Did your wedding vows include, “for richer or poorer”? Ours did, but I didn’t give the word “poorer” a second thought. It never occurred to me that money might ever be a problem.

My husband and I both had jobs so what could possibly go wrong? Soon after we said, “I do,” we found out.

We can think we have enough money, but when life happens and money gets short, marriage can get hard.

Which of the following have you experienced?

Unexpected medical bills.

Car repairs.

Having to pay more in taxes than anticipated.

Responding to a pop up ad and buying something you didn’t need.  

A washing machine or refrigerator breaking.

Life has a way of throwing us financial curve balls. On top of that, it’s tempting to live beyond our means.

How can we live the best marriage by having the right financial priorities?

Put the Right Things in the Right Place

Just like misplacing our car keys can mess up our day because we can’t get where we need to go, when we put material possessions in the wrong place – as more important than our relationship with Christ, our marriage suffers.

Prioritize correctly. Make your love for Christ and one another what you value above possessions.

The Bible doesn’t say we’re not to have money and possessions. It says we’re not to love and serve them.  Rather, we’re to love, serve, and build our lives on Jesus.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs,” 1 Timothy 6:10 NIV.

Sweet friend, it’s so easy to slide into serving and loving our money and possessions. Online shopping and pop-up ads make it easy to misplace our priorities and begin valuing what isn’t eternally valuable.

Prayerfully consider if your heart and marriage are in the right place —loving and serving Christ. If not, or if your spending is causing a rift with your spouse, decide to make changes. It’ll lead to the right life and best marriage.

Today is a new day! Live your best marriage. Put finances in their right place.

Wife Step:  Reflect on the following questions:

• Do I spend time searching for material possessions we don’t need but that make me feel better about myself, husband, or children?
• Do I purchase material possessions simply for the satisfaction ofmaking the purchase?

• Do I find more satisfaction spending time shopping than I do spending time in prayer and reading the Bible?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, ask the Lord to forgive you and to give you a renewed heart for Him. Tell Him you want Him to be the focus of your life and marriage.

Debbie Taylor Williams, founder of Hill Country Ministries, a non-profit 501© 3 dedicated to spreading God’s Word and love, is a sought out national Christian speaker and author. Best known as a passionate Biblical expositor, Debbie uses humor and practical illustrations to communicate spiritual truths to women of all ages and walks of life. She has written 7 books and produced numerous video driven Bible studies, including The Plan A Mom In a Plan B World, The Plan A Woman In a Plan B World, Pray With Purpose, Live With Passion; Prayers of My Heart; If God Is In Control, Why Do I Have A Headache?; If God Is In Control, Why Am I A Basket Case, and Discovering His Passion.