7 Foundations of a Healthy Marriage Pt7
Finances – B
Sunday, September 22, 2019
I. 7 Foundations of a Healthy Marriage
Foundation verses: (Ps. 127:1-2; Matt. 7:24-27)
A. Finances & Stewardship (Practical wisdom)
Book recommendation: Money Matters – Larry Burkett
1.(Prov. 24:27 AMP) First things first – your work.
a.(2 Thess. 3:6-13 MSG) we must all work!
~Stay at home parenting is hard work!
~Disabled and handicapped
b.(Eccl. 2:24; 3:12-13) Work is a gift from God!
~Determining careers – self assessment tests
-Match your gifts with your work
c.(Prov. 14:23 NIV) Don’t stay unemployed for any period of time! Any work is better than none!
d. (Col 3:22-25 AMP) work as to the Lord.
~(Matt. 5:13-16 MSG) Salt and Light
2.(Luke 14:28-30 MSG) Create and maintain a budget.
a.A budget simply balances your earnings with your spending. Everyone knows this but most won’t do it.
~Something simple – what comes in vs. what goes out monthly.
~10% Tithe – (Mal. 3:8-12; Prov. 3:9-10)
~10% Saving or investment
~80% Fixed costs and variable expenses
b.Housing – typically the largest monthly expense and potentially the biggest money problem.
~What you can buy vs. what you can afford?
-Most buy too much house
-Base home on one income
~Buy vs. rent?
c. Automobiles – the second largest monthly expense and possibly the largest cumulative total expense over a lifetime.
~Buy vs. lease?
~New vs. used?
3.Communicate credit and debt philosophies and goals
a.(Prov. 22:7 NIV) While borrowing is not sin, it’s not always wise.
b.(2 Kings 4:1-7 NLT) Elisha and the widow
c.Credit cards can be deadly if used improperly! This may require plastic surgery!
4.(Eccl. 4:9-12) Teamwork makes the dream work!
a.If couples would work together they could accomplish great things and live their dreams.
~Security & Trust in finances
~Open honest communication in finances
-Goals, dreams, desires etc.
~Our money: not yours or mine – joint account/one checkbook
~We don’t spend anything without joint knowledge and approval
~We both equally make the necessary sacrifices to reach our agreed upon goals.
~We both equally share the benefits of our labor.
[Pastor Lee Stokes]