The Choice of Life and Pennies

We just finished our taxes. Yes, I realize it's April 8. Thank you Turbo Tax for not prolonging the agony. And thank you Alexis, for allowing us a portion of those dollars back. But to be fair, it's the grad student loan interest & dental work that emptied pockets last year. Next year, I have a feeling it will be medical costs. Due to having to get our own individual health plan, future children are more expensive, like really expensive (but they are priceless). I'm not pregnant. I only want to be-ish. But my nursing child is sucking all the nutrients I need. Pity party. Let's dance. (but really I look malnourished…)

This year, I hope we get a break from surprise "life" costs. But I doubt it. Life wouldn't be life without them. But all this talk about money has got me thinking about what life would be like if it were any different. Because I think the natural man does think the grass is always greener in some ways. We pay tithing as a reminder that all of it is truly a gift. But is money really a blessing? That was my question. Again, we often think that. We think I'm experiencing a trial when I feel the pennies are being pinched. But what if it's the other way around?

I didn't think about it until I watched this talk 

by Boyd K Packer (one of the 12 apostles) from years ago.

The talk was on Choice and at first I didn't see how that was the focus. But then it clicked. He talks about where we can find true success and complete happiness. Isn't that what everyone is after? And of course you anticipate that the true answer is with Jesus Christ. And you're correct. But his main point surrounds the Choice that brings about that success. We can think of many we make on a daily basis. 

The Choice of Life is between good and evil. NOT fame and fortune. The greatest decision in life is between good and evil, NOT what will be most noticed and fortunate. In contrast, he states that wealth & power can be the hardest trial. The scriptures warn many times of the dangers of wealth.

There are many ways to figure out whether or not wealth is a factor of true success, but then he shares this quote by Poor Richard, which I enjoyed: "Experience is a dear school, but the fool will learn in no other."

Ha! That sums of my adolescence pretty well.

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Essentially, seek ye first for the kingdom of God, then if wealth comes, you will use it to bless.

I love that thought. Because if your mission is to serve the Lord, then you will not be weighted by the gold, but you will use it to lift burdens for your family & for others. The light of Christ will shine within your service and there will be no desire for glory or praise, only the desire to be an instrument in the Lord's hands.

But I'm not saying wealth always comes because you're great. Whether it comes or not, it's what we do with what we have been given that matters in the end. And as Elder Packer warns, it's not easy for the wealthy to stay focused on the Lord. They have the most to lose if they are asked to give it up.

Knowledge should be more valued than gold. Making and keeping sacred covenants and serving our fellow men should be more valued than gold.

But often times we struggle to move past the dreams of jewels, grandeur, and site seeing the world. If we get the chance, we can still appreciate those things, but our hearts will never be satisfied if we do not have them connected to God and family. 

For me, I'd like to go to the grocery store and not have a budget. I don't want to stress about the change. But why do I think it should be any other way?

I didn't make this print, but I love it.