Answers

Q:

I've read somewhere that money causes more fights in a marriage than anything else, and it sure is true with us. To put it simply, I'm a saver and my husband is a spender. Our credit card debt is about to swallow us but he doesn't seem to see the problem. I know this isn't a spiritual issue, but do you have any advice?


A:

I’m afraid you’re right: Money is a source of great conflict in many marriages. And this isn’t just a practical problem – it’s a spiritual issue as well, because God is concerned about every area of our lives.

In fact, the Bible actually says a great deal about our money and how we should look at it. And the most important thing it says is that we must never let money take the place that God should have in our lives. God put us here to serve Him – but all too often we end up being the slaves of our money. Jesus warned, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” (Matthew 6:24).

My prayer is that you and your husband will stop and examine this problem honestly and prayerfully. Have you let the pleasures and things of this life become so important that you’ve left God out of your lives? Face this honestly – and then turn to Christ and ask Him to forgive you and become the center of your marriage.

Then together agree on practical steps to get your spending under control. Get a budget – and stick to it. Cut up your credit cards and develop a realistic plan to pay down your debts. Remember: “The borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).