Dear Reader,
Welcome to the concluding part of this edition. In the previous edition, we established that wisdom is crucial in handling challenges in the home. This week, we shall conclude our teaching on How to Handle Family Challenges.
One of the challenges faced in homes is finance, so it is important to understand how to handle money in marriage so as to avoid tension in your home. The subject of finance is a very sensitive area in the family. So, let us examine some wise strategies in handling this aspect.
Planning: The Word says: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it (Luke 14:28).Planning is a vital force in the finance of your home. It is important to plan your family expenses either into weekly or monthly expenditures, depending on your income. A man of God once said, “Any army general that wants to go to war must win the battle on paper first before he takes his men to the battlefield, or else, they will be slaughtered.” If you want to be free from financial crises in your family, you must first sit down to draw up a plan; if you think well, what you have is enough. It is good to have a sound financial plan for your family so that you can live happily within your income. I see a financial revolution taking place in your family in the precious name of Jesus Christ!
Budgeting: This is the process of creating a plan to spend your money. This spending plan is called a budget. Creating this spending plan allows you to determine in advance whether you will have enough money to do the things you need to do. Budgeting is simply balancing your expenses with your income. It is important to understand how to handle money in marriage to avoid tension in your home. For example, a man with a wife and a child earns N40,000 must know that the first thing to do is pay his tithe of N4,000. Then, he is left with N36,000, which must be budgeted wisely. After taking out some amount for housekeeping and his offerings, whatever is left is for miscellaneous. That is wisdom! It is important to note that your expenditure must not outgrow your income; otherwise, you will be subject to borrowing. The Word says:The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender (Proverbs 22:7).
Priority Spending: In spending money, discipline is a major requirement. Engage in priority spending – this means being able to ascertain the things needed and buying them first before other items. Not all expenditure is right. Please understand that indebtedness is not God’s will for you. Whether you entered into it out of pressure from legitimate needs or lack of contentment with your present position or possession, God hates indebtedness. So, stay clear of indebtedness! The Bible says: Owe no man anything… (Romans 13:8). You can be free from debt. Also, mix prudence with contentment and enjoy great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). Learn to order your priorities right. Please live your size per time. Cut off from friends who drive you to live above your present level.
Investment & Savings: Spending money foolishly is one major cause of borrowing and lack. To avoid such, occasional investments should be engaged in. Setting aside some amount from your income in case of emergency needs or for investment purposes. The Lord Jesus Himself admonishes … why didn’t you deposit the money in the bank so that I could at least get some interest on it? (Luke 19:23 TLB). Why don’t you invest small amounts today in lucrative business to avoid begging or borrowing tomorrow? Benjamin Franklin said, “… He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.” Don’t bring sorrow into your home by being a borrower.
However, access to this wisdom from above requires you to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. If you are not born-again, please say this prayer of faith: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner, and I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. From today, Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I am Born-again.
Congratulations! You are now born-again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave or forsake you. With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace, in Jesus’ name! Please write or call to share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com OR 08141320204 and 07026385437.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Building a Successful Family,Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Success in Marriage (Co-Authored with Bishop David Oyedepo), Success Strategies (Bishop David Oyedepo), and The Wisdom that Works (Bishop David Oyedepo).
