Bishop L. Todd Budge, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke at Tuesday’s devotional about how temporal resources, including tithes and offerings, help bless millions of people worldwide through service and humanitarian efforts.
His message was divided into three parts: The spiritual purpose of temporal resources, four divinely appointed responsibilities and becoming Christlike.
THE SPIRITUAL PURPOSE OF TEMPORAL RESOURCES
“Temporal resources of the Church are sacred because they are used for spiritual purposes,” Bishop Budge said.
He began his talk by sharing an experience in which he and his wife visited Mongolia to see how the Church was helping families access clean, safe water by working together with the government to install water collection systems in communities that lacked it.
This experience, he explained, is what his message is about. Through temporal resources, the Church provides opportunities and helps families in need worldwide.
Bishop Budge also addressed why disciples of Christ should continue to pay tithing and offerings despite the Church's wealth.
"We don’t pay tithing because we can afford it, or because the Lord needs it. We pay it because of our love for and trust in the Lord."
He also quoted Joseph Smith during the early saints' construction of the Kirtland Temple. Bishop Budge explained that despite minimal funds, it was their love for Christ that gave them the strength to see His work done.
FOUR DIVINELY APPOINTED RESPONSIBILITIES
Bishop Budge also outlined how the Church uses the resources to fulfill four divinely appointed responsibilities.
First, living the gospel of Jesus Christ: he explained that the Church seeks to help people learn and live by Christ’s teachings and, to do so, invests in Church resources, music, education, including BYU, seminary, and other institutions.
Second, caring for those in need: when people are experiencing hardships, the Church helps provide humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and other support.
Bishop Budge pointed to the annual “Caring for Those in Need” report and highlighted that the church spent $1.58 billion on humanitarian efforts, sponsored 3,514 projects, accumulated 7.4 million volunteer hours, and, through “these projects and fast offerings [has] helped to support individuals in 196 countries.”
Third, inviting all to receive the gospel: Bishop Budge emphasized missionaries' efforts to invite children of God into the Church and to share Christ's teachings. To support this idea, he shared that more than 300,000 people were baptized in 2025.
Fourth, uniting families for eternity: the Church also uses its temporal resources to build temples and support family history work through FamilySearch and Family History Centers. He explained that this is important for uniting families beyond this life through temple blessings.
BECOMING CHRISTLIKE
Bishop Budge highlighted “Fall Care Week,” an upcoming event where Church-partnered NGOs come to BYU to connect with students about participating in a service project. He also encouraged students to start serving today by downloading the “JustServe” app.
Bishop Budge then reassured students that their contributions are not only blessing others, but they’re also helping them grow closer to Christ.
Pointing back to the four divinely appointed responsibilities, Bishop Budge encouraged students to think of it as strengthening a relationship with Christ.
He explained that sacrifices can show a willingness to be embraced by the Lord. It’s more than giving up time and resources; it’s an opportunity to become Christlike.
Concluding his talk, Bishop Budge gave a final invitation to students to follow Christ’s example and “do as He did, and find someone, anyone to love and to serve.”
