In the parable of the talents, Christ teaches us that we must take care of what we have been given. The Lord allows us to be caretakers—or stewards—over His gifts to us.

Becoming temporally self-reliant requires continual hard work and diligence.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught, “The payment of tithing is a test of priorities” (“Tithing,” Ensign, May 1994, 35). As you show God your priorities, you will unlock greater opportunities for Him to bless you.

A budget is a plan. Using a budget, you plan how you will use your money for a certain period of time.

A budget can be a powerful tool for controlling your financial situation and reducing stress in your life. In the scriptures, we learn that “truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come” (D&C 93:24).

After our obligation to pay the Lord first through tithing and other offerings, our second obligation is to work to protect our families from hardship. We can do this only if we develop a long-term perspective.

Like an emergency or fire escape plan, in the event of a financial crisis you should have a course of action that is simple to follow.

When people hear the term investing, they may think of a loud and chaotic trading floor with people selling stocks and bonds. While that may be part of investing, investing is also the act of putting time, effort, or money into something and expecting some type of a return. In this sense, investing is an element of self-reliance.

Education is another form of investing. Typically, additional training or education will have a cost. If you are going to invest in education, ensure that it will lead to better work so there is a good return on your investment. President Ezra Taft Benson taught, “As you move through life toward retirement and the decades which follow, we invite all … to plan frugally for the years following full-time employment”

Choosing the Best Way To Invest for You

Once you have established an emergency fund and paid off your consumer debt, you should begin saving for retirement as soon as possible. The sooner you begin saving for retirement, the longer your money has to grow and the more money you are likely to have available for retirement.