Today I want to take a look at discipleship – most specifically, as
it relates to the aspects of time and money management. As I’ve said many
times, we are disciples of whatever discipline we follow. Both words come from
the same root word. Www.Dictionary.com
defines discipline as “training that corrects, molds or perfects the mental
faculties or moral character.” A disciple is defined as “one who accepts and
assists in spreading the doctrines of another.” In other words, as disciples of
Jesus Christ, we not only accept what the Word of God teaches us; we spread His
Good News to others. We exemplify our Teacher. Disciples, my brothers and
sisters, have discipline. We’ve been trained and continue in training to be
like our Master.
Times are tough and lots of folks, including professing believers,
are looking for ways to get out of debt. Sounds like a pretty smart move, huh?
But not when it involves shirking one’s responsibility – there’s a big
difference between getting out of debt and running out on a debt.
Psalm 37:21a (NASB) says: “The wicked borrows and does not pay
back” (NASB). Believers aren’t to be “wicked!” Believers are to be like Jesus.
Understand first and foremost that I’m addressing believers.
If you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then the words of First
Corinthians 6:19b-20a hold true for you: “you are not your own; you were bought
at a price” (NIV). The moment you surrendered your life to Jesus, you gave up
ownership. You became His. Therefore, you own nothing, including your own life.
He owns it. He “bought” and paid for it. It’s not your time; it’s not your
money. It’s His. And He expects you to be a good manager of what He’s blessed
you with.
Stay out of debt as much as possible. Refuse to live on
credit. Pay the debts you owe; pay in a timely manner; and set a goal of
becoming completely debt-free.
“When a man is in love or in debt, someone else has the
advantage.” (Bill Balance)
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