Living Within Our Means--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell

Living Within Our Means

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

Deep contentment can come from choosing not to spend money that we don’t have. At first that seems obvious, but in a day when slick marketing campaigns entice us to define ourselves by what we purchase, it’s easy to see how people fall into the trap of “buy now, pay later.” Purchasing and consuming may bring a temporary thrill, but living within our means—even when it requires making do with what we have or doing without what we think we want—is soul-satisfying. No credit card limit or low-interest loan can buy that feeling. Appreciating what we have and not coveting more is a key to such happiness. All too common is the story of a man who “had a good home and a good family, and plenty to take care of his needs and the needs of his family. But he became consumed by a yearning for yet greater riches. . . . One thing led to another, until when a drop in the economy occurred, he found himself in a trap from which he could not extricate himself.”1 If only he had been content with what he once had. If only he had recalled the ancient counsel: “The love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have . . . pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”2 Indeed, it is difficult to feel lasting peace when we are in bondage to debt. In some ways, previous generations seemed to understand this remarkably well. Perhaps because some hard lessons forced our ancestors to be more careful with their resources, they were less likely to confuse their “wants” so easily with their “needs.” Now it seems that yesterday’s wants have become today’s needs. If we listen, the examples of the past can teach us to discern needs from wants and find satisfaction in the many simple yet wonderful blessings that lie well within our means. 1 Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 251–52. 2 1 Timothy 6:10. Progarm #4146