Where I live in the South, it’s time for the annual maintenance check on our air conditioning units. Yearly checks have allowed our condensers to last long beyond their expected life. The last one replaced was 48 years old. We also avoid costly home repairs by having the drains from the interior part of the units cleaned out during the maintenance visit. That means we don’t have to worry about water overflowing the drip pans and into the house.
Regular property maintenance and timely repairs are both part of self-reliance/preparedness/provident living. Regular maintenance can include:
• Annual air conditioner checkups
• Annual furnace or boiler checkups
• Periodic replacement of systems filters
• Regular oil changes on vehicles
• Repairing leaky faucets and toilets
• Repairing cracked tub, shower, and tile grout
• Regular yard upkeep – mowing, trimming, weeding, pruning
• Regular vacuuming and mopping to extend the life of carpets and floors
• Periodic defrosting of freezers
Pres. Spencer W. Kimball called upon Latter-day Saints everywhere to “…strengthen and beautify the home with renewed effort in these specific areas: food production, preservation, storage; the production and storage of nonfood items; fixup and cleanup of homes and surroundings.”
He continued “Keep in good repair and beautify your homes, your yards, farms, and businesses. Repair the fences. Clean up and paint where needed. Keep your lawns and your gardens well-groomed. Whatever your circumstance, let your premises reflect orderliness, beauty, and happiness. Plan well and carry out your plan in an orderly and systematic manner.”
Luke 16:10-11 teaches “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
