Every Couple Knows
Every couple I know would like to have a good marriage. Years ago, I wrote a book entitled, The Marriage You’ve Always Wanted. It is my attempt to give couples practical advice on how to have a healthy marriage.
In the book, I deal with such topics as making decisions without loosing your unity, how to get your spouse to change without manipulating, how to divide household responsibilities so that each of us can use our abilities for the benefit of the other. Love, money and sex – they are all included. In short, it is a book on how to have the marriage you’ve always wanted.
Meaning in Relationships
In the midst of hard financial times, one wife said, “What we have discovered is that we can live on a whole lot less than we thought. It has really brought our family closer together. Now that we no longer have cable TV we are pulling out the games we used to play when the children were young. We’re all having great fun and we are building memories.”
This family demonstrates the biblical truth that life’s meaning is not found in possessions, but in relationships. It is my prayer that in the economic hard times we are having, people will turn again to God and to family. Then, with true satisfaction, we will reach out to minister to those who have even less than we. Serving others in the name of Jesus is the role of the Christian.
Hand in His
Everyone admits that these are troubled financial times. Many families are living under financial pressure. But for the Christian, money is to be our servant, not our security blanket. For many non-Christians, money is a sign of success. All of their decisions are made in response to the question, “What offers the greatest financial advantage?”
For the Christian, some things are more important than money. We have all learned that money can be ‘here today and gone tomorrow.’ But God is always ‘here’. He is never ‘gone’ today or tomorrow. So in hard times, we put our hand in His, and use whatever money we have to feed or families and help others. Our security is not in money, but in a loving and faithful God.
Benefit of Trust
One of the benefits of trusting in God is that we don’t have to worry about money. Jesus made this abundantly clear when He said, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear….Your heavenly Father knows what you need. But seek first His kingdom…and all these things will be given to you as well.”
God is committed to caring for His children. This does not mean that we are to sit back and expect God to do everything. There is an old German proverb that says, “God gives the birds their food, but he does not throw it into their nests.” We are to use the mind and body He has given us, but we are to do it in co-operation with Him. Our trust in is Him, not in self-effort and certainly not in government.
Business Partner
Have you ever considered making God your business partner? Many couples have made foolish financial decisions because they left God out of the process. Those who seek God’s wisdom and make financial decisions based on principles revealed in Scripture will save themselves much heartache. We are at our best when we cooperate with God.
R.G. LeTourneau, one of the industrial giants of the last generation said that when he made God his business partner, he went from a struggling business to a highly successful business. The scriptures are clear: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all who ask.” Let prayer be your first order of business, not the last resort.
Your Need For God
In today’s economy, it might be helpful to remember the words that are printed on our money, “In God we trust!” No matter how much money we have, it is still “in God we trust.” To trust in money to give life meaning is to trust in an idol.
C.S. Lewis said, “One of the dangers of having a lot of money is that you may be quite satisfied with the kinds of happiness money can give and so fail to realize your need for God. If everything seems to come simply by signing checks, you may forget that you are at every moment totally dependent on God.” Life’s meaning is not found in possessions, but in relationship – first with God, then with family and friends. “In God we trust.”
Financial Legacy
If you are an older adult and have children, what kind of financial legacy will you leave your children? Most parents collect a lot of ‘stuff’ throughout their lifetime. What are you going to do with that stuff? A Hebrew proverb says, “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.”
In my book, How to Really LoveYour Adult Child, I discuss the following principles for leaving a positive financial legacy. Consider giving money to your children before your death. This is often a wise tax move and proves helpful to the children. Check with an accountant; they know the tax laws and can give good advice. Never die without a will. Don’t let the state decide where your money goes.
Blessing
Marriage Over Money
For Our Good
