Money Matters!
Scripture Reading — Proverbs 22:1-7
The borrower is servant to the lender.
Proverbs 22:7
According to experts, one of the three leading causes of marriage breakdown is money. One spouse keeps on spending, while the other insists on saving. Many couples consistently spend more than they make. Commercials urge us to “buy now and pay later.” Popular stores promise a year free of making payments, and credit card companies offer interest-free purchasing for six months.
But let’s listen to what the Bible says about debt. Romans 13:8 says, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.” Proverbs 22:7 warns us that being in debt makes us like slaves or servants. Many couples have become slaves to their debt by buying what they can’t afford and don’t need.
Some of us need to change our lifestyles. All of us have to learn to live within our means. We need to learn to spend wisely. Christians have the responsibility to “manage their money.” Money matters: it can break up a marriage. Some churches offer stewardship classes regularly and provide Christian financial counselors to help us manage our money.
If, after using every means available, we still cannot make ends meet, perhaps we ought to ask ourselves if we are giving to the Lord what belongs to him. According to Haggai 1:2-11, if we short-change the Lord, we’ll never have enough.
Lord our God, help us to be faithful stewards of the resources you entrust to us. Teach us to use our money well, knowing that everything we have belongs to you. In Jesus, Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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