In verses 18 and 19 Jacob clearly demonstrates that wealth is not the problem. It is fine to seek riches, but first we should seek the kingdom of God. Then we will have the necessary wealth to use it for the benefit of our fellow beings.
The idea expressed in verse 19 that the rich would use their wealth to clothe the naked and feed the hungry is the logical extension of verse 17’s injunction that they should “think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance.” In the ancient world, that was an understandable and important requirement.
Without attempting to diminish the value of caring for our brethren, we should also understand that the nature of economics and wealth were different in the ancient world. In the Old World, access to land governed the ability to produce, and when land and goods were concentrated in fewer hands, there was less available for others. The ancient world had a concept of limited good. There was only so much wealth available, and if some people took a larger portion of that pie, there was less left for others. Thus, wealth was often considered to have been created by diminishing one’s brethren.
Note Alma’s definition of riches: “And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth” (Alma 1:29). Although some of these things might be considered the finer trappings of wealth, most of them indicate the ability to provide. If people have an abundance of flocks and herds and of grain, they will be able to eat. If any should fall prey to a natural disaster that might take away the produce of their fields, the excess that others have can fill their want.
In Nephite society, that was the ideal for wealth. It was a situation where all had what they needed, and if a need arose, those with the ability could care for those who had the need. In agricultural societies, that was often the result of the vicissitudes of weather and land, not will.