FHE: An Eternal Perspective on Wealth
An Eternal Perspective on Wealth
"But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good-to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.”
Jacob 2:18-19
“Since the foundation of all happiness is thinking rightly, and since correct action is dependent on correct opinion, we cannot be too careful in choosing the value system we allow to govern our thoughts and actions.
And to know that God governs in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayers, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, is, indeed, a powerful regulator of human conduct.[1]”
Benjamin Franklin
Lesson Objectives:
1. Understand how an eternal perspective about wealth influences financial decisions
2. Understand and the key principles of understanding and using wealth wisely
Why Teach about Eternal Perspectives on Wealth:
Our perspective, or the way we view things, impacts our actions and the choices that we make. Joseph Smith taught "I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves."[2]Understanding the correct principles regarding ones perspective on wealth is necessary to properly govern our finance. This lesson identifies principles that when understood and acted upon will help families find greater happiness and fulfillment.
Benjamin Franklin understood an eternal principle when he taught, “We stand at the crossroads, each minute, each hour, each day, making choices. We choose the thoughts we allow ourselves to think, the passions we allow ourselves to feel, and the actions we allow ourselves to perform. Each choice is made in the context of whatever value system we have selected to govern our lives. In selecting that value system, we are, in a very real way, making the most important choice we will ever make.Those who believe there is one God who made all things and who governs the world by this providence will make many choices different from those who do not.”[3]
This lesson allows us to better identify and solidify the “value system” that will govern the financial decisions we make in the future.
Lesson:
Teach the following four principles using one of the suggested ways below or in a way that best meets your family’s needs.
- Elder Richard G. Scott taught “Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances.[4]” After discussing each principle, identify ways that these truths can be applied in all areas of your life. Specifically, pay attention to how these might affect the way you view and use wealth.
- Introduce the topic of the lesson and discuss why it would be important to talk about how we view wealth. Present the family with four pieces of paper that you have prepared ahead time. (Prepare by writing Ownership, Stewardship, Agency, and Accountability on one side of each of the four sheets of paper. On the back side write down the corresponding scriptures from each principle.) Lay the papers on the floor or table with the scripture side facing up. As you read through the scriptures have the children guess what the principle is and discuss how that would shape the families view of wealth.
Note: you might want to go through the principles in the same order that they are listed below.
For younger children:
- Share the following story and ask “Which of the four principles we talked about does Josh understand.” (He understands ownership, stewardship, and agency. You might also talk about accountability by discussing what might have happened if he had kept the money)
A local television channel ran the story of a 10-year-old boy named Josh Bowers from West Jordan, Utah. He found a wallet that had $530 in it. Josh didn’t hesitate. He picked it up and took it to his mother. The wallet belonged to a mother of four, and the $530 was rent money she couldn’t live without.
Josh had some compelling reasons to keep the money. His father had recently been disabled on the job, so his family was living on Social Security. Then there were all the things Josh could have bought with the money. What he really wanted, as he said, was a new bike. But he knew the money was not his and that someone needed that money. The relieved young mother gave Josh $40 for returning the wallet and the money. Josh planned to use some of the money to get his old bike tire fixed. But an anonymous viewer, on hearing the story, had Josh pick out a brand-new bike “to reward him for being an honest guy.” He said: “Josh set an example that everybody should follow, and he looks happy.[5]”
- Act out the stories found in Matthew 25 14-30. Identify the principles of ownership, stewardship, agency and accountability. Ask ‘How can we be more like the wise steward with the gifts that the Lord has given us?”
Principle 1:Ownership: Everything we have or will acquire is the Lord’s
Alma teaches that “whatsoever is good cometh from God.[6]” When we realize that “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein,[7]” we will humbly recognize that our possessions are only on loan to us from our Heavenly Father. Prideful thoughts and actions will disappear and will be replaced by desires to be more obedient and feelings of gratitude.When we understand the principle of ownership, the blessings the Lord gives to us will be used in ways that held build the Lord’s kingdom
The scriptures teach us of the principle of the ownership.
Mosiah 2:21-The Lord is the creator andsupplier of the earth, our life, and all that we have.
2 Nephi 9:26-The supplier of our breath
Moses 7:32-The giver of our knowledge
Ecclesiastes 5: 18-19 God is the giver of riches and the opportunity for man to labor
Principle 2:Stewardship: Weare stewards over all that the Lord has, is, or will share with us
In order to be wise stewards, we must learn everything we can about our stewardship. Merriam-Webster defines steward as “a fiscal agent” and “one who actively directs affairs.[8]” The Lord has entrusted us as fiscal agents and expects us to be direct those affairs in ways that are pleasing to him. When we understand that we are agents that represent the Lord, our choices of how to spend our time and resources will align with how the Lord would want us to spend our time.
The scriptures teach us of the principle of the stewardship.
D&C 72:22- approved in all things, and be accounted as wise stewards.
D&C 136:27-Diligently preserve those things that the Lord has given you stewardship over.
D&C 51:19- If you are faithful, just, and a wise steward you will inherit eternal life.
Principle 3: Agency: Man’s most precious inheritance
Marion G. Romney said “Agency means the freedom and power to choose and act. Next to life itself, it is man’s most precious inheritance.[9]” We have been given the incredible gift of choice from our Father in Heaven. President David O. McKay added“Next to the bestowal of life itself, the right to direct that life is God’s greatest gift to man. … Freedom of choice is more to be treasured than any possession earth can give[10].”
We show gratitude as we make wise choices. Elder Neal A. Maxwell stated “The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we “give,”brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give.[11]”As stewards we have the responsibility to seek guidance from our Heavenly Father about the choices that we make and then make choices that are in line with his will. Agency provides us with an opportunity to demonstrate our love and appreciation to God.
2 Nephi 2:27 Choose eternal life or captivity
D&C 58:26–28- We are agents and free to choose
Deuteronomy 11:26–28- Blessings come as we choose to follow God
Joshua 24:14–15- Choose ye this day whom ye will serve
Principle 4: Accountability:We are accountable for the choices we make
Dallin H. Oaks taught “We are accountable and will be judged for how we use what we have received. This eternal principle applies to all we have been given.[12]”President James E. Faust defines who we are accountable to“…we are accountable for what we do—first to ourselves, then to our parents[or spouses and children], and, most important, to God.[13]” Just like in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, there will be a day where we will have to give an accounting of how we spent our time, talents, and resources
Matt 12:36- The idle man will give and account at the day of judgment
D&C 72:3-Every steward will render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity.
D&C 104:13-Every man will be accountable as a steward over earthly blessings that the Lord has blessed himwith.
Assignments:
- Evaluate the choices you made this last year with the resources you were given. Write down those things that you did that you felt good about and the areas you hope to improve in.
- Write in your journal how your feelings and perspective about wealth have changed.
- Spend 15 minutes reading one of the bullets in the Other Resources and Ideas section of this lesson.
Opening and Closing Songs:
- We Give Thee But Thine Own (Hymn 218)
- I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go (Hymn 270)
- Teach Me to Walk in the Light (Hymn 304)
- I Will Follow God’s Plan (Primary Songbook 164)
Other Resources and Ideas:
- lds.org
- Spiritual and Economic Self-RelianceElder M. Russell BallardOpening Remarks at the BYUCenter for Economic and Self Reliance (CESR), March 2004.
- Russell M. Nelson, “The Five A’s of Stewardship,” Ensign, Apr 1972, 24
- For the Strength of Youth, “Agency and Accountability”
- Matthew 25
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[1]The Art of Virtue, 1986, 88–90.
[2](qtd. by John Taylor, in Millennial Star, Nov. 15, 1851, p. 339)
[3]The Art of Virtue, 1986, 88–90
[4]Richard G. Scott, “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” Ensign, Nov 1993, 86
[5]James E. Faust, “We Believe in You,” New Era, Oct 2006, 2–9
[6]Alma 5:40
[7] Psalms 24:1
[8] Merriam-Webster Online
[9]Ensign, May 1976, p. 120
[10]David O. McKay Conference Report, Apr. 1950, p. 32.
[11]Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father,Ensign, Nov. 1995, 22
[12] Dallin H. Oaks, “Focus and Priorities,” Liahona, Jul 2001, 99–102
[13] James E. Faust, “We Believe in You,” New Era, Oct 2006, 2–9