Fitness & Finance

Hebrews 12:11 “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”

1 Corinthians 9:27 “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should…”. When you start working out, it may not be fun. But if you keep at it,

 it will become fun. Similarly, if you change your diet, and start eating healthy it may not be fun initially. But if you keep at it, it will become pleasurable. Someone close to me takes celery juice every morning. She has acquired the taste of taking celery first thing in the morning. She is so fit and healthy. She looks forward to taking her celery juice, she juices it fresh every morning. When you see her, you can tell it is now fun for her. The question is, if you do not have to work out, will you work out? If you will, it shows the experience has become fun for you and that is the place to be.

If the only reason why you are exercising or feel the need to work out is because you are gaining weight, then you are not there yet. Do not get me wrong, it is a good place to start. But unfortunately, that is where a lot of people stay all their lives. Get out of that box. Keep at it and make it fun. You and I need to get to a place where we will work out even if we do not have to. If you do not have to eat healthy, will you eat healthy? Someone said, “Pastor I eat healthy because I have to”. Again, it is a good place to start. But you need to get to a place were eating healthy is fun for you. That is the place to be, where your body is disciplined and doing what it should. John Wesley says, “Make all that I can. Save all that I can. Give all that I can. Enjoy it all.” 

And this is what guides him financially. In other words, I enjoy making all the money I can. I enjoy saving all that I can. I enjoy retaining wealth, retaining all that I can. And I actually enjoy giving all that I can. I enjoy giving to different projects within my church community. But guess what? You must have made and retained before you can give. Psalm 35:27 “Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” (KJV). When you make money, it delights God. It pleasures God when you prosper. And this should be your outlook also, you need to enjoy making money. The question is, is making money fun for you? 

Is it pleasurable? Is it enjoyable? Some people feel bad when they make money. They say money is the root of all evil. They are clearly not reading their Bible and that is the problem. The question to you is, if you do not have to make money, will you? If you do not have to be wealthy, will you be wealthy just for the fun of it? If you do not know the answer to that question, then you need to get it and it should be yes. 

Prayer: Father, guide me along the paths that bring You pleasure, in Jesus Name. Amen!