Internally or Externally Governed?

One of the hallmarks of the mature Christian life is self-discipline.  We will either be internally governed (controlled) or externally governed, but one way or another we will be controlled in our actions and reactions to the events of life.  There are jails and prisons filled to overflowing with individuals who lack self-discipline and whose choices and actions have necessitated the intervention of external government through the auspices of law enforcement agencies and the court system.  As followers of Christ, we must be concerned with learning how to control ourselves appropriately so that it will not be necessary for someone else to step in and take control of us.

"He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls."  (Proverbs 25:28)

There are a multitude of areas in life where self-control (or the lack of it) can become clearly evident to those around us.  Finances, weight and health issues, anger, time management, stewardship-- all these and more require that we develop a clear understanding of God's will for our lives in these areas and then set forth to live accordingly, making those choices which will honor God and enrich our lives.  In an affluent society (such as the United States), financial control is not a popular goal to seek.  In fact, the abundance of credit cards, payment plans, layaway offers, and "easy" financing options seem to give us the message that being in debt is not only to be viewed as a normal state of affairs, but we are to actually seek after those very things which will hold us in bondage so that we can "keep up with the Joneses" and live the good life now.  God has strong feelings concerning the accumulation of debt, and His Word is filled with over 800 verses that instruct us on the need for self-discipline in our lives where finances are concerned. 

"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."  (Proverbs 22:7)

"The wicked borrow and pay not again [for they may be unable], but the [uncompromisingly] righteous deal kindly and give [for they are able]."  (Psalm 37:21)

"It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay."  (Ecclesiastes 5:5)

"Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another..."  (Romans 13:8a)

Once we have dug a pit of debt for ourselves, it is difficult and it takes time to work our way out of it.  There is no immediate fix for the problem.  Debt accumulates over time, and it will take time to resolve it in an honorable way.  Too many Christians are buying into the lottery craze with pie-in-the-sky hopes that they will be the one in ten-million who will win and for whom the lottery will be the miracle answer for their lack of self-control with their finances.  There are those who believe that bankruptcy is the way out for them.  The question is, is it the honorable way out?  Satan loves to see believers embroiled in debt and captive to their lenders.  He knows (as we should) that  "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in)."  (Matthew 6:24)  Drowning in debt will affect other areas of our lives in negative, destructive ways.  Relationships will suffer, especially the marriage relationship.  In an article by Ron Leiber of the New York Times in 2009, the odds of a marriage ending in divorce due to finances is approximately 45 percent.  Numerous health problems are directly related to the stress of financial debt in a person's life.  When debt looms over the household, the first thing to be forgotten (in the vast majority of cases) is the issue of the tithe.  No wonder the devil works so hard to undermine our self-discipline in this area of finances.

There is an answer:  Do it God's way.  Sit down (with your spouse at your side, if you have one) and begin to research the steps a Christian should take to resolve the issue of debt in his or her life.  Dave Ramsey offers a multitude of sources that will serve as a guideline to the believer of not only how to get out of debt, but how to stay out of it and begin to handle finances in a way which will glorify the Lord and make the Christian a shining example of faith, obedience, and self-discipline.  His programs have been tested and proven by multitudes of believers and non-believers alike.  The first step is to admit that you have fallen short in the area of self-discipline where your finances are concerned.  Turn to the Lord in confession and seeking His forgiveness, then ask for His supernatural empowerment to do whatever is necessary to honorably resolve your debt issues.  We are fortunate that the United States no longer operates "debtors' prisons" as such (prevalent up until the mid-1800's),  but those who are laboring under an enormous burden of debt live in their own private prison of guilt, fear, anger, confusion, and hopelessness.  Such a life is not aligned with God's will for the believer.  Jesus said, "The thief (Satan, our enemy) comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."  (John 10:10)  Understand that Christ was not saying that every Christian will be wealthy.  The accumulation of money and possessions does not guarantee an abundant life.  In truth, great wealth has often been the source of tremendous sadness and discontent in the lives of those who possess it.  However, the accumulation of debt most certainly guarantees a life of misery, anxiety, and limited possibilities.

So, self-discipline in the area of finances is a definite commandment of God.  Make no mistake, either we will develop self-control with our money or we will live under the control of others to whom we owe it.  I urge you today to turn to God for His forgiveness and divine guidance in mastering the art of financial self-discipline in your life.  It is possible to live debt free in a culture consumed with greed and the love of possessions, money, and power.  Remember that as Christians we are are given this direction in God's Word:  "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."  (Romans12:2)  

In coming posts I will explore the area of self-discipline as it relates to some of the other issues in life.  Let me encourage you with this:  It is not necessary, nor is it expected, that you tackle every area of your life where you lack self-control all at once.  In truth, you need to pray for direction in which area you should begin the pursuit of excellence and self-discipline, apply the truth of Scripture to that area, and master the art of self-discipline therein.  When you have experienced victory in one area, you will be energized and renewed to take on the next challenge.  In time, you will know the freedom and joy that comes from living the disciplined Christian life.

"For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness-- in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God]."

(Hebrews 12:11, Amplified Bible)