In Love for Life

See text for detail.

Different ideas and training about money; finances not discussed adequately before marriage; different economic backgrounds.

Two main factors: earning power and chosen lifestyle.

Note also that every plan is only as good as its ability to deal with challenges to the plan. A family might have an effective budget and financial plan but when the events of life place challenges on it, adjustments and other changes may have to occur.

External forces

Three basic external forces are explained in the text:

• How our parents lived, their attitudes, and what we are, or are not taught about finances.
• The availability of easy credit.
• The abundance of and variety of merchandisers and merchandise. Added to this is the proliferation of internet-based merchandisers.

Internal forces – These are internal to the individual. They include greed, jealousy, pride, laziness, lack of self-control, selfishness. Added to this is one's view towards materialism and one's desire to have a chosen lifestyle now through credit rather than build it by wise use of finances already gained.

Answers will vary but look for responses related to:

• The misuse of finances.
• Accessibility of finances that lead to excessive materialism.
• The ease of credit leading to debt.

Details are contained in the text.

If these are not avoided or dealt with, they cause us to potentially shift our focus away from building a loving relationship and turn into resentment for our partner or blaming each other for the problems at hand. Furthermore, financial stress often leads to challenges to our faith and service to God.

Bad solutions:

• The ostrich solution – refusal to admit the problem or simply ignoring financial problems. As a result, the problem gets worse.
• The chicken solution – This solution seeks an immediate escape usually resulting in more debt and can be fatalistic.
• The parakeet solution – The same mistakes are repeated (lots of small debts consolidated into one big debt, poor use of credit).
• The horse solution – Just work harder to resolve the debt without removing the destructive practices.
• The spider solution – Removing one's mate (divorce). It doesn't eliminate the problem and likely creates more problems.

Good solutions:

• Establish a lifestyle based on current earning power (aka: living within one's means). See Proverbs 22:7.
• Establish priorities for how the money you have is used. Implement the "B" word – budget!

When we offer God the first portion of our earnings, He blesses the entire amount we earn. In doing this, we show our faith in God. We accept that He is our provider and will take care of us.

First, financial limits serve as the spring that trips the money trap. They lure the foolish and unaware into the trap that is difficult at best to escape from. Secondly, God provides true riches, joy, and comfort in life, which are not found in material or worldly possessions (See Psalms 37:25; Matthew 6:19-34).

When we fall prey to the money trap, we are in danger of losing our primary focus of loving and serving God. We allow the things of this world (materialism) to come between us and God.

On the other hand, when we continue to trust God and use a portion of our physical blessings for His glory, He multiplies what we have and guides us into its most productive use.

We do this two ways: (1) Literally and spiritually, giving God the first (and best) portion of everything. This means we dedicate it to His service. (2) Trust God to help us manage all that God has given us.