Pre-Deciding to Be Generous: Making the Choice to Give

Brothers and sisters, have you ever caught yourself thinking, "If only I had that car," or "If only I could afford that trip"? It’s a whisper, isn't it? A little longing for something more, something that might bring a little more comfort or a little more security?

Culture, it seems, is a master at whispering these desires. From the relentless scroll of social media to the ads flashing past us—it all screams a message: *Acquire. Accumulate. Get more.* It suggests that the good life, the happy life, is found in the next purchase, the next upgrade.

But the gospel of Jesus Christ, the message we are called to bear witness of, is beautifully, wonderfully counter-cultural. It whispers something entirely different, something that feels radical in a world obsessed with 'more.'

I was reflecting recently on a message that hit me right where the culture is loudest. It centers on a profound truth spoken by the Savior Himself in Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

When we dig into that scripture, we find that the word translated as "more blessed" actually speaks to a deeper, more joyful state—a genuine happiness that comes from the outflow of our hearts, not the inflow of our bank accounts. It suggests that true fulfillment isn't found in what we gather, but in what we willingly release.

It’s easy to *say* we want to be generous. We can recite the principle during missionary discussions, and we can feel the warmth of the Spirit when we talk about the Savior’s example. But where do we get to that point? How do we move from *knowing* it's true to *being* irrationally generous?

This is where the power of pre-deciding comes into play. We cannot accidentally become profoundly generous. We don't stumble into paying for a mission trip or funding a vital ministry by sheer chance. It requires a conscious, deliberate choice—a decision made when we are *not* in the heat of the moment.

Just like we are learning in our Pre-Decide series, we must choose ahead of time who we are going to be as disciples of the Latter-day Saints. Are we going to let our immediate desires dictate our actions, or are we going to prayerfully consider, "When faced with this scenario, I will choose to be generous"?

My challenge to you today, as we continue building up our testimony and strengthening our commitment to preach my gospel skills, is to identify one area where you are holding back—whether it’s time, a compliment, a resource, or a dollar—and make a pre-decision to give it away this week. Don't wait for the prompting; make the covenant with yourself now.

This isn't just about money; it's about the currency of the spirit. It’s about choosing to be a disciple who flows, rather than one who hoards.

If you’re feeling the pull to deepen this understanding, I highly recommend diving into the resources available in LivingBook. If you’re ready to test this principle out with the help of an experienced guide, let's schedule some time with Davee. He’s fantastic at walking through the tough questions an investigator might ask about true sacrifice.

Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Let’s make that choice today.