- Another Perspective on Wealth
- Setting Personal Goals
- Understanding and Managing Credit
- Conclusions 1: Learning to Give
- Conclusions 2: Decide to Decide
1. We Have Been Commanded to Give
The prophet Jacob taught, “Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance” (Jacob 2:17). President Gordon B. Hinckley stated the following:
Without sacrifice there is no true worship of God. . . . “The Father gave his Son, and the Son gave his life,” and we do not worship unless we give—give of our substance, . . . our time, . . . strength, . . . talents, . . . faith, . . . [and]testimonies. (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 565)
Moreover, King Benjamin made the following comment:
And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants. (Mosiah 4:26)
Note that King Benjamin is not talking about unlimited giving, but “every man according to that which he hath.” We must use wisdom and order when we give to others.