D&C 49

As the Lord taught that the plan was that man might have an abundance, He said -

"But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 49:20)

I've thought a great deal about that and realized that there really isn't any commandment so to speak that the Lord commands that we should differentiate ourselves by possessions.  The very nature of industry is that those who work harder and are somewhat wiser tend to possess more than those that do not.  But what is given is -

"...let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practise virtue and holiness before me."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 38:24)

Does that mean we give all our wealth and possessions to those who possess less?  Or is it more of an attitude that one uses his wealth and possessions according the will of God and the building of the kingdom and in the process have compassion for the poor and needy.  President Joseph F. Smith taught -

"Every individual should be in a position to add something to the wealth of the whole. Everyone should be increasing, improving, and advancing in some way, and accomplishing something for his or her good and for the good of the whole.

Then again, it is written that 'It is not given that one man should possess that which is above another.' Of course, there is some allowance to be made for this expression. A man who has ability superior to another man, and who is able to manage and control larger affairs than another, may possess far more than another who is not able to control and manage as much as he. But if they each had what they were capable of managing and of using wisely and prudently, they would each have alike." (Joseph F. Smith, CR, October 1898, pp. 23-24.)