Regarding Consecration

[Connie]

I just finished reading section 42 of the Doctrine & Covenants and also watching some BYU professors discussion of it at byutv.org.

I'd love to hear everyone's ideas. What is sufficient for our needs? How do we know when we have it? How do we know when we have surplus that can then be turned over to the church?

[ldsfireguy]

This is a question which my wife and I have been lately pondering. We have run accross some great posts and quotes from leaders on this subject.

You asked:

"What is sufficient for our needs? How do we know when we have it? How do we know when we have surplus that can then be turned over to the church?"

Obviously this is a personal and subjective matter at this time. But we have, for the last couple of years, been asking ourselves, "Do we really need this?" Also, we buy stuff that is used, we get stuff free from Freecycle.com or on Craigslist.com , and we try to reuse our own stuff.

Here are some thoughts from a recent post in another forum:

I think we get too caught up with this idea of living in some kind of Amish looking communal Utopia when the current body of evidence speaks to the fact that most LDS won't even consecrate their time to home teach or their extra money to help others in need rather than buying a new gadget. Right now, our current law of consecration requires that we give 10% in tithes - many don't. It demands that we fulfill our callings - many do the least possible. As a church, we aren't even living the bare minimum when it comes to consecration and until we can clear that low bar and get our hearts right, consecration will be an utter failure.

There is a list of ways that we fail to live this law in the lesson. It provides a great starting point for those who want to move toward Zion - when we can honestly say that we do not fall prey to any of the dangers Elder Maxwell identifies, we are approaching the level of preparedness needed.

Quote:

Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve said: “We tend to think of consecration only in terms of property and money. But there are so many ways of keeping back part” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1992, 90; or Ensign, Nov. 1992, 66).

• What are some ways in which we might be “keeping back part” when we could achieve greater consecration in the service of God and His children? (See D&C 64:34 and the following examples from Elder Maxwell of how we sometimes fall short in the consecration we should give.)

a. An unwillingness to be completely submissive to the Lord’s will. “The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar,” Elder Maxwell said. “The many other things we ‘give’ … 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!” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 30; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 24).

b. An unwillingness to give up selfish things, such as “our roles, our time, our preeminence, and our possessions” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 28).

c. Letting hobbies and preoccupations with less important things become too consuming.

d. Giving commendable civic service but remaining “a comparative stranger to Jesus’ holy temples and His holy scriptures” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 27).

e. Being dutiful in family responsibilities but not emulating Jesus’ example of gentleness with some family members.

f. Building up ourselves first rather than the kingdom of God.

g. Sharing talents publicly while privately retaining a particular pride.

h. Accepting a Church calling while having a heart more set on maintaining a certain role in the world.

(See Conference Report, Oct. 1992, 88–92; or Ensign, Nov. 1992, 65–67; and Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 27–30; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 22–24.)

I also loved this quote from the lesson:

Quote:

Elder Marion G. Romney asked: “What prohibits us from giving as much in fast offerings as we would have given in surpluses under the United Order? Nothing but our own limitations” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1966, 100; or Improvement Era, June 1966, 537).

How many people list their income and expenditures and then when there is money left over they think "Awesome! Now I can get that _______ I've been wanting. or do that project we've talked about" When you get to the end of the month, have sufficient for your needs and can say "Awesome! I have $_____ left over to add to fast offering." Then you are living the law of consecration."

[Still_Small_Voice]

You should have at least six months worth of income set aside for an emergency fund. I would also be setting aside at least ten percent of your income for retirement.

A simple cash flow plan is the 70, 10, 10, 10 rule.

10 percent of your income to the Lord.

10 percent of your income to savings.

10 percent of your income for whatever you want.

70 percent of your income to live off of.

You can make adjustments to this cash flow plan as you wish. If you could live off of 65 percent of your income and give 15 percent to the Lord do so.

[YellowLight]

Just think "what would Jesus do?" I bet he would dedicate all of his money for a $2 billion dollar mall as long as he gets one of those cool condos on an upper level.

[john doe]

Just think "what would Jesus do?" I bet he would dedicate all of his money for a $2 billion dollar mall as long as he gets one of those cool condos on an upper level.

Depends. Is He blowing the money on frivolous things or is He conducting business to support His other causes? Providing positive cashflow to ensure the economic survival and liquidity of His Church is a worthy undertaking. And why wouldn't God's Son deserve to stay in a nice condo? If He stopped by your house would you make Him sleep in the doghouse?