'For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.' (Matthew 6:21)

'For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.' (Matthew 6:21)

There’s nothing wrong with having possessions as long as we don’t lose sight of more important things. When we focus on what really matters and on serving others, we can find real happiness.

Are you spending time on the things you value most?

Clear some space on your calendar to invest in some one-on-one time with someone you love.

Do you have enough money for your needs?

Donate to a loved one’s college fund or a charity that represents something you care about.

What’s your favourite meal?

Sacrifice the cost of your favourite dish to help feed the hungry.

Joe J. Christensen April 1999, Greed, 'Selfishness and Overindulgence'

As a consequence of overindulgence, many children leave homes ill-prepared to meet the real world. President Hinckley said: “Of course, we need to earn a living. The Lord told Adam that in the sweat of his face should he eat bread all the days of his life. It is important that we qualify ourselves to be self-reliant, particularly that every young man at the time of marriage be ready and able to assume the responsibilities of providing for his companion and for the children who may come to that home.”8 [“Thou Shalt Not Covet,” Ensign, Mar. 1990, 2.]

All too many enter marriage who have never learned to cook, sew, or develop other important life skills. Ignorance of these needed skills, along with the lack of understanding of the management of money, sow the seeds for many failures in our children’s marriages.

I fear that in many cases we are rearing children who are slaves to expensive fads and fashions. Remember the scripture, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”9  Matthew 6:21 How do we determine where our treasure is? To do so, we need to evaluate the amount of time, money, and thought we devote to something. Might it not be well to evaluate how much focus we place on shopping and spending?