Whenever we’re out together as a family, my daughter tends to point out things we should purchase. While I sometimes indulge her when necessary, I had to gently teach her about financial discipline. I told her; “We can’t buy everything we see. Let’s prioritize what’s truly needed.” She got the message.
Friend, you don’t have to buy everything you see (Isaiah 24:2). You need financial discipline. One of the leading causes of poverty in the lives of many people is a lack of financial discipline. You can make all the money you want to make and get all the breakthroughs you pray for. If you don’t have financial discipline, you would still end up poor (Proverbs 21:20).
An easy way to escape poverty is to put your financial life in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). Financial disorder will always lead to financial pain. If you are struggling financially, there may be a disorder somewhere in your life. It could be that you are not working enough. It could be that you are living above your means (Proverbs 12:9). Perhaps you are acquiring more liabilities than assets.
An asset helps you to generate more money. A liability constantly takes money from you (Psalm 112:3). Don’t use the money you don’t have to buy what you don’t need to impress people who don’t even like you. Living for impressions is one of the leading cause of financial struggles in people’s lives (2 Corinthians 12:6). “What would people say?” has sent many to their untimely death.
Stop living for impressions. Start living for impact (Acts 13:36). When you live for impact, you would have the right impression on people. But when you live for impression, you would end up in depression and consequently lose impact (Ecclesiastes 2:1). Life is in phases, and men are in sizes. Know where you are per time and be contented there.
Your outgo must not exceed your income, or else your upkeep will be your downfall (Luke 15:12-14). It is either you increase your sacrifice or reduce your desire. If you don’t control your appetite, it will end up controlling you. You need to leverage divine wisdom (Proverbs 4:7). The truth is, God has been faithful to you, but your financial indiscipline is not making it to show.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria