Money

 This week we read an article regarding money and how we perceive it. There were a couple of parts of this article that I really enjoyed. The author, Stephen W. Gibson, related the story of the Good Samaritan, with a different perspective. We always hear the story, learning who our neighbor is. This time we learn about money. The Good Samaritan took the time to care for the wounded man, bandage him and take him to a “hotel.” All of these things take money. He also left money for the inn keeper, telling him to take care of the wounded man. The Good Samaritan had money and chose to use it for good.

Being wealthy can be good or evil. It is how you choose to use the money you have that makes the difference. Brother Gibson shares 6 rules to making money.

Rule 1. Seek the Lord and have hope in Him

Rule 2. Keep the commandments, that includes the temporal ones, tithing and fast offerings.

Rule 3. Think about money and plan how you can become self-reliant.

Rule 4. Take advantage of chances for learning so you will not be ignorant of these matters. Education, as President Hinckley has taught us, is the Key to Opportunity. 

Rule 5. Learn the laws upon which the blessings of wealth are predicated. 

Rule 6. Do not send away the naked, the hungry, the thirsty or the sick or those who are held captive.

These 6 rules can help each of us to be self-reliant. It makes me think of the early pioneers that kept moving from place to place. Many of them had no money to start over with. They depended on the kindness and wealth of others.

In my own life, money is something that we need. We need it to provide shelter for our family, pay the bills and clothe and feed our children. We are working on being self-reliant so we can increase our ability to provide opportunities for those around us.