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P.1821 - §5 When Jesus had finished his story,
another man rose up and asked him: "Master, I know that your apostles
have sold all their earthly possessions to follow you, and that they have
all things in common as do the Essenes, but would you have all of us who
are your disciples do likewise? Is it a sin to possess honest wealth?"
And Jesus replied to this question: "My friend, it is not a sin to
have honorable wealth; but it is a sin if you convert the wealth of material
possessions into treasures which may absorb your interests and divert your
affections from devotion to the spiritual pursuits of the kingdom. There
is no sin in having honest possessions on earth provided your treasure is
in heaven, for
P.1822 - §0 where your treasure is there will your heart be also. There
is a great difference between wealth which leads to covetousness and selfishness
and that which is held and dispensed in the spirit of stewardship by those
who have an abundance of this world's goods, and who so bountifully contribute
to the support of those who devote all their energies to the work of the
kingdom. Many of you who are here and without money are fed and lodged in
yonder tented city because liberal men and women of means have given funds
to your host, David Zebedee, for such purposes. |
