The Challenges of a Budget (1 Corinthians 9:25-27)

Our church is going through Financial Peace University right now. This is a devotion I did for those taking Financial Peace University drawing from 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

Week 3 is the toughest of all the lessons in FPU because it is a call to discipline and self-control. Everything up to this point has really been theory, now is when we put the lessons into practice.

As Dave mentions in the video of lesson 3, we must develop the habit of working on our budget every month so that it is ingrained in our lives. As I considered what it would take for me to develop and use a budget, I realized the main issue will be self-control.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about self-control. I think 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 provides a great help for us to know why we must use a budget in our lives. Paul says that we must exercise self-control “in all things.” Failure to do so disqualifies us.

He uses two analogies to help illustrate the benefits of self-control. First, he says, “I run in such a way, as not without aim.” A budget gives us a target to aim for each month. This target provides the purpose necessary to know where our money is going each month.

Some are lamenting how much detail is expected with the monthly cash flow statement. A common question is “Why do I have to be so detailed?” There is a great line in “The Patriot” about shooting a gun that applies to cash flow planning: “Aim Small: Miss Small”. If your aim is precise, your misses will be much closer to the target.

The second analogy is “I box in such a way, as not beating the air.” There are several ways this could be applied, but one meaning would be tied to the issue of futility. I have a twin brother. Let’s just say we would sometimes have disagreements that would lead to the need for finding a solution. One way to settle our issues were boxing gloves. Taking a lot of swings and missing tires you out much faster than if you connected your punch. Missed punches waste energy and open you up to a counter-punch that can knock you out.

Living without a budget does the same thing as boxing and missing your punches. Your money does not go as far because it is wasted on unimportant things. In addition, it opens you up to not having money available when unexpected events happen in life, or you’re not prepared for big events.

Don’t get discouraged. Do the hard work of putting together your budget, knowing it will lead to a better sense of security and purpose about financial issues in the future.