We are active in the Church, paying a full tithe, and trying to live a righteous life, yet we find ourselves unable to meet our financial obligations and are going deeper into debt. Is there something wrong with us?

Robert F. Bohn, family economics and home management instructor, Brigham Young University First, there’s often no connection between righteousness and financial situation. A parallel can be seen in the Word of Wisdom. Part of the Lord’s law of health is a very comforting promise.

“And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; …

“And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.” (D&C 89:18, 20.)

Does this general promise mean that a righteous member could not become seriously ill? We all know how false that situation is. In much the same way it is possible for the general law of tithing with its promised blessings to be true even though not every individual case reaps the financial blessings. In my experience, I find that tithe-paying Latter-day Saints are financially better off on the average than nontithe-paying members. But I also know devoted Latter-day Saints who have financial difficulty, who sometimes lose their jobs, who sometimes go into debt.

In a discussion of finances, the most important issue, in my opinion, is not a person’s devotion to the Church but his practice of wise financial stewardship. It is basically our responsibility to learn how to govern our temporal lives, and to pray for the Lord’s direction in the areas over which we have no control.

Because of our responsibility to raise large families and build the kingdom on this earth, it is extremely important for Latter-day Saints to become excellent money managers. Here are some places you might contact for information:

1. Your bishop.

2. Your local Social Services counselor.

3. Classes at a community college, university, or an adult education program offered through your school district’s high school.

4. Consumer information groups or publications. (Your local librarian will be able to help you.)

5. Financial counselors either in community counseling centers or private practice.

6. Individual study of the principles and practices of sound money management.