What is your attitude toward money?

 11/24/22

This week I was given many perspectives on money, the love of, and how it can be used for good and evil.  Money itself is neither good or evil.  It is our attitude toward it that can make or break us.  We were asked to answer the following question:

  • What is your attitude toward money?  I believe money is necessary to sustain life.  We must have it to eat, clothe, support our families, and provide shelter for them and ourselves.  I also know we are to become self reliant and through our diligent labors the Lord blesses us.  He has promised us if we use our time, talents, and skills to serve our fellow man, not only will we become more Christlike, but we will have sufficient for our needs and plenty left over to share.  I testify this to be true in my own life's journey.  I have witnessed many miracles.  I might add, paying an honest tithe to the Lord signifies gratitude to him, trust in him, and requires faith.  The trouble with money is when we feel we can never have enough, we become greedy, and in some instances begin to worship it as some sort of God.  Money can make us feel powerful and if we aren't careful the love of money can cost us more than all the money in the world.

  • How can your view of money affect the way you live?  By paying our tithing, coming up with a financial plan (budgeting) for the necessities in life, and furthering our education, we can choose a life of purpose and fulfill our calling.  We can give to charities, help those in need, contribute to missions, and so much more.  This view helps align our use of money with Christ's intentions for us and we choose to do good with it rather than bad.

  • What rules are recommended for prospering?  The misconception of money is that it can buy happiness.  To live a prosperous life the following rules from this weeks reading "Attitude on Money", recommends these rules:
  1. Seek the Lord and have hope in him
  2. Keep the commandments, that includes the temporal ones, tithing and fast offerings
  3. Think about money and plan how you can become self-reliant
  4. Take advantage of chances for learning so you will not be ignorant of these matters
  5. Learn the laws upon which the blessings of wealth are predicated
  6. Do no send away the naked, the hungry, the thirsty or the sick or those who are held captive.
President Hinckley teaches us that "education is the key to opportunity".

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