Savings Day – Living with a Negligent Husband

Are you unable to save because of a negligent spouse? Don’t lose hope. 

We received a letter from a woman whose husband had worked off and on during their 20-year marriage. When employed, he spent all the money. When not employed, they depended on help from relatives. They filed for bankruptcy – twice. At the time of this letter, he was out of work again with no plans to look for another job. His wife desired to get out of debt and to be a stay at home mom. My heart went out to her. She was married to an irresponsible man. He should have provided for his family whether in a high-paying or a low-paying job. If you’re in a similar situation, here’s my advice. 

First, ask your husband to pray out loud with you every day. This will reveal what’s in his heart while uniting you together in the Holy Spirit. Second, don’t condemn him or make him feel like a failure. Gently ask him to join you in discovering and following God’s way of approaching finances. Third, let him know that you’ll help in any way possible because you don’t want to live in violation of God’s principles. Respectfully offer to manage the budget. Speak the truth in love to your husband. Don’t nag, even if you know the solution. Draw near to God and ask Him to provide for your family when your husband will not work. He understands your needs. Affirm your love for your husband and ask him to work with you. Pray regularly for patience and wisdom when asking the Lord to change his heart. Wait with hope and save whenever you can. 

And if you’re burdened with credit card debt, I recommend Christian Credit Counselors. They’ll create a debt management plan that will work for you. For more information call the Crown Helpline: 800-722-1976 or visit online at crown.org/ccc.