My Attitude Toward Money

When I think about my attitude toward money, I have to admit: I really enjoy spending it. I love being able to say yes to things that make life fun—whether that’s treating my family, traveling, or just not stressing over every little purchase. But I also know I have work to do when it comes to being more responsible, eliminating debt, and building real financial freedom. I dream of reaching a place where I have enough financial excess to give generously, both when there’s a need and just for the joy of it. How fun would it be to pay for my whole extended family to go on a cruise together!?


I’m definitely more relaxed than I should be about aggressively earning or saving money. My husband has always made sure our finances are stable, covering our needs and many of our wants. Now that I’m not needed at home with little kids as much, I have more time and flexibility to help our family become even more secure. That’s something I’m excited to focus on.


My view of money definitely affects the way I live. Both my husband and I grew up in homes where money was tight and we had to make do with the basics. Now, we’re blessed with more abundance and comfort, but sometimes we catch ourselves spending more freely than we should—just because we can. We’ve also been too comfortable carrying debt, telling ourselves it’s okay since we’re not struggling. But that permissive attitude has kept us from real financial freedom and cash flow. Even with abundance, we still carry unnecessary stress because we haven’t made eliminating debt a priority.


The “Attitude on Money” article by Stephen W. Gibson gave me think a lot to think about. The brethren warn about materialism and accumulating money just for the sake of having things. But as Brigham Young said, “...if we are the people of God, we are to be the richest people on the earth...I am ashamed to see the poverty that exists among the Latter-day Saints. They ought to be worth millions and millions” (JD 17:43-44). 


President Hinckley also taught, “I believe the Lord does not wish to see His people condemned to live in poverty. I believe He would have the faithful enjoy the good things of the earth.” 


The message isn’t that it’s righteous to be poor, but that we need to be wise, self-reliant, and generous with what we have.


The article also reminds us that wealth comes by following God’s laws. Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21 teaches that all blessings, including financial ones, are predicated on obedience to law. 


If we want to prosper, we need to learn and keep the laws that lead to abundance. Mosiah 1:7 echoes this: searching the scriptures and keeping the commandments brings prosperity.


Here are the rules for prospering, as outlined in the article:

  1. Seek the Lord and have hope in Him.

  2. Keep the commandments, including tithing and fast offerings.

  3. Think about money and plan for self-reliance.

  4. Take every opportunity to learn—education is key.

  5. Learn the laws upon which the blessings of wealth are predicated.

  6. Help those in need—don’t turn away the hungry, naked, or sick.

Reflecting on all this, I know I want to shift my attitude. I want to enjoy money, but also use it wisely: to build security, to serve others, and to create the kind of abundance that allows me to give freely. I want to be more intentional, to plan, to learn, and to act. I’m ready to work toward true financial freedom—not just for my own peace of mind, but so I can make a bigger difference in the lives of those around me.





https://www.the-academy.org/rules)

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