Family Finance: A Common Struggle

Faith is a shifty thing.  One day you think you've got it covered, and the next day you wake up in what seems like a whole new world and it feels like it has receded like the tides.  Such it is with so much of our life.

Last week we covered in depth and with a great deal of personal reflection the fitness challenge.  This week I turn my mind to finances.  This is often a trouble spot and a point of contention.  In fact it is commonly listed among the top reasons for divorce.  There is no doubt that it plays an important part in our marriages and the health of our homes.

Why does the state of the families finances play such a role in the health of the family?  You could look at a number of reasons, but I want to zero in on just a few.

3 Reasons Family Finance is Difficult

1. Our culture almost forces it upon us.  In 2016 nearly $190 billion were spent on advertising here in the good old U.S. of A.  That is a staggering number of dollars being spent to make us think we need anything from the newest tech toy on the market to the "best" of whatever products money can buy.          https://www.statista.com/topics/979/advertising-in-the-us/
2. We don't like to be different.  We have coined a term over the years, keeping up with the Joneses.  That is exactly how so many among us live our lives and it puts is in the all too uncomfortable position to choose between following the "norms" of our peers and doing what we know to be right or prudent.
3. The quest for more can lead to less time together which in turn leads to an unfulfilled desire for companionship.  This is dangerous and can lead into other precarious positions that open new doors of temptation or resentment.

So then you might ask, how do we avoid the traps and pitfalls?  I certainly don't have all the answers as we too struggle with keeping our priorities properly aligned.  However, I think there are a few keys here as well.

3 Musts for a Great Family

Finance Plan

1. Priorities - these must be shared and agreed upon.  Knowing what it is that is important to each of you and how these priorities impact the core of your relationship goes a long way toward minimizing financial issues.
2. Giving - always find a way to give.  This allows us to recognize a level of gratitude for the blessings we have been given, and to share our good fortune with others.  This is hard, particularly when you are struggling with your finances, but is essential in any good financial plan.
3. Communication - This is probably where I struggle as greatly as any other part of this discussion.  Again, this is a critical element of a sound financial plan.  In fact number one in this list, priorities, cannot be established without open dialogue.  

In the end perspective is a key component to success in finance, fitness, faith, or any endeavor we undertake.  With that in mind, here is today's positive perspective:

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you,

always having sufficiency in all things,

may have an abundance for every good work.

God will provide for our needs (sufficiency), and among those needs is some leeway, GRACE, knowing that we as imperfect individuals will make mistakes.  Don't beat yourself up when you make a financial or any other error, but learn from it and move forward.  This is a big way for you and I to MAKE TODAY GREAT!