• Your view of money directly impacts your relationship. It will either impact it in a positive way or a negative way, but it WILL impact it.
• You probably don’t go through too many days without thinking about money in some way, shape or form. Whether you are thinking about bills, your job, something you want to buy, your investments, your future or your retirement. We are always thinking about money…Money is an unavoidable part of life…this isn’t necessarily a bad thing…it’s just a thing.
• Christians are supposed to have a different view on money than the world because we know that money can never bring true satisfaction.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV) — 5 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

• As Christians and as married couple, how are we supposed to view money and get on the same page?

1. PERSPECTIVE: it is not mine, yours, or even ours…it is God’s money and we are called to steward it.

Psalm 24:1 (NIV) — 1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

• Husbands and wives are partners in this.
• Trust is at the heart of all of this…
• Regardless of what end of the financial spectrum you find yourself on…in need or in abundance, you have to trust God.
• In need: Trust that God will provide and that He knows what is best and when.
• In abundance: Trust that God is your source of security, safety, and satisfaction and not money

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) —5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

2. PRIORITY

Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV) — 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

• Are my finances in a place that is allowing me to be generous? Am I a slave to my job and to my finances? Do my finances reflect being on mission with God?

3. PLAN: set up and stick to a budget

• • 1) Give
    • Tithe, generosity fund

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV) — 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Acts 20:35 (NIV) — 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

• • 2) Spend
    • Bills, food, fun
  • 3) Save
    • Savings, retirement, investments

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) — 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

For Small Group Discussion:

Opening Question: What was one of your most impulsive purchases?

Main Point: When we follow God’s design regarding our possessions it leads to unity and the ability to partner with God in financial ways as a family.

Read/Tell the Story: Luke 12:13-21 (the Rich Fool)

Head –

• What argument-initiated Jesus telling this parable?
• Why did the rich man tear down his barns?
• Why did God consider this man a fool?

Heart –

• Where do you see yourself in this story?
• How do you determine what is wise planning vs. storing up treasures in an unhealthy way?
• What do you do when finances are the tension in your family?
• How have you decided in your home what is prioritized when it comes to spending money?

Hands –

• How can you ‘guard against all forms of greed’ in your life?
• What part of your finances need to be realigned to God’s design?
• What is an area in which God is calling you into greater generosity?

Supporting Scripture: Matthew 6:31-33, Ecclesiastes 5:10

Tips and Resources: Consider taking a class, Financial Peace University or Next Level Finances.