Marriage MattersPartnering in

Finance$

April 29, 2012

Skip and Catherine Galanes

About Us

• Personal Background• Financial Training • Spiritual Conviction

The Pull of the Culture vs.

The Heart and Mind of God• Subtle or not so subtle war

• Needs vs. wants• Daily messages

Is God part of the problem?

• He gives us many good things to enjoy

• Allows us the freedom of choice

• Requires us to be managers not owners

Danger of Materialism

“The subtle power of materialism is that it has the power to blind us to the power of materialism.”Timothy Keller

Cultural Myths

“Things bring happiness”“Debt is expected and

unavoidable”“A little more money will solve

all our problems.”

Myth Buster #1

“Things bring happiness” Then he said to them, “Watch

out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”Luke 12:15

Myth Buster #2

“Debt is expected and unavoidable”

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well

Matthew 6:31-33

Myth Buster #3

“A little more money will solve all our problems.”

Whoever loves money never has money enough; Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.

Ecclesiastes 5:10

The Bible and Wealth

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1Timothy 6:17-19

Thought Questions for Couples

• Are we rich materially?• Are we arrogant?• Where are we putting our hope?• Are we enjoying God’s provisions

wisely?• Are we being generous?• What are we holding on to?• Are we storing up treasure in

heaven?

God Cares About Our Finances

• More verses in the Bible than on any other subject

• God promises to meet our needs (but not necessarily our wants)

• Real power in our spiritual lives when our finances are being handled according to God’s will.

• Real power in a marriage when spouses agree on spiritual and financial priorities.

God wants us to be:

• Diligent Earners Colossians 3:23

• Generous Givers Matt. 6:19-20; Prov. 11:25

• Wise Savers Proverbs 6:6-8

• Prudent Spenders Luke 12:15• Cautious Debtors Proverbs

22:7

Materialistic God Honoring Transitional Order Order OrderLifestyle Giving Give

somethingDebt Saving Save a little

Giving Lifestyle Maximize debt repayment

Saving Moderate (frugal) lifestyle

10/10/80 Rule

Creating a Financial Partnership

Now that we know the basics on an individual level, how do we transition to a financial partnership?

• Partners NOT competitors• Financial infidelity is as

dangerous to a marriage as sexual infidelity

Our Attitude as Financial Partners

• Ownership: Whose money is it?• Contentment: Philippians 4:11-

12• Prudent: Planning vs. going

with the flow• Good stewardship: Matthew

25:13-40

Financial Partners

• Need to understand your spouse’s–Money Motivation–Money Autobiography

• Partners plan together to work towards common goals and dreams

The Benefits of a Spending Plan are:

• Gives us facts• Motivates/improves communication• Moderates impulse spending• Avoids waste• Aligns spending and priorities• Leads to financial and spiritual

freedom

Items to Agree On

• Be prudent—give and save enoughcoming up with a giving and

saving plan to meet your goals• Know your needs vs. wants

trust God to provide your needs

• Balance your Spending Plan• Have a strategy to manage cash

Items to agree on

• Guard against too much debtLifestyle choices

• Get out of consumer debt No credit card balances at month end

• Allowances for each spouse or children

• Spending limit requiring joint agreement

• Gifts for relatives and friends

Final Words

“God has blessed me with more than I need:

I am rich.But I will not trust in my riches,

but in God who richly provides.Because I have more, I will do more and give more.I will look at my stuff through the lens of eternity

and grab onto life that is truly life.”

Andy Stanley How To Be Rich (paraphrase of 1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Final Words

• Give first• Save second• Live on the rest• 10/10/80 rule

A shameless plug

Freed Up Financial Living: Offered as partof the Adult Discipleship Curriculum in the November/December block and in the February/March block. See the Adult Discipleship brochure in the fall of 2012

Our contact information:skipgalanes@comcast.net

cgalanes@grace.org