Financial discipline stems from financial literacy as you learn to not only work your budget but trust it. Over the last few months, I've shared how this trust has secured my finances even through the pandemic. But recently, I've gone from 7 streams of income to 2. This has pushed me to walk blindly in faith to know that my finances are God's. To add more to my challenge of faith, the Lord has recently allowed me to become a first-time entrepreneur. I have started two companies: one that encompasses this blog and the other I'll be rolling out soon.

Through the process of going from side hustle to business, the Lord has been growing my faith exponentially as I'm maturing in my submission, obedience, and deliverance (to name a few). I have started with no personal upfront capital, one angel investor, and a journal filled with instructions from the Lord. This financial uncertainty has undoubtedly strained my resolve to continue to trust my financial discipline. But I have stayed steadfast.

With Christ's help, over the last month, I have completed our first 90 days of the blog (earning 47¢). I took a business birthing boot camp (losing 0¢). And have now been accepted to join an organization called W.O.M.B. that empowers women-owned minority business owners through the community (losing 0¢).

Without my obedience and my dedication to my budget, none of these opportunities would have been possible. The Bible says, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." Whenever the Lord asks for me to invest in my business, even when I don't have it in the budget, I do. In the same way, when going to join W.O.M.B., I evaluated my budget, and the Lord and I decided that I did not have the funds to join. However, after much praying, petition, and patience, the Lord found it fit to lay on the heart of my other circle members to sponsor my membership for a year!

This is no small gesture either. Each of these members pays for their membership and are new entrepreneurs as well. And they saw it fit to invest in my business and me. If the Lord couldn't have trusted me when I was investing my last into the business, He surely couldn't have trusted me to be a good steward over the sponsorship into this organization. I’m thankful to both them and Jesus for such an opportunity.

So when we are exercising financial discipline, remember sticking to the budget is rarely easy. You are going to have to make the tough calls on the regular to ensure that you are maximizing your income and minimizing your expenses.

Second, being a good steward is not just following the budget. It's being obedient when the Lord says to spend or not to spend. Don't hesitate with your obedience either. Remember delayed obedience is still disobedience (Jonah).

Lastly, there will always be opposition to doing what God has commanded you. Specifically, when walking in faith, there will always be distractions to get you off course. Through this entire entrepreneurial journey, I have gotten spiritual and physical pushback from satan attacking my self-esteem, family members, insecurities, etc. But you can't let that deter you. Keep God first. Even when you're tired, even when it's hard, work at all things, including your budget, as unto the Lord.