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THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
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more than raiment? Why, then, kill yourself by worrying over such trifles ?
It was the true principle of renunciation which Jesus taught his followers. The aspirant after spirituality must even give up home and become houseless. “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. No man can serve two masters; ye cannot love both God and mammon. Lay not up treasures for yourselves on earth, but in heaven, where the moth and rust do not corrupt, and where thieves break not through and steal. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor yet staves : for the workman is worthy of his meat. Just as a man who finds a treasure-trove in a field, and goes and sells all he possesses, and buys the field, so he who has found the kingdom of heaven must offer his all to acquire it. In the same way, when a pearl merchant comes across an invaluable pearl, he sells off all the small ones he owns and purchases that one. Do not be covetous, for a man's life consists not in the abundance of things he possesses. 'Sell off all ye possess, and give it away in alms, and provide yourself bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not. Neither seek ye greatness before one another, for it is so only among the gentiles whose princes and nobles exercise dominion and authority over mankind; it shall not be so among you : but whosoever will be great among you let him be your minister, and whosoever will be a chief among you let him be your servant, like unto the Son of man who came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give
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