Marriage and Money - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

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New Life COTR Wednesday August 1, 2007
BUILDING A MARRIAGE THAT ROCKS
“Marriage and Money”

INTRODUCTION: Many Marriages today are on the rocks because of MONEY! Fifty percent of couples filing for divorce list financial problems as the leading cause!
Money and material blessings are meant by God to be a source of blessing and security, but for many couples, finances are a curse and a cause for fighting and insecurity in their relationships.
Regardless of your financial situation you and I need to respect the power finances have on our lives and marriage.
Money molds men and women and marriages. In the process of getting it, of saving it, of using it, of giving it, of accounting for it.
Depending on how money is handled it proves a blessing or a curse to its possessor.
IN YOUR MARRIAGE, YOU WILL EITHER MASTER MONEY OR MONEY WILL MASTER YOUR MARRIAGE!
Matthew 6:24-34- Turn and Read
*****Understand, that when it comes to money it’s about YOU AND GOD IN PARTNERSHIP!********
Let’s first look at God and His part in the partnership. FOR THE PARTNERSHIP TO WORK YOU MUST BELIEVE THE NEXT THREE POINTS.
I. OWNERSHIP- He is the sole owner of everything.
Psalm 24:1- “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it;”
II. GOD IS IN CONTROL
1Chronicles 29:11,12- “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord is the Kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”
III. PROVISION- God is the provider
Genesis 22:14- “The Lord will Provide.”
TRANSITION: God is doing His part! Now what is our part in this partnership?
I. FAITHFUL STEWARDS- Accountable to God
1Corinthians 4:2(NIV)- “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
God owns, we possess. That makes us STEWARDS OR MANAGERS of His stuff.
TRANSITION: In Genesis 2 God prepared the garden of Eden for Adam and put Adam in the garden and commanded Adam to DRESS and KEEP the garden. God was telling Adam, “Manage and Protect My Garden.”
God the owner is in control and gives us provision to manage or be stewards over. So how do we end up in financial problems which in turn cause unnecessary stress on our marriages?
1. DEBT- This is simply spending more than you make.
Proverbs 22:7- “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Debt- Few things are so easy to get into and so difficult to get out of. Few things are so fun to get into but so difficult to get out of.
2. IRRESPONSIBLE USE OF RESOURCES
Impulse buying- Don’t buy under pressure. If God wants you to have it, it will be there for you. If you don’t have peace, don’t do it.
Will Rogers- “We spend money we don’t have to but things we don’t need to impress people we don’t like.”
Indulgence Buying- It is important to discern between NEEDS and WANTS. Indulgence buying is buying just because you want it.
But it was on sale! Do you know how much money I saved? Do you know how much money you spent?
The third thing that causes financial problems and unnecessary stress on the marriage.
3. CARELESS MANAGEMENT
Lack of attention to Money Details. Here is a common statement, “I DON’T KNOW WHERE IT ALL GOES.”
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES IS NOT A MYSTERY! Get a budget.
Proverbs 24:30-34- Turn and Read
What you invest your money in is important.
You are 12 times more likely to be struck by lightening than to win the lottery.
The Fourth way you can get into financial problems which can cause unnecessary stress on your marriage.
4. WITHHOLDING BENOVOLENCE
There are two Biblical principles that go hand in hand. GIVING AND RECEIVING
Luke 6:38- “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
It is possible to give and be richer. It is possible to hold on to things and be poorer as a result.
Proverbs 11:24,25- “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
Biblically we are commanded to give in three ways:
(1) To God- Proverbs 3:9,10- “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
(2) To Other Christians- Galatians 6:10- “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
(3) To the poor and needy-Proverbs 14:21- “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.”
The fifth way to get into financial problems and cause unnecessary stress on your marriage,
5. CHEATING
Taxes, Work, Time!
TRANSITION: Now, how do we experience financial peace that helps our marriage be a marriage that Rocks?
1. PERSONAL DISCIPLINES- that where it all begins. Financial peace comes from your own personal disciplines.
The maturity of your personal disciplines is second in making this whole thing work. The first is God.
Ownership, control, provision, this is all about God! BUT SECOND IS YOUR DISCIPLINE!
WITHOUT THESE TWO ALL THE KNOWLEDGE IN THE WORLD WON’T HELP ONE BIT!
Master yourself first through Jesus Christ and then master your money.
Proverbs 25:28- “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”
Proverbs 1:1-7- Turn and Read
TRANSITION: God calls us to personal disciplines and faithful stewardship for three reasons:

1. TO DEVELOP CHARACTER- Money molds men. It proves to be a blessing or a curse. EITHER A MAN BECOMES A MASTER OF HIS MONEY OR THE MONEY MASTER OF THE MAN!
Money is an exact index to the character of a man. Your checkbook reveals your true character.
The second reason God calls us to personal discipline and faithful stewardship
2. TO DEEPEN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE
In order to trust God with your finances you’ve got to know Him and to know Him you must spend time with Him.
All major financial decisions require time with God.
Matthew 6:24- “….you cannot serve two masters…”
The third reason for personal discipline and faithful stewardship
3. TO LEAD US TO CONTENTMENT
Hebrews 13:5- “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
There is great joy in doing the right thing but you just have to do it.
Without a strong mature character you have no discipline for a budget.
Without a deep spiritual life you have no motivation to give to God’s church.
Without contentment you will never get out of debt because you’ll always want more.

CONCLUSION: I want a marriage that rocks, how about you? Be free financially! Keep unnecessary stress out of your marriage.