Helaman 6:17

For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain.

The pride cycle seems to never end among the Nephites. They cannot stand prosperity. Remember for whom the Book of Mormon was written. Modern American society and First World countries have prospered for a long time, and now we are beginning to see the same evidence that the cycle is working among us. Wickedness, selfishness, greed and vanity are becoming rampant. We as a people worship wealth and power. God has become irrelevant. The stories of the Nephite cycle are written in the Book of Mormon to warn us of what awaits us. God will call this people to awake and repent through afflictions to come. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. What he does for one nation, he will do for others. Decline and suffering are inevitable, not to punish but to awaken and to humble. We face a time of severe testing.

Mosiah 4:16

And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.

Helping the poor is a commandment, and to ignore it is to open the door to great sin. God prospers us so we can help others. If we fail to use what he gives us according to his will, we are guilty of gross selfishness. Opportunity to help others is never lacking.

Jacob 2:17

Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.

A simple, practical explanation for the practice of charity. We have to move away from the economy of scarcity and operate in an economy of abundance. When we believe in abundance, we are able to share with others, for we know God can always replace what we give away. When we operate from scarcity, however, we assume that our resources are limited and irreplaceable, and so we hold tightly to all we have, fearing we can never acquired more. To give to others is to diminish ourselves. Such is the fear of the natural man and the selfishness that comes from his fear. Only faith in God overcomes fear.