CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE.
Keith Gerner.
AUDIO VISUAL MINISTRIES, P.O.Box 1
NEWCASTLE, Co Down, N.Ireland. BT33
***
Lesson No.12. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Proverbs 31:10‑25
One of the root causes for breakup in Marriage is the failure of the financial management of the home, especially as the family becomes older.
(i) In Great Britain, one in three of first marriages end in Divorce because of this pressure, and one in five breadwinners in British households, are women, because of increasing financial stress.
(ii) With the trend to early marriage and an average life expectancy for women of 75, child caring years are over by age 35, leaving 40 years to be filled with new interests)
(iii) Over 40% of British labour are women (1978 = 9.3 million) of whom 64% are married. (In 1978 2m British women were working full time with children under 16 and 3.5 m. were working part time.) One in four managers are women, and business therefore plays an increasing part in the family, for both husband and wife alike.
(iv) What guidelines are given in the WORD OF GOD FOR MANAGING THE HOME ?
(a) STRONG CHARACTER IS NEEDED
Prov 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far
more than rubies. (NIV)
(Modern Language) "Who can find a wife with strength of character ?
She is far more precious than jewels..."
(1) Good financial management REQUIRES DISCIPLINEE
(2) HUSBANDS should realise they have WORK TO DO IN THE HOME, if
they wish to avoid paying for help or machines.
(3) Draw up a list of hours for each partner in shopping, meals
(preparation, cooking, clearing up) clothes, floor care, furniture
care, cleaning bathrooms, making beds, general tidying, car care,
domestic maintenance for the boiler and garden machinery.
(4) Use Saturdays or weekends for BULK COOKING and save a list of
priorities for each day in the shopping
(5) Agree together on INCOME coming into the home, and BUDGET what
you are able to afford
(6) LIST YOUR REGULAR OVERHEAD EXPENSES (eg Rent, rates, light and
heat bills) and KEEP A NOTE OF YOUR FOOD EXPENSES.
A typical cash Notebook for accounts should contain columns for
INCOME and EXPENSES.
(7) NEVER GO INTO HIRE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS WITHOUT first working out
WHAT YOU ARE ABLE TO AFFORD.
Romans 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing
debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman
has fulfilled the law. (NIV)
(8) TITHE ON YOUR TOTAL INCOME AS A FIRST PRIORITY
Mal 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, `How do
we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. (NIV)
(b) SECURITY LIES IN TRUST
Prov 31:11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing
of value. (NIV)
(Living Bible "Her husband can trust her..")
(1) JOINT DECISIONS should be made, and while each partner may
allow a certain amount for PERSONAL SPENDING, try to AVOID BUYING ON
IMPULSE without forethought and prayer
(2) By working things out together in Britain, you can also benefit
from TAX. (eg Some amounts that the wife earns are not taxed and is
therefore more profitable than the husband doing over time) Part
time work here is defined as taking up less than 30 hours per week,
and you can do a job from 10 am to 4 pm. on 5 days a week and still
qualify for tax relief. IT PAYS TO WORK THINGS OUT TOGETHER.
Prov 25:24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house
with a quarrelsome wife. (NIV)
(c) SPEND TIME IN EARNING AT HOME
Prov 31:13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
(NIV)
(1) Mother can remain at home and earn a living, while looking after
the family She can open her home and work from her house.
(2) Work available includes Travel business, public relations,
typing and office work from a fax machine, design and fashion work,
crafts etc. can all be done, given the right tools.
(3) MINDING CHILDREN for others is an alternative calling, but here
in dealing with enquiries for your service, remember to:
(i) Give reliable replies and costings, WHICH YOU HAVE WORKED OUT
IN ADVANCE
(ii) ORGANISE AN OFFICE AREA IN YOUR HOME, keeping accounts, bills
and stationery available. KNOW WHERE THINGS CAN BE FOUND in an
emergency
Joshua 2:6 (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them
under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.)
(iii) If you have an answering machine on your telephone while you
are out, do not take out too long a rental contract and keep a
separate phone for PERSONAL CALLS. DO NOT USE CHILDREN TO REPLY TO
BUSINESS CALLS
(4) BE RELIABLE IN WHATEVER PROMISES YOU MAKE TO DO JOBS
Psalms 15:4 who despises a vile man but honours those who fear the
LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, (NIV)
(5) BE CAREFUL OF ANY HIDDEN REQUESTS FOR MONEY FROM A PROSPECTIVE
EMPLOYER (EG OBLIGATORY PURCHASE OF A KNITTING MACHINE OR A SPECIAL
TYPEWRITER) AVOID PIECE WORK OR COMMISSION‑BASED SCHEMES, when
selling catalogue goods to others. Such firms are USING YOU, and for
younger women, their priority must be the children:
1 Tim 5:14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children,
to manage their homes and to give the enemy no
opportunity for slander. (NIV)
(i) Organisations which use you to sell cosmetics, etc. may appear to
give you money, but you need to COST OUT the extra driving or telephone
calls, to do these jobs.
(ii) There are easier ways to do this work by bringing people to
your home, provided you work this out with your husband.
Titus 2:5 to be self‑controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be
kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one
will malign the word of God. (NIV)
(6) BE CAREFUL OF CONTRACTS WHICH YOU SIGN. You may need legal
advice on this.
(7) If you want jobs and lack the educational qualifications, then
CONTACT THE FIRM DIRECTLY by phone or letter, giving nationality,
date and place of birth, address and qualifications obtained with
positions held in the past. SELL YOUR PERSONALITY.
(D) SELL YOURSELF.
Prov 31:18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp
does not go out at night. (NIV)
MISTAKES MOST COMMONLY MADE BY WOMEN, WHEN CONSIDERING WORK, ARE:
(i) After having children, they assume they will never work again
and FAIL TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH JOB SKILLS.
(ii) THE FAMILY ATTITUDE TO THE WOMAN, SHOULD NEVER SHATTER HER
CONFIDENCE IN HER OWN ABILITIES. A condescending or tolerant
attitude to her, can crush her confidence and make her underestimate
her talents and abilities, when seeking work.
(iii) A woman that RULES THE HOME and is not submissive to her
husband, thinks she is always right AND NOBODY CAN CONTRADICT HER.
She will not fit into other people's established work pattern and
wants to do everything her own way. There must be a period of
seeing how the system works, before she can lay down the law to
others in her new employment. This proud attitude can militate
against her getting a job.
Prov 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility
comes wisdom. (NIV)
Prov 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a
fall. (NIV)
(iv) A woman who TREATS TEENAGERS in the office LIKE CHILDREN, because
they are not much older than her own, is also heading for trouble.
1 Tim 5:2 (treat)...... younger women as sisters....
(v) GOING TO CLASSES AND SUBJECTING ONESELF TO THE DISCIPLINE OF
WORKING WITH OTHERS, IS VITAL FOR A WIFE WHO HAS BEEN ON HER OWN IN
HOME. Otherwise she will lack the necessary training for a job.
Prov 10:17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but
whoever ignores correction leads others astray. (NIV)
Prov 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates
correction is stupid. (NIV)
(vi) GET A DEFINITE AIM IN YOUR WORK AND STICK TO IT.
Do not miss the best jobs by lack of aim. Once in a job, do not
always be taking time off to take children to the doctor, etc. KEEP
A SINGLE EYE ON YOUR WORK
Matt 6:22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good,
your whole body will be full of light. (NIV)
(vii) OVER ATTENTION TO DETAIL and LACK OF ABILITY TO COMPROMISE, so
that the woman does not make allowance for others, will prejudice
her work chances. Patiently learn to go forward
2 Cor 12:12 The things that mark an apostle‑‑ signs, wonders and
miracles‑‑ were done among you with great perseverance.
(In Britain, under the Trained Opportunities Scheme (TOPS), women are
able to choose their own course of training to last at least 4
weeks, no longer than a year, to train for employment. As well as
FREE training, TOPS provides a generous weekly cash allowance up to £4,000 pa, including travelling costs. This allowance from £25 to
£ 70 a week, is also TAX FREE) At the end of this scheme, you do not have to take a job.
(e) SEEKING BARGAINS
Prov 31:18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp
does not go out at night. (NIV)
(Living Bible "She shops for bargains...")
(i) It pays to shop around, if you can spare the time, as
comparison of prices will show the same goods at different prices
in different shops.
(ii) The wife may even save by MANUFACTURING YOUR OWN CLOTHES
Prov 31:13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
(NIV)
(iii) OXFAM and Charity shops are a handy alternative for shopping,
especially if there are growing children
(iv) If you purchase anything new, the wife should make sure you have the money to pay for it from her own earnings, so that there are not continual rows in the home about her purchases, because the husband's earnings have not been budgeted for those needs.
Prov 31:14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from
afar. (NIV)
Prov 31:16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings
she plants a vineyard. (NIV)
Prov 31:18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp
does not go out at night. (NIV)
Prov 31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the
merchants with sashes. (NIV)
(v) The good family also shares their cast‑off clothes with others
Prov 31:20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to
the needy. (NIV)
In turn, they are able to help with their own surpluses
(vi) HOUSE FURNISHINGS can be done from Government DESIGN CENTRES.
For less than £2 in Britain, these provide books for basic home
decorating and planning.
Prov 31:22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine
linen and purple. (NIV)
(vii) FAULTY PRODUCTS, where the shop will not admit liability,
should be taken to the local CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
Warnings about purchase of products is also available in WHICH
Magazine from the British CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION, 14 Buckingham St,
LONDON.
(viii) The ELECTRICAL ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN (25 Founders Place,
London) is an independent voluntary organisation, which gives
information and advice on most kinds of electrical equipment,
especially in England on BEAB approved appliances. They also run
one day Courses on how to do jobs and save energy. (Cost is about £2
including a snack lunch)
(iv) "SUPERWOMAN" and "SUPERWOMAN IN ACTION" by Shirley Conran
(Penguin Books) cost only a couple of pounds, and give shopping
lists of speciality firms and DO IT YOURSELF jobs.
(f) STRONG PLANNING
Prov 31:25 She is clothed with strength ....... she can laugh
at the days to come. (NIV)
(i) ADEQUATE PLANNING FOR THE DAY and a definite meal programme, can
AVOID COSTLY EATING OUT (especially fish and chips or packaged
meals)
(ii) Be prepared to SAY "NO" TO DISTRACTIONS THAT COME UP, since
they will increase your time and expenses on planned jobs.
Matt 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for
whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. (KJV)
WASTING TIME IS WASTING MONEY
(iii) PLAN YOUR BUDGET AND ACCOUNTS by keeping adequate books,
headed RECEIPTS/ EXPENSES. Keep a WEEKLY BALANCE and carry the
surplus to the following week. A LIST OF THESE EXPENSES will show
where the bulk of the money is going. Headings could include:
Coal, Electricity, Oil, Meat, Vegetables, etc.
By involving husband and wife in jobs, this will give a clear guide
where savings are possible, when extra money comes for capital
investment. (eg DEEP FREEZE for meats, micro wave
ovens for cooking costs) BALANCED PLANNING can save much argument,
but let it include GIVING TO GOD which always leads to further
blessing from the Lord, and so budget time and money to serve Him.
Acts 20:35 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.'" (NIV)
CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Proverbs 31:10‑25
***
(a) STRONG CHARACTER NEEDED.V.10
(1) DISCIPLINE NEEDED
(2) Husbands help in home
(3) Hours lists for each partner
(4) Bulk cooking at weekends
(5) Budget on known income
(6) List overhead expenses & keep note of food expenses
(7) Only go into hire purchase agreements for affordable items.
(8) Tithe = First priority.Mal 3:8
(b) SECURITY LIES IN TRUST.v.11
(1) Joint decisions made
(2) Tax Benefits from joint plans
(c) EARN AT HOME.v.13
(1) Mother works from her house
(2) Work available with new office machinery
(3) CHILD MINDING (i) Advance costings
(ii) Organised office area
(iii) Special phone for business calls
(4) RELIABILITY essential in job promises.
(5) WATCH HIDDEN MONEY COSTS from prospective employers
(i) Cost out sales jobs
(ii) Bring people to home if husband approves..Tit.2:5
(6) Be careful SIGNING CONTRACTS
(7) SELL YOUR PERSONALITY TO FIRMS CONTRACTING YOU.
(d) SELL YOURSELF.V.18. Mistakes commonly made by women:
(i) Failure to be in touch with job skills (ii) Wrong family attitude to women
(iii) Proud women not welcome in jobs.Prov 11:2
(iv) Treat office teenagers with respect. 1 Tim 5:2
(v) Go to classes & subject to discipline is vital training.
(vi) Get aim in work and stick to it.Matt 6:22
(vii) See broad picture & be prepared to compromise.Patience!
(e) SEEKING BARGAINS.v.18
(i) It pays to shop around (ii) Manufacture own clothes
(iii) Charity shops bargains(iv) Buy new clothes with own money .Prov 31:14‑24
(v) Share cast‑offs.Prov 31:20(vi)FURNISH from Government design centres
(vii)Citizens Advice bureaux for faulty buys.(viii) Use ELECTRICAL ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN (iv) READ "SUPERWOMAN" and " SUPERWOMAN IN ACTION".S.CONRAN
(f) STRONG PLANNING.v.25
(i) Adequate daily planning avoids costly eating out
(ii) Deny distractions.Matt 5:37.Do not waste time
(iii) Keep adequate books.Acts 20:35