They ask: WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?
I respond: NOTHING, I DON’T NEED ANYTHING FOR CHRISTMAS!
If I’m hungry or thirsty – I just stop at the nearest In-N-Out and order the #2.
If I need a new shirt- I just tell Karla.
If I’m cold- I turn up the thermostat and turn on the electric blanket (They’re great as I get older.)
If I need money- I grab the VISA.
If I get sick- I just go to the clinic and get an antibiotic.
So when I’m asked WHAT DO I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?
I can’t think of anything! Because if I really wanted something I would have already bought it.
If Christmas is only about getting and giving things –
Really, what else do I NEED?
Prosperity can deaden us to spiritual things. It can give us the illusion of power. When we are sick, we can go to a doctor and get healed. When we are hungry, we can feed ourselves. When we are cold, we can get warm. In short, most of the problems of life we can solve ourselves—we can answer many of our own prayers. Because of the relative ease many have in acquiring their daily bread, they can become deceived into thinking they are saviors unto themselves. (Improving Our Prayers By Joseph B. Wirthlin Ensign March 2004)
And in other words President Brigham Young said:
The worst fear that I have about this people is that they will get rich [and] forget God [and Jesus]. … This people will stand mobbing, robbing, poverty, and all manner of persecution, and be true. But my greater fear for them is that they cannot stand wealth. (Quoted in James S. Brown, Life of a Pioneer 1971, 122–23)
THE PROSPERITY CYCLE
There seems to be something in each us that when we have plenty we become lifted up in pride and forget the source of our prosperity. (Like the Book of Mormon prosperity cycle – He. 12:1-2,5.) We forget Jesus and our Heavenly Father, who are the source of all our blessings. We give glory to ourselves. Forgetfulness is one reason why it is difficult for the “rich” to make it to heaven (Matt 19: 23-24; Luke 18: 21-25; Mark 10:17-27)
That’s all I need for Christmas.
CHALLENGE
PONDER: What if the “ONLY THINGS” you had this Christmas were the ONLY THINGS YOU THANKED GOD FOR LAST CHRISTMAS?
How big would your Christmas be?
P.S. By the way there is one example when riches did not lead to a spiritual decline in the Book of Mormon- check it out @ Alma 62:48-49.
dr rick