The rest of the references from footnote "a" of 1 Kings 3:11 are explicit in their advice "Seek not for riches."
Alma giving final instructions to his son, Corianton -
14 Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you.
The Lord to Oliver Cowdery through Joseph Smith (and then in identical wording a month later to Hyrum Smith) -
7 Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.
Interesting that again the opposition here (as it was with Solomon) is between seeking Wealth or Wisdom. Seeking riches (and any of the other "vain things of this world") seems to have a curtailing power on our ability to focus on richer and more meaningful goals: wisdom, eternal life, the "means of doing much good in this generation" (D&C 6:8; 11:8). Again it is our desire that is our key here - "even as you desire of me so it shall be (done) unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation."
Our pursuit of wisdom will force us to confront what it is we really want. By its very nature, the search for higher and better things forces us to weed out the lesser desires in our hearts.
Reviewing D&C 6 again, it is interesting how many other things Oliver IS encouraged to pursue while warned against pursuing riches:
ReplyDelete1) Missionary Work - "desire to reap," "thrust in his sickle with his might...that he might treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation" (v. 3).
2) Prayer - "ask," "knock" (v. 4).
3) Zion - "seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion" (v. 5).
4) Wisdom - "seek...for wisdom" (v. 6).
5) Doing good - 'if ye desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation" (v. 8).
6) Personal gifts - "Thou hast a gift....Exercise thy gift" (v. 10,11).
7) Salvation - "there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation" (v. 13)
ReplyDelete