sea!’ and it would obey you.” Just as Jesus by the power of God’s spirit and through the exercise of faith accomplished miraculous healings and cures of demonized people in his day, so today we can receive the even greater blessing of spiritual healing, which will mean life in God’s new world. But faith is required.—Luke 17:6, 19.

24. What assurance for our faith did Jesus give?

²⁴ The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered them, saying: “The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness.” To wait until we see it would be too late; therefore faith is required now to go ahead with the preaching work. But Jesus assures us: “This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.” So just as we have confidence in the permanence of the heavens and earth, we can have confidence in the permanence of God’s Word and in the wonderful prospects for future life under his Kingdom rule of righteousness.—Luke 17:20; Matt. 24:34, 35.

The Deceptive Power of Wealth

“Let your manner of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things. for he has said: ‘I will by no means leave you nor by any means forsake you.’ So that we may be of good courage and say: ‘Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid.’”—Heb. 13:5, 6.

1. What is the result of lack of faith?

MANY people today put material wealth as the first goal in their lives, partly because they lack faith in God to provide their daily necessities. One man held up a dollar bill to his friend and declared: “This is my god.” Such ones spend their time and energy to get greater security in this system of things instead of demonstrating faith in the Life-Giver, Jehovah God.

2. What do many want out of life, showing what lack?

² Life has become a race, not just for survival, but to get ahead materially, and the farther ahead the better. Most people at least try to keep up with their neighbors in this race. If one paints his house, the next one paints his house. If one’s neighbor gets a new car, then the next one must get a new car. Big commercial advertisers entice them with glowing descriptions of material things. A cartoon showed a man staggering under the weight of debts for television, a car, clothes, sports equipment, jewelry and still reaching for more labeled “100 years to pay.” Such ones do not have a proper balance on the things this system offers, but, like a fish nibbling at the bait, keep taking bigger bites until they are so hooked by debt they cannot get free.

3. Mention some things of greater value. What should come first?

³ Consider how much less important such evidences of wealth are compared with the happiness of your family, good health, enjoyment of peace, having true friends and the blessing of life with God’s favor. These are far more important, and yet all can enjoy them, whether rich or poor, young or old. In fact, Jehovah himself gives the invitation: “Hey there, all you thirsty ones! Come to the water. And