Introduction
Money management is an important aspect of any marriage. As the spiritual head of the home, husbands have a duty to handle finances in a godly manner. The Bible offers much wisdom on how husbands should view money and possessions. It also gives practical principles for managing family finances.
Applying these biblical principles will help husbands steward money well. This honors God and blesses the family. Financial decisions impact all aspects of life. Mishandled money causes strife in marriages and homes. Wise financial management leads to security and harmony.
As a believing husband, you must make biblically-based financial decisions. This post explores what Scripture teaches about your financial duties. It aims to help you manage money God’s way. Let’s examine key biblical principles and practical advice on husband’s financial responsibility.
Key Takeaways:
- Husbands must view themselves as stewards, not owners, of finances
- Avoid debt and live within means
- Provide for family’s needs and avoid unnecessary indulgence
- Give generously to kingdom work and the needy
- Involve wife in financial decisions and planning
- Teach children godly money management principles
Husband’s Attitude Toward Finances
The starting point is your inner attitudes about money and possessions. The Bible warns against loving money.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10 NKJV)
As a husband, you must guard your heart against greed and covetousness. Do not make an idol of wealth.
Looking at his disciples, He said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. (Luke 6:20-22 NKJV)
Instead, view yourself as a steward, not an owner. Remember that God owns everything. You are just managing finances on His behalf.
And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it. (Genesis 2:15 NKJV)
Adopt an attitude of gratitude. Thank God daily for entrusting you with resources to manage. Pray for wisdom to steward finances well. Keep an eternal perspective about money and possessions.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV)
With this mindset, you will avoid greed and use finances to glorify God.
Providing for Your Household
One key duty is providing for your family’s needs.
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8 NKJV)
Your wife and children are precious gifts from God. As a husband, you must supply their physical necessities like food, clothing, and shelter.
Providing also includes meeting needs beyond basics like education, medical care, and wise investments for the future. Make decisions prayerfully, balancing provision with good stewardship. Occasional luxuries are fine, but avoid lavish indulgence.
Work diligently at your occupation to earn funds to provide. Involve your wife in financial decisions, especially regarding household expenses. Welcome her counsel, as she also cares for your home. Together, manage money wisely as a team.
But do not become a workaholic, neglecting family for career. Seek balance between providing through work and being present at home. Your wife and children need your spiritual leadership even more than your paycheck.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4 NKJV)
Avoiding Debt
Scripture warns against debt. Owing money puts families in bondage.
The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7 NKJV)
The only permissible debt is a modest mortgage to finance a home over a short period. Even then, beware. Debt inflates lifestyle which increases future financial burdens.
Avoid consumer debt like credit cards, auto loans, and personal loans. Do not live beyond your means, even for perceived necessities. Exercise patience and save up to purchase items outright.
If you have existing debts, prioritize paying them off quickly. Slash expenses and devote surplus income toward becoming debt-free. Live simply until you eliminate debt. Then maintain a prudent lifestyle to stay out of bondage.
Never co-sign loans or borrow money for others. Their debt can ravage your family’s finances. Follow God’s Word to avoid entangling debts.
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8 NKJV)
Giving Generously
While providing for household needs, remember your spiritual duties. Give regularly to your local church.
On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. (1 Corinthians 16:2 NKJV)
Support kingdom work so God’s gospel advances locally and worldwide. Look for other ways to generously bless those in need. Avoid stinginess.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4 NKJV)
As a husband, lead your family in financial stewardship and generosity. Make giving a priority in your budget. Teach your wife and children by example to give cheerfully.
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV)
Trust God to provide sufficiently when you honor Him first through generous giving. Remember, financia) gain should never displace eternal investments.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? (Mark 8:36 NKJV)
Involving Your Wife
Marriage is a covenant partnership. Make financial decisions together with your wife. Listen to her ideas which are equally valid.
Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:3 NKJV)
Do not treat her like a child regarding money matters. Your wife is heir with you of the grace of life. Grant her equal dignity.
Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7 NKJV)
Welcome your wife’s involvement managing household finances. Allow her oversight concerning home expenses, charitable giving, and budgeting for family needs.
She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. (Proverbs 31:16-19 NKJV)
Lead humbly by putting her needs first. Seek unity through mutual submission as heirs of God’s grace. Make financial decisions prayerfully together.
Teaching Children About Finances
As a father, teach your children biblical financial principles. Train them early to manage money wisely. Let them see your example of good stewardship.
Instruct children to give cheerfully from any money they receive. Encourage hard work and saving rather than instant gratification. Teach them to distinguish wants from needs.
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV)
Do not spoil children with extravagant privileges and possessions. Instead nurture grateful hearts, generosity, and industrious habits.
Guard against greed or sense of entitlement. Discipline wisely against coveting others’ possessions. Help them understand that godliness with contentment is great gain.
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. (1 Timothy 6:6-8 NKJV)
As a father, you are responsible for your children’s financial training. Teach money management skills that align with God’s Word. They will reap lifelong blessings from your instruction.
Conclusion
Managing finances biblically allows you to provide for your household while honoring God. Avoid debt and give generously. Include your wife in decision making while teaching your children wise money habits.
View yourself as a steward, not owner, of God’s resources. Maintain an eternal perspective about money and possessions. With God’s help, you can handle finances in ways that please Him, bless your family, and advance His kingdom. May this post encourage you to embrace biblical financial responsibility as a husband.
