Financial prosperity

[WillowTheWhisp]

I hope I can teach my children these principles. I try.

The only thing I would like to add is the concept of opening the windows of heaven. If we live our life in such a way as to be receptive to knowledge that flows from heaven to us, then we will be successful. It’s important to know that this knowledge really isn’t totally about simply having more money, but rather managing it, & using it for good purposes. Also, opening the windows of heaven can also mean that you can peer into heaven through the same window. That kind of knowledge is priceless!

[WillowTheWhisp]

My husband reminded me of something a friend of ours used in a Sacrament talk once. he said before you buy anything you ask yourself two questions, "Do I really need it?" and "Can I afford it?" If the answer to either of those is 'No' then don't buy it. It's so simple isn't it? Ever since then if I have mentioned buying something my OH has said "Have you asked yourself two questions?". It certainly cuts down on the impulse buying.

[skalenfehl]

I've also noticed in my life that my financial stability and prosperity is often in direct relation to my relationship with my Father in Heaven. In other words, when I am living my life in complete accordance with His will and not my own, things seem so much easier, meaning not so much that my troubles go away, but I can face the storms with peace in my heart and not sink. When we stop "seeking our own" the Lord opens His windows. When we are truly "converted" to his gospel--his cause, his work and his glory (Moses 1:39--"For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.") then that is when he sees fit to "enable" us. (I've learned a lot over the last few years about the word enable from my boys who have been through therapy/rehab and from friends who have quit drugs). When we are actively engaged in His work, he enables us to prosper and to be secure so that we can continue in this way (temple attendance, member missionary work, hometeaching/visiting teaching, visiting sick, magnifying callings, etc, etc).

This is why it is important to live providently, to budget, and live well within our means and not covet the things of the world where moth and rust corrupt. We can't take that boat with us to our next life or our fancy things for showing off.


3 Ne. 13: 32-33
32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

[MaidservantX]

This subject is of deep interest to me, although I haven't posted until now because I feel I have not reached a place of financial prosperity as I imagine it -- so I have lots of ideas -- but I don't know if I can say they work yet. But maybe in the future I will highlight some of the principles I live by that I think have worked well enough. I do want to acknowledge my Father in heaven that he has provided providently for me at every turn in life. Thank you.

[skalenfehl]

xhenli, have you checked out Provident Living Home yet?

Anyway, soon we will all (in the U.S.) be getting those "stimulus checks" rebated to us if we filed our taxes. I am putting mine to good use and paying down debt. Every time we chip away our debts, we are reducing the compounding interest that keeps us down. So many retailers are now advertising BIG discounts for your rebate checks and enticing us all to spend, spend, spend. This might be a good time to take advantage of them if you need important items for food storage such as, let's say, food! Maybe a new wheat grinder or a water barrel. Maybe even new tires or finally get your car serviced so that it's running at maximum efficiency and not consuming too much expensive fuel because of a dirty fuel and oil filter, clogged air filter, worn spark plug/wires etc. It's time to sit down if you haven't and determine your real needs.

[MorningStar]

I've trained myself to think differently when I see people with a lot of luxuries. I think, "How terrible for them! They're in a lot of debt!" Ok, maybe some of them are just rich, but it helps me not have urges to compare myself to them.

We're either using our stimulus check for moving or paying down debt. It will pay off over a third of it and that would help.

[skalenfehl]

Well...being rich is relative. We obviously can all afford the internet. Most third world country folks think you and I are rich. I won't fault people who drive Escalades and have luxury homes. They worked hard and are paying taxes. It's the consumerism that is causing debt that I have begun to frown upon because people tend to judge their own financial situation by the "Joneses" who live up the hill. Whatever income we have or build, we should always live on less than we earn so that we can build our own levels of wealth and prosperity.

[Misshalfway]

I agree being rich is relative. Perhaps being truly rich is living within your means. It certainly is freedom and can open the doors to more wealth.

I am very interested in this subject as well. I really want to make my kids aware of these principles. My parents never really talked to me about money. I just thought it was always there....and that my parents would either give me some of it ...or they wouldn't. Then I got to college and learned all about blowing my overdraft! Yikes. So wish they would have taught me more about saving than spending.

[MorningStar]

Or maybe we really can't afford the Internet ...

I have no problem with people having luxuries. In fact, I love being invited to a person's house when they have lots of fun stuff to do. My aunt and uncle used to take us for boat rides and it was great. But I'm not going to get a boat to try to be like them.