“Making a living and a life” Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the first quorum of the seventy - notes

“Making a living and a life”

Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the first quorum of the seventy

This article is about our motives for working for money.  Money itself is not evil and that it represents “the sweat of our face” - a commandment of the Lord. It is the love of money which is evil.  We learn that doing well on our mid-terms and final exams is not what measures us to be good people it is the celestial tests the Lord will be monitoring as we go about our daily lives.  Are we building His kingdom including strong and valiant families? Are we honest in our dealings with our fellow man? Are we using our God-given talents in service? And, if you are fulfilling your life with good works, are you positively impacting your community and the world?  Elder Robbins compares our day with Adam and Eve’s day.  Satan did not have as much to work with when Adam and Eve were learning to till the earth.  Adam did not have to base his needs on what his neighbor had because he did not have a neighbor. There was no coveting, jealousy, envy, or selfishness.  There was no competition or comparison until Adam and Eve started to replenish the earth.  Satin could then use comparison and competition to appeal to man’s pride.    We know from the story of “A Christmas Carol” that Ebenezer Scrooge was a ruthless money lender, who was cruel, and stingy. His motives evolve and change as the story goes on Scrooge develops into a caring and charitable, businessman, and philanthropist.  If the love of God and our fellowman are our motives, then we are helping to build His kingdom. We are not working for mankind, but living for mankind trying to lift and help our fellow man.  The story goes on to talk about those who are working for money first and man-kind second and how this type of person is one who loves God but does not put him first, therefore, he puts loving his fellow man after his love of money.  The next type of person is one who also has a love for money but he does not love his fellow man. The love of money is his motivator to continue working.  This is the type of person who wants to be better than everyone and he will compete until he is the best and makes the most money. The next level of man is one who loves money and will do anything including harming a fellow man to get it.  The lowest type of man is one who loves money, will harm or kill for it directly. These are the people who will support the things that could harm the community such as pornography.  They not only will sell it they will be the ones who make it.  In conclusion, may we all strive to build up Zion and be honest with our dealings with our fellow man and in making decisions in our business and home lives?