You’ve probably heard it said that “anything worth doing is worth doing well.”
Today, we’ll find out why working hard at something can pay big dividends—spiritually and financially.
The Secret to Success: Discipline in Every Area of Life
What does it take to succeed? If you ask any successful person, they’ll likely tell you that success doesn’t happen by accident—it requires hard work, preparation, and the ability to learn from failure. As former U.S. Secretary of State General Colin Powell once said, “There is no secret to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”
Success demands more than wishful thinking, whether in finances, job, school, or relationships. It requires action and, most importantly, discipline.
The Importance of Discipline
Athletes understand this concept well: the more reps you do in the gym or the more miles you run, the better you perform on competition day. The principle of “no pain, no gain” is universally recognized. Similarly, students who study consistently, take good notes, and complete their homework are better prepared to ace their exams.
The same is true for your finances. Practicing discipline in saving, spending, and giving significantly increases your chances of achieving your financial goals. On the flip side, neglecting discipline now often leads to the pain of regret later. Hebrews 12:11 puts it this way:
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Financial Disciplines and Their Benefits
The Bible emphasizes the importance of discipline in the life of a Christian, both spiritually and practically. Growing as a disciple of Christ requires more than passive observation; it requires active engagement and discipline. While discipline may be challenging, it can also be a source of great joy. Let’s explore a few examples of financial discipline and its benefits.
- Consistent Saving: Perhaps you’ve committed to saving a portion of your paycheck every week. This discipline requires effort, but the benefit is the reduced stress about future financial needs. Regular saving builds a financial cushion, giving you peace of mind.
- Faithful Giving: Giving faithfully to the Lord requires discipline, but it comes with the joy of participating in God’s Kingdom work and the satisfaction of helping others. Generosity enriches your life in ways that money cannot.
- Paying Down Debt: It takes discipline to chip away at your debts, but the benefit is progress toward financial freedom. Imagine the joy and relief you’ll feel when you’re finally debt-free!
- Sticking to a Financial Plan: Adhering to a financial plan demands discipline, but it rewards you with peace and confidence. Knowing where each dollar comes from and where it’s going is essential for financial stability and success. If you’re not currently practicing the discipline of a spending plan, we can help. Download the FaithFi app or visit us online at FaithFi.com to create your personalized spending plan.
The Joy of Discipline
Being a good steward of the resources God has entrusted to you requires discipline. While the disciplines of saving, giving, paying off debt, and sticking to a plan may be challenging, they serve a higher purpose.
As we read earlier in Hebrews, discipline can be painful, but it also brings joy. Here’s why:
- Positive Results: Discipline yields positive outcomes. In the realm of finances, you can rejoice when your savings grow, when you make progress in paying off debt, and when you see the fruits of your planning and generosity. These successes make the hard work worthwhile.
- Peace in Financial Stewardship: Following God’s principles of stewardship and integrity in money matters brings peace to your financial life. There’s a deep sense of satisfaction in knowing you’re managing your resources wisely.
- The Joy of Order: When you compare the chaos of financial mismanagement with the peace of careful stewardship, it’s easy to see which is more joyful. It’s far better to have all your financial “ducks” in a row than to be constantly chasing them.
Overcoming Setbacks
Even with the best intentions, none of us make the right financial choices every time. Whether you overspend your budget or miss a loan payment, it’s not the end of the world. Acknowledge your mistakes, seek help if necessary, submit your plans to the Lord, and get back on track. God has entrusted you with specific resources to manage, and when you exercise discipline with your money—and your spiritual life—you’ll experience a harvest of righteousness and peace. That’s true success in anyone’s book!
On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:
- I recently inherited a retirement account from my deceased husband. I want to convert the money into a down payment for a house, and I would like to know if you have any advice on the least painful way to do that.
- I'm 46, and I have a traditional IRA that I am strongly considering converting to a Roth. What are your thoughts on that decision?
- My 19-year-old is attending junior college and receiving free tuition from the Tennessee Promise. However, he also wants to invest and hopes to purchase a duplex by age 21. So, we don't want to mess with his FAFSA and mess him up to the point where he would not be able to receive that free money for a Tennessee student attending junior college. So, what could we do for his benefit?
- I have about $100,000 in a tax-deferred account that's growing little because it's in a guaranteed term. Now that I'm retiring, I want to move it somewhere to maximize my earnings. How would you recommend going about that?
Resources Mentioned:
- Wise Women Managing Money: Expert Advice on Debt, Wealth, Budgeting, and More by Miriam Neff and Valerie Neff Hogan, JD.
- Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
- Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
- FaithFi App
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.
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