I don’t know when it happened, but somewhere along the way, church folk have gotten really weary about money. Many Christians have great businesses, but are either afraid to charge for it, or completely keep the Lord out it. I’m in the middle. If you check my services, then you see I definitely don’t have a problem charging clients. However, sometimes I can run on autopilot, and start my day without consulting the Lord. So today, I’m going to tell you how I stay in my happy place and keep God first in my business.

The Idea Came From Somewhere

I love to tell people that the ideas that we have on the inside of us are not our own. They came from somewhere. Now, I’m not a fan of replacing God with ‘the universe’ because I believe the universe is a create thing, just like all creation. God gives you the desires of your heart. He placed that dream you can’t get out of your head, and wants you to act on it.

So when I have an idea pop up in my head, I consult with the person who gave it to me – Jesus. It doesn’t have to be weird, y’all. I literally close my eyes in the morning and lay out all my thoughts, aka pray. I’m not extra with it, unless I’m really praying against something, I talk to God like He’s my Father.

“Lord, I had this crazy idea today. I want to create a design studio, but I have no idea where to start…”

That, sis, is exactly where God wants you. He plants the desires in our hearts, and then nudges us to come back to him for the next steps. Don’t be afraid to go back, and ask the Him. That’s exactly what He’s here for. He purposed you for a reason.

Prayer/Quiet Time

This may seem cliche, but the best thing you can do for your business is pray. It’s so valuable when it comes to how I keep God first in my business. Every morning, I wake up, and I grab my journal. I do a brain dump. Over the years, this has become my primary place of prayer because your girl get’s distract sometimes lol. Journaling helps me channel my thoughts. After that, I may through on some Gospel music, and then actually pray allow. I thank God for my day, let Him know my fears, concerns, and put things in His hand. For example, when I create my goals for each month/quarter, I then take them to the Lord. I speak life (scriptures) over my goals, and commit them to the Lord. Then, I do the work.

If you are stuck on how to read the Bible, etc. I have a whole series on Youtube dedicated to it.

Write Down and Make It Plain

Lately, I have been getting really specific with the Lord. In the Bible, the Lord encourages us to write down the visions He gives us.

And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”

Write down that vision. Make it plain, and commit it to the Lord. I have a whole separate prayer journal committed to writing down things that Lord places on my heart.

Fill Me Back Up

It’s hard to hear from the Lord, when you barely know Him. I’m just going to let that sink in. There’s no way around it, we have got to stay grounded in the Word (the Bible). Not only will it encourage you in the hard times, but God speaks to us so much through scripture. I hear people say all the time, “I haven’t heard from the Lord about what I’m supposed to do.” Yet there’s cobwebs on their Bible. Scriptures are alive. It’s the God’s breathed, and it’s one of the easiest ways we can connect with the Lord.

I’m chill, so usually, I head into the Bible app, and pick a plan that applies to me and go from there. I also go to my church’s youth Bible study every Wednesday. The Lord encourages us to keep His word in our hearts, because it benefits us. Down about sales lately, turn to the word. Remind yourself that the children of God are never in lack. Worried about a bill coming up? Open them pages up, and remind yourself that He supplies are every need. Get in those scriptures, boo!

Listen to podcasts, sermons, anything you need to keep your mind clear. If your soul is starving, your business will be out of wack too. To keep God first in your business means you’re mindful of ways to include Him.

Stay In My Lane

The church is a body. There are limbs, a mouth, the head, etc. You’ve heard it a million times, but I’m going to add to the pot – the leg can’t do what the arm does and vice versa. The best thing you can do for your business is stay exactly where the Lord planted you. Stop trying to create all these random opportunities for yourself. Things the Lord didn’t even place in your heart. I’m a brand and web designer, you will not see me trying to be somebody’s life coach. It just ain’t going to happen. I create web sites for women in creative businesses. Why then would I try to lead a talk at a men’s conference?

There are people tied to your dream. There are individuals who need what you’re selling/sharing. Why then would you get out of place? After you get clear with the Lord, on what it is that you do, stay there. Your obedience is worth more than you know.

Tithing

I really hope you didn’t think I was going to leave this out, LOL. Tithing is so important. How many of you know about Transformation Church? Elevation Church? The Gathering Oasis? Heck, even think about your own local church. They all got bills. That’s as plain as I can say it. Tithing allows the church to continue to provide resources to the people who need it. It keeps the lights on when a sermon is going. Your money pays for the pads in the sanitary box your church gives to the homeless each month. Your obedience makes it easier for the church to continue to do what they do best.

Yes, people abuse it. But that’s not your concern. As long as you do your part to keep God first, in your business, that’s all you need.

I tithe 10%, and give an extra bonus tithe at the end of the year. The Lord was slowly worked me up to that. I remember when I was so broke, I could only afford $50 every pay period. Start somewhere, the Lord will work on your situation. If you have any questions about tithing, I highly suggest watching Paster Todd’s message from Transformation Church.

That’s it. Five ways I keep God first in my business. Let me know what you do in the comments below. And if you want to keep up with me, and my faith, hop on the newsletter by filling out the form below.