31 Ways to Mess Up Your Marriage – #13 The Color of Money

31 Ways to Mess Up Your Marriage
#13 The Color of Money

Someone has said that if you want to know where a man’s heart lies, look at his check book. (Tweet this!) Or what about the old saying that you don’t mess with a person’s money or his kids. Or “For the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil … ” (I Tim 6:10)

The issue of finances in marriage is one of the main areas of conflict. We can have little, just enough to pay the bills or perhaps we are wealthy, but what determines our level of contentment depends on our attitude toward finances. (Tweet this!) Do we take a worldly view, or God’s view?

It’s attitude that I’m going to address in this blog — I’m not skilled in the area of preparing budgets and financial plans. I highly recommend Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University for that. My husband and I have never had a lot of money. We’ve served in ministry nearly all of our marriage, and when we did on occasion make some money on investments or inheritance, God led us to give it away in one aspect or another. But God has always been faithful, and we’ve had enough.

I believe that has been because we have acknowledged God in these areas:

(1) God owns it all and is an abundant, generous Father. “I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. The Amplified says, “till it overflows.”

(2) Giving is central to His plan. I could spend much time here giving testimony, but space does not permit. We have found that giving — the tithe and the offering — is the key that unlocks the doors to God’s provision. “Give and it shall be given to you … for whatever measure you deal out to others it will be dealt to you in return.” Luke 6:38.  Even when we didn’t think we could afford to give, we followed His leadership and He would prove to be faithful. Every time! (Tweet this!)

(3) Stay out of debt. ” … the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” Proverbs 22:7

(4) Share the financial authority in your marriage. Here’s what I mean — the husband bears the final responsibility in the authority of the home, but he is not to control his wife and family by controlling the finances. Delegate responsibilities according to giftings. If the wife is better at accounting and keeping the books, delegate that to her. If the husband is better, he should do it. Decide who is to take care of what bills and then submit all finances under the authority of the husband. Work together. Be alert to what causes pressure on your mate and ease that for them. Many women do not like the stress of paying the bills. Take that stress off her, by taking care of it, but keep each other informed as to the status of each of your areas of responsibilities.

Be faithful in your finances, and God will honor that. “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much.” Luke 16:10

What techniques have you used in your marriage to help lower the stress surrounding finances? Please share any stories you may have where the Lord directed you to give when it was difficult and then He miraculously provided for your needs.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to the blog by signing up below. You will receive my most popular recipe “Traditional Terrific Toffee” in your thank you email.

The post 31 Ways to Mess Up Your Marriage – #13 The Color of Money appeared first on Golden Keyes Parsons.