Slaying the Dragons

Gentry was anxious to get started on his journey. His armor was polished, his horse was saddled, and his weapons were sharp. As he began to head out of the gate, he wondered what will happen when he meets a dragon. He did not ponder that question long. Not far from the safety of his village, he came upon a lone cave where he heard rumors that a dragon lived. He stood outside of the cave, his armor shining in the sun, and called for the dragon to come out and do battle. What emerged shocked him. The dragon looked exactly like Gentry. He moved and reacted as if Gentry was looking in a mirror. He remembered the words of the wise one continually telling him that the largest battles we have, we have with ourselves.

The dragon begins to tell Gentry that he cannot make it and that his crusade is not worth it. He plays to each of his fears and frustrations while he encourages him to turn around and go back to the life that he has always known. A life that may not be what he wanted, but at least it is what he knew. After all, Gentry was young and there will always be time to start in the future. Why should he start on his crusade now? The dragon wanted him to return to the comfort of his habits and routine trying to convince him that he needed more training. Gentry had to make a choice, go back or fight. The decision was his to make.

The dragon’s name was Indecision. Indecision handicaps people before they even begin the journey and its primary purpose is to have you return to the place where you feel most comfortable, your rut. Most people’s lives are very predictable and that predictability gives us comfort. We have created our habits and those habits have chosen a lifestyle for us. When we purposely choose to leave that comfort and change our course, the dragon of indecision is always there to taunt us. Often times we chose the pain of what we know over the fear of the unknown. However, if we are to ever move past our situations to that of true financial stewardship, this is the first dragon that needs to be slain.

The decision to make a change in the way that we think and live is not a small thing. When someone makes a real decision it means that they are willing to change their habits and examine their thinking. A person’s thinking determines their course of action or inaction. All too often we try to rationalize and keep our old routines, while telling ourselves that we want a different destination. Your thought process determines your habits. Your habits determine your destination. To have a new destination, you must begin changing your thought life and create new habits.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Rom 12:1-2

It starts with a renewing of your mind, thinking differently and not being caught up in the pattern that the world has established. Our attitudes and patterns about money have been developed since the time we were young. Some people had a great foundation with Biblical teaching and development. Others have been taught attitudes about money that are not Biblical. Most, however, developed attitudes that are a mixture of “worldly advice” and “Biblical wisdom”.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17

True stewardship means managing yourself in a way that brings honor and glory to God. Financial stewardship focuses on managing what God has entrusted to us in a way that brings Him honor and glory. It is our responsibility, but God has provided specific direction within the scriptures.

It all begins with a choice. Begin the journey or stay back in the village. God has given us His word as a guide through the pitfalls and promised to walk with us each step of the way. He has promised to provide wisdom and comfort and warns us against indecision.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” James 1:5-8

So, like Gentry, the choice is yours to make. You can decide to move forward and slay the dragon or return to the village of your habits that you have constructed. I cannot promise you that the journey will be an easy one or that there will not be pitfalls along the way. I can promise you that you will be stronger because of the journey and the battles that you will face along the way.

Gentry found himself being seduced to turn around and retreat. Suddenly, from deep within him a power grew that told him he was destined for more. He knew that if he turned back, it would be harder to begin again. Even though he did not know what was down the path, he knew he had to start. Spinning around, he thrust his sword killing the dragon. As he sat resting, he glanced over to a nearby hilltop. What he saw surprised him. Sitting on a rock watching the battle was another dragon. He congratulated Gentry, telling him that most people don’t make it this far, they turn back. He then introduced himself as “Religiosity”.

Watch the Markers

As a small boy we would often take trips to visit relatives. Distance was not measured in miles or time but specific markers along the way. As we would pass a certain restaurant or a specific church, I knew where we were on the journey. The markers along the way kept me engaged as I focused on going from one to another. As a small child, the overall trip seemed daunting and was beyond my scope. But by following a trail of markers, the trip became easier.

Often times we try to approach financial issues in a way that stops us before we even begin. We see such a huge gap between where we are and our desired goals. Trying to focus on the entire trip handicaps us and limits our forward direction. We must choose markers along the way of our financial path to plot our course. Moving from marker to marker keeps us on track. This keeps us focused on the smaller goals that added together will take us to our destination. The entire trip is built upon a series of smaller sections. Each section is independent and designed with one goal in mind, to take us further down the financial road towards our chosen destination.

“A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” Proverbs 14:15

Setting the mile markers for the journey is not a difficult task but there are a few guiding principles that need to be kept. The first is an issue of honesty. Being honest with yourself is the key. When someone begins to rationalize what they are really doing is telling themselves, “rational - lies”. Only when you are willing to take a sober look at your situation and habits will you be able to put together a game plan to change them.

Once you have determined your starting point, the next issue becomes your destination. Where do you want to go? You must have a clear destination with measureable goals. Just saying, “I would like to do better” is not enough because it is too ambiguous. In order to place the mile markers, you must have a clear starting and ending point.

"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” Luke 14:28-30

There are a few rules to use when setting the mile markers. These can be applied to each marker as well as the ultimate goal as a whole.

1. Is the mile marker measurable and specific? You must have a specific goal to know when you have arrived. This can be an amount in savings or a debt that is paid in full. The marker is up to you but it must be specific and clearly defined.

2. Is the marker within your control? If obtaining your goal depends on someone or something outside of you, then you have no control. The only thing that you can control is your actions and attitudes.

3. Is the marker congruent with your beliefs? Your goals must match your beliefs or you will sabotage yourself. For instance, if you believe having savings limits faith in God, then as you develop a saving account, you will find yourself sabotaging your efforts.

4. Is the marker worthwhile? Every goal takes effort. To make the changes needed, the change must be more desirable than staying the same. Staying the same and changing, both take effort. When a goal is not worthwhile there is no reason to apply effort to it.

5. Is the marker taking you towards your ultimate goal? Your purpose of setting up mile markers is to help guide you towards your goal. Those mile markers need to be in line with your goals. Ask yourself, does this take me closer or further from where I would like to be?

Be sure to reward yourself as you hit each marker. The reward should be in line with the goal. For instance, when you hit a marker of having some savings, do not go out and spend that entire savings to reward yourself and go backward. However, make sure that you do something to reward yourself for hitting the goal.

By setting up the markers, you are beginning to take charge of your financial future. God has given you control to manage everything that He has given to you. We are to manage it to His honor and glory. When we fail to manage or choose not to take an active role, we do a disservice
to God’s plan. Establish the markers and work towards your goals.