Offerings For The Poor

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." James 1:27

I believe keeping this commandment will change our hearts more than almost anything we can do. There is much need, much heartache, and so many to help.

We are to use our offerings to the Lord to care for those in need. It is best if we can personally attend to their needs. When you go to God each day, ask what you can do to help another. You will hear God's voice, feel His love, and increase in joy.

Helping the poor pulls at the heart strings of the tenderhearted. You will come across campaigns asking you to donate to help the poor. Be wise. Ask, are the funds used with integrity? Are those requesting money for charitable work, taking any of the money for themselves?

If you feel to contribute to some group who is raising funds, do your homework before donating. Some Christians volunteer their time and all donations go toward feeding, clothing, and housing the poor. Other organizations have a paid staff whose salaries are paid before the money is filtered down to the poor.

Charities should have open books where you can see how the funds are being spent. See how your offerings will be used before throwing money to a cause that may or may not help the poor.

For example: One of the charities I've donated to help feed children in third world countries. Those who run the charity at the top level are volunteers. Those who distribute the food at the local level are paid a small wage. These local workers are also poor, this modest income helps them come out of poverty. I know this is happening, and I feel good about my offerings being spent this way.

Excerpts taken from “Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?” By President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, General Conference April 2015.

Here are the scripture references for this video:

Matthew 25:34-40

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Isaiah 58:6-11

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Also See:

Mega Churches – Robbing the Poor, Part 1

Caring for the Poor, Part 2

Don't Need to Pay a Man to Receive Blessings From the Lord

About five years ago, I learned that I don't need to make a payment to men to receive blessings from the Lord. Up until this time, I paid more than 10% of my earnings to the church of my fathers.

In my religious culture and family tradition it's that wonderful time of the year when people report on how much money they've given to the priests. If it isn't at least 10% of their income, they are judged as unworthy and denied “the Lord's blessings”.

But this is the Lord's truth. “Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.” 2 Nephi 9:50

It is very common among churches to ask the congregation for money to support the priests. This is what the Book of Mormon has to say about priestcraft:

And he (Nehor) had gone about among the people, preaching to them that which he termed to be the word of God, bearing down against the church; declaring unto the people that every priest and teacher ought to become popular; and they ought not to labor with their hands, but that they ought to be supported by the people. And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life. And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money. Alma 1:3-5

But Alma said unto him: Behold, this is the first time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people. And behold, thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast endeavored to enforce it by the sword; and were priestcraft to be enforced among this people it would prove their entire destruction. And thou hast shed the blood of a righteous man, yea, a man who has done much good among this people; and were we to spare thee his blood would come upon us for vengeance. Therefore thou art condemned to die, according to the law which has been given us by Mosiah, our last king; and it has been acknowledged by this people; therefore this people must abide by the law. Alma 1:12-14

Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft through the land; for there were many who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching false doctrines; and this they did for the sake of riches and honor. Alma 1:16

Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with all manner of words, and this because of their humility; because they were not proud in their own eyes, and because they did impart the word of God, one with another, without money and without price. Alma 1:20

Here is another excerpt from the Book of Mormon which juxtaposes the free offering of Jesus Christ with priestcraft.

For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness. He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.

Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price. Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance. Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.

He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion. 2 Nephi 26:23-29

Giving money to the priests is not part of Jesus's temple recommend questions. Giving money to the priests will not bring forgiveness of sins or make you worthy before the Lord.

. . . there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins. O ye wicked and perverse and stiffnecked people, why have ye built up churches unto yourselves to get gain? Why have ye transfigured the holy word of God, that ye might bring damnation upon your souls? Mormon 8:32-33

God has asked us to give alms to help relieve the burdens of the poor. This is how it is to be done:

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:1-4

What is the reward of men? What is the reward of God? From whom do we seek our reward?

Why have we turned things upside down? Since when has giving money to support the priests and the building of spacious buildings become noble, righteous, and a condition for worthiness?

And wo unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord! And their works are in the dark; and they say: Who seeth us, and who knoweth us? And they also say: Surely, your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay. But behold, I will show unto them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that I know all their works. For shall the work say of him that made it, he made me not? Or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, he had no understanding? 2 Nephi 27:27

I suspect if head high priests preached only for the love of God and the reward He gives, their motives would be more pure and not governed by their pocket books.

Note: In the LDS church, those at the local or low level are not paid. They are the ones doing the paying. Those at general or high levels are paid.

Relieving Suffering

The following scripture has been the driving force in my life for the past 5 years:

"Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;" D&C 93:1

I consistently ask the Lord, “What are my sins?” He had shown me my abomination and idolatry in worshiping and following men. We've already discussed that topic on this blog. I have no desire to return to that sin.

There is a new theme that keeps showing up, “If you want to repent, relieve the suffering of others.” As a gentile, I see need for repentance in this area.

"And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor." 2 Nephi 26:20 

"And remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple." D&C 52:40

I desire to be a disciple of Jesus.

"Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted.

"Now this was a great cause for lamentations among the people, while others were abasing themselves, succoring those who stood in need of their succor, such as imparting their substance to the poor and the needy, feeding the hungry, and suffering all manner of afflictions, for Christ’s sake, who should come according to the spirit of prophecy;" Alma 4:12-13

There are many ways to help.  The Lord will guide us as we have the desire.

If you are looking for ways to help relieve the suffering of others, here is something to look at.

The Liahona Children's Nutrition and Education Foundation (LCF) is a grass-roots organization dedicated to nurturing the potential of children to lead healthy and productive lives. They do this by providing nutritional supplements to malnourished and underweight LDS children and their friends ages 6 months through 5 years who live in resource poor countries. They also promote sustained breastfeeding for infants and young children and provide education in hygienic and healthy food preparation. In areas where funds permit, LCF also provides small scholarships to elementary students to enable them to attend local school programs. They currently have programs in operation in the countries of Cambodia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Peru. The foundation is run entirely by volunteers except for native coordinators who are provided a small stipend for their services in measuring children and in purchasing and distributing the nutritional supplements.

The Liahona Children's Foundation is a federally recognized 501 (c)3 non-profit organization. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.