"WRITTEN FOR OUR INSTRUCTION"

Advice for Daily Living

Consider the present-day problem of racial prejudice.  In one Eastern European city, a 21-year old Ethiopian man states:  "If we want to go anywhere, we have to organize a group.  Maybe in a group they won't attack us."  He continues;  "We can't go out after 6 p.m. , especially on the metro.  When people look at us, they just see our colour."  Do the Hebrew Scriptures address this complex problem?

The ancient Israelites were told:  "In case an alien resident resides with you as an alien in your land, you must not mistreat him.  The alien resident who resides as an alien with you should become to you like a native of yours; and you must love him as yourself, for you became alien residents in the land of Egypt."  (Leviticus 19:33, 34)  Yes, in ancient Israel that law called for consideration for immigrants, or "alien residents,"  and it is preserved in the Hebrew Scriptures.  Would  you not agree that the principles enshrined in that law could be the basis for ending racial prejudice today?

Although they do not give detailed financial advice, the Hebrew Scriptures contain practical guidelines for a wise approach to handling money.  For example, at Proverbs  22:7, we read:  "He who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor."  (The Bible in Basic English) Many financial advisers agree that buying unwisely on credit can lead to economic ruin.

In addition, the pursuit of wealth at all  costs-so common in today's materialistic world-was accurately described by one of the richest men  in history, King Solomon.  He wrote:  "A mere lover of silver will not be satisfied with silver, neither any lover of wealth with income.  This too is vanity."  (Ecclesiastes 5:10) What a wise warning!

Next time: Hope for the Future

Watchtower, 2007