Money has the power to shape our lives in profound ways. It can either become our servant, enabling us to fulfill our dreams and bless others, or it can be a ruthless ruler, dominating our every decision and causing discord within our relationships. This truth holds even more significance within the sacred bond of marriage.
In a Christian marriage, handling money well goes beyond mere financial management. It becomes an opportunity for growth, unity, and stewardship, aligning with biblical principles. Money is never static; it reflects our values, priorities, and spiritual state. Therefore, it is crucial for couples to establish a wise and harmonious approach to finances, maintaining control over money instead of letting it control them.
Furthermore, money is one of the primary topics that married couples argue about. A survey conducted by Ramsey Solutions found that money-related issues were the leading cause of marital arguments, with 79% of respondents indicating that they had fought about money with their spouse.
“Money issues are heart issues.”
– Ron Blue
Christian Finances
When we embrace Jesus Christ as our Savior, we embark on a journey of learning and living according to Kingdom principles. This transformation involves renewing our minds, including how we approach money. Before knowing Christ, we often spent cash according to our desires, with little regard for others. However, upon coming to faith, we realize that everything we possess is a gift from God, and we are mere stewards of His resources.
The Bible highlights the importance of money and possessions through numerous mentions and teachings:
- Out of the 38 parables, Jesus taught, 16 were about money and possessions
- In the Gospels, one out of ten scriptures directly deal with money, totaling 288 verses
- Approximately 25% of Jesus’ words were focused on money.
- The Bible contains over 2,000 verses about giving, possessions, and money.
In other words, money is vital in God’s eyes. This emphasizes our need to align our financial decisions with biblical principles.
According to the Bible, material wealth is temporary and prone to loss or decay. However, when we manage our money in accordance with God’s ways, we not only fulfill our earthly needs but also store up treasures in heaven. Our perspective on money should shift from self-serving ownership to faithful stewardship, recognizing that God is the ultimate provider.
Regardless of whether you feel like a financial wizard who can nail a budget or a money-saving failure, it is never too late to prioritize financial stewardship within our marriages. Both partners need to agree and abide by a financial plan, even if one assumes primary responsibility for staying on track.
Open and honest communication about money can be challenging, especially when faced with financial difficulties. However, such challenges can serve as opportunities to align our financial affairs with God’s principles and trust Him to guide us through the process.
“If a person gets his attitude towards money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life.”
– Billy Graham
Ron Blue, one of America’s leading Christian financial counselors, provides valuable insights on financial confidence.
Four Elements of Christian Finances:
Heart Motive: Our primary motive should be to serve God in every area of our lives, including finances. Recognizing that we are stewards rather than owners allows us to rest in God’s direction and provision.
Financial Health: Assessing the health of our finances becomes easier when our hearts are aligned with God’s principles. Regardless of our income level, we can categorize our financial priorities into five areas:
- Live (provision, contentment, and enjoyment)
- Give (release God’s resources)
- Owe (taxes and debt repayment)
- Grow (preparing for the future)
Building Good Habits: Developing healthy financial habits takes time and patience. Five impactful habits applicable to any income level are:
- Spending less than we earn
- Giving generously
- Avoiding debt whenever possible
- Planning for financial emergencies
- Setting long-term goals.
Hope: As we plan our financial future with strategic intention, our hope for a better tomorrow rises. By embracing the heart motive of a good steward, understanding our financial health, and cultivating sustainable habits, we can experience God’s faithfulness and the fulfillment of our financial goals.
Ultimately, we must remember that God is on our side as we navigate the complexities of money within our marriages. By aligning our financial decisions with biblical principles and seeking His guidance, we can find peace, provision, and fulfillment in managing our finances together.
To learn more about biblical finances or Christian marital teaching on many other topics, please visit our website at Dream City Church, join us for Sunday morning service, or get plugged in!
