Some Thoughts about Wealth

"I know that relative poverty and hard work are not greater adversities than affluence and abundant free time. I also know that strength is forged in adversity and that faith is developed in a setting where we cannot see ahead." --Elder Oaks

Thankfully, affluence does not free us of adversity! God's plan for His children can not be thwarted by so light a triviality.

There is also no sense of greater virtue in poverty, as though a lack of resources is somehow a more worthy state. It has been said that monetary wealth only magnifies or makes visible that which is already in one's heart.

The question is not about what we have, but about who we become.

This leads to another question, are we more able to become, to grow and develop, when we have financial resources than when we do not?

At least in my life environment, I'm inclined to believe we are. One who can afford a mentor will be provided greater such opportunities than one who can not.

From the cycle seen in the Book of Mormon, it seems that as people keep His commandments, they are prospered financially, and shortly thereafter, they often cease keeping His commandments. It's almost like He would say "Okay, you passed level 1, now let's try level 2," and more often than not, the people failed at level 2 and had to go back to level 1. (This is a harsh scale -- it is not intended to be literal.)

I find nobility in passing levels line upon line, precept upon precept. Financial wealth brings greater blessings and greater requirement. With more resources, there are more avenues available for both righteousness and sin!

I believe that God wants us to progress and prosper, and that he wants us to succeed at taking on new challenges and maintain a virtuous life with abundance.

Thus we see the significance of passing on the lessons we have learned to our children. Starting them at higher level of financial blessings without having the lessons requisite for living with it is putting them atop a platform void of foundation, and it's only a matter of time before they fall.

All of this is not to say that having a reversal of financial fortune is due to unrighteous living, certainly not. But living according to sound financial principles can be done righteously, and unrighteousness will eventually lead to a reversal of financial fortune.

The only way to maintain wealth generationally is to learn, live, and pass on the lessons of financial, spiritual, and familial peace and prosperity.