Stewardship--a Sacred Trust

My thoughts on Elder Cook's talk "Stewardship--a Sacred Trust"

"He cited concepts from Jewish thinkers rooted in the Talmud and pointed out that there are two very different reasons people engage in acts of kindness and generosity. Some people visit the sick, assist the poor, and serve their fellowmen because they believe it is the right thing to do and others will reciprocate and do the same for them when they are in need. He explained that while this is good, builds caring communities, and should be considered a noble reason, a higher motive is when we serve our fellowmen because that is what we believe God wants us to do."

I personally believe that most of us start serving because of the first reason and you can say that it is a selfish reason, but most of us grow up and learn that serving others just feels good and is the right thing to do and of course it would be the thing that God wants us to do because he is a God of happiness. "Men are that they might have joy."

I know I serve because that is how I show love. Sometimes I do serve out of a sense of duty or a reward (other serve me or praise of man) and sometimes I serve because I do want it to be repaid, but often I find that is how I start but it is not how I end my service. I know that on the occasions that I don't have it turn my heart that the service kind of left an aftertaste in my soul. It is when it turns to doing it because I love those I serve or because it what God wants that is when the aftertaste is sweeter.

"As servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is our sacred responsibility to teach His standard of morality, which is the same for all of His children."

I know that because I love those I serve (my children) I take this stewardship and command to teach to heart. It is my responsibility not only to teach but to protect my family from the pollutants of the world. As my oldest is now out and about in the world, I am more scared than ever that my teaching fell among thorns. I know he has access to unfiltered computers at school and I worry. I know he is surrounded by those whose standards are sub par and I worry. I ask myself, "Did I do everything I could?" Of course we fought a battle so that he could exercise his agency, but still....

Can I pass the test?
"With respect to our stewardship for our families, some have taught that when we report to the Savior and He asks us to give an account of our earthly responsibilities, two important inquiries will relate to our families. The first will be our relationship with our spouse, and the second will be about each of our children."

As the family proclamation warns: "who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God."

Have I provided for them? Have I taught them? Have I helped them discover and develop their talents? What can I do today to change the parts that I'm delinquent in?

The first stewardship was about us and our family and the second is about the sick and needy. What do we do to help? I know that my family spends two hours each week working for a food bank. We go to a bakery outlet and get all the stuff that didn't sale and take it to a food bank. We have to count and log all the bread, pastries, etc each week. I'm so thankful that we get to do this every week.

The other day I was going through my kids clothes and decided that they had way too much and that we needed to declutter our closets. My kids were hesitant to part with beloved shirts or shirts that they might wear one day until I said, "But we will be helping those kids who don't have clothes. We will give our clothes to the church and they will give them to kids who need clothes." It was amazing how many bags of clothes we took to the DI truck.

I know when the Bishop calls for strong arms to help move a family, my family provides four "men" as well as a large van and trailer.

We don't serve because we have to, but because we want to and love those we serve. We understand fully that it is only through our hands that the Lord can physically help those around us and we are happy to head the call to serve. I just hope that when the call comes it isn't busy or that we miss it.