DAILY TEXT, From today Sunday July 9, It is better to enjoy what your eyes see than to walk from here to there chasing desires (Eccl. 6:9).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Sunday July 9

It is better to enjoy what the eyes see than to walk here and there chasing desires (Eccl. 6:9).

If we want to feel joy, we must do what today's text says. The person who enjoys "what meets the eye" is satisfied with what she has, such as her current circumstances. But the person who goes "here and there chasing desires" is always wishing for what he cannot have. What do we learn from this? That if we want to feel happy, we must focus on what we have and not on what is out of our reach. We all naturally like to face new challenges. So is it possible to be content with what we already have? If possible. In fact, we can come to enjoy what we have. As? To find out, let's analyze the parable of the talents that Jesus related and that is found in Matthew 25:14-30, and let's focus on what we can do to have joy and even increase it in our circumstances. w21.08 21 pars. 5, 6.

WHAT TO DO TO FEEL MORE JOY

Briefly tell Jesus' parable of the talents.

In the parable, Jesus spoke of a man who was going on a journey. Before he left, he called his slaves and gave each one talents to do business with.c To one slave he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his ability. The first two slaves were diligent and got more money for their master. But the third slave did nothing with the talent he had received, so the master sent him away.

Why could the first slave in the parable feel happy?

The first slave was likely honored that his master gave him five of his talents. That was a lot of money and it made clear the degree of trust that the master had in him. And what can we say about the second slave? This one may have been disappointed to see that he was not given as many talents as the first. But what did he do?

What didn't Jesus say about the second slave? (Matthew 25:22, 23).

(Read Matthew 25:22, 23.) Jesus did not say that the second slave was upset and resentful because his master only gave him two talents. And he didn't imply that the slave had said something like, “Is this all they're going to give me? But if I am as skilled as the one who received five talents! If my master doesn't value me, then I bury these two talents and take care of my own business."

What did the second slave do with his talents?

As in the case of the first slave, the second took the responsibility entrusted to him very seriously and worked hard for his master. As a result, he gained two other talents. Very happy, the master rewarded his efforts and entrusted him with more responsibilities.

What can we do to feel more joy?

Similarly, we can feel more joy if we do our best in whatever assignment comes our way in our service to Jehovah. Let us dedicate ourselves fully to the preaching work and participate fully in the activities of the congregation (Acts 18:5; Heb. 10:24, 25). Let us prepare well to encourage others with our responses in meetings. Let's take seriously any student assignment we have at the midweek meeting. If we are asked for help to do some work in the congregation, let us be punctual and reliable. Let's not think that certain tasks are unimportant and that they do not deserve that we dedicate our time to them. Let us strive to improve our abilities (Prov. 22:29). The busier we are in our spiritual activities and responsibilities, the faster we will progress and the more joy we will feel (Gal. 6:4). And it will be easier for us to rejoice when others receive a responsibility that we would have liked to have (Rom. 12:15; Gal. 5:26).

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