Remember that the title of this article spoke about an enrichment of our marriage. (a symbolic enrichment). But today, we see poverty in the family circle. What is this poverty? Well, the lack of communication is one of the greatest factors impoverishing many marriages, as well as the lack of pure love, affection, understanding, kindness, altruism, humility, peace, happiness, etc. Most importantly, the lack of Christ's presence in the home.“Unless the Lord builds a house,its builders labor over it in vain...” Psalm 127: 1

The absence of these ingredients in marriage will bring poverty in our sacred family circle.Egoism is a serious defect that will lead a marriage to the vilest poverty.

“If we keep uppermost in our minds the unkind and unjust acts of others we shall find it impossible to love them as Christ has loved us; but if our thoughts dwell upon the wondrous love and pity of Christ for us, the same spirit will flow out to others. We should love and respect one another, notwithstanding the faults and imperfections that we cannot help seeing. Humility and self-distrust should be cultivated, and a patient tenderness with the faults of others. This will kill out all narrowing selfishness and make us large-hearted and generous.” Steps to Christ, page 121

“...Satan's aim has been to lead men to self first; and yielding themselves to his control, they have developed a selfishness that has filled the world with misery and strife, setting human beings at variance with one another.Selfishness is the essence of depravity, and because human beings have yielded to its power, the opposite of allegiance to God is seen in the world today. Nations, families, and individuals are filled with a desire to make self a center... Separating himself in his egotism from God and his fellow beings, he follows his unrestrained inclinations...Selfishness destroys Christlikeness, filling man with self- love.” Counsels on Christian Stewardship page 24.

Selfishness comes to divide families and marriages. "And if a house is divided against itself, such a house cannot stand." Mark 3:25

Our Lord Jesus Christ attacked this existing and predominant great evil in the entire human race. He said: ... deny yourself ... (Matthew 16:24). How important it is to take this imperative order of our Savior very seriously. If we carry this out with his wonderful help, we will have healthy and very enriched marriages.

By Ciro Arévalo