Biblical Wisdom for Money in Marriageনমুনা

Every poll I have ever seen on marriage issues lists money as one of the top three problems in marriage. It can literally make or break a marriage.

That’s why I make a point to bring it up every time I meet with a couple for premarital counseling. It’s something a couple needs to talk about, but how you view money is not as crucial as how you work together with your spouse on it.

Scripture shows us that God knew we were going to have trouble with money: It is the most mentioned topic in the Bible. There are over 2,000 verses on money. That’s more than prayer, faith, marriage, sex or salvation! We can find God’s guidance there. He gives us the answers; we just have to follow them.

Too often, money is a source of stress and conflict between spouses, which means they do not steward it as well as they could, to the glory of God and the benefit of His Kingdom.

So my question to you today is, how do you view money as a couple?

Do you view money as a “gift from God”? Deuteronomy 8 speaks to the idea that it all comes from Him, saying, “it is he who gives you power to get wealth.” Does your view of money change in light of that scripture?

In general, most of us fall into one of two categories: “Spender” or “Saver.” How a couple matches up determines what they need to do next. Just knowing that they are both Savers does not mean the conversation is over. They may agree about money in principle, but then they need to talk about how that plays out day to day.

Two Spenders could wind up in a mountain of debt in just a few months. A couple consisting of a Spender and a Saver can certainly learn the value of balancing each other but it may be a battle to get there.

In talking about this together, remember what John 3 says: “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.” Your circumstances have been ordained and allowed by God. Without Him, you wouldn’t have life or breath, let alone the skills and abilities you use to earn money. Neither you nor your spouse are the “owner” of your money, rather, you are stewards together of what God entrusts you with.

Whether you are both Savers, both Spenders, or one of each, viewing money as God’s first will help you get on the same page with how you view money together.

Today’s Challenge:

It is time to have a money conversation. Use these three questions to get the conversation going:

1. What is your money mindset as a couple?
2. As a couple, how do you rate yourselves in the way you handle money? (Use a 1-10 scale, with 10 being “we’re doing amazing!”)
3. What is your next step after this discussion? (For example, create a budget; revise your existing budget, attend a marriage and money class, talk to a financial planner.)

Going Deeper:

Together do a Bible search on the word “money.” What is God saying to you on this topic?