The Indianapolis Colts are coming off a 4-12 record last season. They are hoping to bounce back with a healthy Andrew Luck returning at quarterback, and a new head coach Frank Reich taking over.
With their roster in need of some help, general manager Chris Ballard has had to make tough choices during free agency. Instead of signing a couple of high-priced players, they are adding multiple guys to fill more holes.
In a recent interview, Ballard talked about their strategy for improving the roster and shared this insight:
“Financial discipline in this league, you don’t see it in this league like you used to. I think it’s a good thing to have. Because what happens is these guys are re-tooling the roster every two years….We have to get some roster continuity with ten to twelve players that are going to be Colts for a long time. Then you feel better about dipping into free agency and getting a guy.”
Financial discipline is a good thing to have in the NFL because teams need to know which positions and players are worth spending money on. Having a pulse on when to sign them is also critical. Teams that are disciplined and wise are the ones that maximize their payroll and succeed with their free agent signings.
Financial discipline is a good thing to have in our own lives too. As followers of Jesus, we especially want to be wise with the resources God has given us. Being a good steward of our money and knowing when and what to spend it on is crucial.
The right way to go about this is praying and seeking the Lord for guidance, and choosing discipline over impulses.
Proverbs 13:16 (AMP) explains, “Every prudent and self-disciplined man acts with knowledge, but a [closed-minded] fool [who refuses to learn] displays his foolishness [for all to see].”
Great effort is required to be both prudent and generous as we manage the money God lends us. We need to be mindful of maximizing our impact on God’s kingdom while keeping an open hand for the ways He wants us to give. We must be aware of where our resources are going and understand our financial standing.
Proverbs 27:23 (AMP) puts it in shepherding terms: “Be diligent to know the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds.”
Proverbs 12:11 (ESV) uses a farming example: “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.”
As the Colts look to spend their money wisely and get back to winning, let’s be encouraged to embrace financial discipline in our own lives.
Today, let’s trust the Lord to help us make purposeful and worthwhile decisions with His resources. While we work hard to make money, let’s budget, plan, and generously give with open hearts and hands for the glory of God.
Heavenly Father, I pray that I would view money through the lens of the Bible and seek You for wisdom and guidance with my finances. I pray I would be disciplined to use the resources You have given me to have an impact according to Your will. Thank you for always providing and blessing me more than I deserve. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
