Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 19:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 19:23
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven."

I wondered what would be the hardest thing for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven? I'm thinking it would be having humility. I think it would take a great man that is rich to acknowledge God's hand in their life and submit themselves to Him. Though a poor man can equally have the same problem. I just think having riches makes for a greater trial and struggle.

"But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also."
(2 Nephi 9:30)

"O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls!
Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.
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 2:16-19)

"Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.
Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion;
Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich."
(Doctrine & Covenants 6:5-7)

Day 4072

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 3:22

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 3:22
"But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians."

Borrow = to ask

"And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians."
(Exodus 12:36)

I pondered on why the children of Israel were to ask of the Egyptians jewels of silver and gold and raiment? You would think with leaving Egypt there would be more important things to take like food, water and provisions? Even Lehi in the Book of Mormon was told to leave his riches behind.

"And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness."
(1 Nephi 2:4)

Then I thought about how those riches left behind were used in trying to obtain the plates of brass from Laban. The attempt failed and they had to leave their riches behind a second time. But there was a purpose, if they had taken them into the wilderness they wouldn't have brought them back to Jerusalem when trying to obtain the brass plates. Then I thought about why the children of Israel may have needed the gold and silver and raiment. At first they failed by making a golden calf with some. Later they did need them in worshiping God. They were used in the building of the tabernacle. I imagine it would have been extremely difficult to find such things while wandering in the wilderness. God had also promised Abraham that this descendants would serve others for 400 years, yet come out with great substance. The Lord keeps his word.

"And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.."
(Genesis 15:14)

Day 3763

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 39:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 39:14
"Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you."

President Oaks explains what vain things of the world are.
"The “vain things of [the] world” include every combination of that worldly quartet of property, pride, prominence, and power. As to all of these, the scriptures remind us that “you cannot carry them with you”  We should be seeking the kind of treasures the scriptures promise the faithful: “great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures”
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Focus and Priorities", Apr 2001 General Conference)

I have also been reflecting on President Nelson's General Conference talk.

"Come unto Christ and “offer your whole [soul]” to Him. This is the secret to a life of joy!
The best is yet to come, my dear brothers and sisters, because the Savior is coming again! The best is yet to come because the Lord is hastening His work. The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

If one's focus is on the vain things of the world there is no way you could "offer your whole soul to Him". When we fully turn our hearts and lives to Jesus Christ that is something we truly can take with us.

Day 3483

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: 2 Corinthians 6:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:10

"As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."

I pondered on the richness of the gospel and how your wants are satisfied. Not that you have every material thing, but you posses a fullness and are satisfied with what you have. I would much rather have sufficient for my needs then all the money in the world. When the soul is not filled your wants are not either. When you fill the soul you want for nothing.

Day 3243

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 18:81, 24, 27

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 18:81, 24, 27

"And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they who have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

This is another verse where more details are given in the Joseph Smith translation.

"And he said unto them, It is impossible for them who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God; but he who forsaketh the things which are of this world, it is possible with God that he should enter in."

(JST Luke 18:27)

The problem with the certain rich ruler was not that he was rich and couldn't give to the poor. It was that he trusted in his riches and things of the world more. He could not part with all that he had. He probably could have done a little but not all. That was actually the extreme test that Jesus had for him. It's the test we also go through. The love of riches was a sin, do we give up all our sins or want to hold onto some of them.

It made me think of the contrast between the rich ruler and the Lamanite king, father of king Lamoni

"And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.

And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:

O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead.

(Alma 22:15, 17-18)

Day 3150

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 10:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 10:27

"And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."

This verse is in response to the apostles being astonished that it would be "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" (vs. 25)

I love how the Joseph Smith Translation clarifies this.

"And Jesus, looking upon them, said, 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.'

(JST Mark 10:26)

I also pondered on how the wisdom of man or even for your money it will not make you clean to enter the kingdom of heaven. It's only through our faith in Jesus Christ, using the gift of his atonement that He freely gave, that we can be once more with God.

Day 3126

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 7:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 7:19

"They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity."

This reminded me of a quote by Brigham Young on food storage.

“The time will come that gold will hold no comparison in value to a bushel of wheat. Gold is not to be compared with it in value.”

(Brigham Young, "Use and Abuse of Blessings", Journal of Discourses, 1: p. 250).

I suppose one could trade in all their gold and silver for wheat and still miss the point. A person could make their food storage a stumbling block just as easily as they could with hording silver and gold. We can make things a blessing or curse based on our love for it. Satisfying the belly, or fulfilling material desires will not satisfy the soul.

Day 2968

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 8:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 8:10-11

"Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;"

I thought about how David's rest was short-lived if he still had to go to war. But, then again he already knew he couldn't build the temple, because he had "shed blood abundantly". It appears he may not have been able to build a temple, but he could make sure the gold and silver he obtained was dedicated to the Lord. One day those items would be used by his son.

"So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD."

(1 Kings 7:51)

"Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.

Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD."

(1 Chronicles 26:26-27)

Day 2434

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 12:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Judges 12:1

" And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire."

I had to wonder, why would someone get upset that you didn't ask them to come fight with you in battle against someone else? Then because of it you threaten to burn down their homes with them in it. That didn't make sense. Then I realized it was because they wanted the spoils of war. They were angry because they lost out on those riches. Their motives and desires were far from the thoughts of my heart. I can see that Israel is becoming very wicked.

Day 2382

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 11:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 11:2-3

"Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.

And the Lord gave the people favour in the sights of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people."

Borrow in this sense is not what we understand today. The Lord commanded the children of Israel to ask or demand a recompense for their past services. This is where the receiving of jewels of silver and gold come from. The Egyptians hearts were softened and they did give to them. The people of Egypt also recognized the powers that Moses had and respected him. I can only imagine how hard it must have been to be an Egyptian and watch Pharaoh over and over again not learn this lesson.

This was also a fulfillment of prophesy given to Abraham. That his seed would be strangers in the land for four hundred years. In the fourth generation they would come out with great substance. Like many prophesies I'm sure the children of Israel while in bondage could never imagine how that would even happen. They simply had to have faith that it would.

"And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that they seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance."

(Genesis 15:13-14)

Day 2220

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 14:22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 14:22-23

"And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take anything that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:"

Abram was rich, and very blessed of the Lord, and he knew that is the source of where it came from. When he heard Lot was taken captive he and his trained servants fought to bring them back. He would not take of the spoils of war because he covenanted with God not to. It meant of lot to him that no one would say they made Abram rich. He sets a great example of how we should behave and recognize the source of the blessings we receive.

Day 2173

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 13:24

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 13:24
"No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon."

I've had some new thoughts on this verse lately. I had always thought of Mammon as another name for Satan. As I have been observing things of late, I realized that people can serve themselves, and place any number of things above God, so their thoughts are not in the right place. Eventually, this road turns you from God. I finally looked up what Mammon means and this is what I found.

Bible Dictionary: Mammon, An Aramaic word meaning "riches"

Wikipedia: Mammon in the New Testament of the Bible is commonly thought to mean money, material wealth, or any entity that promises wealth, and is associated with the greedy pursuit of gain.

Britannica: Mammon, biblical term for riches, often used to describe the debasing influence of material wealth. The term was used by Jesus in his famous Sermon on the Mount and also appears in The Gospel According to Luke. Medieval writers commonly interpreted it as an evil demon or god.

So all this time I had the wrong definition of what Mammon was. Yet, I find it interesting that the spirit taught me what it really meant.

Day 1950

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:10
"As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."

This reminded me of a scripture I had promised to find during family scripture reading this week. It was about seeking wealth.

"Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.
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 2:17-19)

Our family had a discussion about deception and how this verse in Jacob can get twisted. Where people say they want wealth to help others, but in reality they are seeking wealth to help themselves and increase their standard of living. Then with the "surplus" they will "benevolently" give to others.

I think the true key to knowing if you are seeking wealth to help others, is if you are completely satisfied with what God has already blessed you with. There is no desire to improve your lot first. Your needs become very basic and simple, and you willing share what little you do have. The only way that is possible is by seeking the kingdom of God first. Then your soul is satisfied and the giving to others comes naturally. The basket is always full because you share what little you have and the Lord returns it back again, and you know it. Man's standard of wealth and riches has nothing to do with this. The most humblest of individuals can be the riches people on earth. This is not something that can be seen or judged with the outward eye.

"Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich."
(Doctrine and Covenants 11:7)

As a beautiful example, Elder D. Todd Christofferson related this story in his Oct 2008 General Conference talk "Come to Zion".

"I remember the story of a Vietnamese family that fled Saigon in 1975 and ended up living in a small mobile home in Provo, Utah. A young man in the refugee family became the home teaching companion to a Brother Johnson who lived nearby with his large family. The boy related the following:

One day Brother Johnson noticed that our family had no kitchen table. He appeared the next day with an odd-looking but very functional table that fit nicely against the trailer wall across from the kitchen sink and counters. I say odd-looking because two of the table legs matched the tabletop and two did not. Also, several small wooden pegs stuck out along one edge of the worn surface.

Soon we used this unique table daily for food preparation and for eating some quick meals. We still ate our family meals while we sat on the floor … in true Vietnamese fashion.

One evening I stood inside Brother Johnson’s front door as I waited for him before a home teaching appointment. There in the nearby kitchen—I was surprised to see it—was a table practically identical to the one they had given to my family. The only difference was that where our table had pegs, the Johnsons’ table had holes! I then realized that, seeing our need, this charitable man had cut his kitchen table in half and had built two new legs for each half.

It was obvious that the Johnson family could not fit around this small piece of furniture—they probably didn’t fit comfortably around it when it was whole. …

Throughout my life this kind act has been a powerful reminder of true giving” (Son Quang Le, as told to Beth Ellis Le, “Two-of-a-Kind Table,” Liahona, July 2004, 45; Ensign, July 2004, 63).

Day 1657

Today's Favorite Verse: Haggai 1:5-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Haggai 1:5-7
"Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.
Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways."

I have to share this April 1973 General Conference talk by Elder L. Tom Perry, "Consider Your Ways" that describes what I was thinking as I read this perfectly.

"I have read this great scripture and continue to be impressed with how clearly the Old Testament prophet describes the conditions of today. Almost daily we read of those who invest for little return. We eat food so refined that the nourishment is lacking. We witness the drink that can never satisfy the thirst for those who drink; the dressing for style, rather than warmth, comfort, and modesty; the high wages of the wage earner today which still do not satisfy or supply his needs.

A noted historian several years ago summarized the reasons for the fall of Rome as follows:

1. The breakdown of the family and the rapid increase of divorce.
2. The spiraling rise of taxes and extravagant spending.
3. The mounting craze for pleasure and the brutalization of sports.
4. The decay of religion into myriads of confused forms, leaving the people without a uniform guide.

Our unconquered appetites and consuming drive for material possessions appear to be leading us on a course so often repeated in history. Greed, lust, and desire historically have only led mankind to waste, destruction, and suffering."

What was the answer Haggai prophesied?  To build the temple. I find it so interesting because I found after going to the temple and reading my scriptures daily that one day I noticed the perpetual list of things that I wanted was gone. When my soul was filled I no longer needed to fill it with material things. The blessings of the temple are exactly what people need.

Mount Timpanogos Temple Spring Sunrise by Rory Wallwork

Day 1485

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 28:19-20, 22

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 28:19-20, 22
"He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him."

This made me look at one of the warnings in Elder M. Russell Ballard's October 2017 General Conference talk "The Trek Continues!" a little differently.

"Do not listen to those who entice you with get-rich schemes. Our members have lost far too much money, so be careful."

I thought it was warning to save the person from becoming a victim of financial disaster. Actually its a warning against sin. For getting into get-rich schemes shows an "evil eye". They are not the innocent victim they may play to be. What has happened to them? They have lost the spirit and are on the path of ruin and destruction in more ways than one. Truly when I have been in tune with the spirit I have known to walk away from such things. I can see right through the sales pitch and the slippery words. The spirit brings the strength and courage to walk away. It is when the heart turns to riches that the spirit flees and all direction and guidance is gone, and they are left to themselves.

Day 1231