Day 7

Well, one week down on the challenge...and so far so good. I've been positive with my husband (and about my husband to others). I don't know if he's noticed any difference or not...in some ways I hope that he hasn't noticed much of a difference from this week over recent weeks because if he hasn't then that means I wasn't doing too bad with being encouraging before the challenge...but at the same time I'd love to think that I've made him feel even more important and special to me this week. Here's today's text:

"Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!...for riches certainly make themselves wings..." Prov. 23:4-5 "

That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries." Proverbs 8:21 Money is the root of much marital discord. Ask yourself, "Am I being negative toward my husband in the area of finances?" Determine not to speak evil of your husband in this area. Discover ways to encourage and help him instead.

Does your husband handle finances wisely? Does he make good financial investments, based on biblical principles? Does he have a budget? Does he make wise decisions about purchases - checking many sources before he buys? Is he a good steward of his money before the Lord? Let him know how much you appreciate his strengths in financial matters.

If he is weak in this area, encourage any good decisions that he does make. Perhaps you can help him, if he's open to the idea, by organizing financial files or providing other practical assistance. Or, if he wants you to handle the finances, ask for his input before you make decisions that will affect him.

Today's challenge is particularly convicting for me...because I know that I haven't always been very encouraging of my husband in this area. My husband and I have differing money management styles and far too often in the past I've been critical of his handling of finances. I will say that thankfully, I did not just realize this fact but have been aware of it for a while and have been making an effort to improve my reactions.

We have separate accounts and have a reasonable division of financial responsibilities. That is how we handled finances when we first married for quite a while and then tried to put everything together but it was a frequent source of tension and disagreement regardless of who 'handled' the money. We eventually redivided things again though either of us will help the other if there is a need.

I admit that at first if my husband asked me if I could give him money on my week to get paid and he would give it to me the following week when he got paid that I would ask a lot of questions instead of just trusting in my husband as I should have...I have made a conscious effort to improve in this area and think I've made significant progress. The last several times he's asked I have simply said yes and done as he asked...and he has done as he said so I was certainly right in just trusting in him. We haven't always had things easy financially but we've always had everything we needed and I need to remember to give my husband the proper credit for that and not dwell on the details.