Seek the Kingdom of God
In the first chapter of Jacob, we see that his brother Nephi dies and leaves the records, his people, and a prophet’s work in his care. Right away two subjects weigh heavily on Jacob so much so that it burdens his soul. As all prophets, Jacob received “…help of the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth” and is able to “..tell [you] concerning [your] thoughts, how that ye are beginning to labor in sin.” “…It truly had been made manifest unto [Jacob] concerning [his] people, what things should happen unto them.” He was able to clearly understand the things the people are about to have problems with, or have already started to do, and desires all to come unto Christ. The two subjects are Riches and Morality.
The people of Nephi began to search for gold and silver and began to lift themselves up in pride. Some had a lot, some had less, yet the hand of providence smiled upon all. Jacob taught:
Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.
But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
Jacob 2:17-18
What do the verses mean? What are we to understand? Are they hard to live by? Is God asking too much? Jacob teaches that once we have received a hope in Christ then we shall obtain riches. I don’t think these are the same riches that you and I think of where we hear this word. I think the riches he is talking about are those that come from loving and serving our family, friends, and neighbors. These riches are given of God for the intent to do good. These are same riches that are explained in the short story, “The Mansion” by Henry van Dyke, an oft quoted story of President Thomas S. Monson.
In Chapter 2, Jacob really doesn’t want to talk to his people in this way, to chasten them and call them to repentance. This is his family and all are in close relationship to Jacob, but he magnifies his calling and in soberness, with anxiety, and with a burdened soul he teaches:
13. …some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they.
14 And now, my brethren, do ye suppose that God justifieth you in this thing? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. But he condemneth you, and if ye persist in these things his judgments must speedily come unto you.
19. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.
Jacob 2:13-14
I have been very blessed in my life and have not done a great job in being familiar with all and free with my substance… and time. I feel that this is what the Lord is asking of us in our abundance and what the kingdom of God is really like.
Later in Jacob chapter 2 he describes a “grosser crime” one that the people read in the scriptures yet misunderstood. King David and his son Solomon had many wives and concubines, yet was a great abomination in the sight of the Lord. The Lord lead Lehi’s family out of Jerusalem to raise up a righteous people and the Lord said he would not suffer that this people would also do like that of old.
For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.
For behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands.
And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of Hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men of my people, saith the Lord of Hosts.
jacob 2:28,31-32
We must treat all those around us with kindness and respect. Love your wife or husband and kids and break not their hearts nor do anything to lose their confidence. If there are issues then lift up your head and take advantage of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and shake yourselves that ye may awake from sin and loose yourself from Satan’s bands.
Jacob loved his people so much so that he counciled them and spoke hard things unto them. Jesus loves us and desires us all to come unto Him and follow his example to love and take care of those around us and and share in His joy as lives are changed and families are strengthened and blessed.