1, 2. In this system of things, why will there always be some poor people?

TODAY’S economic system is harsh and unfair. Young people search in vain for employment. Many risk their lives to move to more prosperous lands. Poverty is widespread, even in affluent lands. And the gap between rich and poor is widening. According to recent estimates, the richest 1 percent of the earth’s population have as much wealth as the rest of its inhabitants combined. While such a figure is difficult to confirm, no one disputes that billions of people are desperately poor, while others have enough wealth to last for many lifetimes. Jesus recognized this harsh reality with the words: “You always have the poor with you.” (Mark 14:7) Why such inequality?

² Jesus understood that the current economic system would not change until God’s Kingdom comes. Along with the political and religious elements, the greedy commercial system, represented by “the merchants” of Revelation 18:3, constitutes part of Satan’s world. Unlike the complete separation that God’s people maintain from politics and false religion,  most cannot separate themselves completely from the commercial part of Satan’s world.

3. What questions will we consider?

³ As Christians, we do well to examine our view of today’s commercial system by asking ourselves such questions as these: ‘How can I use my material possessions to show faithfulness to God? How can I minimize involvement with the commercial world? What experiences show that God’s people fully trust in him in this challenging environment?’

4, 5. (a) In what situation did the steward of Jesus’ illustration find himself? (b) What admonition did Jesus give his followers?

⁴ Read Luke 16:1-9. Jesus’ illustration of the unrighteous steward is thought-provoking. After being accused of wastefulness, the steward acted with “practical wisdom” to “make friends” to help him when he lost his stewardship. * Jesus, of course, was not encouraging his disciples to act in an unrighteous way in order to survive in this world. He labeled such behavior as that of “the sons of this system of things,” but he used the illustration to drive home a point.

⁵ Jesus knew that like the steward who found himself in a difficult situation, most of Jesus’ followers would need to make a living in this unjust commercial world. So he urges them: “Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches, so that when such fail, they [Jehovah and Jesus] may receive you into the everlasting dwelling places.” What can we learn from Jesus’ counsel?

6. How do we know that today’s commercial system was not part of God’s purpose?

⁶ Although Jesus does not explain why he calls riches “unrighteous,” the Bible makes clear that commercialism was not part of God’s purpose. Jehovah provided abundantly for Adam and Eve’s needs in Eden. (Gen. 2:15, 16) Later, when holy spirit operated on the first-century congregation of anointed ones, “not even one of them would say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” (Acts 4:32) The prophet Isaiah pointed to the time when all humans would freely enjoy earth’s material resources. (Isa. 25:6-9; 65:21, 22) But in the meantime, Jesus’ followers would need “practical wisdom” to make a living, using the “unrighteous riches” of today’s world while seeking to please God.

7. What counsel is found at Luke 16:10-13?

⁷ Read Luke 16:10-13. The steward in Jesus’ illustration made friends for personal benefit. However, Jesus urged his followers to make friends in heaven for unselfish purposes. The verses that follow the illustration connect the use of “unrighteous riches” with faithfulness to God. Jesus’ point was that we can ‘prove ourselves faithful’ with, or control, those riches once we obtain them. How so?

8, 9. Give examples of how some are showing faithfulness in their use of unrighteous riches.

⁸ An obvious way to prove ourselves faithful with our material things is by contributing financially to the worldwide  preaching work that Jesus foretold would take place. (Matt. 24:14) A young girl in India kept a small money box and gradually added coins, even giving up toys to do so. When the box was full, she handed the money over to be used for the preaching work. A brother in India who has a coconut farm contributed a large number of coconuts to the Malayalam remote translation office, reasoning that since the office needs to buy coconuts, his supplying them directly will help his contribution to go further than it would if he gave cash. That is practical wisdom. Likewise, brothers in Greece regularly contribute olive oil, cheese, and other foods for the Bethel family.

⁹ A brother from Sri Lanka, now living abroad, has made his property back home available for meetings and assemblies and for housing full-time servants. It is a financial sacrifice for the brother but a great help to the local publishers of little means. In a land where the work is restricted, brothers make their homes available for use as local Kingdom Halls, allowing many pioneers and others with limited funds to have a meeting place without a financial burden.

10. What are some blessings we receive when we give generously?

¹⁰ The foregoing examples show how God’s people are “faithful in what is least,” that is, in their use of material wealth, which is inferior to spiritual riches. (Luke 16:10) How do these friends of Jehovah feel about making such sacrifices? They understand that being generous is a way to gain “true” riches. (Luke 16:11) A sister who contributes regularly to the Kingdom work tells of a blessing she has received: “By being materially generous, I have experienced an unusual phenomenon within myself over the years. I find that the more generous I am materially, the more generous my disposition toward others has become. I am more generous in being forgiving, in being patient with others, and in being able to accept disappointments and counsel.” Many have learned that generosity is spiritually enriching.​—Ps. 112:5; Prov. 22:9.

11. (a) How does our freely giving show “practical wisdom”? (b) What equalizing of finances is taking place among God’s people? (See opening picture.)

¹¹ Using material assets to advance Kingdom interests shows “practical wisdom” in another way. It allows us to take advantage of our circumstances to help others. Those who have this world’s means but cannot share in the full-time ministry or move abroad have the satisfaction of knowing that their donated funds support the ministry of others. (Prov. 19:17) Voluntary contributions help to supply literature and support the preaching work in territories where poverty abounds but where there is great spiritual growth. For years, in such lands as Congo, Madagascar, and Rwanda,  brothers often had to choose between having food for their families and having copies of the Bible, which sometimes cost the equivalent of a weekly or a monthly wage. Now, by means of the contributions of many and “an equalizing” of finances, Jehovah’s organization has sponsored the translation and distribution of Bibles to each member of the family as well as to spiritually hungry Bible students. (Read 2 Corinthians 8:13-15.) Thus, Jehovah’s friendship is being freely extended to both the givers and the receivers.

12. How did Abraham show that he trusted in God?

¹² Another way to gain friendship with Jehovah is by minimizing our involvement with the commercial world and using our circumstances to seek “true” riches. Abraham, a man of faith in ancient times, obediently left prosperous Ur in order to live in tents and pursue his friendship with Jehovah. (Heb. 11:8-10) He always looked to God as the Source of true wealth, never seeking material advantages that would indicate a lack of trust. (Gen. 14:22, 23) Jesus encouraged this sort of faith, telling a rich young man: “If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come be my follower.” (Matt. 19:21) That man lacked faith like that of Abraham, but others have shown implicit trust in God.

13. (a) What admonition did Paul give to Timothy? (b) How can we apply Paul’s counsel today?

¹³ Timothy was a man of faith. After calling Timothy “a fine soldier of Christ Jesus,” Paul told him: “No man serving as a soldier involves himself in the commercial businesses of life, in order to gain the approval of the one who enrolled him as a soldier.” (2 Tim. 2:3, 4) Jesus’ followers today, including an army of over one million full-time ministers, apply Paul’s counsel to the extent that their circumstances allow. Resisting the pressures of advertising and the world around them, they remember the principle: “The borrower is a slave to the lender.” (Prov. 22:7) Satan would like nothing better than to have us spend all our time and energy as slaves to his commercial world. Some decisions could keep us in financial bondage for years. Huge home mortgages, lingering student loans, expensive car payments, even extravagant weddings can result in great financial pressure. We demonstrate practical wisdom when we simplify our life and reduce debt and expenses, setting ourselves free to slave for God rather than for today’s commercial system.​—1 Tim. 6:10.

14. What kind of determination is needed? Give examples.

¹⁴ Keeping our life simple involves setting priorities. One couple owned a thriving manufacturing business. However, their desire to reenter the full-time ministry compelled them to sell the business, their boat, and other material items. They then volunteered to help with the construction of world headquarters in Warwick, New York. A special blessing for them has been to serve at Bethel with their daughter and son-in-law and, for some weeks, with the husband’s parents, who also worked on the Warwick project. A pioneer sister in Colorado, U.S.A., found part-time employment at a  bank. The staff was so pleased with her work that she was offered a full-time position at triple her salary. However, since the job would diminish her focus on the ministry, she turned down this lucrative offer. These are just a few examples of the countless sacrifices made by servants of Jehovah. Such determination to put Kingdom interests first shows that we value God’s friendship and spiritual riches far more than what today’s commercial world can offer.

15. What riches bring the greatest satisfaction?

¹⁵ Material wealth is not necessarily an indication of God’s blessing. Jehovah blesses those who are “rich in fine works.” (Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19.) For example, when Lucia * learned of the need for ministers in Albania, she moved there from Italy in 1993 with no means of support, trusting fully in Jehovah. She mastered the Albanian language and has helped over 60 individuals to the point of dedication. While the majority of God’s people do not preach in such fruitful territories, anything we do to help others find and stay on the road to life is something that we and they will treasure forever.​—Matt. 6:20.

16. (a) What lies ahead for today’s commercial system? (b) How should what we know about the future affect our view of material wealth?

¹⁶ Jesus said: “When such [unrighteous riches] fail,” not ‘if they fail.’ (Luke 16:9) Bank and economic collapses that have occurred in these last days are insignificant when compared with what will happen on a world scale in the near future. Satan’s entire system​—political, religious, and commercial—​is destined to fail. The prophets Ezekiel and Zephaniah foretold that gold and silver, staples of the commercial world through the centuries, will become worthless. (Ezek. 7:19; Zeph. 1:18) How would we feel if we reached the end of our life in this world and realized that we had sacrificed true riches for a vast store of this world’s “unrighteous riches”? We could feel like a man who has worked all his life for a pile of money, only to learn that it is counterfeit. (Prov. 18:11) Yes, such riches will ultimately fail, so do not lose the opportunity to use them to “make friends” in heaven. Whatever we do to advance the interests of Jehovah’s Kingdom makes us spiritually rich.

17, 18. What is in store for friends of God?

¹⁷ When God’s Kingdom does come, rent and mortgages will cease, food will be free and plentiful, health-care costs will disappear. Jehovah’s earthly family will enjoy the best that the earth has to offer. Gold, silver, and gems will be for adornment, not for investment or hoarding. High-quality materials of wood, stone, and metal will be freely available to build beautiful homes. Friends will assist us for sheer satisfaction, not for money. A new system of sharing earth’s bounties will be a way of life.

¹⁸ This is just part of the priceless inheritance for those who make friends in heaven. The rejoicing of Jehovah’s earthly worshippers will know no bounds when they hear Jesus’ words: “Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.”​—Matt. 25:34.

1, 2. Vbọsiẹ ne a na miẹn wẹẹ te ivbiogue khian gha rrọọ a te miẹn wẹẹ Arriọba Osanobua rre?

ARRIỌBA emwa nagbọn keghi ya agbọn lọghọ emwa nibun. Igbama i ghi miẹn iwinna. Emwa keghi mu okhian yo otọ ẹvbo ne emwi na vbe maan, ya gha gualọ igho, sokpan te okhian vberriọ mu arrọọ ọghe iran ye ikpadede. Ẹi re vbe ọni ọkpa, ivbiogue wa vbe rre otọ ẹvbo ne emwa nibun na mwẹ igho. Emwa ni ka fe, ye fe yọ sokpan ivbiogue khian wu ye ivbabọ. Vbe ọ ma he kpẹ gbe mwa, emwa ni gualọ otọ emwi keghi kha wẹẹ, orhunmwu ọkpa nọ fe vbuwe ẹbu ibozẹghẹ emwa ni fe kue mwẹ igho sẹ emwa hia vbe uhunmwu otagbọn ni ma fe. Gia kha wẹẹ orhunmwu 100 ẹre ọ rre uhunmwu otagbọn hia, orhunmwu 1 nọ fe vbọ kue mwẹ igho sẹ 99 hia nikẹre. Vbene ẹmwata, te emwa nibun wa fe ye obọ mu iso sẹrriọ wẹẹ, iran i sẹtin rri igho ne iran mwẹ fo iran ke ya wu vbene okhọngborrie emwa na re ivbiogue sẹlẹkẹ. E Jesu tobọre yunu kaẹn ọna vbe ọ khare wẹẹ: “Ẹghẹ hia ọre uwa gha ya gha miẹn avbe ivbiogue.” (Mak 14:7) Vbọ ghi si ẹre ne emwa hia i na re ọkpa?

² E Jesu rẹnrẹn wẹẹ emwi i khian ghi fiwerriẹ vbe agbọn na, a te miẹn wẹẹ Arriọba Osanobua rre. E Baibol gima rẹn wẹẹ  abọ eha ẹre agbọn Esu ghae egbe yi otu azẹ, ugamwẹ okeke kevbe avbe ọdoẹki ne ebe Arhie Maan 18:3 tie ẹre okpe ẹki okpe ere. Emwa ọghe Osanobua i mwẹ obọ vbe otu azẹ kevbe ugamwẹ ohoghe sokpan nibun vbọ ma sẹtin wa gbaengbe ne abọ ọghe agbọn Esu na, nọ re okpe ẹki okpe ere.

3. De inọta eso ne ima khian ziro yan?

³ Zẹvbe Ivbiotu e Kristi, te ọ khẹke ne ima ya avbe inọta na zanzan egbe ima ghee vbe nọ dekaan aro ne ima ya ghee igho ne emwa nagbọn khu khian: ‘De odẹ ne I gha ya ye emwi ewe ne I mwẹ rrie urhomwẹ gie Jehova? De odẹ ne I gha ya sẹtin si obọ zẹẹ vbe emwi ewe na khu khian? De emwi ẹwaẹn eso ni rhiẹre ma wẹẹ emwa ọghe Jehova gele wa mu ẹtin yan rẹn vbe agbọn nọ wegbe na?

4, 5. (a) Vbọ sunu dae ọdia iwinna vbe erre ne Jesu tae? (b) De adia ne Jesu rhie ne erhuanegbe ẹre?

⁴ Tie Luk 16:1-9. Erre na ne Jesu tae keghi re ne ima gha roro dinmwi. Rhunmwuda ọdia iwinna na ghaa rhia igho rua, arowa re keghi rhie ẹre obọ sotọ vbe iwinna. * Sokpan ọdia iwinna na keghi loo “ẹwaẹn” ya “zẹ ọse” ni gha ru iyobọ nẹẹn a te miẹn wẹẹ a khuẹ vbe iwinna. Ẹi re te Jesu ye erre na rhie igiọdu ne erhuanegbe ẹre ne iran ye uyinmwẹ ẹkẹ vbe ero gha gaga khian. Uyinmwẹ ọghe “emwa nagbọn” ẹre irẹn tie ẹre. Sokpan te irẹn ya erre na maa iran emwi kpataki.

⁵ Jesu rẹnrẹn wẹẹ avbe erhuanegbe ẹre gha werriẹ aro daa ọlọghọmwa ọghe evba gha re evba gha daa vbe agbọn ẹkẹ vbe ero na, zẹ vbene ọ ghaa ye ne ọdia iwinna na guan kaẹn na. Ẹre ọ zẹe ne ọ na tama iran wẹẹ: “Ne I tama uwa nian, wa ye ẹfe agbọn na ne uwa mwẹ zẹ ọse ne egbe uwa, ai rẹn vbe ọ gha ghi hiẹ uwa, ne a miẹn ehe na miẹn uwa ye owa etẹbitẹ.” De emwi ne ima gha miẹn ruẹ vbe ẹmwẹ adia na?

6. Vbe ima ya rẹn hẹ wẹẹ okpe ẹki okpe ere i re ọkpa vbe usun emwamwa ọghe Osanobua?

⁶ Jesu ma rhan otọ re, evbọzẹe ne irẹn na tie emwi ewe, ẹfe ọghe “agbọn na,” sokpan e Baibol keghi gima rẹn wẹẹ, okpe ẹki okpe ere i re ọkpa vbe usun emwamwa ọghe Osanobua. Vbe igiemwi, te Jehova kpemehe emwi hia ne Adam kevbe Ivi. (Gẹn. 2:15, 16) Vbe orre nokaro, vbe Jehova rhurhẹ orhiọn nọhuanrẹn yan iko ọghe etẹn ne a hannọ zẹ, “orhiọnkpa ne ọ vbe tie emwi ne ọ mwẹ ọghe obọ ẹre i rrọọ. Iran hia na gba gha ghae emwi ne iran mwẹ gba obọ.” (Iwinna 4:32) Akhasẹ ighẹ Aizaia tae yotọ wẹẹ, ẹghẹ dee ne emwa hia khian na gha sọyẹnmwẹ emwi hia ne Osanobua yi ye agbọn. (Aiz. 25:6-9; 65:21, 22) Sokpan vbene ọ te sẹ ẹghẹ nii, te erhuanegbe Jesu gha khuan igho ne iran miẹn ya gha gaga egbe. Nọnaghiyerriọ, te ọ khẹke ne iran ya “ẹwaẹn” loo “ẹfe agbọn na,” ne iran mieke na gha ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn e Osanobua.

7. De ẹmwẹ ibude nọ rre Luk 16:10-13?

⁷ Tie Luk 16:10-13. Ọdia iwinna vbe erre ne Jesu tae keghi zẹ ọse ni gha sẹtin ru iyobọ nẹẹn sokpan e Jesu keghi bu erhuanegbe ẹre ude ne iran zẹ ọse vbe ẹrinmwi. Vbe ebe Luk 16:10-13, e Jesu keghi gima rẹn wẹẹ odẹ ne ima ya loo “ẹfe agbọn na” gha vbe rhiẹre ma deghẹ ima gele mwẹ ẹkoata daa Osanobua. Emwi ne irẹn ya ọna kha ọre wẹẹ, ma gha sẹtin ya ẹwaẹn loo ẹfe agbọn na. De odẹ nọ khin?

8, 9. Taa emwi ẹwaẹn eso ni rhiere ma wẹẹ etẹn ya ẹwaẹn loo ẹfẹ agbọn na.

 ⁸ Odẹ ọkpa ne ima ya ye ẹwaẹn loo emwi ewe ọghomwa ọre ne ima na ru iyobọ igho ye iwinna ikporhu nọ khian vbe otagbọn hia ne Jesu tae yotọ wẹẹ ọ gha sunu. (Mat. 24:14) Ọvbokhan okhuo ọkpa vbe India kegha mwẹ ẹkpẹti nekherhe nọ rhie igho yi. Igho nọ gha te ya gha dẹlẹ emwi ne ibiẹka ya ku vbe na ghee ọmọmọ araba ẹre ọ ghaa rhie ye ẹkpẹti. Ọ ghi vuọn nẹ, ọ na yae ru iyobọ ye iwinna ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan. Ọtẹn nokpia ọkpa nọ vbe rre India nọ mu ugbo ivin rẹnrẹn wẹẹ, ugha ne a na zedu (RTO) vbe Malayalam wa loo ivin, rhunmwuda ọni ọ na ghi zẹ ọre vbe iro wẹẹ, irẹn gha ya ivin ru iyobọ, ẹre ọ gha maan sẹ igho ne irẹn gha te rhie ye ẹkpẹti okozẹ. U miẹn ẹwaẹn ne ọtẹn na loo ro! Erriọ etẹn ni rre Greece wa vbe ye ofigbọn oliv kevbe evbare ughughan ya ru iyobọ ne Abotu nọ rre ẹvbo nii.

⁹ Ọtẹn nokpia ọkpa nọ ke Sri Lanka rre, sokpan isi ẹre ọ ghi ye nia, keghi mu owa re ne etẹn, ne iran gha loo ẹre ya do iko kevbe asikoko kevbe ne etẹn ni rre ugamwẹ ọghe ẹghẹ hia gha dia ẹre ya. Igho ọrhẹnrhẹn ẹre ọtẹn na gha te gha miẹn vbe owa na, sokpan ọ keghi yae ru iyobọ ne etẹn ne obọ ma sẹ ọre. Vbe otọ ẹvbo ne a na mu awua ye iwinna ima, etẹn keghi kie ẹkpotọ yọ, na gha loo owa iran ya do iko. Ọna keghi re iyobọ nọkhua ne avbe arọndẹ kevbe etẹn ne obọ ma sẹ ọre.

10. De afiangbe eso ne ima miẹn vbe ima ghaa ze emwi obọ?

¹⁰ Avbe emwi ẹwaẹn na, rhiẹre ma wẹẹ emwa ọghe Osanobua i “ru ero ye emwi ne ọ kanmwa.” ọni ọre wẹẹ, iran loo emwi ewe ọghe iran ẹse rhunmwuda iran rẹnrẹn wẹẹ, ẹfe ọghe orhiọn ẹre ọ gele ru ekpataki. (Luk 16:10) Vbọ ye hẹ vbe ekhọe etẹn na ni zẹ emwi obọ? Ọ keghi wa sẹ iran ọyẹnmwẹ rhunmwuda iran rẹnrẹn wẹẹ, na gha zẹ emwi obọ keghi re odẹ ọkpa ne a ya khu “ẹfe ne ẹfe.” (Luk 16:11) Ọtẹn nokhuo ọkpa nọ ru iyobọ igho ye iwinna Arriọba vbe ẹghẹ hia keghi guan kaẹn afiangbe nọ he miẹn. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “I keghi do bẹghe ẹre wẹẹ, zẹ vbene I ya zẹ emwi obọ, erriọ uyinmwẹ mwẹ vbe ya gha maan sayọ. Te I ghi rherhe yabọ emwa, erriọ I vbe ya mwẹ izinegbe vbe egbe emwa ọvbehe, ibude i ghi lọghọ mwẹ na miẹn yi, erriọ vbe nọ deghẹ emwi ne I te yaro yi ma ghi sẹ obọ.” Te emwa nibun ghi do rẹn wẹẹ, a ghaa ze emwi obọ, te ọ ya ọmwa mwẹ alaghodaro vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn.—Psm. 112:5; Itan 22:9.

11. (a) De odẹ eso ne ima ya rhiẹre ma wẹẹ ima ya ẹwaẹn loo emwi ewe ọghomwa? (b) De vbene otu ọghe Osanobua ya ye omwa ọkpa mwa ne egbe vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ? (Ghee efoto nọ rre omuhẹn.)

¹¹ Te ima ya “ẹwaẹn” loo emwi ewe ọghe ima deghẹ ima yae ru iyobọ ne emwa ni rhiegbe ye iwinna ugamwẹ ọghe ẹghẹ hia. Etẹn eso ni fe ni ma sẹtin rhiegbe ye iwinna ugamwẹ ọghe ẹghẹ hia keghi sọyẹnmwẹ rhunmwuda, igho ne iran rhie ye ẹkpẹti okozẹ keghi ru iyobọ ne etẹn ni rre ugamwẹ ọghe ẹghẹ hia. (Itan 19:17) Vbe igiemwi, te emwi wa wegbe vbe ihe eso ne emwa nibun na bi la odẹ ọghe ẹmwata. Igho ne ima ya ekhọe obọ ima rhie ladian ẹre a loo ya viọ ebe ọghomwa ye ako vberriọ. Te Baibol  wa ghaan vbe Congo, Madagascar kevbe Rwanda. Igho na ye uzọla ọkpa ra uki ọkpa khuan ẹre a ya dẹ e Baibol. Nọ rhiema wẹẹ, etẹn gha dẹ e Baibol, iran i ghi miẹn igho ya dẹ evbare. Lekpae izọhẹ ne ima ru, “omwa ọkpa ọre a ghi ya mwa ne egbe.” Ọna ẹre ọ zẹe ne otu e Jehova na sẹtin ru emwamwa ne a ya zedu e Baibol, ọ na vbe sẹ obọ dọmwadẹ etẹn kevbe emwa ne iran gu ruẹ e Baibol ọghe ọhẹ. (Tie 2 Kọrinti 8:13-15.) Nọnaghiyerriọ, te ẹkpotọ ghi kie ne etẹn ne obọ sẹ ọre ke ne obọ ma sẹ ọre ya sikẹ e Jehova sayọ.

12. De vbene Ebraham ya rhiẹre ma hẹ wẹẹ irẹn mu ẹtin yan Osanobua?

¹² Odẹ ọvbehe ne ima gha ya sẹtin do gha re ọse Jehova, ọre ne ima si obọ zẹ vbe ẹmwẹ igho ne emwa nagbọn khu khian, ne ima mieke na sẹtin gha khu “ẹfe ne ẹfe” khian. Erriọ e Ebraham ruẹ re. Rhunmwuda ọ hoo nọ gha re ọse Jehova, ọ keghi kpa hiẹn Ur rre, ẹvbo ne emwa nibun na fe kevbe ne agbọn na maan rẹn. Ọ na ya gha yin vbe ibọkpọ vbe agọ. (Hib. 11:8-10) Te irẹn wa mu ẹtin yan e Jehova nọ re Ẹzi ọghe ẹfe ne ẹfe. Ọ ma gha khu ẹfe ọghe agbọn na khian. (Gẹn. 14:22, 23) Egbe amuẹtinyan vberriọ ẹre Jesu wẹẹ ne ima gha mwẹ vbe ọ tama igbama okpia ọkpa nọ fe wẹẹ: “U gha hoo nọ gba nuẹn fo, ya khiẹnnẹ emwi hia ne u mwẹ, viọ igho ẹre ne avbe ivbiogue, u do gha mwẹ ẹfe vbe ẹrinmwi, u ghi bu mwẹ gha dee ne u do gha lele mwẹ khian.” (Mat. 19:21) Okpia na ma gha mwẹ egbe amuẹtinyan ọghe Ebraham, sokpan emwa eso rrọọ ni gele mu ẹtin yan Osanobua.

13. (a) De ibude ne Pọl rhie ne Timoti? (b) De vbene ima khian ya sẹtin ye ibude ọghe Pọl ru emwi vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ?

¹³ E Timoti kegha re ọmwa vberriọ. E Pọl keghi tie ẹre “ovbiyikuo ne ọ gu obọ Kristi.” Vbe iyeke ọni, ọ na tama rẹn wẹẹ: “Ovbiyokuo ne ọ ye yo igbinna, te ọ gha hoo ne ọ ru emwi ne ọ gha yẹẹ arowa ne ọ gbe aro ghe iran, rhunmwuda ọnii, ẹi khian gha gbe egbe avbe emwi ne emwa kẹkan ni rre ẹvbo ru.” (2 Tim. 2:3, 4) Avbe Osẹe Jehova vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ kevbe etẹn ni gberra ẹbo ọkpa ni rre ugamwẹ ọghe ẹghẹ hia keghi hia vbe odẹ ke odẹ ne iran ya ibude ọghe Pọl ru emwi. Iran keghi gbaengbe ne emwi oyọnyọn ni rhie aro re vbe agbọn Esu rhunmwuda iran rẹn ilele nọ rre ẹmwẹ na: “Ọviẹn ọmwa ne u mọmọ ẹre igho ọre u khin.” (Itan 22:7) E Setan keghi hoo ne ima gha ya ẹtin kevbe ẹghẹ ọghomwa hia gha khu igho khian. Emwa eso keghi mọmọ igho ọrhẹnrhẹn rhunmwuda iran khian bọ owa, iran khian dẹ imọto, iran khian hae igho e skul ra iran khian ru orọnmwẹ. Deghẹ ima ma begbe, emwi vbenia sẹtin ya ima gha rre uwu osa vbe owara ukpo nibun. Ma gha ye arrọọ ọghe ima khian ne khuẹrhẹ, ma na si obọ zẹ vbe odẹ ne ima ya loo igho kevbe deghẹ ima na da obọ igho na mọmọ yi, te ima loo ẹwaẹn vbe odẹ nọ khẹke. Ọna ẹre ọ ghi kie ẹkpotọ yọ ne ima ya gha ga e Jehova ne ima gha te ya gha khu igho khian.—1 Tim. 6:10.

14. De atamuolọyan nọ khẹke ne ima gha ru? Ru igiemwi eso yọ.

¹⁴ Ne ima mieke na sẹtin ye arrọọ ọghe ima khian ne khuẹrhẹ, te ima gha mu ẹmwẹ Arriọba ye okaro. Ọdọ vbe amwẹ ọkpa kegha mwẹ isiwinna ne iran na miẹn igho ọrhẹnrhẹn. Sokpan rhunmwuda iran hoo ne iran la ugamwẹ ọghe ẹghẹ hia, iran keghi khiẹnnẹ isiwinna, okọ ẹzẹ kevbe emwi ewe nibun. Iran na rhiegbe ye iwinna nọ ghaa khian vbe igiogbẹ vbe Warwick, New York. Iran wa miẹn afiangbe nọkhua. Iran keghi ya ga vbe Abotu ne ovbi iran kevbe ọdọ re na ga. Ẹghẹ nii ẹre ivbibiẹ ọdafẹn ọvbi iran nokhuo na, vbe do ya winna vba, vbe uzọla eso. Ọtẹn nokhuo ọkpa nọ re arọndẹ vbe Colorado, U.S.A. keghi miẹn iwinna ọghe ovbi ẹghẹ kherhe vbe owa aza  igho. Rhunmwuda iwinna esi ọghe ọtẹn nokhuo na, iran ni yan isiwinna keghi rhie ẹghẹ ba ẹghẹ nọ ya winna kevbe wẹẹ, igho nọ miẹn vbe uki ghi vbe ya igbaha kpọlọ sẹ nọ ka miẹn. Sokpan ọtẹn na ma kue yọ rhunmwuda ẹi khian ghi gha miẹn ẹghẹ ya gha kporhu iyẹn nọ maan zẹvbe arọndẹ ọghe ẹghẹ hia. Ena keghi re igiemwi eso ọghe vbene etẹn ima ya sẹ emwi nibun rae rhunmwuda ugamwẹ ọghe Jehova. Ma ghaa mu ẹmwẹ Arriọba ye okaro, te ima rhiẹre ma wẹẹ asikẹgbe ne ima gu Osanobua mwẹ kevbe emwi ewe ọghe orhiọn ẹre ru ekpataki sẹ ẹfe agbọn na.

15. De ẹfe nọ gele sẹ ọmwa ọkẹn?

¹⁵ A gha fe ma wa rhiema wẹẹ Osanobua ẹre ọ fiangbe ima. E Jehova keghi fiangbe emwa “ni fe vbe emwi esi ne a ru.” (Tie 1 Timoti 6:17-19.) Vbe igiemwi, vbe ọtẹn nokhuo Lucia * họn wẹẹ a gualọ iyobọ vbe Albania, ọ na ke Italy si gha rrie ẹvbo nii vbe ukpo 1993. Ọtẹn na ma zẹdẹ gha mwẹ iwinna nọ yaro yi, sokpan ọ na mu ẹtin yan e Jehova. Ọ na ruẹ urhuẹvbo Albania. Nia, ọ gberra orhunmwu 60 nọ he gu ruẹ e Baibol ni dinmwiamẹ. Agharhemiẹn wẹẹ ẹi re emwa ọghe Osanobua hia ẹre ọ kporhu vbe ehe ne emwa nibun na miẹn ẹmwata yi, emwi ke emwi ne ima ru ya ru iyobọ ne emwa ọvbehe, ne iran sẹtin gha rre odẹ nọ su rrie arrọọ keghi re emwi, ne ima ni ru iyobọ ne iran kevbe iran na ru iyobọ na i khian mianmian ẹdẹ.—Mat. 6:20.

16. (a) Vbọ khian sunu daa ẹfe agbọn na? (b) De aro nọ ghi khẹke ne ima ya gha ghee ẹfe agbọn na?

¹⁶ Jesu guan kaẹn ẹghẹ ne “ẹfe agbọn na” khian ya “hiẹ.” Ọna rhiema wẹẹ ẹfe agbọn na gha sẹ ufomwẹ. (Luk 16:9) Vbe ẹghẹ okiekie ẹdẹ ne ima ye na, owa aza igho nibun dee, nọ ghi ya igho emwa nibun gbe, erriọ emwa ya werriẹ aro daa orhikhan ọghe ẹmwẹ igho vbe otọ ẹvbo nibun. Te emwi khian gha rhia yọ rhia yọ zẹ vbene ima ya sikẹ orueghe nọkhua. Agbọn Esu keghi mwẹ abọ eha—otu azẹ, ugamwẹ okeke kevbe okpe ẹki okpe ere. Te a khian ho ehia bẹkun. Avbe akhasẹ ighẹ Aizaia kevbe Zẹfanaia keghi tae yotọ wẹẹ, igoru kevbe esiliva keghi wa hiunsi ne emwa ni do okpe ẹki, sokpan ehia gha khian emwi nẹi ghi mwẹ esa. (Ezik. 7:19; Zẹf. 1:18) Vbọ khian gha ye hẹ vbe ekhọe ima vbe ima gha khian ọmaẹn nẹ, ma ke do rẹn wẹẹ “ẹfe agbọn na” nẹi mwẹ esa ẹre ima ye ẹdẹ agbọn ima khu? Ma ghi do ye vbe ọmwa nọ ya ẹdẹ agbọn rẹn hia khuan igho ọrhẹnrhẹn sokpan vbe okiekie, ọ na do rẹn wẹẹ igho uzẹbu ẹre ehia khin. (Itan 18:11) Vbene ẹmwata, ẹfe agbọn na gha sẹ ufomwẹ. Ọna ẹre ọ zẹe ne ọ na khẹke ne ima yae “zẹ ọse” vbe ẹrinmwi. Emwi ne ima rhirhi ru ya ru iyobọ ye iwinna Arriọba gha ya ima khian emwa ni fe vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn.

17, 18. De emwi ne emwa Osanobua yaro yi?

¹⁷ Vbe Arriọba Osanobua, ai ghi zẹ igho ye owa na dia, ai ghi mọmọ igho, evbare ghi kpọ vbe ehe hia, ai ghi vbe miẹn ọbo ebo kevbe ukhunmwu. Ẹghẹ nii, ẹre emwa nagbọn khian ya gele sọyẹnmwẹ emwi hia ne Osa yi ye agbọn. Igoru, esiliva kevbe ẹrọnmwọ ghi khian evba ya te egbe ẹi re na ghi ya doẹki. Erhan nẹi guẹhun, okuta nẹi wagha kevbe oze nẹi mu ọtọn ghi kpọ na ya bọlọ owa ne mose mose. Avbe ọse ghi ya ekhọe hia gha ru iyobọ nuẹn vbene iran i na yaro ye igho. Te emwa hia khian gha mwẹ ọghae vbe emwi hia ne Osa ya wee ima.

¹⁸ Ọna keghi re abọ ọkpa ọghe ukhu nai ye igho dẹ nọ khẹ emwa ni zẹ ọse vbe ẹrinmwi. Eguọmwadia e Jehova i khian sẹtin ghọghọ vbe Jesu gha tama iran wẹẹ: “Wa larre, wa ne Erha mwẹ fìangbe, wa do mu Arriọba ne a kpemehe ẹre ye otọ khọ uwa ke ne a ya yi agbọn gha dee.”—Mat. 25:34.