Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 37:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 37:16
"A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked."

I have to agree with that. I would much rather have sufficient for my needs than untold money. For it is the love of money that can drive man to the sin of greed and pride so quickly. Of course there are wealthy people that have overcome that, and that I am sure is a great struggle for them and their families.

Day 3915

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 70:7, 9

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 70:7, 9
"Nevertheless, inasmuch as they receive more than is needful for their necessities and their wants, it shall be given into my storehouse;
Behold, this is what the Lord requires of every man in his stewardship, even as I, the Lord, have appointed or shall hereafter appoint unto any man."

In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn of the early saints being called to live the United Firm or Law of Consecration. This is how the Lord would provide for the saints, and the building up of the church. Later it is replaced with tithing. In the Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual I learned something new. The stewardship mentioned was regarding the printing of the Doctrine and Covenants and the profit generated from it. The men given this stewardship were to use the funds for their needs and what was more than needful went into the Bishop storehouse. The Lord provided a way to supply for their needs, but they weren't getting rich off church proceeds. It is the same today, no one is rich from serving.

"In the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 70, the Lord called Martin Harris and William W. Phelps to join the four men who had been previously appointed to serve as stewards over the revelations. These stewards were not only responsible for publishing the revelations but also for managing the revenue generated from the sale of the Book of Commandments. The Lord commanded them to use the profits to provide for their families and to consecrate what was left to the Lord’s storehouse for the benefit of the people in Zion. The Lord organized this joint stewardship according to the principles of the law of consecration."
(Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, Chapter 25: Doctrine and Covenants 66-70, "Stewards over the revelations and commandments")

Day 3659

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 2:1, 3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Peter 2:1, 3
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

I saw that today, false prophets making merchandise of their followers. Their followers love them all the more for it.

"For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
(Romans 16:18)

"And now, because of the glory of the world and to get gain will they say this, and not for the glory of God."
(2 Nephi 27:16)

"Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills—"
(Helaman 7:5)

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
(Isaiah 5:20)

Day 3317

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 6:8-10

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 6:8-10
"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

First, be content with what you have. That is true gratitude to the Lord and what he sees fit to bless you and make you steward over.

Second, is a very powerful warning to "they that WILL be rich". The snare and temptation comes when you seek your WILL to be rich. I have seen to many fall, sadly by using worldly practices like the law of attraction. They seek their will and not God's will, with hearts set on the things of this world. Oh, they will get what they are seeking, but the giver is the son of perdition and he is not one you want to be beholden too. Money is not a problem unless the love of it over takes you. You covet and seek after it and will grow to never have enough. It will lead to destruction and sorrow. I am not impressed by people with wealth. I have no idea how you sought it and where your heart is, nor is it mine to know. But, it does not impress or motivate me. I am so grateful to have sufficient for my needs and I prefer it that way. It is far better than having all the money in the world and never being satisfied.

The only safe thing is to do as Jacob counseled.
"But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted."
(Jacob 2:18-19)

Do not believe the lie that Satan will tell you, that once you obtain riches then you will share and help others. It's all backwards. You seek to help by sharing what you already have and then you have sufficient for your needs and theirs. It's done quietly with an honest heart that needs no glory, praise or for boasting, for that intent is of the world and will come to not.

Day 3284

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 22:19-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 22:19-21

"Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s."

I think of these verses every time I hear people mention great fear over our money system collapsing, being replaced, currency changing. What does that even matter in the scheme of eternal things? There is nothing holy about the American dollar. Stamping it with "In God We Trust" doesn't make it spiritual either. It's simply a way to buy and sell. As long as the exchange is fair I don't care what you call our money, or make it look like. It always amazes me what great store people put in material things.

"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law."

(Article of Faith, 12)

Day 3110

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 6:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Amos 6:1

"Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!"

I am reminded today that good people can change for the worse. I've seen people once faithful and strong lose their way. Pride could be their downfall, but often they show themselves in their love for money. Never put a person on a pedestal and think that you can follow them blindly. I've been shocked when I felt things a little off with someone and then check back in a number of years and they have taken off in strange paths. Don't assume because you once had a testimony that you can take a break from church for a while and then come back. Testimonies, faith, obedience is something we work on every day. Never take your eye off the prophet. If you sit back and think you can coast along you're already drifting.

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!

Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!

Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!

Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!

And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall."

(2 Nephi 28:24-28)

Day 3044

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 122:1, 9

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 122:1, 9

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good."

Been a really hard week, with things I simply could not settle because I had no control over them. Yet, I was feeling angry at those causing the issue. I knew it wasn't right and I couldn't get out of these chains that held me bound. What I needed was divine intervention and that meant going to the house of the Lord. I decided to go at my very favorite time, and do my very favorite ordinance. I felt like I had come home.

The very first thing I did was put the names of those at the root of the issue on the prayer roll. It seemed the moment I did that I left the problem at the door. Now I could pray that all our hearts would be softened and resolution could come. I was so glad I went to temple, where hope and peace could be restored to me, and greater insight could be gained. I didn't know how resolutions would come but I knew that they would.

I wasn't home more than an hour and the mail came. I opened a thick envelopment to find an accident insurance claim check inside. I had never counted on seeing that money. Now that I had it in hand I had the means to offer it to solve one outstanding issue. I told the party I would worry about being paid back later, but at least we could have this part resolved.

Then another party told me they received a phone call and in that call some decisions were made that showed mercy to another. That meant two issues were now starting to find resolutions. I can't be greedy and expect all issues solved within a day, even though I know God could do it. Everyone still has their free agency and regardless of promptings and needs they can choose to be difficult. What I do know is I go to bed tonight being grateful I went to the house of the Lord today. I poured my heart out to God, and He opened the doors to bring some relief.

Day 2759

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 5:14-16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 5:14-16

"Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.

But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused."

This is a really important story, for if Elisha had accepted money or gifts for healing Naaman of leprosy it would have become a priestcraft. Gehazi runs after Naaman when Elisha refuses the offerings. In turn Elisha tells Gehazi that the leprosy that Naaman was healed of will now cleave unto him and his seed. I bookmarked this story for there are those that will practice priestcrafts, and yet think they are doing the work of god.

Day 2477

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 10:23-24, 27

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 10:23-24, 27
"And Jesus looked around about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

The footnote in verse 27 is very important in understanding this story of the rich man that was told to sell all and follow Jesus, and could not.

JST Mark 10:26 "....With men that trust in riches, it is impossible; but not impossible with men who trust in God and leave all for my sake, for with such all these things are possible."

So what I see the rich man being asked to do is give up the natural man, his love of money. Jesus cared nothing for his wealth, he wanted him to follow him. That couldn't be done until this man was willing to give up his will and seek God's. It was never the money that was the issue. It was the love of it. What each person has to give up depends on what they are trusting in more than God.

"But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good - to clothe the naked, and feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and afflicted."
(Jacob 2:18-19)

The interesting thing is the adversary also knows these scriptures. He will use it to tempt us to think that our desire for money will be used to help others, when deep inside we know it's so we can benefit first. It takes a very strong person to not be swallowed up in the love of money. For even a poor man can have a love of money too.

So how is a person to over come this? I think it is to consecrate all that we have unto the Lord. Make Him our partner and council with the him in being a wise steward in managing what we have. It's not ours its His, we are just stewards of it. A wise steward will manage it well and be self-reliant and be a strength to others. It's knowing that when we look at all that we have that it is there to build up his kingdom when asked. Then the temptation over riches is no longer ours to be tempted with. This is a sacred covenant we make with the Lord in living the law of consecration.

Kirtland Temple by Walter Rane

Day 1542

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 7:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 7:6-7
"He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

So interesting. Right before I read my scriptures tonight I was watching a news channel investigative video on a preacher of another faith. He absolutely mirrored an example of this verse. What shocked me was the twisting of scriptures to justify his accumulation of wealth. He even said the bible was full of the promises of wealth, and the blessing of Abraham was wealth. Nothing of covenants and eternal life, the end reward was money. I usually don't watch such things, but I was amazed at hearing his words for he was very slick and beguiling and full of flattery.

In fact at the end he grabbed the report's hands and said he wanted to pray for her. He's being all flowery and even mentions how it thrilled him, to have his face on their show. He ends in this adoration of himself and never closed the prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Truly what god was he praying to? His were empty hollow words, echoing "this people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." 

What I pondered on after hearing him was how dangerous a false prophet like him would be for people that do not read the scriptures. For man's doctrine and commandments would be pleasing to the carnal mind, and not to the ears of faith. They teach my will be done and not the Father's. The prophesy of Isaiah and of Jesus Christ are flourishing among us today.

Day 1539

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 22:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 22:27
"Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain."

That just make me very sad. All I could think of was "they know not what they do." Sometimes for the selling of freedom you destroy your very soul.

Day 1399

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 14:22

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 14:22
"Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year."

I noticed this mention of tithing did not promise more, just that the field would continue to produce year after year. That really is an incredible promise.  As I sat and pondered on paying tithing, I see how much I have been blessed. Every year I have been able to take care of what needs to be taken care of. I have produced sufficient for my needs and for my family.

I have often reflected on if I would want wealth or sufficient for my needs as promised. I have found the later has been the greater promise. I used to get upset that as soon as a little money would come my way something would break, or need to be replaced, and take it all from me. I could never get ahead.  It's taken time to realize the Lord blessed me to have the money for my needs in the first place. He has taken care of me. What lessons I have learned because of this. The wealth he gives untold is through the spirit. This is by far the greatest of blessings that money cannot buy. These are the windows of heaven that are open until my cup overflows. I have been blessed.

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10)


Day 742

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 11:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 11:8
"Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and posses the land, whither ye go to possess it;"

I pondered on how keeping the commandments doesn't always mean I will receive material wealth. In fact I can see what a blessing it has been to me not to have wealth. I would not have learned so many great lessons if I had had them. The ability to think outside of the box, due to the lack of wealth, has been a great gift.

I pondered on what it meant to posses the land. It made me think of projects I have undertaken. How I have been blessed, because the spirit inspired me on how to manage them. The blessing of keeping the commandments is to have the spirit to always be with me. Through that spirit I been taught wisdom to do things that I was once incapable of doing. Not once but many, many times.  I have seen these things become my strengths. So possessing the land means to me any endeavor I undertake with the spirit as my guide. With the spirit I am made strong to do what needs to be accomplished.


Day 739

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 56:16-18

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 56:16-18

"Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!

Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men's goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with your own hands!

But blessed are the poor who are pure in heart, whose hearts are broken, and whose spirits are contrite, for they shall see the kingdom of God coming in power and great glory unto their deliverance; for the fatness of the earth shall be theirs."

All I could think of when I read this is the poor man's love of money. I remembered how shocked I was to realize this was my sin. My heart pains now to hear poor people complain about the rich. Do they not realize they are guilty of the poor man's love of money by so doing? I cannot judge a man by his material possessions. I have no idea how much he gives to the poor in secret. Just because a man is poor gives no indication of their greediness. Only the Lord knows a man's heart and where it lies. Both the poor man and the rich man need a broken and contrite heart to enter the kingdom of God.

Day 475