Of Sowing and Reaping

 Randy Komisar, in talking about life/career balance said this:

“Never put yourself in a situation where you can’t say no.”

One of the key factors to being able to say no is to be financially self-reliant (Komisar). If you aren’t drowning in debt it will be easier to say no to job offers that may compromise your ethical guardrails.

In his talk Attitude on Money, Stephen W. Gibson reminds us that money is not evil, that it is neither good nor bad, and that it reveals the kind of person we are. It may be the way in which we use our money that may be evil. (Gibson)

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. 1 Timothy 6:10

President Thomas S. Monson, in his address Formula for Success states that “we have the responsibility to be prepared, to be productive, to be faithful, and to be fruitful as well.” His suggested formula for success is three fold:

First – Fill your mind with truth

Second – Fill your life with service

Third – Fill your heart with love

His statement on how to treat the precious commodity of our testimonies is a great analogy for life, business, money etc. “Remember, a testimony is perishable. That which you selfishly keep, you lose; that which you willingly share, you keep” (Monson).

Fear not to do good . . . for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. D&C 6:33

This brings me to the question of “What is your attitude toward money?”

I believe in a form of karma in the sense of President Monson’s testimony statement and the scripture above. I believe if we are selfish with our money we close down opportunities to grow and gain. If we give of the abundance we have, it will come back to us.  I am trying to more fully live this way.

How can your view of money affect the way you live? If you are selfish with the abundance you have, you limit your ability to help others and the potential blessings that God has in store for you. You also limit your potential salvation. We are commanded to help the widow, the hungry, and downtrodden.

And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things (pray for temporal and spiritual blessings), if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith. Alma 34:28

What rules are recommended for prospering? In addition to the three listed above by President Monson, we are given these in Attitude on Money:

1. Seek the Lord and have hope in him.
2. Keep the commandments, [this] includes the temporal ones, tithing and fast offerings.
3. Think about money and plan how you can become self-reliant.
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.
5. Learn the laws upon which the blessings of wealth are predicated.
6. Do not send away the naked, the hungry, the thirsty or the sick or those who are held captive.

These are my goals. I hope that I can truly learn these, not just intellectually but wholeheartedly, to incorporate them into my very being.





References:
Formula for Success, Thomas S. Monson, Ensign Mar. 1996
Attitude on Money, Stephen W. Gibson