Latter Day Sinner

I have been listening to several versions of a Christian hymn called Star in the East. One of them stops at the second to last verse about bringing the Lord gems, pearls, and gold. The presentation might give you the idea that the song writer meant that as a good thing. But the last verse changes the tone completely. One cannot, it supposes, buy God’s favor and that the prayers of the poor are nearer to Him. Maybe this is correct or maybe it is a trap to get people to remain poor so the people promoting the idea can keep their gems, pearls, and gold.