish State in a portion of the occupied territories. The surrounding Arab nations had vowed to prevent this at any cost. “The partition line shall be nothing but a line of fire and blood,” warned the Arab League.

It was Friday afternoon, May 14, 1948, at 4:00 p.m. The final hours of the British mandate were ticking away. In the Tel Aviv Museum, a small crowd of 350 onlookers were present by secret invitation for an eagerly anticipated announcement​—the formal declaration of statehood for the modern-day nation of Israel. Security was tight, lest the numerous enemies of the fledgling State attack the proceedings.

David Ben-Gurion, the leader of Israel’s National Council, read The Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel. It stated, in part: “We, members of the People’s Council, representatives of the Jewish Community of Eretz-Israel . . . by virtue of our natural and historic right and on the strength of the Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish State in Eretz-Israel, to be known as the State of Israel.”

A Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy?

Some Evangelical Protestants believe that the modern State of Israel thus fulfilled a Bible prophecy. For example, in the book Jerusalem Countdown, clergyman John Hagee states: “This momentous occasion had been recorded by the pen of the prophet Isaiah, saying, ‘A nation shall be born in a day.’ (See Isaiah 66:8.) . . . It was the greatest moment in prophetic history of the twentieth century. It was living evidence for all men to see that the God of Israel was alive and well.”

Is that statement true? Did Isaiah 66:8 predict the establishment of the modern State of Israel? Was May 14, 1948, the “greatest moment in prophetic history of the twentieth century”? If the modern State of Israel is still God’s chosen nation, and if he is using it to fulfill Bible prophecies, this would certainly be of interest to Bible students everywhere.

Isaiah’s prophecy states: “Who has heard of a thing like this? Who has seen things like these? Will a land be brought forth with labor pains in one day? Or will a nation be born at one time? For Zion has come into labor pains as well as given birth to her sons.” (Isaiah 66:

The verse is clearly foretelling the sudden birth of an entire nation, as if in a single day. But who would cause this birth? The next verse gives a clue: “‘As for me, shall I cause the breaking through and not cause the giving birth?’ says Jehovah. ‘Or am I causing a giving birth and do I actually cause a shutting up?’ your God has said.” Jehovah God makes it clear that the dramatic birth of the nation would be his doing.

Modern Israel is governed as a secular democracy that officially makes no claim to rely on the God of the Bible. Did the Israelis in 1948 recognize Jehovah God as the one responsible for their declaration of statehood? They did not. Neither the name of God nor even the word “God” was mentioned anywhere in the original text of the proclamation.

The book Great Moments in Jewish History says this of the final text: “Even at 1:00 P.M. when the National Council met, its members could not agree about the wording of the proclamation of statehood. . . . Observant Jews wanted a reference to ‘the God of Israel.’ Secularists balked. Compromising, Ben-Gurion decided that the word ‘Rock’ would appear instead of ‘God.’”

The modern State of Israel to this day bases its claim to statehood on a UN resolution and what it calls the natural and historic right of the Jewish people. Is it reasonable to expect that the God of the Bible would perform the greatest prophetic miracle in the 20th century in behalf of a people who refuse to give him credit?

How Does the Modern Claim to Statehood Compare?

Modern Israel’s secular attitude contrasts sharply with the situation in 537 B.C.E. Back then, the nation of Israel was indeed ‘reborn’ as if in a day after being devastated and depopulated by the Babylonians 70 years earlier. At that time, Isaiah 66:8 was strikingly fulfilled when the Persian conqueror of Babylon, Cyrus the Great, authorized the return of the Jews to their homeland.​—Ezra 1:2.

The Persian King Cyrus recognized Jehovah’s hand in the matter in 537 B.C.E., and those who returned to Jerusalem did so for the express purpose of restoring the worship of Jehovah God and rebuilding his temple. The modern State of Israel has never officially declared any such desire or intention.

Still God’s Chosen Nation?

In the year 33 C.E., the fleshly nation of Israel lost its claim to be God’s chosen nation when it rejected Jehovah’s Son, the Messiah. The Messiah himself put it this way: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent forth to her . . . Look! Your house is abandoned to you.” (Matthew 23:37, 38)

Jesus’ statement came true when in 70 C.E., Roman legions destroyed Jerusalem along with its temple and priesthood. But what was to become of God’s purpose to have a “special property out of all other peoples, . . . a kingdom of priests and a holy nation”?​—Exodus 19:5, 6.

The apostle Peter, himself a fleshly Jew, answered that question in a letter written to Christians​—both Gentile and Jewish. He wrote: “You are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession,’ . . . for you were once not a people, but are now God’s people; you were those who had not been shown mercy, but are now those who have been shown mercy.”​—1 Peter 2:7-10.

Christians who were selected by holy spirit thus belong to a spiritual nation, their membership not being determined by birth or geographic location. The apostle Paul described the matter this way: “Neither is circumcision anything nor is uncircumcision, but a new creation is something. And all those who will walk orderly by this rule of conduct, upon them be peace and mercy, even upon the Israel of God.”​—Galatians 6:15, 16.

Whereas the modern nation of Israel offers to confer citizenship upon any natural or converted Jew, citizenship in what the Bible calls “the Israel of God” is given only to those who are “obedient and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:1, 2)

Speaking of these members of the Israel of God, or spiritual Jews, Paul wrote: “He is not a Jew who is one on the outside, nor is circumcision that which is on the outside upon the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one on the inside, and his circumcision is that of the heart by spirit, and not by a written code. The praise of that one comes, not from men, but from God.”​—Romans 2:28, 29.

That verse helps us understand a controversial comment Paul made. In his letter to the Romans, Paul explained how the unbelieving natural Jews were like branches of a symbolic olive tree that were lopped off so that “wild” Gentile “branches” could be grafted in. (Romans 11:17-21)

Concluding this illustration, he states: “A dulling of sensibilities has happened in part to Israel until the full number of people of the nations has come in, and in this manner all Israel will be saved.” (Romans 11:25, 26) Was Paul foretelling an eleventh hour mass conversion of the Jews to Christianity? Clearly, no such conversion has taken place.


What did Paul’s illustration of the olive tree mean?

By the expression “all Israel,” Paul meant all of spiritual Israel​—Christians who have been selected by holy spirit. He was saying that the failure of the natural Jews to accept the Messiah would not thwart God’s purpose to have a spiritual ‘olive tree’ full of productive branches. This is in harmony with Jesus’ own illustration of himself as a vine whose nonproductive branches will be lopped off. Jesus said: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the cultivator. Every branch in me not bearing fruit he takes away, and every one bearing fruit he cleans, that it may bear more fruit.”​—John 15:1, 2.

Although the establishment of the modern State of Israel was not foretold in the Bible, the establishment of the nation of spiritual Israel certainly was! If you identify and associate with that spiritual nation today, you will reap eternal blessings.​—Genesis 22:15-18; Galatians 3:8, 9.

OAM4J, prof800(m), UjSizzle(f), Mynd44, Seun(m)

1. What is resurrection?

In the Bible, the word translated as “resurrection” comes from the Greek a·naʹsta·sis, which means “raising up” or “standing up again.” A person who is resurrected is raised up from death and restored to life as the person he was before.​—1 Corinthians 15:12, 13.

Although the word “resurrection” is not in the Hebrew Scriptures, often called the Old Testament, the teaching appears there. Through the prophet Hosea, for example, God promised: “From the power of the Grave I will redeem them; from death I will recover them.”​—Hosea 13:14; Job 14:13-​15; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:​2, 13.

2. Where will people be resurrected?

Some people are resurrected to life in heaven to rule as kings with Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:1; Revelation 5:​9, 10) The Bible calls this “the first resurrection” and “the earlier resurrection,” both expressions implying that there is another resurrection to follow. (Revelation 20:6; Philippians 3:​11) This later resurrection will be to life on earth, which the vast majority of those brought back to life will enjoy.​—Psalm 37:29.

3. How are people resurrected?

God grants Jesus the power to raise the dead. (John 11:25) Jesus will restore “all those in the memorial tombs” to life, each one with his unique identity, personality, and memories. (John 5:​28, 29) Those resurrected to heaven receive a spirit body, while those resurrected to life on earth receive a healthy physical body, completely sound.​—Isaiah 33:24; 35:​5, 6; 1 Corinthians 15:42-​44, 50.

4. Who will be resurrected?

The Bible says that “there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) The righteous include faithful people, such as Noah, Sarah, and Abraham. (Genesis 6:9; Hebrews 11:11; James 2:​21) The unrighteous include those who failed to meet God’s standards but did not have the opportunity to learn and follow them.

However, those who become so wicked that they are beyond reform will not be resurrected. When such ones die, they suffer permanent destruction with no hope of a return to life.​—Matthew 23:33; Hebrews 10:26, 27.

5. When will the resurrection take place?

The Bible foretold that the resurrection to heaven would take place during Christ’s presence, which began in 1914. (1 Corinthians 15:21-​23) The resurrection to life on earth will occur during the Thousand Year Reign of Jesus Christ, when the earth will be transformed into a paradise.​—Luke 23:43; Revelation 20:​6, 12, 13.

6. Why is belief in the resurrection reasonable?

The Bible provides detailed accounts of nine resurrections, each confirmed by eyewitnesses. (1 Kings 17:17-​24; 2 Kings 4:​32-​37; 13:20, 21; Luke 7:​11-​17; 8:​40-​56; John 11:38-​44; Acts 9:​36-​42; Acts 20:​7-​12; 1 Corinthians 15:​3-6)

Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus is especially noteworthy, since Lazarus had been dead for four days and Jesus performed the miracle before a crowd of people. (John 11:39, 42) Even those who opposed Jesus could not deny the facts of the matter, so instead they plotted to kill both Jesus and Lazarus.​—John 11:47, 53; 12:​9-​11.

The Bible shows that God has both the ability and the desire to bring back the dead. He keeps in his limitless memory a detailed record of each person he will resurrect by means of his almighty power. (Job 37:23; Matthew 10:30; Luke 20:37, 38)

God is able to restore the dead to life, and he wants to! Describing the coming resurrection, the Bible says of God: “You will long for the work of your hands.”​—Job 14:15.

7. Misconceptions about the resurrection

Myth:
The resurrection is a reuniting of the soul with the body.

Fact:
The Bible teaches that the soul is the entire person, not some part that survives death. (Genesis 2:7, footnote; Ezekiel 18:4) A person who is resurrected is not reunited with his soul; he is recreated as a living soul.

Myth:
Some people are resurrected and then immediately destroyed.

Fact:
The Bible says that “those who practiced vile things” will receive “a resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:​29) However, they will be judged based on what they do after they are resurrected, not before. Jesus said: “The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who have paid attention will live.” (John 5:​25) Those who ‘pay attention’ to, or obey, the things they learn after they are resurrected will have their names recorded in “the scroll of life.”​—Revelation 20:12, 13.

Myth:
When resurrected, a person receives exactly the same body that he had before he died.

Fact:
After death, a person’s body would likely have broken down and disintegrated.—Ecclesiastes 3:​19, 20.

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OAM4J, prof800(m), UjSizzle(f), Mynd44, lalasticlala(m), Seun(m)

Many Christian denominations teach that the Kingdom of God is within a person, or in someone’s heart. For example, in the United States, the Southern Baptist Convention declared that the Kingdom of God is in part “the reign of God in the heart and life of the individual.” Similarly, in his book Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict XVI stated that “the Kingdom of God comes by way of a listening heart.”


Is the Kingdom of God in Your Heart?

No, God’s Kingdom is not merely a condition in the hearts of Christians. The Bible identifies its true location by calling it “the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 4:​17, King James Version)

Consider how the Bible shows it to be a real government that is ruling from heaven.

God’s Kingdom has rulers, subjects, laws, and a mandate to establish the will of God in heaven and on the earth.​—Matthew 6:​10; Revelation 5:​10.

God’s government, or Kingdom, will rule over all “the peoples, nations, and language groups” of the earth. (Daniel 7:​13, 14) The authority for its rulership comes, not from its subjects, but directly from God.​—Psalm 2:​4-6; Isaiah 9:7.

Jesus told his faithful apostles that they would join him in the Kingdom of heaven to “sit on thrones.”​—Luke 22:28, 30.

The Kingdom has enemies, which it will destroy.​—Psalm 2:​1, 2, 8, 9; 110:​1, 2; 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26.

The Bible does not teach that the Kingdom of heaven is in your heart in the sense that it rules through a person’s heart. However, it does show that the “word of the Kingdom” or the “good news of the Kingdom” can and should affect our hearts.​—Matthew 13:19; 24:14.

What does “the kingdom of God is within you” mean?

Some people have become confused about the location of the Kingdom by the rendering of Luke 17:21 in some Bible translations. For example, the King James Version says that “the kingdom of God is within you.” To understand this verse correctly, we must consider the context.

Some of the religious leaders who opposed Jesus

God’s Kingdom was not in the heart of Jesus’ obstinate and murderous opposers

Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, a group of religious leaders who opposed him and shared in arranging for his execution. (Matthew 12:14; Luke 17:20)

Does it make sense to think that the Kingdom was a condition in their obstinate hearts? Jesus told them: “Inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”​—Matthew 23:27, 28.

Other translations accurately clarify Jesus’ statement at Luke 17:21: “God’s kingdom is here with you.” (Italics ours; Contemporary English Version) “The Kingdom of God is among you.” (New World Translation, footnote) The Kingdom of heaven was “with” or “among” the Pharisees, in that Jesus, the one designated by God to rule as King, was standing before them.​—Luke 1:​32, 33.

Who Is the Antichrist?

The antichrist is not merely one individual person or entity, for the Bible says that there are “many antichrists.” (1 John 2:​18)

Rather, the term “antichrist,” which comes from a Greek word meaning “against (or instead of) Christ,” refers to anyone who does the following:

1. Denies that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) or denies that he is the Son of God.​—1 John 2:​22.

2. Opposes the Christ, God’s Anointed One.​—Psalm 2:​1, 2; Luke 11:23.

3. Pretends to be the Christ.​—Matthew 24:24.

3. Persecutes the followers of Christ, since Jesus views what is done to them as being done to him.​—Acts 9:5.

4. Falsely claims to be a Christian while practicing lawlessness or deception.​—Matthew 7:​22, 23; 2 Corinthians 11:13.

Besides speaking of individuals who take such actions as being antichrists, the Bible also refers to them collectively as “the antichrist.” (2 John 7)

The antichrist first appeared in the time of the apostles and has been active ever since. Bible prophecy foretold just such a development.​—1 John 4:3.

How to identify antichrists

They promote false ideas related to Jesus. (Matthew 24:​9, 11) For example, those who teach the Trinity or that Jesus is Almighty God actually oppose the teachings of Jesus, who said: “The Father is greater than I am.”​—John 14:28.

Antichrists reject what Jesus said about how God’s Kingdom operates. For instance, some religious leaders say that Christ works through human governments. Yet, this teaching contradicts Jesus, who said: “My Kingdom is no part of this world.”​—John 18:36.

They say that Jesus is their Lord, but they do not obey his commands, including the one to preach the good news of the Kingdom.​—Matthew 28:19, 20; Luke 6:​46; Acts 10:42.

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7 THINGS YOU CAN NEVER CHANGE UNTIL YOU CHANGE YOURSELF.

1. You can never Change the way people treat you till you change the way you treat people. Matthew 7:12, So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

2. You can not change your character until you change your, friends.
1 Corinthians 15:33, Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.

3. You can not change what you harvest until you change what you sow.
Galatians 6:7, Do not be deceived God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

4. You can not change the direction of your life until you change the driver.
Exodus 23:2, Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong, your life is either driven by the crowd or by your conviction.

5. You can not change your financial situation until you Change your financial behaviour.
Proverbs 21:17, Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

6. You can not change me until you change yourself.
Matthew 7:3, And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?

7. You can not change the way you think until you change what you hear, read and watch.
Proverbs 23:7, let the wise listen and add to their learning.

Who you listen to, determines what you learn.

What you learn, determines the information in your head.

The information in your head, determines your decisions.

And your decisions, determine your direction in life.

Whose Names Are Written in “the Book of Life”?

“The book of life,” also called “the scroll of life” or “book of remembrance,” contains the names of people in line to receive the gift of everlasting life. (Revelation 3:5; 20:12; Malachi 3:16)

God determines those names based on a person’s faithful obedience to him.​—John 3:16; 1 John 5:3.

God has kept each of his loyal servants in his memory, as if writing their names down in a book, since “the founding of the world” of mankind. (Revelation 17: 8 )

The faithful man Abel was apparently the first one whose name was recorded in the book of life. (Hebrews 11:4)

It is not just a cold list of names, though, for the book of life shows us that Jehovah is a loving God who “knows those who belong to him.”​—2 Timothy 2:19; 1 John 4:8.

Can names be erased from “the book of life”?

Yes. God said regarding disobedient people in ancient Israel: “Whoever has sinned against me, I shall wipe him out of my book.” (Exodus 32:33)

But if we prove faithful, we will remain in “the scroll of life.”​—Revelation 20:12.

OAM4J, prof800(m), UjSizzle(f), Mynd44, lalasticlala(m), Seun(m)

A tithe is “the tenth part of one’s income set aside for a specific use. . . . Usually the tithe in the Bible implies a religious objective.”—Harper’s Bible Dictionary, page 765.


What Does the Bible Say About Tithing ?

As part of their contribution to support true worship, the ancient Israelites were commanded to donate a tithe, a or a tenth, of their annual income. God told them: “You must without fail give a tenth [“tithe,” King James Version] of everything your seed produces in the field year by year.”—Deuteronomy 14:22.

The command to tithe was part of the Mosaic Law, a law code that God gave to ancient Israel. Christians are not legally subject to the Mosaic Law and so are not required to tithe. (Colossians 2:13, 14)

Instead, each Christian is to contribute financially “as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”—2 Corinthians 9:7.



Tithing in the Bible—The “Old Testament”

Tithing is mentioned several times in the section of the Bible commonly known as the Old Testament. Most instances relate to a period after the Law code (the Mosaic Law) was given to Israel through Moses. However, a couple of instances relate to a period before that.

Before the Mosaic Law

The first person recorded as offering a tithe was Abram (Abraham). (Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7:4) Abram’s tithe appears to have been a one-time gift to the king-priest of Salem. There is no evidence in the Bible account that Abraham or his children tithed again.

The second person mentioned in the Bible as offering a tithe was Abraham’s grandson Jacob. He promised that if God would bless him, he would give to God “a tenth of everything” he received. (Genesis 28:20-22)

According to some Bible scholars, Jacob likely paid this tithe in the form of animal sacrifices. While Jacob bound himself by this vow, he did not impose such a tithe on his family.

Under the Mosaic Law

The ancient Israelites were commanded to tithe as a means of supporting their religious activity.

The tithe provided for full-time religious workers—the Levites, including the priests—who did not have their own land to cultivate. (Numbers 18:20, 21)

The nonpriestly Levites received tithes from the people and contributed the very best “tenth part of the tenth part” to the priests.—Numbers 18:26-29.

It appears that a second yearly tithe was required, which benefited both Levite and non-Levite people. (Deuteronomy 14:22, 23)

Israelite families used this provision in connection with special festivals, and on certain years it was shared with the very poor to help with their sustenance.—Deuteronomy 14:28, 29; 26:12.

How was the tithe calculated?

Israelites set aside a tenth of the yearly produce of their land. (Leviticus 27:30) If they chose to pay this tithe in money rather than produce, they had to increase its value by 20 percent. (Leviticus 27:31) They were also commanded to give a “tenth part of the herd and flock.”—Leviticus 27:32.

To determine their livestock tithe, Israelites selected every tenth animal that came out of their pen. The Law stated that they could not examine or exchange these selected animals, nor could they convert their livestock tithe into money. (Leviticus 27:32, 33)

However, the second tithe for use at the annual festivals could be converted into money. This provision made it more convenient for the Israelites who had to travel a long distance to attend the festivals.—Deuteronomy 14:25, 26.

When did the Israelites tithe?

The Israelites tithed each year. (Deuteronomy 14:22) However, every seventh year an exception was made. That year was a sabbath, or year of rest, when the Israelites did not cultivate any crops. (Leviticus 25:4, 5)

In recognition of this special circumstance, no tithe was collected at harvesttime. Every third and sixth year of the seven-year Sabbath cycle, the Israelites shared the second tithe with the poor and the Levites.—Deuteronomy 14:28, 29.

What was the penalty for not paying tithes?

The Mosaic Law did not state a penalty for failing to tithe. Tithing was a moral obligation. The Israelites were to declare before God that they had rendered the tithe and to request God’s blessing for having done so. (Deuteronomy 26:12-15) God viewed withholding the tithe as stealing from him.—Malachi 3:8, 9.

Was the tithe an excessive burden?

No. God promised the nation that if they brought in the tithe, he would pour out his blessing on them and they would lack nothing. (Malachi 3:10)

On the other hand, the nation suffered when they withheld the tithe. They lost God’s blessing and did not benefit from the work of the priests and Levites whom they had thereby neglected.—Nehemiah 13:10; Malachi 3:7.

Tithing in the Bible—The “New Testament”

During Jesus’ lifetime as a human, tithing was still a requirement for God’s worshippers. However, this requirement was abolished after Jesus’ death.

In Jesus’ time

In what is commonly called the New Testament, the Bible shows that the Israelites continued tithing while Jesus was on earth. He acknowledged that tithing was an obligation for them, but he condemned the religious leaders who scrupulously paid tithes but “disregarded the weightier matters of the Law, namely, justice and mercy and faithfulness.”—Matthew 23:23.

After Jesus’ death

Tithing was no longer required after Jesus died. Jesus’ sacrificial death erased, or abolished, the Mosaic Law, including the “commandment to collect tithes.”—Hebrews 7:5, 18; Ephesians 2:13-15; Colossians 2:13, 14.

Tithes and the “Early Church”

“In the early Christian Church the custom of consecrating to religious purposes a tenth of the income was voluntary, and it was not made obligatory until the Council of Tours in 567.”—Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and, Ecclesiastical Literature, by McClintock and Strong, Volume X, page 436.

So Christians are not obligated to pay tithes today!!!

OAM4J, prof800(m), UjSizzle(f), Mynd44, lalasticlala(m), Seun(m)

Who Were the Rich Man and Lazarus ?

The rich man and Lazarus are story characters in one of Jesus’ speeches. (Luke 16:19-31)

In the story, these men represented two groups of people:

(1) the proud Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day and

(2) the lowly but sincere people who responded to Jesus’ message.

What did Jesus say about the rich man and Lazarus?

In Luke chapter 16, Jesus describes two men who experience drastic changes in their circumstances.

Here is a summary of the story Jesus told: A rich man lived in luxury. A beggar named Lazarus was placed at the rich man’s gate; he hoped to be given any food that dropped from the rich man’s table.

In time, Lazarus died, and angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.

In the story, both men are portrayed as conscious after death. The dead rich man was being tormented by a blazing fire and asked Abraham to send Lazarus to cool his tongue with a drop of water from Lazarus’ finger.

Abraham denied the rich man’s request and said that both men had now experienced a complete reversal of their circumstances and that a great chasm had been formed between the two that could not be crossed.

Did this story really happen?

No. This is a parable that Jesus related in order to teach a lesson. The fact that this is a parable is acknowledged by scholars.

For example, a subheading in the 1912 edition of Luther’s Bible states that this is a parable. And the Catholic Jerusalem Bible, in a footnote, states that this is a “parable in story form without reference to any historical personage.”

Was Jesus teaching lessons about life after death? Did he mean that some people suffer in a hellfire when they die and that Abraham and Lazarus were in heaven? Several facts show that this could not be the case.

For example:

If the rich man were in a literal place of burning torment, would not the fire evaporate the water on Lazarus’ fingertip?

Even if it were not evaporated, would a single drop of water bring the rich man lasting relief from his suffering in a literal fire?

How could Abraham be alive in heaven, since Jesus clearly stated that up to the time Jesus related the parable, no one had gone to heaven?—John 3:13.

Does this story support the doctrine of hellfire?

No. Although this is not a literal story, some argue that it symbolizes the idea that good people go to heaven and bad people are tormented in hellfire.

Is that conclusion reasonable? No.

The teaching of hellfire does not fit in with what the Bible says about the condition of the dead. For example, it does not say that all good people who die experience bliss in heaven or that bad people are tortured in hellfire.

Some Bible translations use the word “hell” to describe the rich man’s location after death. However, the original Greek word (Hades) used at Luke 16:23 simply means mankind’s common grave.


Rather, the Bible clearly states: “The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all.”—Ecclesiastes 9:5.

What is the meaning of the story of the rich man and Lazarus?

The story shows that two groups of people were about to experience a great change in circumstances.

The rich man evidently symbolized the Jewish religious leaders, “who were money lovers.” (Luke 16:14) They listened as Jesus spoke, but they opposed his message. These religious leaders looked down on the common people.—John 7:49.

Lazarus symbolized the common people who accepted Jesus’ message and who were despised by the Jewish religious leaders.

The change in circumstances was drastic for both groups.

The Jewish religious leaders thought that they enjoyed God’s favor. But they experienced death, as it were, when God rejected them and their form of worship because they did not accept Jesus’ message. And they were tormented by the message that Jesus and his followers preached.—Matthew 23:29, 30; Acts 5:29-33.

The common people—who had long been neglected by their religious leaders—were now experiencing favor. Many accepted the Scriptural message that Jesus taught and benefited from it. They now had the opportunity to enjoy God’s favor eternally.—John 17:3.

Did God Use Evolution to Create the Different Types of Life?

No. The Bible clearly stated that God created humans as well as different “kinds” of animal and plant life. (Genesis 1:12, 21, 25, 27; Revelation 4:11)

It says that the entire human family descended from Adam and Eve, our first parents. (Genesis 3:20; 4:1)

The Bible account does not support the theory that God used evolution to bring about the different kinds of life, sometimes called theistic evolution.

The fact is, though, that nothing in the Bible conflicts with scientific observations that variations occur within each kind of life.


Did God use evolution?

The term “theistic evolution” refers to a broad variety of ideas. According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, the term promotes the idea that “natural selection is one of the mechanisms with which God directs the natural world.”

Theistic evolution can also include the following ideas:

All living organisms descended from common ancestors in the distant past.

One kind of life-form can evolve into a completely different kind of life-form, a concept that is sometimes referred to as macroevolution.

God is somehow ultimately responsible for these processes.

Is evolution compatible with the Bible?

Theistic evolution implies that the Bible’s account of creation in Genesis is not completely accurate.

However, Jesus referred to the Genesis account as historical fact. (Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:18-24; Matthew 19:4-6)

The Bible says that before coming to earth, Jesus lived in heaven with God and was involved in helping God to bring “all things” into existence. (John 1:3) Therefore, the idea that God used evolution to bring about different life-forms is incompatible with Bible teachings.

What about the ability of plants and animals to adapt?

The Bible does not explain how much variation can occur within a kind. Neither does it contradict the fact that the different kinds of animals and plants created by God can vary as they breed or adapt to new environments. Although some view such adaptations as a form of evolution, no new kind of life is produced.

The Bible uses the word “kind,” which is much broader in meaning than the word “species” as used by scientists. Often, what scientists choose to call the evolution of a new species is simply a matter of variation within a kind, as the word is used in the Genesis account.

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