Written By: Evelyn C. Pointer, Elder
Christ was poor in spirit. He taught us in Matthew 8:20, “The Son of Man hath not where to lay his head.” Also in Matthew 6:19-20, he said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” He also told us to seek the kingdom of heaven, and warned us against covetousness, Luke 12:15 “And he said unto them, take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” He told us many parables that teach us not to seek the riches of the world but to eek the righteousness of God, such as the man who was rich and built greater barns to hold his riches. Another great example was of the young rich man who came to him. Christ told him to sell what he had and to give to the poor if he wanted to be perfect. The young man couldn’t do it and went away sorrowful. He gave up instead the kingdom of heaven and held on to the things of the world. Christ said that it was extremely hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.