Abundance, an opportunity to give

Dear friend

One of the blessings of righteous gospel living can be an increase in material wealth (although certainly not always). There are numerous examples of God and His prophets promising great harvests, growing flocks and groaningly full fishing nets. Abundance can be more than just spiritual.

After the Lord gave the Parable of the Sower, He made a comment that seems more fitting as an explanation of the Parable of the Talents. The verse is from the New Testament, Matthew 13:12.

12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

The Lord was actually talking about our ability and openness to understand truth, whether taught by parables or some other way. So, the concept of abundance can also relate to gospel knowledge.

Returning to a more practical consideration, the Apostle Paul taught how we should use any extra means we have. This verse is from 2 Corinthians 8:14.

14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

Here then is a social order aimed at meeting each other's needs. The method for helping those in want is based on your "ability to give". And it works both ways if you are the one in want. This perhaps sounds idealistic from the perspective of today's greedy and selfish world.

However, in modern times the Lord has emphasised His expectations, as found in Doctrine and Covenants 104:18.

18 Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.

I hope we will be willing givers of our abundances, be they financial, spiritual or gospel knowledge-based. Because we never know when we might be in need of a share of someone else's abundance.

Samuel.