God Has A Design For Your Marriage

“This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” (Genesis 2:24, NLT)

Marriage has often been likened to a pair of scissors. Like the two blades that are intricately joined, marriage unites two individuals in an inseparable manner. When these two individuals drift apart, their impact is constrained. The essence of the blades lies in their union, not in functioning individually. It’s only when the blades converge that their true potential comes to fruition—each blade complements the other.

In the second chapter of Genesis, God unveils his blueprint for married couples: two becoming one. Two distinct beings merge into a single entity. The depth of this unity is further expounded upon in 1 Corinthians 7:4, where Paul reveals the depth of this oneness—“The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.” The most personal part of ourselves, our bodies, are not even our own. Your body is your spouse’s body, and your spouse’s body is your body. Within the realm of marriage, notions of independence, autonomy, and individualism yield to the practice of sacrifice.

Just as our bodies are not our own in marriage, the aspect of finances also transforms from “mine” and “yours” to “ours.” Marital unity encompasses the realm of the checking account. This doesn’t negate the fact that each spouse might possess unique financial strengths, weaknesses, and knowledge. Nor does it dismiss the possibility of distinct financial roles within the marriage—one partner might excel in managing bills, for instance. However, it does underscore the importance of a jointly agreed-upon financial mission and strategy. Transparency and trust form the cornerstones of this approach.

Many couples find themselves entangled in money-related conflicts because each spouse adheres to an individual financial agenda with its own strategies. Instead of propelling a shared mission, they diverge from one another. This divergence hampers rather than supports. The outcome is a marriage fraught with stress and tangled financial affairs. If this mirrors your relationship with money in marriage, you’re likely aware that there’s a greater purpose waiting for you. This feeling surfaces each time you review your bank account. You know God wants more for your marriage and your money. Your heart cries out for something more.

In the days ahead, you’ll embark on a journey to cultivate a financially sound and hopeful marriage. You’ll discover that there’s a profound purpose for you, your spouse, and your relationship with money, one orchestrated by God. You’ll recognize that the intention behind money isn’t to disrupt your marriage but rather to transform it into a potent catalyst for spreading the gospel within your community and beyond.

Reflect Together:
You cannot do this on your own. When facing money and marriage challenges, you need God to intervene. Today, spend some time praying that God will give you a marriage that exhibits oneness in all areas of the relationship, including your finances.