Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order for us to be tested, we must face challenges and difficulties. These can break us, and the surface of our souls may crack and crumble-that is, if our foundations of faith, our testimonies of truth are not deeply embedded within us.
We must learn to separate need from greed...We must not allow our yearnings to exceed our earnings.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between what we truly need and what we merely desire, warning against letting our desires outpace our financial means.
Thomas S. Monson's quote encourages individuals to reflect on their desires in relation to their actual needs. By learning to differentiate between essential needs and excess desires, we can attain financial stability and make more mindful spending choices. The wisdom shared here serves as a reminder that unchecked greed can lead to financial difficulties and dissatisfaction, while being content with what we genuinely require leads to a more fulfilling life.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a financial workshop to discuss responsible spending habits.
More from Thomas S. Monson
All quotes βWe are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven.
Things which provide deep and lasting happiness and gratitude are the things which money cannot buy: our families, the gospel, good friends, our health, our abilities, the love we receive from those around us.
The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. Do not be deceived; behind that facade is heartache, unhappiness and pain. .. YOU be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone. Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow.
Gracias, danke, merci - whatever language is spoken, "thank you" frequently expressed will cheer your spirit, broaden your friendships, and lift your lives to a higher pathway as you journey toward perfection. There is a simplicity - even a sincerity - when "thank you" is spoken.
No member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who has canned peas, topped beets, hauled hay, shoveled coal, or helped in any way to serve others ever forgets or regrets the experience of helping provide for those in need.
Similar quotes
And our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things too. Don't run out ahead of Him.
Nothing is lost upon a man who is bent upon growth; nothing wasted on one who is always preparing for - life by keeping eyes, mind and heart open to nature, men, books, experience - and what he gathers serves him at unexpected moments in unforeseen ways.
You don't tell deliberate lies, but sometimes you have to be evasive.
There are so many things that we are capable of, that we could be or do. The potentialities are so great that we never, any of us, are more than one-fourth fulfilled.
I think of the trees and how simply they let go, let fall the riches of a season, how without grief (it seems) they can let go and go deep into their roots for renewal and sleep.... Imitate the trees. Learn to lose in order to recover, and remember that nothing stays the same for long, not even pain, psychic pain. Sit it out. Let it all pass. Let it go.
There is only one difference between a long life and a good dinner: that, in the dinner, the sweets come last.