The Lord taught Joseph Smith and his colleagues that multiple types of treasure were available to them. He urged them to meet people and learn about history, not just seek funding for the Church. When we open our hearts to the variety of treasures around us, we can focus on treasures of eternal value.
Wealth and Wisdom
In the book Predictably Irrational, Duke University professor Dan Ariely examines a number of situations where monetizing something cheapens it. For example, if you offered to pay your mother-in-law for preparing a Thanksgiving dinner, she would probably be insulted. Some things have intrinsic value which cannot and should not be measured in terms of money.... Continue Reading →
“Whosoever Among You Borroweth”
King Benjamin taught several principles of money management: 1. Help those in need to the degree that you can. 2. Don't help more than you are able. 3. If you have to borrow money, pay it back. We can apply these principles in our families and communities
Mammon
Jesus warned us not to become servants to "mammon" (an Aramaic word meaning money). But He also counseled us to use mammon to bless other people and to build enduring relationships. Temporary possessions can be used to accomplish eternal things.
Rich Toward God
The Parable of the Rich Fool teaches us the importance of investing time and energy in eternal things, like our relationship with God and our relationships with our families, instead of being obsessed with accumulating worldly wealth.
“All These Things Will I Give Thee”
Some things can't be measured in monetary terms, because they will outlast money itself. Jesus refused to worship Satan in exchange for all the kingdoms of the earth. On a smaller scale, Amulek refused to deny God in exchange for six onties of silver.
Without Money
The gift of eternal salvation is priceless. It can't be bought. No amount of time, effort, or money would match its value. Perhaps that's why Isaiah emphasizes twice that money is not required to receive it: Thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money. Isaiah 52:3 Ho, every one that thirsteth,... Continue Reading →
Gehazi and Gifts
In the book Predictably Irrational, Dan Ariely discusses the problems that come from mixing social norms with market norms. As humans, he said, we make some decisions in purely financial terms—How much is this activity worth? Does the benefit justify the cost?—but we make other decisions in terms of relationships. Applying a market lens to... Continue Reading →
“Seek Diligently to Take Away Incumbrances”
When the Lord invited John Johnson to participate in the United Firm in 1833, He coupled that invitation with an assignment: He shall seek diligently to take away incumbrances that are upon the house named among you, Doctrine and Covenants 96:9 An encumbrance (or incumbrance) is a burden or an impediment to progress. As a legal term, it... Continue Reading →
Equal
In 1832, Joseph Smith received a revelation instructing church leaders to organize themselves more fully to ensure that the needs of all church members could be met. In that revelation, the Lord taught the following principle: If ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;Doctrine and Covenants 78:6 What does... Continue Reading →