Fast Offerings

            A few months ago we had a lesson on fast offerings. It wasn’t any different then the countless meetings I have had before on the subject but for some reason I really felt inspired by this particular lesson. I always paid fast offerings because I knew it helped those less fortunate with food or other things they stood in need of, but never before had paid it because of the blessings promised for doing it. In our lesson we talked about the faith to pay more than usual on fast Sunday and if so the Lord would thank you for it in countless ways. Some say they always get the money spent back in random ways, while others say the Lord will make it up to you in testimony or just a good feeling at the end of the day.

            Looking back over the years I never recalled getting anything in return for paying fast offerings, but then again I never really expected or looked for something. That Sunday though I felt very sure that someone needed extra this month and by exercising faith the Lord would make it up to us. I once heard the saying; “The Lord will never let you give yourself poor” if he is in charge of everything in the universe that seemed pretty true. Jesus Christ talked about the birds and animals in The Book of Mormon, they never work or pay for their food, but instead they do their part and hope that God will provide for them. He then asked aren’t we greater then they, and if so why wouldn’t God provide for us?

            I remember writing that fast offering check and making sure we paid close to triple the amount we usually did knowing that the Lord would not let us give ourselves poor. The next day I went to work like always and by the end of the day was surprised to hear the company was doing layoffs. I started to worry and think about that fast offering check we had wrote, and thinking if I didn’t have a job by the end of the day we would really be needing it. To my surprise however I ended up getting a promotion along with a 42% pay increase to go along with it! How could I get a raise during layoffs? I thought about it for a few days and came to the only logical conclusion that I could, the fast offerings were paid with a willing heart, and God received it. As such families were blessed because of it with food, shelter or whatever they needed, while our family too reaped the rewards!

            I know our Heavenly Father is waiting patiently to bless us, but is only able to if we do our part in exercising faith first to act. I know he smiles and loves when we do what is right, and because of obedience to the laws we are happier. I know that He is aware of everything we do, and always ready to help his children. I know that we are his children and as long as we come to him he will receive us with outstretched arms. The invitation is always there, it is up to us to accept it.