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Money in Marriage
Money in Marriage
Money is one of the most frequently
cited reasons for conflict within marriage. It is not uncommon for both husbands
and wives to have jobs outside the home -- a major change from the norm just a few decades
ago when husbands were expected to be the major financial providers.
With the addition of women in the workplace, household incomes have increased dramatically.
However, this new windfall of money has not soothed all financial tension. Taxes
and other expenses, as well as stress levels, have also soared upward. Families still
face financial hardship; arguments over money still plague marriages. In this chapter
we will consider some of the typical financial issues couples face and some practical
guidelines for relieving stress over financial matters.
Planning children
Estimates for the cost of having, raising and educating a child run into daunting
figures. Because God instructs families to provide for their own (1Timothy 5:8),
couples must realize they take on important financial responsibilities when they
have children.
Preparation for children is crucial. When children are born out of wedlock, unexpected
questions and problems arise. If the parents are teenagers, can they complete their
education? How will they provide for themselves and the child? If they do not have
the financial resources required, other family members (often parents and grandparents)
or the government will probably be expected to cover their financial and moral irresponsibility.
Of course, sexual responsibility is not just for teenagers. Grown men and women must
also consider the results of their actions. If they have children outside of marriage,
how will they provide for a child's financial needs and for the happy, stable, father-mother
environment every child needs?
God's direction is that sexual relations are proper only within marriage (1Corinthians 6:18; 7:2; 1Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:4). When we follow God's command, no babies
are born out of wedlock. Thus the financial difficulties that almost always accompany
such mistakes are eliminated. (To understand more about the Seventh Commandment,
please request your free copy of the booklet The Ten Commandments.)
Finally, even married, mature adults who have completed their education are wise
to plan when to have children. Some prudent young couples work and accumulate financial
reserves before starting their families. Such an approach reflects personal discipline,
foresight and a well-designed financial plan.
Caring for children
A common complaint in two-income households is the difficulty of finding someone
to care for the children while both parents are at work. Many couples, instead of
giving their children to strangers, are deciding to care for their own. One parent
stays home with the children until they are old enough to be in school before returning
to the regular workplace.
When the extra expenses of child care, transportation, additional clothing, etc.,
are taken into consideration, some families find there is little difference in their
household incomes when one of them remains at home to care for their children.
Though some may view this as old-fashioned, it is precisely the approach assumed
in the Bible. The book of Proverbs, for example, speaks of a father and mother teaching
a child important values (Proverbs 1:8; 23:22). One of the simplest and best solutions
for children is for their own parents to care for them and teach them. Yet, with
so many single parents, we understand the practical problems some will face.
Sharing resources
For husband and wife to work together financially, both must be willing to share.
From the beginning, God's instructions have been that "a man shall leave his
father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh"
(Genesis 2:24). Later we read that husbands should love their wives and wives should
submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22,25).
There is no room for selfishness in the loving marriage relationship God desires
for every couple. Too often, conflicts over money arise within marriages when one
mate seeks to gratify his or her personal interests before meeting the needs of the
family. Even if basic needs are met, arguments can arise over how additional money
should be spent. When considering how many people in the world are barely able to
survive, conflict over disposable funds seems ludicrous.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ was approached by a person involved in
a monetary dispute. "Then one from the crowd said to Him, 'Teacher, tell my
brother to divide the inheritance with me.' But He said to him, 'Man, who made Me
a judge or an arbitrator over you?' And He said to them, 'Take heed and beware of
covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses'"
(Luke 12:13-15). (See "The Greatest Inheritance,")
It is easy for us to give more attention to our personal desires in this life than
to think about the spiritual values we should be learning. Jesus illustrated this
concept with a parable: "'The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.
And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to
store my crops?' So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build
greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul,
'Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and
be merry.'
"But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then
whose will those things be which you have provided?' So is he who lays up treasure
for himself, and is not rich toward God'" (Luke 12:16-21).
It is most important for us to be "rich toward God." We must make God's
instruction our highest priority. Couples who keep these biblical principles in mind
may find it easier to share their physical resources.
Working together in marriage
Societal customs governing which mate should handle the family finances are in a
state of change. In years gone by some cultures placed this responsibility upon the
husband -- a value underscored by basic biblical teaching (Ephesians 5:23). But, although
the husband does have leadership responsibility within marriage, the Bible also makes
it clear that wives can contribute great financial wisdom and skills to the family
economy (Proverbs 31).
Sometimes the wife has greater financial and budgetary skills, and a wise husband
should take note. A wife may be better at maintaining the checking accounts, balancing
the checkbook and paying the bills, and in such cases the family may be better off
having her handle these responsibilities. In a loving and respectful marriage both
partners should discuss major financial decisions and priorities, then, according
to the biblical model, the husband should make the final judgment.
Although couples will have to determine for themselves who handles which financial
responsibilities, it is especially important for them to remember God's instruction
that they treat each other with love and respect (1Peter 3:1-7). When these principles
are employed, a husband and wife can work as a team to weather financial difficulties
instead of turning on each other.
In summary, couples can greatly reduce their conflicts over money by planning when
to have children and how to care for them, agreeing how to apportion their resources
and learning to work together to attain their financial goals.
©1999 United Church of God, an International Associtaion
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