Money Talks: A Kingdom Approach to Money & Marriage

Money makes or breaks countless marriages, but what if your financial differences could actually strengthen your relationship? Renee, dives deep into how couples can transform financial stress into spiritual growth through a kingdom-centered approach to money.

At its core, money represents far more than dollars and cents – it embodies our sense of safety, control, identity, and dreams. When partners bring different financial backgrounds and habits to a marriage, conflict naturally follows. But unity doesn't require identical perspectives. Renee explains, "Unity doesn't mean sameness. It means oneness of heart, vision and purpose." This distinction transforms how couples navigate their finances together.

Drawing from scripture and personal experience, Renee offers practical wisdom for building financial peace: budgeting together regardless of who pays the bills, praying about significant purchases, establishing regular financial check-ins, and embracing the concept of "our money" rather than individual ownership. She beautifully reframes Biblical submission and servant leadership within financial contexts – not as power dynamics but as mutual respect and collaborative decision-making. Most powerfully, she addresses those inevitable seasons of financial hardship that test even the strongest marriages. "Remember this truth," she encourages, "God doesn't waste hard seasons. He uses them to draw us closer to him and to each other."

Whether you're currently navigating financial tension or proactively building financial unity, this episode offers both spiritual guidance and practical tools. Subscribe now and join us next week as we tackle another relationship challenge: "Navigating In-Laws, Traditions and Tensions with Grace and Love." Have questions? We'd love to address them in upcoming episodes – reach out today!

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Episode Transcript

Renee Richel (00:07):
Hi, I'm Renee Richel, the founder and
president of 1 True Match.
I'm here to help you find andcultivate the love of your life.
For over a decade, I'vededicated my life to the
importance, purpose and dynamicof human relationships.
My team and I are disciplinedby faith, love and integrity to
help our clients find thequality relationship they've

(00:28):
always dreamt of.
Each week, I will be sharingthe tools and tips I've learned
that have rooted my success as amatchmaker with other leaders
around the world.
Hello, loves, welcome back.
I hope you are having anincredible week.
I cannot wait to dive into thisnext topic, talking about money

(00:51):
talks, a kingdom approach tomoney and marriage.
Today's topic is one that canstir up a lot of feelings, but
it's also one of the mostpowerful areas where couples can
experience unity, growth andGod's grace.
We're talking about money, moreespecially, how financial unity

(01:17):
can actually strengthen yourmarriage, especially in those
hard seasons where pressure ishigh and emotions run deep.
We'll also touch on submissiveservant leadership and trusting
God through every season.

(01:39):
So grab your coffee or tea,take a deep breath and let's
dive in to some truth, real talkand hope.
Let's be honest Money can beone of the biggest stressors in
a marriage, it's not just aboutthe dollars.
It's about what moneyrepresents Safety, control,

(02:01):
identity, security, dreams andeven power.
Control identity, security,dreams and even power.
If you and your spouse havedifferent money habits or come
from different financialbackgrounds, conflict is easy.
One might want to save, theother might want to invest or
spend.
One might carry financialtrauma from childhood, while the

(02:25):
other sees money as a tool forjoy.
Here's the good news you don'thave to agree on everything to
walk in unity.
Unity doesn't mean sameness.
It means oneness of heart,vision and purpose.
And when couples start talkinghonestly, praying together about

(02:49):
finances and set shared goals,something powerful happens.
Trust deepens and God's peacebegins to flow.
Financial peace isn't just abouthaving an abundant savings
account.
It's about being good stewardsof what God has given you

(03:11):
together.
Scripture reminds us in Luke16: 10, " Whoever can be trusted
with very little can also betrusted with much.
So the question isn't do youhave enough?
It's are we being fruitful withwhat we have right now?

(03:34):
Here are a few ways to buildfinancial peace as a couple
Budget together, budget together.
Even if one person handles thebills, both should know where
the money is going.
Pray about big purchases.
Invite God into the process.

(03:54):
Surrender your worries to him,tithe and give together.
It reminds you that God is yoursource, not your salary.
Have regular check-ins, makemoney, talk part of your rhythm,
not just when something's goingwrong, when you treat your

(04:16):
money as our money, not mine,not yours.
You're building more than abudget.
You're building trust, andthat's a foundation money can't
buy.
Let's talk about two words thatmight make some people
uncomfortable submission andservant leadership.

(04:38):
In Ephesians 5, it talks aboutmutual submission "Submit to one
another out of reverence forChrist.
Submission doesn't mean silence.
It means choosing humility andunity over control, and servant
leadership means leading withlove, not domination.

(05:02):
When it comes to money, servantleadership may look like a
husband saying to his wife Iwant to make sure our financial
plan honors our goals too.
And submission may look like awife saying to her husband honey
, I trust your wisdom and I knowwe're in this together.

(05:25):
I trust your wisdom and I knowwe're in this together, so it's
not about who makes more.
It's about how we honor God andeach other in a way we manage
what we've been given.
Now let's be real.
Sometimes no amount of planningcan shield you from hard seasons

(05:46):
.
Life naturally bringscurveballs unexpected bills, job
loss, inflation, whatever it is.
Financial struggle can causemarriage to feel heavy.
But remember this truth Goddoesn't waste hard seasons.
He uses them to draw us closerto him and to each other.

(06:08):
Romans 5:3- 4 says "we glory inour sufferings, because we know
that suffering producesperseverance, character and hope
.
When finances are tight, leanin, not away.
Pray together If you feel led,fast together.

(06:29):
Ask God to align your heart,not just your budget.
Here's something beautifulabout saying we may not have
much right now, but we have God,we have each other and that's
more than enough.
That's wealth, that's abundance, that's unity, that's a strong,

(06:51):
healthy, christ-centeredmarriage.
So, in conclusion, if you'rewalking through a hard season,
whether financially orrelationally, remember this
unity isn't built in the easytimes.
It's built in the trenches,when you choose to stay

(07:13):
connected, to serve, to trustand to talk it out, even when
it's uncomfortable.
Money talks, but what it saysabout your money depends on how
you approach it.
Invite God into your finances,talk to your spouse with grace

(07:34):
and clarity and watch whathappens when you seek unity over
control.
Thank you for joining me todayon 1 True Talks.
I pray this episode blesses you, challenges you and draws you
closer not just to your spouse,but to the one who provides you

(07:54):
every need.
Until next time, keep loving,keep growing and keep God at the
center of it all.
Next week we are going to talkabout in-laws, traditions and
tension.
Navigating family dynamics withlove and grace.
I hope you have a blessed andloving week.

(08:15):
Lots of love.
It's been another great talk onthis episode of 1 True Talks by
Renee Richel.
I look forward to our next chat.
Please write in your questionsand comments so I can be sure to
talk about whatever it is youwant to discuss in our next

(08:36):
upcoming episode.
Lots of love, God Bless, XOXO.