The little boy was given the job of sharing a roll of quarters with his two younger siblings. He counted, “One for you and one for me” to his sister. Then he counted, “One for you and one for me” to his younger brother. He had figured out the way to get two quarters is to give one away to his siblings! While you probably laughed at his creative ability, if you had been one of the siblings, you would not have been so impressed!

The top three problem areas in marriage sited by counselors and pastors are communication, sex, and money. Money matters keep marriages and families in all social and economic strata in turmoil.

You have often heard the scripture in I Timothy 6:10 NKJV, quoted as “money is the root of all evil.”  The scripture really says, “For the LOVE of money is A root of all kinds of evil for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Money is not a living thing; it is merely a tool for living life. It is not inherently evil, but its application can be. Just as a hammer is a great tool for building a house or simply hanging a picture, used improperly it can become a weapon of death.

My nephew, Lance, who lives in Alabama is a senior financial planner. He often shares four areas of financial consideration that families need to address. With his permission, I want to share these four areas with you to help strengthen your marriage and family.

• The first category, financial position, is probably the hardest because it takes discovery and work on your part. You must take a detailed look at what is coming in and what is going out. You must assess where you are financially and consider changes that need to be made. You cannot progress to the next three categories until this honest evaluation is complete. This is the site of most arguments and strife in families.

 

• Protection planning is category two. Parents must consider the unthinkable, “What if I don’t make it home tonight”? Is there enough provision in savings and insurance to meet the needs of your family and retire any outstanding debt should you no longer be there?

 

• Categories three and four are so closely related that it’s hard to separate them. Taxes, investment planning and retirement are areas where most families need financial counseling from a professional they trust. Remembering grandma’s saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” is not a bad idea either. Diversification and professional planning in today’s economy is a must.

 

• Estate planning is the final category of consideration. In Psalm 37:25 we find a scriptural reference to estate planning, “I have been young and now am old; yet, I have never seen the righteous forsaken, or his descendants begging bread.” You want to plan so your children and grandchildren are blessed. A scripture my father-in-law considered one of his “life principal scriptures” is found in Proverbs 13:22, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”  Estate planning, no matter how large or small the volume, is an important consideration for each family. It is an expression of continued love and care.

In the New Testament Jesus has more to say about money than any other topic other than the “Kingdom of God.” He talked more about money than he did about heaven and hell combined. Of the thirty-nine parables, Jesus used eleven to share wisdom concerning finances.

In Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV, Jesus says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Jesus is admonishing us to have the right heart perspective concerning money! He’s not against money. He’s for using it as a tool in the kingdom of God to accomplish eternal dividends.

There is no greater blessing than to be financially solid, have your house in order, and to be ready to give into the projects of the kingdom of God! Recently my husband and I gave to ministry outreaches in Pakistan, Uganda, and South Africa. In addition, we give to our local church weekly and to individuals as the Lord leads. If we had not decided to live on a budget and manage our finances in a Godly manner, we could have only watched on the sidelines as the kingdom of God grew in these countries.

Money matters can strengthen or destroy your family. Be initiative-taking and tackle those financial issues – today! Plan for your future, your children’s future, and the kingdom of God.