Getting on the Same Page As Unbelieving Spouse
Is getting on the same page financially with your spouse a challenge? It can be especially tough if you’re not united spiritually!
A couple can have a great financial plan and solid budget but still be worlds apart in their heart and mind. Thankfully, God is perfectly able to make our marriage and finances work.
You see, a marriage unites two personalities that may have two different philosophies about money. They’re shaped by families, environments, experiences, and values, just like your philosophy about loading the dishwasher, or folding the laundry!
A united philosophy about money is incomplete without God. He cares how you manage His money and gave us His Word to tell us how to do it.
Fortunately, no matter how deep the wounds or how wide the division, there’s hope. Ask God to grant you the ability to persuade your unbelieving spouse to follow Biblical principles. Do what Paul told the Colossians:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”
In love, try to agree on a system with budgeting as an integral part. Pray for wisdom to know how and when to talk with your spouse about it. Never attack or accuse, but gently discuss your desire. Budgeting can bring peace to your financial concerns.
Working together can bring healing as you unite in common goals.
My prayer is that working together will ultimately bring unity in Christ as you learn to manage all He has provided.
My wife and I wrote a book on this topic called Money Problems/Marriage Solutions. You can order your copy by calling 800-722-1976 or visit crown.org.