Contributor:
Chad Roberts
In all the marriage counseling I do, Money issues are probably the second leading cause of marital strife, other than communication being the number one. But do not think for a second that money issues plague only our culture. It has been a problem since the Bible days. So much so that Jesus talked about money and possessions more than he spoke of Heaven and Hell combined! As a matter of fact, there are over 2,000 references to money and possessions in the Bible. Why? Because God knows it is a serious trap for families.
We are going to explore 3 phrases within Hebrews 13:5 that will help your marriage. It will give you God’s perspective and if we accept and apply the counsel of Scripture, it will eliminate a great deal of frustration from our most important relationship…our Marriage.
Keep Your Lives Free From the Love of Money
This is the 3rd time we see the Bible address, “The Love of Money.” In the other references, it applies to anyone, but in this case, the author of Hebrews links it to marriage. Why would you suppose he does this? It is because money is central to doing life. The Lord understands this, and as noted earlier, it is why the Bible has so much to say concerning money and possessions.
Take a moment and consider all that the Bible says about the love of money…
“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 5:10
“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” 1 Timothy 6:10
As your marriage feels the need to get more in this life, be mindful of what Jesus taught. “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” Luke 12:15.
Be Content With What You Have
I read these as stern words. The Bible is serious about contentment. (Read my article entitled, “The Value of Contentment” to learn more). I think you know as well as I do that our homes would be much happier if we were simply content.
This summer I saw a car commercial of a young family with several kids and they advertised this car, “You can have it all.” Let me assure you, that God does not want you to “Have it all.” That is a lie from Satan. God wants us to “give” not “receive.”
A life centered on ourselves is not a joyful life. When you are consumed with how much you can gain and how much you can earn, you are on the same path as the foolish man Jesus spoke of in Luke 12. Read carefully his story.
“And he told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and all my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be/’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” Luke 12:17-21.
Can you see from this text how important contentment is? This parable has nothing to do with ambition and nothing to do with working hard or even bettering your life. It has everything to do with the spiritual climate of your life. Are you rich toward God? Are you generous? Are you content?
I Will Never Leave You nor Forsake You
Now the author of Hebrews gives us the foundation for a contented marriage. He is going to show us plainly why we turn from the trap of the “American Dream” and instead embrace the vision God has Christ-centered marriages. He quotes Joshua 1:5 writing, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then the author goes on to say in verse 6, “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
This powerful statement from Scripture should give you great hope in your marriage. As you strive to follow Jesus and make your marriage as Christ-centered as you can, know that God is with you in the midst of your home. He will give you His help, His wisdom, His love and His guidance.
Why would we look to material wealth when we can look to Jesus? Why would seek and hope in worldly goods when the Bible promises that God will never leave us nor forsake us? Can you see how this changes our perspective? Live for what really matters. Keep your lives free from the love of money. Be content with what you have. Hold to the great promise of God that He is with you and will never forsake you.
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