Create Meaning

I read an article by Stephen Gibson, Attitude on Money. He offers interesting insights on how he views money and it purpose in our life. I feel it is necessary to understand money and how we can use it to either benefit us or bring to our own ruin, through wanting more. The following three questions were asked of me after I read the article.

What is your attitude toward money?

When I was young our family did not have enough money to meet our needs. I recognize the value of money and the importance of begin generous to those around me. I see money as a tool that will help me accomplish the Lord’s work and meet the needs of my family.

How can your view of money affect the way you live?

The view of money can influence how you spend. If you choose to be wise and monitor your spending; prepare a budget and stay within that budget, you will find that your needs will be met. If you spend less than you make you will create a life that is financially stable, at the time saving money for the future.

We can enjoy life and many of the pleasures it offers if we live within our means and are responsible for the blessings we are given. Brigham Young stated, "...if we are the people of God, we are to be the richest people on the earth....I am ashamed to see the poverty that exists among the Latter-day Saints. They ought to be worth millions and millions." JD 17:43-44 there is so much we can do for others, through service and donations. When we are responsible with our money we will have extra to share with others.

What rules are recommended for prospering?

So if you want to prosper:

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.

I agree with these rules and I am following some of them now, I will incorporate the others and look for opportunities cloth the naked, feed the hungry and the thirsty and offer support and help to those who are sick and held captive by their illness. I will try to serve my fellow man as the Savior taught.

 This week I have been impressed by some of the readings that were assigned. I will post some things that stood out to me and touched my heart.

Thomas S. Monson, Formula for Success:

Truth: 

Fill your mind with truth; second, fill your life with service; and third, fill your heart with love.

 I’d like to suggest that when we search for truth, we search among those books and in those places where truth is most likely to be found. I’ve often referred to a simple couplet: “You do not find truth groveling through error. You find truth by searching the holy word of God.” 

This is a day when time is precious. This is a time when we cannot afford not to be engaged in an earnest search for truth. May we fill our minds with truth.

Service:

Fill your life with service. From the Book of Mormon we learn, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). 

Love:

I thank God for his love in sharing his Only Begotten Son in the flesh, even Jesus Christ, for you and me. I thank the Lord for the love he demonstrated by providing his life, that we might have life eternal.

You may recall that Jesus filled his mind with truth; Jesus filled his life with service; Jesus filled his heart with love.

Life Liberty and the pursuit of happiness (a cautionary tale)

A Hero’s Journey requires you to find your most precious gifts and to use them doing something you enjoy in the service of something larger than yourself.

“Gratitude amplifies the savoring and appreciation of the good events gone by, and rewriting history by forgiveness loosens the power of the bad events to embitter (and actually can transform bad memories into good ones).”

“How can I be happy?” is the wrong question. “How can I create something meaningful for others?” is the right question because it helps others and will change you in a profound way.