The Responsibility to Provide

 

"By divine design, fathers.. are responsible to provide the necessities of life.. for their families." (The Family Proclamation) I read a book a few years back that claimed the human form was, among other living animals, the best suited of them all -- for distance running. Aspects of human anatomy like the achilles tendon, the presence of an independent diaphram, and our upright stature were cited as distinctly advantageous. These allowed certain tribesman to persistence hunt antelope across the African savanna. Not able to match their speed, the hunters would track their prey on the run, catching up to them just before they recovered over and over until they were too exhausted to flee. Physical form had prepared the way. There are, of course, many other things the our physical form could be uniquely gifted at and prepared for. We were created in the image of an all-powerful Father and Mother. 

What about the design of our spirits? What could it mean that fathers were designed to meet the responsibilities of providing for families? Are there certain pieces of our spiritual anatomy that predispose us? Certain interests or capacities that persuade us? I remember hearing that the motives of providing, presiding, and protecting are played upon generously by video game producers interested in enticing young men. That seems to make sense. Perhaps less familiar with spiritual than physical anatomy, I digress.

At lunch with Mark Schultz olympic champion and then coach of the BYU wrestling team, he asked me what I planned to pursue as a potential career field. My less than convincing answer belied my indecision. I was young, and figured I had time yet to decide the pursuit I would be giving over a quarter of the waking hours of my adult life to. He asked what my dad did for work. When I told him he was a school teacher, he assured me that I would likely find something lucrative - most he knew that grow up in such scarcity did. The thing is, I didn't really feel like I had grown up in scarcity. I did notice we didn't live in luxury, but I don't think I cared much, then or now. His confidence in my future prosperity was memorable enough for that day.          

Attending various class reunions and other adult gatherings over the years have left me with the impression that there is an underlying belief that net worth and actual worth are in fact correlated. That is, in my opinion, a specifically potent poisonous position.

What about the potential of job loss? What about the conflicts that may arise between climbing the corporate ladder and being there for family? If the numbers in my bank account are growing shouldn't I be growing happier and happier too? 

Remember, the worth of souls is great in the sight of God (See D&C 18:10,15-16). It is His work and His glory to bring to pass their immortality and eternal life (See Moses 1:39). He who possesses all things cares most about His children - their growth and progression. To become like Him and qualify for the promised blessing of all that He hath, they must learn to prize what He prizes too.   

"...[T]he riches of the earth are mine to give;" the Lord told the early Saints of this dispensation, "but beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old." (D&C 38:39) 

Because they are His to give, seeking them to his exclusion makes little sense. Even in this small verse it is evident that he is much more concerned with the soul than the pocketbook.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth," the Lord's voice echoes from the mount, "where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:19-21).

In the Book of Mormon the wearing of costly apparel is always the companion of the prideful mistreatment of others and a precursor to destruction. 

Timothy taught that,

"...[T]he love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1Timothy 6:10). 

Causing God's children to err from their faith in Him and pierce themselves through with sorrow is the obvious work of the devil who seeketh to make all men miserable like unto himself. He lurks around this divine responsibility to provide as nearly as the river of filthy water follows the path to the Tree of Life.

The Father doesn't cede the territory though, He asks us for an invitation into our career fields and financial pursuits saying:

"Cry unto [me] over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them. Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase" (Alma 34:24-25).  

He comes both to generously bless and carefully protect those who invite His influence into their labors.

To the early Nephites, the Lord gave this counsel and promise: 

"But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good--to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted." (Jacob 2:18-19)  

I remember wondering what exactly the Lord meant by "obtain a hope in Christ." I've come to conclude that it has to do with the hope of a glorious resurrection in and through Him because the course of life I am pursuing is carefully aligned with His will. It is a change in me that makes me more concerned about others than my own financial bounty. Wealth is a means for the expression of that changed heart and not the object of it. The firmly changed heart magnifies the good in the gift while honoring and delighting the giver. United in purpose, they may become an agent of the Father for the fulfillment of His purposes on earth.