LESSON THIRTY-ONE (31) – HOLY “MATRI-MONEY” (PART 1)
MEMORY VERSE:
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Deuteronomy 28:1-13.
1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
INTRODUCTION
Money is the major means of catering for our everyday needs and it is capable of meeting virtually all physical needs. One major reason couples get divorce is financial disagreement. This is very difficult to believe until one begins to feel the pool of financial tension in the home.
Usually, the conflict may not appear to be directly about money but a closer look would reveal that the fight is about priorities, values, dreams, and trusts which are all linked with finances. The Bible cautions us about our attitude towards money. 1 Tim.6:10.
OUTLINES:
1. OURS VERSUS YOURS AND MINE
2. HONESTY AND TRUST
1. OURS VERSUS YOURS AND MINE
God owns all riches (Hag.2:8). It is His desire that His children prosper (3Jn.2; Ps.1:3). He gives us the power to get wealth (Deut.8:18; Isa.45:3). Money in marriage should not be individually owned.
Whatever God has joined together, money should not separate (Matt.19:4-6; Eph.5:29-32). Whatever the husband earns belongs to the wife. Likewise, what the wife has belongs to the husband. This is because both husband and wife are one flesh (Eph.5:31; Gen.2:24).
In marriage, the financial policy or principle should be entirely different from when one is single. There are new financial demands apart from providing for two instead of one. One’s order of priority in terms of needs would change. Therefore, in Christian marriage, money should no longer be YOURS AND MINE BUT OURS.
2. HONESTY AND TRUST
Financial success in marriage demands honesty and total trust between the two spouses (1Cor.13:7). There should be no lies about income and expenses (Col.3:9) or withholding of spending information.
For some, shared bank account and pay cheque remove doubt and encourages mutual trust. For others, separate accounts with openness and sincerity, works (Matt.19:5-6). What is important, irrespective of the class of account couples decide to adopt, is to relate with one another in honesty, trust and understanding.
CONCLUSION
Money, if rightly handled and managed in marriage, will act as a lubricant to the overall success of the marriage. However, the mishandling or mismanagement of money which is a principal evil (1Tim.6:10), will wreck the home and could be the root of a broken marriage.
QUESTION
1. Who is the key to financial prosperity in marriage?
2. Who is the key to financial prosperity in marriage?
FURTHER READING:
MON: Matt.19:6. TUE: 1 Tim.4:1. WED: Rom.13:9. THUR: 1 John 1:6. FRI: Rev.21:8. SAT: James 5:12. SUN: Ex.23:2.
ASSIGNMENT:
Mention five (5) reasons some couples fight because of money.
SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
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