UNPACK this...Leading a Disciplined LifeSample

Financial Discipline

When NFL teams need help with their rosters, coaches must make tough choices during free agency. Instead of signing a couple of high-priced players, they have to add multiple guys to fill more holes.

Financial discipline is a good thing to have in the NFL because teams need to know which positions and players are worth spending money on. Teams that are disciplined and wise are the ones that maximize their payroll and succeed with their free-agent signings.

In our own lives, having financial discipline is also important. As followers of Jesus, we especially want to be wise with God's resources.

The right way to be a good steward of our money is to pray and seek the Lord for guidance as to what we should spend it on and choose discipline over impulses.

Proverbs 13:16 explains, “Every prudent and self-disciplined man acts with knowledge, but a [closed-minded] fool [who refuses to learn] displays his foolishness [for all to see].”

Great effort is required to be prudent and generous as we manage the money God lends us. We need to be mindful of maximizing our impact on God’s kingdom while keeping an open hand for the ways He wants us to give. We must know where our resources are going and understand our financial standing.

Proverbs 27:23 puts it in shepherding terms: “Be diligent to know the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds.”

Proverbs 12:11 uses a farming example: “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.”

As NFL teams look to spend their money wisely to get back to winning, let’s be encouraged to embrace financial discipline in our own lives.

Today, let’s trust the Lord to help us make purposeful and worthwhile decisions with His resources. While we work hard to make money, let’s budget, plan, and generously give with open hearts and hands for the glory of God.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me view money through the lens of the Bible and seek Your wisdom and guidance with my finances. I pray I’d be disciplined to use the resources You’ve given me according to Your will. Thank you for always blessing me more than I deserve. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.