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.

-I Timothy 6:10, KJV

When one spouse loves money, watch out!

If you have ever done pre-marital counseling or read such materials, you will find they talk about how money is a focal point of arguments in marriage. Lack of money, or poor money management, in a marriage is a sure source of stress, agreed.

But I  think something more is going on when it comes to money-matters destroying marriages…

I propose to you that marriages are dying over money issues because they are revealing hearts aligned to different gods.

Some people put their security in their money. They think if they have enough money, then they are safe. This is an illusion.

Money is a fickle and capricious god.

Now, I am not opposed to wise investments, savings, spending plans, budgets, and prudent career management. These are all important.

But…

Money is not our refuge and strength. God is.

Money does not require our love. God does.

Money does not save us. Jesus does.

Wealth will come and go over the time of many marriages. So, too, will jobs come and go. This is especially true in this day and age of rapid change.

The marriage based on money worship is not going to be able to weather these natural ebbs and flows of finance. For lovers of money, they are more than natural ebbs and flows…

They are blasphemous betrayals of their god, Money!

Under these circumstances, it is not a stretch to see how the love of money might lead this person to all sorts of sorrows in his or her marriage.

They  may even break it up over this betrayal of their true god. Or they may go seeking another who has this god in common.

So, I do not believe money issues really are the reason for marriages ending. I believe the real issue is spiritual.

The marriage is between two people who worship different gods–namely, Money and Jesus.

 

_________

*A version of this post ran previously.