July

It has been three months since our 5th Sunday lesson about personal finances. Are your expenses lower today than before? Are you saving more than before? Have you improved your investment/retirement strategy? Are you more faithful in tithes and offerings?
You may not know, but a letter was sent to all the bishops in the church instructing them to hold this financial lesson as a 5th Sunday lesson. It gave specific financial principles to cover such as savings, avoiding risky investments, living within your income, avoiding debt, and including God in your financial strategy. The bishops were instructed to hold this lesson in the next 5th Sunday lesson. As far as I know, that is the first time a specific topic and date was given, church wide, for bishops to teach. I find that very significant.
It is so significant, you should not ignore it. I suggest that you consider it seriously, no matter your financial status.

- Look at your expenses and reduce them. If you don’t know what they are, track them for a month or two and find out where your money is going. Hundreds of dollars can vaporize with small purchases such as treats, eating out, Netflix, etc. It adds up quickly.
- Save more money. Having enough to retire on takes a lot of time. It does not just appear at the end. Sacrifice now so you don’t have to later.
- Remember God in all your efforts. Pay an honest tithe, and be generous with your donations.
Money does not buy happiness, but it does provide options. As our friend Craig Chambers once said, “Happiness is having options”.
Going to church and listening to great lessons means nothing if you do not make a change in your life as a result.

Change your financial status in some way, right now.
If you are diligent and honor God’s ways, you will be surprised at the blessings that will come.

Bishop Merrill


🎁  Family Finances

📄  See the full PDF of Grapevine here.

🎤  Listen to sacrament meeting audio here.