Matthew 6: 19, 21, 25-34; Luke 10: 39-42; 2 Nephi 9: 51

 

How do you feel as you consciously make the choice to lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better?

"19 ¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6: 19, 21)

"25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." (Matthew 6: 25-34)

"39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10: 39-42)

"51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness." (2 Nephi 9: 51)

And here's the end part of the commentary entitled: “Lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better.” : 

"Here are some other scriptures that could help you discern between “the things of this world” and “the things of a better”: Matthew 6:19, 21, 25–34; Luke 10:39–42; 2 Nephi 9:51.

See also Topics and Questions, “Sacrifice,” Gospel Library."

As I take action on laying aside the things of this world and seeking for the things of a better, I feel more peaceful and joyful, and that my life has more meaning because I am aligning myself more with the will of God. For instance, I know that God is pleased with my decision to sacrifice more of my time and energy as I get back to working on indexing and as I do it not only on Sundays but even on ordinary days. By doing indexing I am helping so that more names of those who are already on the other side of the veil will be available in the church's database and when their loved ones search for them they will be found, added to their family trees, and will have the opportunity to receive the ordinances in the temple by proxy.