Money Matters
By Melissa Ringstaff
From Chaos to Calm: Day Thirteen
Money Matters
Scripture Memory: “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” Proverbs 31:11
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Yesterday we discussed being dependable and trustworthy. Today, I want to focus on the second portion of the verse above.
In some families, mom takes care of the majority of the finances. In others, dad is the one who makes the decisions. Regardless of who pays the bills or manages the budget, it is up to you to be faithful with the money that your husband has given you control of.
I have known wives who simply ran their husbands into the poor house because of the “need” to shop and have pretty, new clothes or household items. For a husband, money is always a concern. Will he make enough to pay for all the expenses? Will he be able to save for a nice retirement? Can he provide his bride with all the pretty things her heart desires?
Most men, at least in the beginning, want to please their wives with nice things. It can be demoralizing for man if he feels his wife is not pleased with the amount of material possessions he is able to provide given his talents and career.
So, it is important that you use money wisely and with discretion. Do not purchase items that you truly do not need. If your closet is already packed with clothes that fit and are in good shape, resist the urge to go shopping for excess.
If you have been given a budget of $500 to purchase groceries and other household items each month, see how much money you can save and put in the bank. Just because you have been given that much money, does not mean you must spend every penny! It is always better to save money than to spend money.
Do you ever feel guilty after a purchase because you know your husband would not approve? It is never a good idea to hide your spending from your husband. Show him that you are capable of making wise financial choices and he is more likely to give you greater freedom in spending money.
If your husband has a difficult time controling his own spending, you can help him by being practical and faithful with your own spending. Discuss the possibility of setting up a household budget with your husband. Write up a possible budget that he can tweak in order to get the ball rolling.
One of the easiest methods of controlling spending is by using the “envelope” system. Determine the amount of income you have. Allot monies toward bills and other regular spending categories such as tithing, groceries, rent, insurance, and gasoline. Place the allotted money in a marked envelope for each month. When the money is gone, don’t take from another envelope, you have reached your limit. This method can be helpful for both the husband and wife. If your budget allows, give each spouse a practical amount of money that is for his or her own enjoyment and that you do not have to be held accountable to the other spouse.
The Proverbs 31 woman’s husband did not have to worry about his wife’s spending habits because he knew she was frugal and sought out the best value for her money. He also knew that she would not make decisions about large purchases without consulting him. Give your husband the respect he deserves and discuss large purchases with him before the fact! Honor his decision, even if you do not agree.
Whatever you financial situation, ask God to hold you accountable AND help you to be content. List any resentment or difficulties you have when it comes to money. Add these to your daily prayer list for the next week or until your feel in your heart that the issues have been resolved.
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