Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 42:34-35, 37-38

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 42:34-35, 37-38
"Therefore, the residue shall be kept in my storehouse, to administer to the poor and the needy, as shall be appointed by the high council of the church, and the bishop and his council;
And for the purpose of purchasing lands for the public benefit of the church, and building houses of worship, and building up of the New Jerusalem which is hereafter to be revealed—
And it shall come to pass, that he that sinneth and repenteth not shall be cast out of the church, and shall not receive again that which he has consecrated unto the poor and the needy of my church, or in other words, unto me—
For inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these, ye do it unto me."

This made me think of the recent discussions in the news over the church's tithing funds. How some individuals after leaving the church tried to sue for the return previously paid tithing. Judges may have made the decision that tithing is not returnable, but actually it was the Lord that said it first. I reviewed an excellent article by Bishop Gérald Caussé who cares for these funds. I remember at the time how it really stood out to me that tithing funds were not just for immediate needs, but a portion is held in reserve for any possible future needs, including preparing for the second coming of Jesus Christ. The church expects future growth, with more chapels and temples. Land is invested in to help fulfill humanitarian needs, etc. We practice the parable of the talents as the Church’s financial reserves are not left idle in nonproductive bank accounts but are instead employed where they can produce a return. I know the tithing consecrated to the Lord are being watched over by faithful servants of the Lord.

"These invested funds can be accessed in times of hardship to ensure the ongoing, uninterrupted work of the Church’s mission, programs, and operations and to meet emergency financial needs. The funds are also needed to provide additional financial resources to support the Church’s mission to prepare for the Lord’s Second Coming. They will help sustain Church growth as prophecy is fulfilled that the gospel of Jesus Christ will be taught and the Church established in all nations of the earth. We anticipate that a large part of this growth will take place in the developing and populous nations of the world. Ever-increasing financial means will be required to provide thousands of meetinghouses, additional temples, and other essential resources to bless members’ lives wherever they are. In short, all these funds exist for no other reason than to support the Church’s divinely appointed mission."
(Bishop Gérald Caussé, "The Spiritual Foundations of Church Financial Self-Reliance", Ensign, July 2018)

Day 3631