The One Year Love Language Minute Devotional (33 page)

King Solomon made a wise observation in the above verse from Proverbs. I don't think he was claiming that wealth is within reach for anyone who makes plans. I do think he was stating a fact of life: If you plan and make deliberate choices, the results will be better than if you simply go with the flow. That's certainly true of our finances. Planning is part of good stewardship and being wise with our resources.

If you have never put your budget on paper, I don't suggest that you do that today. Instead, keep records for two months. Record all the money you spend and what you spend it for, all the money you give away, and all the money you save. At the end of two months, you will have your budget on paper-at least, you will have a record of your budget for the past two months. Then you can examine it and ask, "Do we like our budget? If we continue on this plan, where will we be in two years?"

If you find that you don't like the way you've been allocating your money, then together you can change it. A workable budget is a genuine asset to a growing marriage.

Lord Jesus, it's amazing how money can slip through our fingers if were not careful. We want to be better stewards of what you've given us. Please grant us the discipline to make and maintain a wise budget.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. MATTHEW 6:33

THERE ARE ONLY THREE things you can do with money: spend it, save it, or give it away. I want to suggest that the place to start is by giving it away. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus told his hearers to seek God's Kingdom "above all else;' and God would supply their needs. In the context of his words, "all else" referred to food, clothing, and shelter. The Lord knows that we need these things, and he will meet our needs if we put him first.

King Solomon was never more on target than when he said, "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine" (Proverbs 3:9-10). Ever wonder why the barn is empty-why we're struggling financially? Maybe because we have not honored God with the firstfruits, meaning the best part of what we have. Please don't give to God out of what you have left over on Saturday night. Instead, make a commitment as a couple to give to God off the top as a symbol that all you have belongs to him. Agree together on an amount or percentage of your income that you will give to your local church or other ministries, and give it joyfully. This generosity will give you a sense of unity and will bless your marriage.

Father, we want to do the right thing with our money. Please help us to seek your Kingdom first and make that ourprimaryconcern. We trust you, Lord, and we want to show that trust with our finances.

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. PROVERBS 22:3

DID YOU KNOW that appliances are not eternal? Refrigerators die, usually when you're on vacation at Myrtle Beach. And did you know that when your refrigerator dies, it will cost you several hundred dollars to replace it? Are you saving for the death of your refrigerator?

As Proverbs 22:3 says, being wise involves looking ahead and taking precautions. A regular savings plan is wise stewardship. Please notice that I said "regular." Saving ten dollars every week is better than saving whatever you happen to have left over at the end of the week. If you plan, you'll come out ahead. For painless saving that doesn't depend on you to remember, you might investigate automatic deductions from your checking account to a savings or investment account.

Give to God first, pay yourself second (save), and then live on the rest. You may have to lower your standard of living to follow this plan, but that's not a bad idea. The Bible says, "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has" (Proverbs 21:20, NIV). Problems occur in life. Cars break down, homes need repair, kids get sick. If these events create a financial strain, they will bring even more stress to your relationship than they would otherwise. Be wise and start a regular savings plan. Being prepared for the unexpected is one step toward a growing marriage.

I know, Father, that unexpected expenses can be a source of tension in my marriage. Please help us to be disciplined enough to save for the future, knowing that saving is good stewardship and will prepare us for whatever is ahead. Thank you that the future is in your hands.

Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. PHILIPPIANS 3:13 -14

ONE OF THE BARRIERS to a growing marriage is lack of time. One wife said, "I'd like to have a good marriage, but I'm not sure I have time." Many people can identify. After all, there are meals to be cooked, children to be reared, lawns to be mowed, and employers to be pleased. How do we find time to do all of this and still have time for each other? I'd like to share some ideas on overcoming the time barrier.

First, we must set goals. We do this in business, so why not in marriage? How often would the two of you like to go out for dinner? How often would you like to go on a weekend trip or take a walk in the park? How often would you like to experience sexual intercourse? What are the kinds of activities that would keep your marriage alive? Would you like to have a "daily sharing time" in which the two of you share your day with each other? If so, how much time would you like to invest in this? How can you pray for each other or be a spiritual encouragement to each other? These are the kinds of questions that lead to setting meaningful goals.

In Philippians 3, the apostle Paul wrote about his own ultimate goal: reaching the end of the race-in other words, the end of his life of service to God-and winning the prize of God's approval. He set everything else aside to make that his primary object. That single-mindedness would do us good in our marriages as well. Remember, setting goals is the first step to overcoming the barrier of time, because our goals continually remind us of what's really most important.

Heavenly Father, it's easy for me to waste time with things that don't really matter. But then I realize how far 1 am from the things that are most important. Please help us as a couple to come up with the right goals. I want to commit to doing what is best for our relationship.