References for Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook

MARCH 3-9 “He will make your paths straight.” God

makes our path straight by helping us to live
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD by his righteous standards. (Proverbs 11:5)
PROVERBS 3 We thus avoid needless pitfalls and enjoy a
Demonstrate Trust in Jehovah much happier life.—Psalm 19:7, 8; Isaiah 48:
17, 18.
ijwbv article 14 ˚4-5
Proverbs 3:5, 6—“Lean Not on Your Own be 76 ˚4
Understanding” Be Progressive—Make Advancement

“Trust in Jehovah with all your heart.” We Having been exposed to a variety of circum-
show that we trust God when we do things stances in life, a person could be tempted to
his way. We must trust God completely, with reason: ‘I have faced this situation before. I
our whole heart. In the Bible, the heart usu- know what to do.’ Would this be the course
ally refers to the inner self, which includes of wisdom? Proverbs 3:7 cautions: “Do not
a person’s emotions, motivations, thinking, become wise in your own eyes.” Experience
and attitude. Therefore, to trust God with all should certainly broaden our view of factors
our heart involves more than our feelings. It to consider when dealing with situations in
is a choice we make because we are fully life. But if we are making spiritual progress,
convinced that our Creator knows what is our experience should also impress on our
best for us.—Romans 12:1. minds and hearts that we need Jehovah’s
blessing in order to succeed. Our advance-
“Do not rely on your own understanding.” ment is manifest, then, not by our facing
We need to trust God because we cannot situations with confident self-assurance, but
depend on our own imperfect reasoning. If by our readily turning to Jehovah for direc-
we rely solely on ourselves or let feelings tion in our lives. It is shown by our being
alone determine our course, we might make confident that nothing can happen with-
choices that initially appear good but ulti- out his permission and by our maintaining
mately bring bad results. (Proverbs 14:12; a trusting and affectionate relationship with
Jeremiah 17:9) God’s wisdom is far superior our heavenly Father.
to ours. (Isaiah 55:8, 9) When we are guided
by his thinking, our lives will be successful. Spiritual Gems
—Psalm 1:1-3; Proverbs 2:6-9; 16:20.
w06 9/15 17 ˚7
ijwbv article 14 ˚6-7 Highlights From the Book of Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5, 6—“Lean Not on Your Own
3:3. We should highly value loving-kindness
Understanding” and trueness and visibly display them as we
“In all your ways take notice of him.” We would a priceless necklace. We also need to
should get God’s viewpoint in every sig- inscribe these qualities on our heart, making
nificant aspect of our life and in every them an integral part of us.
important decision we make. We do this by
praying to him for guidance and by following
what he says in his Word, the Bible.—Psalm
25:4; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.

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 MARCH 10-16 w19.01 18 ˚14
How Can You Safeguard Your Heart?
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD 14 To safeguard our heart, we must not only
PROVERBS 4
close it to wrong influences but also open
“Safeguard Your Heart” it to positive influences. Think again about
w19.01 15 ˚4 the illustration of a walled city. A gatekeeper
How Can You Safeguard Your Heart? closed the gates of the city to stop an ene-
my invasion, but at other times he opened
4At Proverbs 4:23, the term “heart” is used the gates to allow food and other supplies to
to refer to “the inner person” or “secret self.” be brought in. If the gates were never open,
(Read Psalm 51:6 and footnote.) In other the inhabitants of the city would starve. Sim-
words, “heart” refers to our private thoughts, ilarly, we need to open our heart regularly to
feelings, motives, and desires. It is who we the influence of God’s thinking.
really are on the inside, not just who we ap-
pear to be on the outside. w12 5/1 32 ˚2
“Safeguard Your Heart!”
w19.01 17 ˚10-11
How Can You Safeguard Your Heart? Why should we safeguard our figurative
heart? God moved King Solomon to write:
10If we are to succeed in safeguarding our “More than all else that is to be guarded,
heart, we must be able to identify dangers safeguard your heart, for out of it are the
and react quickly to protect ourselves. The sources of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) The quality
word translated “safeguard” at Proverbs 4: of our life now and our prospects for future
23 reminds us of the work done by a watch- life depend on the condition of our figurative
man. In King Solomon’s day, watchmen stood heart. Why? Because God sees what is in our
guard on the walls of a city and sounded an heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) It is the kind of per-
alarm if they saw danger approaching. That son we are inside, in the “secret person of
mental picture helps us understand what we the heart,” that determines how God feels
must do to stop Satan from corrupting our about us.—1 Peter 3:4.
thinking.
11In ancient times, watchmen worked close- Spiritual Gems
ly with city gatekeepers. (2 Sam. 18:24- w21.08 8 ˚4
26) Together, they helped protect the city Are You Willing to Wait on Jehovah?
by making sure that the gates were closed 4 Proverbs 4:18 tells us that “the path of
whenever an enemy came near. (Neh. 7:1-3)
the righteous is like the bright morning light
Our Bible-trained conscience can act as our
that grows brighter and brighter until full
watchman and warn us when Satan tries to
daylight.” These words aptly apply to the
invade our heart—in other words, when he
way in which Jehovah reveals his purpose
tries to influence our thoughts, feelings, mo-
to his people—gradually. However, the verse
tives, or desires. Whenever our conscience
can also be applied more broadly to the way
sounds the alarm, we need to listen and shut
in which a Christian makes spiritual progress
the gate, so to speak.
in his life. Spiritual growth cannot be rushed.
It takes time. If we diligently study and ap-

mwbr25.03-E 2
 ply the counsel we receive through God’s experienced by the marriage partner of an
Word and his organization, we will gradually unfaithful individual. One act of infidelity can
develop a Christlike personality. We will also inflict wounds deep enough to last a lifetime.
grow in our knowledge of God. Consider how Yes, immorality hurts.
Jesus illustrated that point.
w00 7/15 29 ˚5
You Can Remain Chaste in an Immoral
MARCH 17-23 World
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD We need to stay as far away as possible
PROVERBS 5 from the influence of immoral people. Why
should we open ourselves to their ways by
Stay Far Away From Sexual Immorality
listening to debasing music, watching cor-
w00 7/15 29 ˚1 rupting entertainment, or exposing ourselves
You Can Remain Chaste in an Immoral to pornographic material? (Proverbs 6:27;
World 1 Corinthians 15:33; Ephesians 5:3-5) And
In this proverb, the wayward person is por- how foolish to invite their attention by flirting
trayed as “a strange woman”—a prostitute. or by being immodest in dress and groom-
The words with which she seduces her victim ing!—1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 3:3, 4.
are as sweet as comb honey and smoother Spiritual Gems
than olive oil. Do not most immoral sexu-
al advances begin this way? For example, w00 7/15 29 ˚7
consider the experience of an attractive You Can Remain Chaste in an Immoral
27-year-old secretary named Amy. She re- World
lates: “This man at work gives me a lot of Solomon thus emphasizes the high price of
attention and praises me at every opportu- succumbing to immorality. Adultery and loss
nity. It feels nice to be noticed. But I can of dignity, or self-respect, go hand in hand.
clearly see that his interest in me is strictly Is it not truly humiliating to serve merely as
sexual. I am not going to be taken in by his a means of satisfying our own immoral pas-
advances.” The flattering words of a seducer sion or that of someone else? Does it not
or a seductress are usually attractive unless show a lack of self-respect to indulge in sex-
we recognize their true nature. For this we ual intimacy with someone who is not our
need to exercise our thinking ability. marriage mate?
w00 7/15 29 ˚2
You Can Remain Chaste in an Immoral
World
The aftereffects of immorality are as bitter
as wormwood and as sharp as a two-edged
sword—painful and death dealing. A trou-
bled conscience, an unwanted pregnancy,
or a sexually transmitted disease are often
the bitter consequences of such conduct.
And think of the enormous emotional pain

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 MARCH 24-30 turn back even though they may fall, slide, or
roll down some steep precipice. Remarkably
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD cooperative, they keep their nests very clean
PROVERBS 6 and show concern for their fellow workers,
What Can We Learn From the Ant? at times assisting injured or exhausted ants
back to the nest.
it-1 115 ˚1-2
Ant w00 9/15 26 ˚3-4
Safeguard Your Name
‘Instinctive Wisdom.’ The ‘wisdom’ of the
ants is not the product of intelligent reason- Like the ant, should we not also be industri-
ing but results from the instincts with which ous? Working hard and striving to improve in
they are endowed by their Creator. The Bible our work is good for us whether we are be-
makes reference to the ant as ‘preparing its ing monitored or not. Yes, in school, at our
food in the summer and gathering its sup- place of employment, and while sharing in
plies in the harvest.’ (Pr 6:8) One of the most spiritual activities, we should do our best. As
common varieties of ants found in Palestine, the ant benefits from its industriousness, so
the harvester, or agricultural, ant (Messor God wants us to ‘see good for all our hard
semirufus), stores up a large supply of grain work.’ (Ecclesiastes 3:13, 22; 5:18) A clean
in the spring and summer and makes use of conscience and personal satisfaction are the
it in seasons, including winter, when the ob- rewards of hard work.—Ecclesiastes 5:12.
taining of food becomes difficult. This ant Using two rhetorical questions, Solomon
is often found in the vicinity of threshing tries to awaken a slothful one from his indol-
floors, where seeds and grain are plentiful. If ence: “How long, you lazy one, will you keep
rain causes dampness to reach the stored lying down? When will you rise up from your
seeds, the harvester ant will thereafter carry sleep?” Mimicking him in speech, the king
the grains out into the sun for drying. It adds: “A little more sleep, a little more slum-
is even known to bite off the germ part of bering, a little more folding of the hands
the seed so that it will not germinate while in lying down, and your poverty will cer-
stored. Colonies of harvester ants are made tainly come just like some rover, and your
conspicuous by well-worn paths as well as want like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:9-11)
by seed husks that are left outside the en- While the lazy one is supine, poverty over-
trance. takes him with the speed of a bandit, and
Exemplary Characteristics. Thus, a brief in- scarcity attacks him like an armed man. The
vestigation of the ant gives force to the fields of a sluggard quickly become full of
exhortation: “Go to the ant, you lazy one; weeds and nettles. (Proverbs 24:30, 31) His
see its ways and become wise.” (Pr 6:6) Not business enterprise suffers losses in no time.
only is their instinctive preparing for the fu- For how long would an employer tolerate an
ture notable but also their persistence and idler? And can a student who is too lazy to
determination, often carrying or tenaciously study expect to do well in school?
dragging objects weighing twice their own
weight or more, doing everything possible to
fulfill their particular task, and refusing to

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 Spiritual Gems w00 11/15 30 ˚4-6
“Keep My Commandments and Continue
w00 9/15 27 ˚3
Living”
Safeguard Your Name
The lips of this woman are smooth. Put-
The seven categories that the proverb men-
ting on a bold face, she utters her words
tions are basic and cover virtually all types
confidently. Everything she says is careful-
of wrongs. “Lofty eyes” and “a heart fabri-
ly calculated to seduce the young man. By
cating hurtful schemes” are sins committed
stating that she had made communion sac-
in thought. “A false tongue” and “a false
rifices that very day and paid her vows, she
witness that launches forth lies” are sinful
makes a display of righteousness, hinting
words. “Hands that are shedding innocent
that she is not lacking in spirituality. Com-
blood” and “feet that are in a hurry to run
munion sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem
to badness” are wicked deeds. And especially
consisted of meat, flour, oil, and wine. (Levit-
hateful to Jehovah is the type of individu-
icus 19:5, 6; 22:21; Numbers 15:8-10) Since
al who takes keen delight in kindling strife
the offerer could take part of the communion
among people who otherwise would dwell
sacrifice for himself and his family, she thus
together peacefully. The increase in the num-
suggests that there is plenty to eat and drink
ber from six to seven suggests that the list
at her house. The implication is clear: The
is not intended to be complete, since hu-
young man would have a good time there.
mans ever keep multiplying their evil deeds.
She has come out of her house specifical-
ly to look for him. How touching—if anyone
MARCH 31–APRIL 6 could swallow such a story. “It is true she
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD was out looking for someone,” says one Bi-
ble scholar, “but did she really come looking
PROVERBS 7
just for this one special fellow? Only a fool
Avoid Tempting Situations —perhaps this one—would believe her.”
w00 11/15 29 ˚5 After making herself appealing by the sight
“Keep My Commandments and Continue of her attire, by the sound of her flattering
Living” words, by the touch of her embrace, and
by the taste of her lips, the seductress en-
The window through which Solomon looks
lists the sense of smell. She says: “With
out has a lattice—apparently a framework
coverlets I have bedecked my divan, with
with laths and perhaps elaborate carvings.
many-colored things, linen of Egypt. I have
As the twilight fades, the darkness of the
besprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes and
night pours into the streets. He catches sight
cinnamon.” (Proverbs 7:16, 17) She has
of a young man who is particularly vulner-
aesthetically prepared her bed with colorful
able. Lacking discernment, or good sense, he
linen from Egypt and perfumed it with choice
is in want of heart. Likely, he is aware of the
fragrances of myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
type of neighborhood he has entered and
what could happen to him there. The young “Do come, let us drink our fill of love until
man comes near “her corner,” which is on the morning,” she continues, “do let us en-
the way to her house. Who is she? What is joy each other with love expressions.” The
she up to? invitation is to something much more than a

mwbr25.03-E 5
 pleasant dinner for two. Her promise is that Spiritual Gems
of enjoying sexual intimacy. To the young
w00 11/15 29 ˚1
man, the appeal is adventurous and exciting!
“Keep My Commandments and Continue
As further inducement, she adds: “For the
Living”
husband is not in his house; he has gone
traveling on a way of some distance. A bag “Tie them [my commandments] upon your
of money he has taken in his hand. On the fingers,” continues Solomon, “and write
day of the full moon he will come to his them upon the tablet of your heart.” (Prov-
house.” (Proverbs 7:18-20) They would be erbs 7:3) As fingers are prominently before
perfectly safe, she assures him, for her hus- our eyes and are vital in carrying out our
band is away on a business trip and is not purposes, the lessons learned from a Scrip-
expected back for some time. How talented tural upbringing or the gaining of Bible
she is at beguiling a young person! “She has knowledge are to be a constant reminder
misled him by the abundance of her persua- and guide in everything we do. We are to in-
siveness. By the smoothness of her lips she scribe them upon the tablet of our heart,
seduces him.” (Proverbs 7:21) It would take making them a part of our nature.
a man of Joseph’s caliber to resist an appeal
this enticing. (Genesis 39:9, 12) Does this APRIL 7-13
young man measure up?
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
w00 11/15 31 ˚2
PROVERBS 8
“Keep My Commandments and Continue
Living” Listen to Wisdom Personified
The invitation proves to be irresistible to the cf 131 ˚7
young man. Throwing all good sense to the “I Love the Father”
wind, he goes after her ‘like a bull to the 7 In verse 22, wisdom says: “Jehovah pro-
slaughter.’ As a man in fetters cannot es- duced me as the beginning of his way, the
cape his punishment, so the young man is earliest of his achievements of long ago.”
drawn into sin. He does not see the dan- More than just wisdom must be involved
ger of it all until “an arrow cleaves open here, for that quality never was “produced.”
his liver,” that is, until he receives a wound It never began to exist because Jehovah
that can cause his death. The death may be has always existed and he has always been
physical in that he exposes himself to death- wise. (Psalm 90:2) God’s Son, however, was
dealing sexually transmitted diseases. The “the firstborn of all creation.” He was pro-
wound can also cause his spiritual death; “it duced, or created; he was the earliest of all
involves his very soul.” His entire being and of Jehovah’s achievements. (Colossians 1:15)
his life are seriously affected, and he has The Son existed before the earth and the
gravely sinned against God. He thus hastens heavens, as described in Proverbs. And as
into the grip of death like a bird into a trap! the Word, God’s own Spokesman, he was
the perfect expression of Jehovah’s wisdom.
—John 1:1.

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 cf 131-132 ˚8-9 w09 4/15 31 ˚14
“I Love the Father” Appreciating Jesus—The Greater David
8 How was the Son occupied during the vast and the Greater Solomon
expanse of time before he came to earth? 14Only one human clearly surpassed Solo-
Verse 30 tells us that he was beside God as mon in wisdom. That was Jesus Christ, who
“a master worker.” What does that mean? described himself as “something more than
Colossians 1:16 explains: “By means of him Solomon.” (Matt. 12:42) Jesus spoke “say-
all other things were created in the heav- ings of everlasting life.” (John 6:68) For
ens and on the earth . . . All other things example, the Sermon on the Mount expands
have been created through him and for him.” on the principles of some of Solomon’s prov-
So Jehovah, the Creator, worked through his erbs. Solomon described a number of things
Son, the Master Worker, to bring every other that bring happiness to a worshipper of
creation into existence—from the spirit crea- Jehovah. (Prov. 3:13; 8:32, 33; 14:21; 16:
tures in the heavenly realm to the immense 20) Jesus emphasized that true happiness
physical universe, to the earth with its won- stems from things that are related to the
drous variety of plant and animal life, to worship of Jehovah and the fulfillment of
the pinnacle of earthly creation: humankind. God’s promises. He said: “Happy are those
In some respects, we might liken this co- conscious of their spiritual need, since the
operation between Father and Son to that kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.”
of an architect working with a builder, or (Matt. 5:3) Those who apply the principles
contractor, who specializes in bringing the found in Jesus’ teachings are drawn closer
architect’s ingenious designs to reality. When to Jehovah, “the source of life.” (Ps. 36:9;
we are awed by any facet of creation, we are Prov. 22:11; Matt. 5:8) Christ embodies “the
actually giving credit to the Great Architect. wisdom of God.” (1 Cor. 1:24, 30) As the
(Psalm 19:1) However, we may also call to Messianic King, Jesus Christ has “the spirit
mind the long and happy collaboration be- of wisdom.”—Isa. 11:2.
tween the Creator and his “master worker.”
9
Spiritual Gems
When two imperfect humans work close-
ly together, they sometimes have a difficult g 5/14 16
time getting along. Not so with Jehovah and ‘Wisdom Is Calling Out’—Can You Hear It?
his Son! The Son worked for aeons with the ˇ The Bible is “the most widely distributed
Father and is quoted as saying: “I rejoiced book in history,” says The World Book Ency-
before him all the time.” (Proverbs 8:30) Yes, clopedia. “It has been translated more times,
he delighted in his Father’s company, and and into more languages, than any other
the feeling was mutual. Naturally, the Son book.” In whole or in part, the Bible is now
grew ever more like his Father, learning to available in nearly 2,600 languages, making
imitate God’s qualities. No wonder, then, that it accessible to over 90 percent of the hu-
the bond between Father and Son became man family.
so strong! It can rightly be called the oldest
and strongest bond of love in the whole uni- ˇ Wisdom also “keeps crying out loudly” in
verse. a more literal sense. At Matthew 24:14, we
read: “This good news of the Kingdom will
be preached in all the inhabited earth for a

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 witness to all the nations, and then the end in Canada says, “Since we do not see our-
[of the present world] will come.” selves as others see us, how can we progress
if no one counsels us?” Who among us does
APRIL 14-20 not need to make progress in cultivating the
fruitage of the spirit and in carrying out the
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD Christian ministry?—Read Psalm 141:5.
PROVERBS 9 13View counsel as an expression of God’s
Be a Wise Person, Not a Ridiculer love. Jehovah wants what is best for us.
(Prov. 4:20-22) When he counsels us by
w22.02 9 ˚4
means of his Word, a Bible-based publi-
“Listen to the Words of the Wise”
cation, or a mature fellow believer, he is
4 Realistically, we may find it especially dif- expressing his love for us. “He does so for
ficult to accept direct counsel. We might our benefit,” says Hebrews 12:9, 10.
even become offended. Why? Although we 14 Focus on the content, not the delivery. At
readily admit that we are imperfect, we might
times, we may feel that the counsel we re-
find it challenging to accept counsel when
ceived was not given in the best manner. Of
someone points out a specific flaw in us.
course, anyone giving counsel should try to
(Read Ecclesiastes 7:9.) We might justify
make it as easy as possible to accept. (Gal.
ourselves. We might question the counselor’s
6:1) But if we are the one being counseled,
motives or take offense at the way he gave
we do well to focus on the message—even if
the counsel. We might even find fault with
we feel that it could have been delivered in
the counselor himself, reasoning: ‘What right
a better way. We might ask ourselves: ‘Even
does he have to counsel me? He has his own
if I do not appreciate the manner in which
flaws!’ Ultimately, if the counsel we receive
the counsel was given, is there some truth
does not suit us, we might ignore it or look
to what was said? Can I look past the imper-
elsewhere for counsel that is more to our lik-
fections of the messenger and benefit from
ing.
the message itself?’ It would be wise on our
w22.02 12 ˚12-14 part to find a way to benefit from any coun-
“Listen to the Words of the Wise” sel we receive.—Prov. 15:31.
12 What can help us to accept counsel? We w01 5/15 30 ˚1-2
need to be humble by remembering just how ‘By Wisdom Our Days Will Become Many’
imperfect we really are and how foolish we
A wise person’s response to reproof is oppo-
can be at times. As discussed earlier, Job
site to that of a ridiculer. Solomon states:
had the wrong viewpoint. But he later adjust-
“Give a reproof to a wise person and he
ed his thinking, and Jehovah blessed him for
will love you. Give to a wise person and
it. Why? Because Job was humble. He proved
he will become still wiser.” (Proverbs 9:8b,
his humility by accepting the counsel that
9a) A wise person knows that “no disci-
Elihu gave him, even though Elihu was much
pline seems for the present to be joyous, but
younger than he was. (Job 32:6, 7) Humility
grievous; yet afterward to those who have
will likewise help us apply counsel, even when
been trained by it it yields peaceable fruit,
we feel that we do not deserve it or when the
namely, righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:11) Al-
one giving it is younger than we are. An elder

mwbr25.03-E 8
 though the counsel may seem painful, why APRIL 21-27
should we retaliate or be defensive if accept-
ing it is going to make us wiser? TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
PROVERBS 10
“Impart knowledge to someone righteous
and he will increase in learning,” continues What Makes for a Truly Rich Life?
the wise king. (Proverbs 9:9b) No one is too
w01 7/15 25 ˚1-3
wise or too old to keep learning. What a de-
‘Blessings Are for the Righteous One’
light it is to see even those in their twilight
years accept the truth and make a dedica- The righteous one is blessed in yet another
tion to Jehovah! May we also endeavor to way. “The one working with a slack hand will
retain the will to learn and keep the mind ac- be of little means, but the hand of the dil-
tive. igent one is what will make one rich. The son
acting with insight is gathering during the
w01 5/15 30 ˚5 summertime; the son acting shamefully is
‘By Wisdom Our Days Will Become Many’ fast asleep during the harvest.”—Proverbs
Putting forth effort to gain wisdom is our 10:4, 5.
personal responsibility. Emphasizing this Particularly meaningful are the king’s words
fact, Solomon states: “If you have become to workers during the harvest. The harvest
wise, you have become wise in your own be- season is not a time for slumber. It is a time
half; and if you have ridiculed, you will bear for diligence and long hours. Indeed, it is a
it, just you alone.” (Proverbs 9:12) The wise time of urgency.
one is wise to his own benefit, and the ridi-
culer alone is to blame for his own suffering. Having in mind the harvest, not of grain,
Indeed, we reap what we sow. May we, then, but of people, Jesus told his disciples: “The
“pay attention to wisdom.”—Proverbs 2:2. harvest is great, but the workers are few.
Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest
Spiritual Gems [Jehovah God] to send out workers into
his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38) In the year
w06 9/15 17 ˚5
2000, over 14 million attended the Memorial
Highlights From the Book of Proverbs of Jesus’ death—more than twice the number
9:17—What are “stolen waters,” and why of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Who, then, can deny
are they “sweet”? Since the Bible likens en- that ‘the fields are white for harvesting’?
joying sexual intimacy within marriage to (John 4:35) True worshipers ask the Master
drinking refreshing water drawn out of a well, for more workers while exerting themselves
stolen waters represent secretive immoral vigorously in the disciple-making work in har-
sexual relations. (Proverbs 5:15-17) The idea mony with their prayers. (Matthew 28:19, 20)
of getting away with something gives such And how richly Jehovah has blessed their
waters their apparent sweetness. efforts! During the 2000 service year, over
280,000 new ones were baptized. These also
endeavor to become teachers of God’s Word.
May we experience joy and satisfaction in
this harvest season by having a full share in
the disciple-making work.

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 w01 9/15 24 ˚3-4 and trials befall many of God’s loyal ones,
Walk in ‘the Path of Uprightness’ causing them much pain and suffering? Dif-
Solomon points to the importance of righ- ficulties and distress come our way for three
teousness. He says: “The valuable things of main reasons. (1) Our own sinful inclination.
a rich man are his strong town. The ruin of (Genesis 6:5; 8:21; James 1:14, 15) (2) Sa-
the lowly ones is their poverty. The activi- tan and his demons. (Ephesians 6:11, 12)
ty of the righteous one results in life; the (3) The wicked world. (John 15:19) While Je-
produce of the wicked one results in sin.” hovah permits bad things to happen to us,
—Proverbs 10:15, 16. he is not the originator of them. In fact,
“every good gift and every perfect present
Riches can serve as a protection against is from above, for it comes down from the
some uncertainties in life, just as a forti- Father of the celestial lights.” (James 1:17)
fied town provides a degree of security to Jehovah’s blessings are without pain.
those who reside in it. And poverty can be
ruinous when there are unexpected develop-
ments. (Ecclesiastes 7:12) However, the wise
APRIL 28–MAY 4
king could also be hinting at a danger involv- TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
ing both wealth and poverty. A rich man PROVERBS 11
may be inclined to put his complete trust in
his wealth, imagining that his valuable things Don’t Say It!
are “like a protective wall.” (Proverbs 18:11) w02 5/15 26 ˚4
And a poor person may mistakenly take the Integrity Leads the Upright Ones
view that his poverty makes his future hope-
The integrity of the upright and the wick-
less. Thus, both fail to make a good name
edness of evildoers also have an effect on
with God.
other people. “By his mouth the one who is
it-1 340 an apostate brings his fellowman to ruin,”
Blessing says the king of Israel, “but by knowledge
Jehovah Blessing Humans. “The blessing of are the righteous rescued.” (Proverbs 11:9)
Jehovah—that is what makes rich, and he Who will deny that slander, harmful gossip,
adds no pain with it.” (Pr 10:22) Jehovah obscene talk, and idle chatter are damaging
blesses those whom he approves by protect- to others? A righteous one’s speech, on the
ing, prospering, guiding, giving success, and other hand, is pure, well-thought out, and
supplying their needs, with a beneficial out- considerate. By knowledge he is rescued be-
come for them. cause his integrity furnishes him with the
points of reasoning needed to show that his
Spiritual Gems accusers are lying.
w06 5/15 30 ˚18 w02 5/15 27 ˚2-3
The Joys of Walking in Integrity Integrity Leads the Upright Ones
18“The blessing of Jehovah”—that is what Townspeople who follow an upright course
has given spiritual prosperity to his people. promote peace and well-being and build up
And we are assured that “he adds no pain others in the community. Thus, a town is
with it.” (Proverbs 10:22) Why, then, do tests exalted—it prospers. Those who speak slan-

mwbr25.03-E 10
 derous, hurtful, and wrong things cause cause much harm, a discerning person is
unrest, unhappiness, disunity, and trouble. “faithful in spirit.” He is loyal to fellow believ-
This is particularly so if these individuals ers and does not divulge confidential matters
are in a position of influence. Such a town that might endanger them. What a blessing
suffers disorder, corruption, and moral and such integrity-keepers are to the congrega-
perhaps economic deterioration. tion!
The principle stated at Proverbs 11:11 applies Spiritual Gems
with equal force to Jehovah’s people as they
associate with one another in their town- g20.1 11, box
like congregations. A congregation in which How to Deal With Stress
spiritual people—upright ones led by their “KILL YOUR STRESS WITH KINDNESS”
integrity—have influence is an assembly of
“A kind man benefits himself, but the cruel
happy, active, and helpful people, bringing
person brings trouble on himself.”—PROV-
honor to God. Jehovah blesses the congre-
ERBS 11:17.
gation, and it prospers spiritually. Here and
there, the few who may be disgruntled and The book Overcoming Stress has a chap-
dissatisfied, who find fault and speak bit- ter entitled “Kill Your Stress with Kindness.”
terly about the way things are done, are Treating others kindly, according to the au-
like a “poisonous root” that can spread and thor, Dr. Tim Cantopher, can promote health
poison others who initially were unaffected. and happiness. On the other hand, an unkind
(Hebrews 12:15) Such ones often want more or cruel person makes himself unhappy be-
authority and prominence. They stir up ru- cause he alienates himself from others.
mors that there is injustice, ethnic prejudice, We may also get stress relief by treating
or the like, in the congregation or on the part ourselves kindly. For example, we should
of the elders. Their mouth, indeed, can cause not make harsh or unrealistic demands on
a division in the congregation. Should we not ourselves. Nor should we belittle or malign
turn a deaf ear to their talk and strive to be ourselves. “You must love your neighbor as
spiritual people who contribute to peace and yourself,” Jesus Christ said.—Mark 12:31.
unity in the congregation?
w02 5/15 27 ˚5
Integrity Leads the Upright Ones
What great harm is caused by someone
who lacks good judgment, or is “in want
of heart”! He carries on his loose talk to
the point of slander or reviling. The appoint-
ed elders must be quick to put an end to
such an unwholesome influence. Unlike “the
one in want of heart,” a man of discern-
ment knows when to keep silent. Rather than
betray a confidence, he covers over the mat-
ter. Knowing that an unguarded tongue can

˘ 2024 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania

mwbr25.03-E 11