I should also mention this: The food in the bishop’s storehouse will eventually spoil over time. That is what food does, whether it is fresh or even canned, and why IT MUST BE USED or it will go to waste any way you look at it.

I don’t think any steward would be counted wise if they were a miser and never gave food out and let it go bad, so it had to be thrown away. They would probably have a date with hellfire for wasting the financial sacrifice and service of others that went into making the food, and for disobeying the commandment to take care of the poor.

So when you are poor, be grateful for what you receive, and when you are doing better financially, give back. Plain and simple.

Personally, I don’t earn a lot myself, but I’m happy for my job and what income I do earn. I just try to be prudent.

I have also had to use programs like WIC before and for me there’s no shame in receiving some help when I’m working full-time and still I’m not making ends meet, because I’m underpaid in contrast to where I live.

Sometimes, however, it’s not that a person is underpaid, but rather their “wants versus needs” are out of whack. That is one thing I think people have a hard time realizing.

For example, if you are poor, should you have an iPhone 6 with an expensive monthly phone plan? I think we all know the answer to that one. A lot of the biggest expenses people incur are the reoccurring ones. Ditching the cell phone, cable TV subscription, newspaper, and so on will help to reduce costs quickly. Another way to cut costs is to shop when things are on sale and to use coupons. Yeah, I know it sounds like your mom or grandma, but it works.

President Monson’s wife once told her daughter, “When I pass away, I want you to remember that I bought everything in this house on sale.”

That’s the type of lady I want to give a high-five to.