This post continues my three keys to financial peace. The first two keys were discernment and faith. Discernment helps me decide what to spend my money on and what not to spend money on and it allows me to identify voices that can help me in my finances while screening out other unhelpful voices. Faith enables me to trust and follow the advice given to me by trustworthy sources. It also gives me hope in difficult times. My third key to financial peace is discipline.
Discipline works consistently to accomplish goals. First, I need to identify my financial goals using my discernment. Then I need faith to trust my financial plans will work out, even through troubled times. Finally, discipline results from my faith put into action. Crown Financial Ministry helped me tremendously to develop a disciplined approach to finances. In my Crown study group, I deeded all my assets to God, tracked my expenses, developed financial goals, and created a budget. Another example: I used the envelope system, which I will explain in more detail in my next post.