Giving Purposefully: Finding the Divine Balance in the Field

Brothers and sisters, I was listening to some talks the other day, and a theme really struck me that felt like a gentle nudge from the Spirit—a theme about *giving*. It wasn't about tithing, and it wasn't about obligation. It was about something deeper, something that speaks to the very heart of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

We talk so much about the effort it takes to come unto Christ, the grit needed to study the scriptures, the dedication required for missionary preparation, or the sheer stamina needed to serve a mission. We are taught to *give*—give our time, give our talents, give our best. But what does it mean to give when the source isn't obligation, but genuine, Spirit-prompted love?

The speaker I was listening to, Michael Jr., talked about how his comedy changed when he stopped trying to *get* laughs and started giving opportunities for laughter. He shifted from compulsion to intention. And honestly, that parallel hit me like a revelation regarding our own efforts in the work.

When we are out in the field—whether we are in the MTC, or years down the line as returned missionaries, or even right here in our living rooms as Internet missionaries—we are constantly giving. We give our attention during missionary discussions. We give our patience when an investigator asks a tough question, and we rely on friends like Davee to help us craft the perfect answer.

The Spirit as the Motivator

He emphasized that giving out of compulsion or emotion is different from giving when you are guided by the Spirit. That’s the difference between performing a duty and participating in a divine covenant. It’s the difference between showing up because you *have* to, and showing up because you *want* to, because the Spirit has moved you.

This concept of balance—the ability to both give and receive gracefully—is something we need to cultivate as we strive to be more Christlike. Think about it: sometimes the Spirit prompts you to share a scripture insight in a Book Club, and sometimes the Spirit prompts you to sit back and simply *receive* the testimony of a friend.

It reminds me of the idea of stewardship. We are stewards of the gospel, and that stewardship requires us to be attentive receivers as much as we are active givers. We need to be open to being taught, open to being blessed, and open to the subtle promptings of the Spirit, even when it feels like nothing is happening.

A Bite-Sized Skill for the Disciple

If you take one thing away from this, let it be this: When you feel the urge to *do* something for the gospel—to write a post, to study a chapter, to call someone—pause. Ask yourself: Am I doing this because I feel obligated, or am I doing this because I feel the gentle, persistent prompting of the Spirit? That pause is where the power lies.

For those of us engaged in missionary preparation, this is gold. Before you walk into a mock missionary discussion, don't just rehearse answers. Instead, spend time asking the *Spirit* what you should say, and then commit to listening for the promptings during the actual discussion. Let the Spirit guide your response, rather than relying solely on your prepared material.

We are all called to be disciples anywhere, all the time. Whether you are gathering resources for a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces, or simply having a quiet moment of reflection, remember to seek that divine balance.

If this resonated with you, I encourage you to check out the latest thoughts from the Iron Rod authors in LivingBook. It’s a wonderful place to deepen your understanding of these principles. And for those who are feeling the call to connect with others who are striving to be more intentional in their discipleship, join us for our weekly Disciple Challenge this coming Saturday!