Money Maintenance

In the shop, a jig is a pattern that helps provide repeatability, accuracy, and versatility in building something. In theory, a jig reduces mistakes; but it may have taken a lot of trial and error to come up with a working jig. Similarly, when you finally figure out how NOT to live, what NOT to say, or anything like that, it’s important that you find a way to help with your new change so you don’t end up repeating that behavior again at some point later on. Groups like AA, NA, Celebrate Recovery, even Weight Watchers, and other accountability programs try to offer the help you need. All this requires a new way of thinking; and this is obviously true of spiritually, too. If we’ve been accustomed to reacting to people selfishly, in anger, or lustfully, we will have to determine where our problem is and come up with a solution, or build a jig.

Paul said in Ephesians 5:17, “Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” God defined how he wants us to live from the very beginning. And all throughout scriptures he continues to point to the way that will change our thinking so as to avoid living sinfully.

Hebrews 5:14 says in regards to how a mature person’s understanding of Scripture helps with life, “Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.”

All this being said, once we make a big lifestyle change like trying to live debt free, or living outside of some other kind of bondage, we must continue on the right path that enables us to continue to live free. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

In many ways, the path to financial freedom has similar steps needed for the path to spiritual freedom. Both require recognizing the danger of staying where you’re at (before freedom), and then developing a strategy to keep from going back to bondage. Paul warned us in Galatians 5:1, “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.”

Do you have a plan to maintain, or achieve, financial responsibility? More importantly, do you have a plan for spiritual maintenance in your life? Since money can be such a dangerous tool it’s important that we guard ourselves from greed and discontentment, which will lead us back to financial and probably, spiritual bondage. Thankfully, God gave us plenty of instructions on both issues. Culture may tell you to indulge in any pleasure, but we know that following that path leads to bondage, destruction, misery, or even separation from God. Let’s be “faithful unto death” so we can receive the real treasures that God has prepared for those who love him and obey him.