Two young men standing on a door step collecting fast offerings from an elderly woman.
Jesus Christ cares deeply for all of Heavenly Father’s children and invites us to join Him in providing for the poor and needy. Paul invited the Corinthian Saints to follow the Savior’s example by sacrificing their means to take care of the poor. This lesson can help you follow the example of Jesus Christ by sharing what you have with those who are in need.
Creating a peaceful learning environment. Try to remove distractions that may interrupt studying and pondering of the scriptures. President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that “inspiration comes more easily in peaceful settings” and that “reverence invites revelation” (“Reverence Invites Revelation,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 21–22).
Student preparation: Invite students to look at the items listed on a Tithing and Other Offerings form and to prepare to share what various line items mean. They could also ask any questions they have about this form.
Possible Learning Activities
A great challenge
Consider displaying the following incomplete statement and inviting students to share challenges that could be written in the blank. Praise students for answers they give, even if they are not the one Elder Holland used in this statement.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke of a great challenge. Think of a few challenges that could accurately fill in the blank in the following quote.
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Official Portrait of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. Photographed January 2018.
Down through history, has been one of humankind’s greatest and most widespread challenges. Its obvious toll is usually physical, but the spiritual and emotional damage it can bring may be even more debilitating.
The challenge Elder Holland referred to is “poverty,” which is the condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support. The term poverty could also refer to lacking what we need in many areas of our lives, including physical, emotional, social, or spiritual areas.
What are some challenges faced by those who have less than other people have?
How might these challenges affect someone emotionally and spiritually as well as physically?
As you study today, be mindful of thoughts and feelings that Heavenly Father might send you through the Holy Ghost regarding how He can use you to help others in need.
As recorded in 2 Corinthians 8:1–8, the Apostle Paul invited the Corinthian Saints to follow the example of Church members in Macedonia who had given generously to care for the poor. He then recorded many important teachings about caring for the poor in the Savior’s way
The example of Jesus Christ
Paul shared the Savior’s example to encourage us to provide for the needs of others out of sincere love.
Read 2 Corinthians 8:9, looking for Jesus Christ’s selfless example of providing for us.
What do you think Paul meant when he wrote that Jesus became poor so that we might be rich?
One truth we can learn from Paul’s epistle is that as we come to understand all that the Savior has done for us, we will be more willing to give to others.
The importance of caring for those in need is taught throughout the scriptures, including in the Book of Mormon. Read the following teachings of Paul, along with the associated Book of Mormon passages, looking for what these passages teach about caring for others. Consider linking the passages.
This may be a good opportunity to remind students about the scripture study skill of linking verses.
Consider inviting students to study the following passages in small groups, with each student studying a different section and reporting on what they learned to the group.
What do you think the Lord would have us do today to live what is taught in each of these scripture passages?
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained how the generosity of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can change us.
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Official portrait of Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, January 2016.
Each of us has received gifts that we could not provide for ourselves, gifts from our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, including redemption through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We have received life in this world; we will receive physical life in the hereafter, and eternal salvation and exaltation—if we choose it—all because of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Every time we use, benefit from, or even think of these gifts, we ought to consider the sacrifice, generosity, and compassion of the givers. Reverence for the givers does more than just make us grateful. Reflecting on Their gifts can and should transform us.
How can reflecting on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s generosity transform us?
Caring for the poor in our day
President Russell M. Nelson described two of the many ways the Savior uses His restored Church to care for the poor around the world in our day. Read the following statement or you may want to watch “The Second Great Commandment” (time code 6:15 to 8:51), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
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Official portrait of President Russell M. Nelson taken January 2018
Latter-day Saint Charities has provided more than two billion dollars in aid to assist those in need throughout the world. This assistance is offered to recipients regardless of their church affiliation, nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender, or political persuasion.
That is not all. To assist members of the Lord’s Church in distress, we love and live the ancient law of the fast [see Isaiah 58:3–12]. We go hungry to help others who are hungry. One day each month, we go without food and donate the cost of that food (and more) to help those in need.
Consider showing video examples in the “Commentary and Background Information” section of the lesson of projects that Jesus Christ has made possible through donations to His Church.
Also, consider introducing students to the website latterdaysaintcharities.org and giving them time to explore it for a few minutes in class.
What stands out to you from President Nelson’s statement?
How would you explain fasting and fast offerings to someone who is unfamiliar with them?
Consider displaying a Tithing and Other Offerings form and inviting students who completed the student preparation to share different ways the Savior provides for the poor through our monetary donations.
Before students share answers to the following questions, emphasize that caring for the poor does not always involve giving money.
In addition to giving monetary donations to the Church, what are other ways we can help the Lord to care for those in need? Who has been a good example to you of this principle?
What would God have you do?
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained our need to ask God for guidance in helping those around us.
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Official Portrait of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. Photographed January 2018.
I don’t know exactly how each of you should fulfill your obligation to those who do not or cannot always help themselves. But I know that God knows, and He will help you and guide you in compassionate acts of discipleship if you are conscientiously wanting and praying and looking for ways to keep a commandment He has given us again and again.
Consider sharing a personal story about how God uses His children to serve those who are in need.
Make a plan to act on thoughts and feelings you may have received today to help those around you. If you are not yet sure who Heavenly Father would have you help or how to help them, pray for guidance and look for opportunities to serve those around you, including members of your own family. God will answer your prayers in His own way and time.
Commentary and Background Information
How are donations to the Savior’s Church used to relieve poverty today?
Watch the video “A Child’s First Breath” (3:13), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Watch the video “Boys’ Home” (3:20), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Watch the video “A Thousand Days” (4:32), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
How can I help those around me in ways other than donating money?
Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, former Young Women General President, shared one of many ideas:
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Official portrait of Bonnie Lee Green Oscarson, Young Women general president, 2013. Sustained at the April 2013 general conference.
My young friends, I can guarantee that there will always be someone at every Church meeting you attend who is lonely, who is going through challenges and needs a friend, or who feels like he or she doesn’t belong. You have something important to contribute to every meeting or activity, and the Lord desires for you to look around at your peers and then minister as He would.
(Bonnie L. Oscarson, “The Needs before Us,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 26)
The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) explained:
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Half-length frontal portrait of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. Joseph’s head is turned to the side in a three-quarter view, right hand on hip and his left hand holds sheets of papers. He is depicted wearing a dark brown suit and a white shirt and tie.
[A member of the Church] is to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all, wherever he finds them.
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 426)
Supplemental Learning Activities
Local Church leaders
Consider inviting a local bishop or Relief Society president to share with students how the Savior’s fast offering funds are used to bless those in need.
Demonstrate how to donate money
Consider displaying a Tithing and Other Offerings form and envelope and inviting a student to explain where to find the slips, how to fill them out, and who to give their donations to. Also consider helping students understand how to donate online at donations.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Caring for those in need is part of the work of salvation and exaltation
Refer to section 1.2.2 in the General Handbook, and discuss why caring for those in need is part of the work of salvation and exaltation. You could ask questions like “Why do you think we need to care for those in need if we are to be saved and exalted? How do you think caring for those in need helps remove barriers to their spiritual progression?”