The things suggested by Jacob to avoid being prideful is much like the Church Welfare Program. To “think of your brethren like unto yourself” (v. 17) is to live the golden rule: “all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (3 Nephi 14:12; Matthew 7:12). To avoid pride, we must have a desire to help those less fortunate than we are.
“Being familiar with all and free with your substance” (Jacob 2:17) is to analyze the assets and liabilities of those in need. While the analysis is being done and further processes to help are being taken, the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter are supplemented according to their needs. The things provided should be of the same quality others around them would eat or wear, and adequate for comfortable living. “That they may be rich like unto you” (v. 17) is to help them help themselves. It is an attempt to raise their standard of living to your standard. This help may be through educating or training for better employment opportunities, teaching them management skills in finances, their time, social relations, or other needed areas. It is not to take from those who have and give to those who haven’t, but to help the less fortunate develop their talents and gain other talents (see Matthew 25:14–30). It is to eliminate the dole.
Seek the kingdom of God before seeking for riches (Jacob 2:18) is the setting of priorities. As Jesus taught: “Wherefore, seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (JST, Matthew 6:38). He later taught: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). The obtaining of riches after obtaining a hope in Christ is not inevitable. Jacob adds two conditions; the first is to seek them. The talent for obtaining riches must be developed just as do all other talents. Fair and honest procedures must be followed if the soul is to be saved.
The second condition given by Jacob is that riches are to be obtained “for the intent to do good” (Jacob 2:19). Jacob’s definition of doing good includes “to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry.” Both of these actions have a temporary and a long range condition. The temporary is to provide the necessities when the person or persons are unable to do so. The long range is to provide the opportunity for them to help themselves as described earlier. Jacob further defines to do good as liberating the captive and administering relief to the sick and the afflicted (v. 19). These two conditions also have a two-fold fulfillment. Temporal help is given to the captives that they may overcome the bondage of debt. Teaching them the gospel will give them an opportunity to overcome the bondage of sin. In Jesus’ words, they shall “know the truth, and the truth shall make them free” (John 8:32). The law of the Church was revealed to Joseph Smith regarding administering relief to the sick and the afflicted.
43 And whosoever among you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be nourished with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food, and that not by the hand of an enemy.
44 And the elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me. [D&C 42:43–44]
Their temporal needs are helped by nourishment and blessing. Spiritually they are forgiven of their sins if they are healed.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. [James 5:14–15]
Failure to do good, as directed by Jacob, may lead to the sin of covetousness. The parable warning the Pharisees of this sin is applicable here. The certain rich man, who tore down his barns and built larger ones to store all his goods, was not prepared when his soul was required of him, and he could not take his goods with him. “He that layeth up treasure for himself, … is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:15–21).
The Lord created the earth and commanded men to “subdue it” (Genesis 1:28); or as Nephi said: “Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it” (1 Nephi 17:36). The Lord will provide for his saints and insists that it be done in his way.
14 I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine.
15 And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
16 But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
17 For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
18 Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment. [D&C 104:14–18]
Jacob gave the Lord’s way to his people. The welfare program to our day is the Lord’s way until the law of consecration is to be lived and the saints “impart of their substance as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them” (D&C 105:3).