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Money Tips For Making Marriage Work

When divorce attorneys are surveyed about what the leading causes of divorce is, money seems to always be in the top two or three in their list. Ask any financial advisor and they will tell you that money problems are the number one leading reason for divorce in marriage.

We disagree. Marriage research and our own experience of working with thousands of couples tell us that money problems (and other problems) are symptoms of the real problem in the relationship. Most of the time when couples keep their hearts connected and their commitment level high, they will not look to divorce as they go through the financial highs and lows of life.

For the love of money—and what it can buy—is the root of all sorts of evil. I Tim 6:10 VOICE

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How Committed To Your Marriage Are You?

Most of us stood in front of God, family and friends and made a commitment to our spouse. We said we would take them to be our spouse, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and cherish, till death we part. Perhaps your vows were not exactly these vows, but generally these are the vows we took.

To those who are married, here’s my command: … it is not right for a wife to leave her husband… Likewise, the husband should not divorce his wife. I Cor 7:10-11 VOICE

Researchers have discovered that commitment plays a pivotal role in whether or not these vows are honored.

  • The more committed a spouse is, the higher the satisfaction is in the marriage.
  • Highly committed spouses are more likely to persist in making their marriage work.
  • Commitment is the most direct and powerful predictor of marital success.

But what makes a spouse committed?

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Why Marriage Is So Important

Marriage is vitally important to individuals, families, churches and society.

Research reveals a long list of benefits of being in a healthy marriage.

  • Married couples have greater sexual satisfaction than singles or cohabitating couples.
  • Married couples have better mental and physical health.
  • Married couples volunteer more.
  • Married couples make more money and have more financial assets than non-married couples.
  • Married couples live longer.

It does not surprise us that when couples live the way God intended, He blesses them. Any other way to do relationships will not be blessed by God.

If a husband and wife are one flesh, how can they divorce? Divorce would be a bloody amputation, would it not? “What God has brought together, let no man separate.”

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What To Do With Your Irritating Spouse

Over the years in working with thousands of couples we have heard just about marriage problem one could imagine. One of the most common marriage complaints is from a spouse who is irritated, annoyed and frustrated by something their spouse does or does not do.

“Live in harmony with one another…” Rom 12:16a NIV

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Should I Stay In My Unhappy Marriage?

Darla was angry. She told us that her husband did not understand her and she did not feel like he ever would. She wondered if he loved her as she told us countless examples of his inattention to her needs. And when he finally asked her out on a date, it was to something that he knew she hated. She was done.

On a good day, enjoy yourself; on a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days so that we won’t take anything for granted. Ecclesiastes 7:14 MSG

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The Person Most Responsible For Your Marriage Problems

Relationships are hard.

Marriage is difficult.

What most of us want at the core of our souls is to do life forever with our spouse. We want to love each other until all of our parts stop working and our dentures get in the way of our kisses. We want to be there for each other in our golden years and in the final years. We want to love deeply and be loved deeply.

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Divorce Is Contagious

Did you know that when your friend’s marriage struggles, it affects your marriage?

According a Pew Research Center study, when a close friend or family member divorces, you are 75% more likely to divorce.  And if your friend’s friend divorces, it still impacts you. When a friend’s friend divorces, you are 33% more likely than other couples to divorce.

Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. Eph 5:21 MSG