DAILY TEXT, From today Tuesday January 3, Keep your eyes wide open and avoid all kinds of covetousness (Luc. 12:15).

DAILY TEXT, Tuesday January 3, 2023,  La Keep your eyes wide open and avoid all kinds of covetousness (Luke 12:15).

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Tuesday, January 3

Keep your eyes wide open and avoid all kinds of covetousness (Luke 12:15).

We know that Judas Iscariot became a despicable traitor, but he was not always a bad person (Luke 6:13, 16). Without a doubt, Jesus trusted him, because he put him in charge of the box in which they kept the money. Jesus had warned the apostles many times to beware of covetousness (Mark 7:22, 23; Luke 11:39). But, after a while, Judas began to steal. He demonstrated that he had become greedy on a certain occasion shortly before Jesus' death. Simon the leper had invited to his house Jesus and his disciples, among whom were Mary and her sister his Martha. While they were eating, Mary got up and poured expensive perfumed oil on Jesus' head. Judas and the other disciples were outraged. The disciples may have thought that the money could have been used in the ministry. But Judas was upset for another reason: "he was a thief" and wanted to steal money from the safe (John 12:2-6; Matt. 26:6-16; Luke 22:3-6). w21.06 18 pars. 12, 13.

How does 1 Corinthians 4:6, 7 help us avoid pride?

Could we too fall into the trap of pride and commit a sin, just like Uzziah? Take the example of Joseph, who was doing very well in business and was a well-respected congregation elder. He gave talks at conventions, and circuit overseers consulted with him. But he admits: “he trusted my ability and my experience. I put Jehovah aside. He thought he was strong, so I ignored Jehovah's warnings and advice.” Joseph ended up committing a serious sin and was expelled. A few years ago he was reinstated. He explains: “Jehovah has taught me that the important thing is to do what he asks us to do, and not what title we have.” Let us always remember that all of our talents and responsibilities in the congregation come from God (read 1 Corinthians 4:6, 7).

What did both Satan and Eve do because of covetousness?

When we talk about greed, we may think of Satan. While he was one of Jehovah's angels, he sure enjoyed many very fine privileges. But he wanted more. He coveted receiving the worship that only Jehovah deserves. Satan wants us to become like him, so he tries to keep us from being content with what we have. The first time he tried to do this was with Eva. Jehovah had lovingly allowed her and her husband to eat from all the trees in the garden except one until they were satisfied (Gen. 2:16). But Satan tricked Eve into believing that she needed to eat from the forbidden tree. She didn't appreciate what she had; she wanted more. And we know how it all ended: she sinned and eventually died (Gen. 3:6, 19).

How did King David fall into the trap of covetousness?

Let's look at the case of King David. Jehovah had given him many things, such as wealth, prestige, and victory over many of his enemies. David was very grateful for this and said that everything God had given him was more than he could count (Ps. 40:5). But, at a certain point, he became greedy and forgot what Jehovah had given him. He wanted more. Although he had several wives, he began to desire another man's wife, something Jehovah condemned. The woman's name was Bath-Sheba, and her husband was a Hittite named Uriah. David was selfish, he committed adultery with Bath-Sheba and got her pregnant. As if all that wasn't enough, he arranged for Uriah to be killed (2 Sam. 11:2-15). What was he thinking? Did he think that Jehovah was not seeing him? After being faithful to Jehovah for so long, he ended up giving in to selfishness and greed, and he paid dearly for it. Fortunately, in time David confessed his sin and repented. And how grateful he was that Jehovah had forgiven him! (2 Sam. 12:7-13).

According to Ephesians 5:3, 4, what is the antidote to covetousness?

What o we learn from what happened to David? That the antidote to covetousness is to always be grateful for all that Jehovah has given us (read Ephesians 5:3, 4). We must be content with what we have. We teach our Bible students to think of something beautiful in his life and then thank Jehovah for it. If you do this for a week, by the end you will have talked about seven different things in your prayers (1 Thess. 5:18). Do we do something similar? If we meditate on all that Jehovah has done for us, we will be more grateful and content with what we have. Then we will not fall into the trap of greed.

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