BBC premarital counseling booklet-1 - Flipbook - Page 32
FINANCES
The area of finances is one of the most common sources of conflict in marriage
relationships. Our society puts so much importance on the accumulation of material items
that one’s values are affected by such an attitude.
You learn, both directly and indirectly, from your parents how much value to place
on wealth and material possessions. General attitudes and spending habits are established
as you grow up. One could have developed the ability to postpone immediate satisfaction
in order to insure future rewards. Thriftiness is satisfaction in order to insure future rewards.
Thriftiness is then a virtue for them. One can buy a less expensive item because of its low
replacement cost or one can purchase the better product because it will last longer. This is
to say, buying habits can even be a source of conflict, but as with all things, finances, when
viewed biblically, can be resolved.
The values you hold toward money affect your stance on finances in marriage. One
must come to recognize that the income each person brings to the marriage belongs to the
couple, for the two have become one. Together, the two of you should decide the best way
to be good stewards of your funds. There are five general systems for the allocations of
money — the ‘dole’ system, the family treasure, the division of expenses, and joint account
and the budget. The latter one being the one we recommend, for it enables you as a couple
to establish and maintain short and long marriage goals. God instructs us to be good stewards
(Matthew 25:14-30).
The purpose of the following worksheets is to aid you in the area of budgeting your
resources. Please complete these before the next meeting.
STEPS TO SHORT-RANGE PLANS
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