receive to the extent of his need

Some who assist the needy believe that they should put a dollar value on the work a person contributes. In other words, a recipient should work a certain number of hours for a certain amount of commodities. Some bishops have even said, "I'll give you so much per hour for the work you do." In the true spirit of welfare, this is neither accurate nor fair. An individual's needs will usually far outweigh his abilities. He should receive to the extent of his need. The amount of work given does not have to equal the amount of help received.

To illustrate, a brother drove a city bus for many years and at an advanced age was forced to retire since he could no longer handle the job. He dreaded the thought of being idle. He talked to his bishop, who told him that he would be welcome to work at the bishops' storehouse. He and his wife received a small pension and Social Security payments, and they had limited savings. Their only financial problem would be buying coal when winter came. The bishop agreed to furnish them with coal, and the brother agreed to work to the extent of his ability.

During the first two or three years he worked nearly forty hours a week. He loved his work, and his greatest desire was to serve. His contribution far exceed what he received from the welfare program. After a few years his health declined so that he could work only three days a week. His savings were depleted and his needs began to increase. The bishop and Relief Society president provided additional bishop's orders for him. Eventually the brother was able to work only one day a week. It was the most he could do. Although as time went by his contributions decreased and his needs increased, he was still giving to the extent of his ability and receiving what he needed - everything was in perfect balance.

It would never have worked for the bishop to put a cash value on theis brother's contributions or his needs. He was treated in the true spirit of the welfare program.



Glen L. Rudd, Pure Religion: The Story of Church Welfare Since 1930 by Glen L. Rudd. 1995.