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RichesAid to Bible Understanding
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all material things, but wrote: “Give orders to those who are rich in the present system of things not to be high-minded, and to rest their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, who furnishes us all things richly for our enjoyment; to work at good, to be rich in fine works, to be liberal, ready to share, safely treasuring up for themselves a fine foundation for the future, in order that they may get a firm hold on the real life.” (1 Tim. 6:17-19) Thus these wealthy Christians had to watch their attitude, keeping riches in their proper place and using them generously to aid others.
MAMMON
The original-language term ma·mo·nasʹ (or, its anglicized form “mammon”) is generally understood to denote money or riches. (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:9, 11, 13; compare AS, AV, NW.) There is no evidence that the expression was ever the name of a specific deity. Jesus used the term when showing that a person cannot be a slave to God and to riches. (Matt. 6:24) He urged his hearers: “Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches, so that, when such fail, they may receive you into the everlasting dwelling places.” (Luke 16:9) Since the possession or desire for material riches can lead to lawless acts, they may for this reason have been designated as “unrighteous riches,” in contrast with the spiritual riches. Also, material riches, particularly money, actually belong to and are under the control of “Caesar,” who issues money and assigns a particular value to it. Such riches are transitory, being subject to economic conditions, and the possession of such is liable to loss due to circumstances. Hence, one having such riches should not put his trust in them, nor use them as the world in general does for selfish purposes, such as the amassing of still greater wealth. (1 Cor. 7:31) Rather, he should be alert and diligent to make friends of the possessors of the everlasting dwelling places.
The possessors of “the everlasting dwelling places” are Jehovah God and his Son Christ Jesus. (Compare John 6:37-40, 44.) Persons who do not use their “unrighteous riches” in a proper way (as in assisting those in need and in furthering the “good news” [Gal. 2:10; Phil. 4:15]) could never be friends of God and of his Son Christ Jesus. Their unfaithfulness in the use of unrighteous riches would show that they are unfit to be entrusted with spiritual riches. (Luke 16:10-12) Such persons could never be fine stewards of God’s undeserved kindness, dispensing spiritual riches to others.—1 Pet. 4:10, 11.
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RiddleAid to Bible Understanding
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RIDDLE
A saying that is puzzling. Riddles are contrasted with plain speech that can be readily understood. (Num. 12:8) The word is sometimes used as an expression parallel to proverbial saying, because a riddle may well be a statement that is full of meaning but set out in obscure language. (Ps. 49:4) The same Hebrew word that is rendered “riddles” is also, in a different context, translated “perplexing questions.” (2 Chron. 9:1) Formulating a riddle, which often involves an obscure but accurate analogy, requires a keen mind, and solving such a riddle calls for ability to see things in relation to one another; so the Bible refers to riddles as the product of wise persons and as something that can be fathomed by a man of understanding.—Prov. 1:5, 6.
The Bible itself contains riddles involving Jehovah’s purposes. (Ps. 78:2-4) They are statements that may at first perplex the reader; they may be intentionally obscure, employing meaningful comparisons that were not meant to be understood by persons at the time they were first written. For example, in Zechariah 3:8 Jehovah refers prophetically to “my servant Sprout,” but he does not there explain that this one is a sprout or offspring of the royal line of David; that actually such one is God’s own Son then in the heavens who would be born to a virgin descendant of King David. And Revelation 13:18 says the “number of the wild beast” is said to be “six hundred and sixty-six,” but it does not there explain the significance of that number.
At times riddles were used, not to mystify the ones who heard them, but apparently to arouse interest and to make the message conveyed more vivid. Such was the case with the riddle of the two eagles and the vine, propounded to the house of Israel by the prophet Ezekiel. (Ezek. 17:1-8) Immediately after he had presented the riddle, Ezekiel was instructed by Jehovah to ask the people if they understood it and then to explain it to them.
Some riddles were set forth for men to guess, and often in verse, as was the case with the one Samson propounded to the Philistines. (Judg. 14:12-18) He deliberately employed comparisons that would not be readily perceived when he said: “Out of the eater something to eat came forth, and out of the strong something sweet came forth.” His riddle was based on an experience he personally had had shortly before this when he scraped honey out of the carcass of a lion, where it had been deposited by a swarm of bees.—Judg. 14:8, 9.
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RidiculeAid to Bible Understanding
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RIDICULE
The act of belittling or exposing to contempt, derision or mockery. There are a number of Hebrew and Greek words that express varying degrees of ridicule, the choice of word depending on circumstances. We therefore read in the Bible of persons that mock, deride, sneer, scoff, jeer, laugh at or make fun of others.
Ridiculers, particularly those who scoff at the principles and counsel of God’s Word, are spoken of in the Bible as detestable. (Prov. 24:9) If such do not accept reproof they will experience disaster. (Prov. 1:22-27) And, how despicable are those who deride the poor, or their own parents! (Prov. 17:5; 30:17) Ridiculers often refuse to listen to rebuke (Prov. 13:1) and do not love those reproving them. (Prov. 9:7, 8; 15:12) Nevertheless, they should be disciplined for the benefit of others. (Prov. 9:12; 19:25, 29; 21:11) Instead of keeping company with such unholy ones it is better to drive them away; much happier are those who refuse to sit with ungodly ridiculers.—Ps. 1:1; Prov. 22:10.
RIDICULE AGAINST GOD’S SERVANTS
Unjustified ridicule of every sort is suffered by faithful servants of Jehovah. Job was falsely accused of deriding others (Job 11:3), whereas, in reality, he was the one derided, mocked and made a laughingstock for his course of integrity. (Job 12:4; 17:2; 21:3) David was derided and mocked. (Ps. 22:7; 35:16) Likewise, Elisha (2 Ki. 2:23), Nehemiah and those associated with him (Neh. 2:19; 4:1), and many others “received their trial by mockings.” (Heb. 11:36) When King Hezekiah of Judah sent runners throughout cities of Ephraim and Manasseh, urging them to come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover, many individuals mocked and derided the messengers. (2 Chron. 30:1, 10) This, in fact, was the way apostates of both houses of Israel treated God’s prophets and messengers until the rage of Jehovah swept them all away.—2 Chron. 36:15, 16.
Jesus and his disciples ridiculed
As God’s Servant and Prophet, Jesus Christ was sneered at, laughed at, made fun of, treated insolently, even spit upon, during his ministry on earth. (Mark 5:40; Luke 16:14; 18:32) The Jewish priests and rulers were especially hateful in their derision. (Matt. 27:41; Mark 15:29-31; Luke 23:11, 35) The Roman soldiers joined in the mockery when he was delivered up to them.—Matt. 27:27-31; Mark 15:20; Luke 22:63; 23:36.
The disciples of Jesus Christ were likewise mocked by the uninformed and by unbelievers. (Acts 2:13; 17:32) The apostle Paul, speaking of the derision suffered by his fellow disciples at the hands of the Jews, points back to the prophetic picture of ancient times, wherein Isaac, at the age of about five years, was derided
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