We are not to set our hearts on worldly treasures, we are to trust in God.

 

111. We are not to set our hearts on worldly wealth the writings of God tell us, we are to trust in God:  JUDAISM: Psalms: 49:6 “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;” Psalms: 49:7 “None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:” Ecclesiastes: 5:13 “There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners, thereof to their hurt.” Proverbs: 22:1 “A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Psalms: 62:10 “If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” Psalms: 52:8 “Trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.”  CHRISTIANITY: Luke: 12:14 “And he said, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke: 12:21 “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God,” is a poor man in spirit. Luke: 12:34 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” 1 Timothy: 6:8 “Having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1 Timothy: 6:9 “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” 1 Timothy: 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all evil:” 1 Timothy: 6:17 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” 1 Timothy: 6:18 “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;” 1 Timothy: 6:19 “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

 BABI RELIGION: “Such must be the degree of your detachment, that into whatever city you enter to proclaim and teach the Cause of God, you should in no wise expect either meat or reward from its people. Nay, when you depart out of that city, you should shake the dust from off your feet. As you have entered it pure and undefiled, so must you depart from that city.”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 92)

BAHA’I FAITH: “Man must sever himself from the influences of the world of matter, from the world of nature and its laws; for the material world is the world of corruption and death. It is the world of evil and darkness, of animalism and ferocity, bloodthirstiness, ambition and avarice, of self-worship, egotism and passion; it is the world of nature.”

 (Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 451)

 ISLAM: 14. “Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: women and sons; heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world’s life; but in nearness to Allah (God) is the best of the goals.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   3)

 58. “In the Bounty of Allah, and in His Mercy — in that let them rejoice’: that is better than the (wealth) they hoard.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  10)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: “A man may spend the whole life in running after pleasure, but he will find that his thirst is yet unslaked, and he will be ever in bondage.” “One should not neglect the world, at the same time he should have no hankering for wealth, he should get rid of covetousness. Lust and greed are the two enemies of God realization.” (ZOROASTER, Hymns of Atharvan p. 214 and 221)

 HINDUISM: 16. “Let him not, out of desire (for enjoyments), attach himself to any sensual pleasures, and let him carefully obviate an excessive attachment to them, by (reflecting on their worthlessness in) his heart.” 17. “Let him avoid all (means of acquiring) wealth which impede the study of the Veda;” 176. “Let him avoid (the acquisition of) wealth and (the gratification of his) desires, if they are opposed to the sacred law, and even lawful acts which may cause pain in the future or are offensive to men.”

(Hindu, Laws of Manu chapter 4)

 16. “Give us not up to those who are greedy for the wealth.” “Be certain none can perish, trusting Me!”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 9 and Rig Veda – Book 2)

 BUDDHISM: 24. “Riches ruin the fool But not those seeking the Beyond. Craving for wealth, the foolish man Ruins himself by destroying others.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 3 (tr. J. Richards))

 18. “Don’t let greed and wrong doing subject you to lasting suffering.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 1 (tr. J. Richards))

 SABEANISM: “The mana rejoiceth in its treasure And in the glory of Life Which resteth on it. I have acknowledged Thee (O) Elect Righteous One, For Thou settest my soul free From transitory things.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 93)

 “Be no son of the House, the world,” “Adam, look upon the world which is a completely unreal thing. It is a unreal thing, in which you can put no trust.” “The building that Life (Haiyi/God) buildeth will never come to naught.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 102 and Instruction of Adam)

 BABI RELIGION: “It behoves you, he urged them, to arrive at that hallowed spot in a state of complete detachment, wholly sanctified from all that pertains to this world.”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 342)

 “Never shall I be willing to barter for all the treasures and honours this world can give me, the undying loyalty I bear His Cause.”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 553)

BAHA’I FAITH: “Man’s merit lieth in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches. Take heed that your words be purged from idle fancies and worldly desires and your deeds be cleansed from craftiness and suspicion. Dissipate not the wealth of your precious lives in the pursuit of evil and corrupt affection, nor let your endeavours be spent in promoting your personal interest. Be generous in your days of plenty, and be patient in the hour of loss. Adversity is followed by success and rejoicings follow woe. Guard against idleness and sloth, and cling unto that which profiteth mankind, whether young or old, whether high or low.” “THE source of all good is trust in God, submission unto His command, and contentment with His holy will and pleasure.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah, pp. 138 and 153)

“Should the greatness of this Day be revealed in its fullness, every man would forsake a myriad lives in his longing to partake, though it be for one moment, of its great glory — how much more this world and its corruptible treasures!”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 196)

“O friend, the heart is the dwelling of eternal mysteries, make it not the home of fleeting fancies; waste not the treasure of thy precious life in employment with this swiftly passing world. Thou comest from the world of holiness — bind not thine heart to the earth;”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, The Seven Valleys, p. 34)

“Spiritual conditions are not dependent upon the possession of worldly treasures or the absence of them.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 36)