Weekly Financial Scripture Meditation

“The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.” Proverbs 13:4

We are all born with a desire to want more out of life.  No matter how wealthy or poor we are, no matter how much education we obtain or our chosen profession, there is something in all of us that compels us to want more.  These desires do not necessarily have to be towards money or other tangible goods.  The desire can be for more wisdom, love, internal peace or a host of other emotional attributes.

The truth of the matter is we both succeed and fail in achieving our desires.  Is there a reason why some people obtain more of the things they desire while others frequently fail?  Is there some trait that some people possess which gives them an advantage over others? The answer to this question is yes and that trait is being diligent.

By definition, diligent is defined as constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything; done or pursued with persevering attention; industrious; untiring; tireless; unremitting; indefatigable (incapable of being tired out; not yielding to fatigue).  A sluggard is defined as a person who is habitually inactive or lazy; not moving; lifeless; a procrastinator.

It is an unbreakable spiritual law that you will succeed at whatever you give constant effort and attention to accomplishing.  The corollary of this law is you will fail at whatever you do not give constant effort and attention to accomplishing.

So the question then becomes what does it mean to be diligent in a quest to become financially successfully.  The answer is simple.  Being financially successful means being consistent in how you spend your money.  It means persevering and following a budget even when you don’t want to.  It means delaying gratification until you can truly afford it.  It means focusing your attention and energy on eliminating debt.

When you develop a habit of being diligent in how you manage your money, it will become part of your character and impact all other areas of your life.

This week as you meditate on this scripture, look for ways to improve your diligence in how you handle your money.  Make a commitment to stick with your financial plan until you are fully satisfied with the results.