Sharing brings blessings
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Sharing what one has with others is not new to the present generation, said President Thomas S. Monson at the October 1988 general conference.
"We need but to turn to the account found in 1 Kings to appreciate anew the principle that when we follow the counsel of the Lord, when we care for those in need, the outcome benefits all," he said."There we read that a most severe drought had gripped the land. Famine followed. Elijah the prophet received from the Lord what to him must have been an amazing instruction: `Get thee to Zarephath . . . behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. (Kings 17:9).
"When he had found the widow, Elijah declared:
" `Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
" `And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.' (verses 10-11.)
"Her response described her pathetic situation as she explained that she was preparing a final and scanty meal for her son and for herself, and then they would die. (See verse 12.)
"How implausible to her must have been Elijah's response:
" `Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.'
" `For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.
" `And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
" `And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail.' (verses 13-16.)"
President Monson said that this is the faith that has ever motivated and inspired the welfare plan of the Lord.
