A Business Owner’s Best Counselor

The late Larry Burkett, our founder, believed that an excellent wife, as described in Proverbs 31, should be her husband’s primary earthly counselor.

Larry observed that in a family business, the wife is either immersed in the day-to-day operation or is totally isolated from any vital input.  

Wives, you must not allow yourselves to be ignorant of your spouse’s business. You and he are no longer two – you are one and must learn to function together. Don’t demand to know his business, but respectfully ask and listen.

A healthy fear of the Lord, a sign of great wisdom, qualifies a helpmate to provide balance to decisions like no one else. He who fails to accept her counsel dishonors her. That does not mean her counsel is always right or that she has the final word, but a man should consider and weigh it heavily.

As your spouse’s counselor, you must be willing to give advice, offer alternatives, and leave results to God. If your advice is sound, you won’t have to continually remind your husband about it; he’ll know. Don’t allow your feelings to get hurt or your spouse may avoid seeking your advice.

Men, don’t let your pride prevent you from taking counsel from your wife. A prudent wife is from the Lord. Her intuition can possibly save you from making foolish decisions that others would be afraid to discourage you from making.

If husbands will willingly share every decision with their wives, they will make themselves accountable in time, money and attitudes. Together, they can bring glory to God.

A wonderful way for spouses to get on the same page financially is with the online MoneyLife Personal Finance Study. The study is online and self-paced, so couples can walk through each week on their own schedules and pause to work on practical steps.