How to handle marriage finances?

Many couples are on the brink of divorce due to complications associated with handling marriage finances. From the onset of birth we are taught that without finances life can become troublesome. Couples can avert problematic challenges by building a foundation of trust before entertaining the impact of marriage finances.

Chrsitphe Krell, a principal with Cassaday & Co. in Mclean Virginia, believes that “money can become a huge source of conflict in the marriage. The solution offered by Krell is money “… should be as important a discussion before marriage as whether you want children or where you want to live.”

There is an estimated 2 million marriages each year and about 800,000 divorces or annulments. Money is a major contributing factor according to a recent study. According to a study by SunTrust Bank, the leading cause of divorce is finances. The researchers found that 35 percent of people named money as the primary trouble spot with their spouse. This is because many couples place a premium on handling marriage finances rather than the moral principles that will transform a marriage into success.

The problem that many couples face is not how they handle money but how they handle God’s resources. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus advised: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” This means that couples are to seek the salvation that is inherent in the kingdom of God because it is of greater value than all the world’s riches. If couples are taking care of God’s business as a priority—seeking His salvation, living in obedience to Him, and sharing the good news of the kingdom with others—then He will take care of our business as He promised.

God has promised to provide for His own, according to Philippians 4:19, by supplying every need. However, His idea of what we need is often different from ours, and His timing will only occasionally meet our expectations. For example, we may see our need as riches or advancement, but perhaps God knows that what truly we need is a time of poverty, loss or solitude. When this happens, we are in good company. God loved both Job and Elijah, but He allowed Satan to devastate Job (all under His watchful eye), and He let that evil woman, Jezebel, break the spirit of His own prophet Elijah (Job 1–2; 1 Kings 18–19). In both cases, God followed these trials with restoration and sustenance.

Couples must also understand that they are not owners but stewards of God’s resources. Couples are caretakers of what God has given them. According to 1 Timothy 6:7, “We brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world”. Once couples accept that God owns everything and they have simply been chosen to be stewards or managers of His property, then it’s important for them to manage according to His principles and standards. How we faithfully manage what He has given us will determine whether He will give us greater things to manage. “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:23).

Couples must first evaluate why they have problems handling marriage finances.

1)      Is the couple serving in the area that God has ordained for them to serve?

2)      Does the couple replicate the original design of marriage?

3)      Is the couple tithing and giving as ordered in Malachi 3:10?

4)      Is the couple seeking God first or do they have their separate agendas?

The bible is very specific as to how individuals are to handle finances. Once married, couples must make a concerted effort to handle marriage finances as ordained by God.

Related Articles

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7 money mistakes that can mess up your marriage

Pros and cons of sharing your finances as a married couple

In Christ,

Dr. Derrick and Mrs. Sheila Campbell

PO Box 4707 Cherry Hill, NJ 08012 (856) 566-3267

www.advancedmarriagetraining.com

Published Books

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  • Leading Your Marriage into the Promised Land (Workbook for husbands & Wives)
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