January 30, 2016

"A Law" (The Law of Consecration - short essay)


The Law of Consecration is very interesting – as it is not equal distribution – but a fair distribution of all one has that they do not need or use. One example – my family has a farm and I raise an abundance of wheat. Our annual wheat usage is 1/16 of what we harvest – the other 15/16 would go into the ‘kitty or Bishop’s Storehouse’ to be then distributed on a need basis to other members in the community – or even further out if not all consumed – no one gets more than they need! Those who are unable to put into the ‘kitty’ would have to provide labor or other service – those with handicaps within their abilities – and those with age the same.

Another example – is that of ‘things’ – some have lots of things and others do not. Clothes – plastic containers – whatever – we’re to donate that which we are not using for the good of all.

Lastly – I’ve a five bedroom home – with 3 full baths – and another has a one bedroom home with one full bath. Is there an inequality – it would depend on needs. In fact our mortgage payments could be the same depending on when the homes were purchased. This is not inequality unless I was showing off – and did not need such a home – when we purchased the home it had three bedrooms and 2 full baths – but we’ve changed the interior of the home. And if needed it allows for our family to come and live with us if needed. Indeed – I might need to move to a smaller home – but with limited resources – my staying where I am might be more frugal due to the cost of housing.

Now another aspect of the Law of Consecration is that it is not a Commandment – but a Covenant! One is not to be Commanded in all things – otherwise they’re a slothful servant (see Matthew 25:26 and Doctrine & Covenants 58:26). Only those with a current Temple Recommend are within this Covenant. Yet, we’ve not been required to live it – but can do so of our own free will and choice.

You come visit my home – or we’re at Church – and you comment how much you like the tie I’m wearing  - I’d take it off and give it to you – I’ve other ties and you like this one. Or someone sees a piece of furniture we’ve and says how much they like (innocently – not trying to get it given to them) and by the prompting of the Spirit we give it to them. We’ve a stewardship for all Heavenly Father has blessed to be responsible for – here and now. When we give this to someone else it becomes their stewardship for a season.

However, many are greedy for the things of the world – hoarding much they’ll never use – and what they’ve goes to moth, rust, decay – or many times just gets lost and no longer useable.
  
Another thing which many do not consider is ‘knowledge’ – sharing what you know willingly and freely rather than making others learn the ‘hard’ way – they still have to have the desire to learn – and still have to study it out – but we can help them in many ways along the way. Mostly this involves our time!

The true sense of the Law of Consecration in a layman’s understanding is I’ve two pencils – you’ve none – I give you one of mine. And it is done without thought or after-thought – for the right reason – at the right time and the right place. We don’t do it for the world to see – but because it needed to be done.

Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word consecration literally means "association with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups.

“A Law”

cji
1/31/16

A law of obedience
covenanted with Father
in Holy Places only
yet well known
distorted by some
yet sacred by few
most cannot live it
those told to failed
too hard – too tough
understanding not
the law or covenant
consecration to do
as a way of life
when asked by Father!


Copyright © 2016 – cji

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