Financial Fruit of the SpiritSample

Word #4: Patience

The fourth description of the fruit which the Holy Spirit produces in our lives is ‘patience.’ This is a very important aspect of financial fruitfulness. You get a chicken by slowly hatching an egg, not smashing it! Patience can be bitter- but the fruit is sweet!

Being patient is not easy in our modern culture, which says; “I want it, and I want it now!” We live in a culture of 'now.' We're constantly bombarded by messages trying to convince us to buy now, to spend now, to have what we want this very moment. Nobody preaches patience. 

Delayed gratification is an essential discipline for financial fruitfulness. It means putting off buying what we want now so that we can perhaps get something else, something better, later on. 

Patience does not develop overnight. God’s power and goodness are crucial to the development of patience. Colossians 1:11 tells us that we are strengthened by Him to “great endurance and patience.”     

• Patience will help keep you out of debt as you learn to wait and save before making a major purchase.    
• Patience will help you to grow your money as you learn to save and then invest your money.    
• Patience teaches you discipline. I use the 30-day waiting list. Any major purchase goes on this list for prayer, further research for anything better or an evaluation if I really need it.    
• Patience allows us to seize future opportunities. If you are willing to save, then if something really interesting comes up, you will be able to grasp hold of the opportunity.    
• Patience helps you discover what’s really important. By nature, I am impulsive – but by waiting, I can evaluate if what I want to buy is really important when seeking the priorities of the Kingdom. (Matthew 6:33)

The Lord wants us to enjoy an abundant life, but this takes the fruit of the Spirit to make it possible! 

“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:13,14)

Waiting on the Lord opens a door for His proactivity in my life. 

“From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” (Isaiah 64:4)