Self-Control

Are you self-controlled?

Multiple verses in the New Testament address the importance of self-control. It’s a foundational principle for life, including financial well-being. Self-discipline and a sound mind are crucial for making wise decisions. They guard against becoming a slave to lenders and make radical generosity possible. Wise planning and investing for short and long-term goals are attainable. Perhaps most importantly, as your financial margin increases, your financial stress decreases.

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It helps us distinguish between genuine needs and our selfish desires. It puts the brakes on instant gratification, which protects us from taking on unnecessary debt. Ultimately, financial self-control is rooted in God’s peace, regardless of our possessions. Like the Apostle Paul said, we can learn to be content in our circumstances by trusting God to provide for our needs. Meanwhile, we follow the virtuous cycle of working, giving, saving, spending, and investing – in that order, and if you want to develop more self-control? Ask the Lord for it. You can develop a sound mind by investing time in prayer and reading His Word. Get up earlier, read over your lunch break, study, and pray instead of watching TV or scrolling through social media. Practicing these disciplines will build habits for a lifetime and transform you into a good money manager.

And if the lack of self-control has buried you in credit card debt, let Christian Credit Counselors help. They can create a debt management plan that will really work. For more information, visit online at crown.org/ccc.