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.
“The Lord Maketh Poor, and Maketh Rich”
After Hannah finally gave birth to Samuel and then "lent" him to the Lord forever (1 Samuel 1:28), she offered a prayer in the form of a psalm. One brief verse from that psalm caught my attention today: The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.1 Samuel 2:7 This verse reminded me of the... Continue Reading →
“They Did Not Set Their Hearts Upon Riches” – Alma 1:30
"If riches increase, set not your heart upon them." - Psalm 62:10 In the first chapter of Alma, we read about two groups of people. One group became prosperous because of their consistent self-discipline. And they remained prosperous because of their generosity: "They did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry,... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Refute?
This is the third of six posts answering a series of questions raised by President Russell M. Nelson in the October 2017 general conference. So far, I have discussed what the Book of Mormon is and what it affirms. Today, I am listing some of the fallacies it refutes. It refutes the concept of original sin,... Continue Reading →
Wo Unto Them that Join House to House – 2 Nephi 15:8-10
8 Wo unto them that join house to house, till there can be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! 9 In mine ears, said the Lord of Hosts, of a truth many houses shall be desolate, and great and fair cities without inhabitant. 10 Yea, ten acres... Continue Reading →
How Could You Have Forgotten? – Helaman 7:20-22
20 O, how could you have forgotten your God in the very day that he has delivered you? 21 But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of men, yea, and that ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and the vain things of this... Continue Reading →
Lessons from the Writings of Mormon – Part 2
Here are more of the lessons I've learned so far this year by studying the writings of Mormon: Pride Pride and contention go hand in hand, and they grow without any effort on our part. Pride can be difficult to detect. Contention with others or feelings of enmity toward others are an indication that we are becoming... Continue Reading →
They Had Become Exceedingly Rich – 4 Nephi 1:23-26
23 And now I, Mormon, would that ye should know that the people had multiplied, insomuch that they were spread upon all the face of the land, and that they had become exceedingly rich, because of their prosperity in Christ.24 And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them... Continue Reading →
“Partakers of the Heavenly Gift” – 4 Nephi 1:2-3
2 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.3 And they had all things common... Continue Reading →