Faith-Based Finances

Current Article: Self-Discipline

By Crown Financial Ministries

In the natural order of things, God designed us to be disciplined people. The lack of discipline usually leads to all kinds of problems, such as debt, obesity, and bad health, to name a few. If the purpose of discipline is not well understood, the attitude will be one of punishment. Discipline isn't punishment; it's used for character development.

Symptoms:  a lack of discipline

It's common to live with a problem so long that it's accepted as normal. Therefore, it's important to take a little self-evaluation from time to time. Some common symptoms associated with a lack of discipline are listed below.

1. Confusion. When important things are left half finished or are totally ignored, a nagging state of confusion will exist. Confusion is an indefinable feeling that something is wrong, but you can't put your finger on it. For instance, do you wonder how much money is really in the bank?
2. Indulgence. Without (God-based) self-discipline most people end up buying luxuries they don't need or can't afford.
3. Sloppiness. A person lacking self-discipline is usually irresponsible with material assets. He or she often will treat clothes, cars, and even houses as if they were disposable. "The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it back to his mouth" (Proverbs 19:24).
4. Lack of prayer and study. Christians who lack discipline will also lack spiritual maturity, because they let others do their thinking. "Cease listening, my son, to discipline, and you will stray from words of knowledge" (Proverbs 19:27).

Eventually, symptoms such as confusion, indulgence, or sloppiness must give way to real problems. The best way to correct a bad habit is to replace it with a good habit.

Disciplinary goals

1. Establish a balanced bank account. This means that you must keep a neat, itemized account of all checks and deposits. No account is accurate unless it balances to the penny each month. This may require that all check transactions cease for one month in order to establish the correct balance. "Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds" (Proverbs 27:23).
2. Establish a budget. Every Christian is required to be a steward of God's resources. There is no way to be a good steward without planned spending. Some people get into debt by poor self-discipline; others simply have enough surplus to be sloppy and get away with it. Neither condition is scriptural. "In your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness" (2 Peter 1:6).
3. Establish a partnership. In God's wisdom the extremes of one spouse are often offset by the conservatism of the other. Therefore, any scripturally based plan requires both spouses in order to establish financial goals.

Conclusion

The lack of self-discipline in a visible area, like finances, is merely an outer reflection of an inner condition. Proverbs 13:18 says, "Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, but he who regards reproof will be honored." The purpose of self-discipline is to provide peace. "It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it" (Proverbs 10:22).

 

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