This video segment is one of five presentations in the “Creating a Gospel-Centered Marriage: Finances” seminar. The full GCM series of seminars and pre-marital mentoring ministry they facilitate can be found at www.bradhambrick.com/gcm.
NOTE: Many people have asked how they can get a copy of the seminar notebook referenced in this verbal presentation. You can request a copy from Summit’s admin over counseling at counseling@summitrdu.com (please note this is an administrative account; no individual or family counsel is provided through e-mail).
Monthly Operating Budget Template: GCMmonthlyBUDGET_TEMP
Budgeting Process Evaluation
Memorize: I Timothy 3:2-5 (ESV), “Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children in submission, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?’” As you memorize this passage reflect upon these key points:
- “Overseer” – While this passage speaks to pastors, it states these qualifications are to be applied first at home.
- List – Notice how many things on this list can be, at least in part, tied to how we manage our finances.
- “Sober-minded, self-controlled” – A budget allow us to be realistic and intentional with our money.
- “Not quarrelsome” – A sign of spiritual maturity in marriage is the ability to talk about money without fighting.
- “Manage… his household” – A budget is a tool that allows us to manage our home, which allows us to manage life.
Teaching Notes
“One of our central spiritual decisions is determining what is a reasonable amount to live on. Whatever that amount is—and it will legitimately vary from person to person—we shouldn’t hoard or spend in excess (p. 26).” Randy Alcorn in The Treasure Principle
“If you want to test a couple’s oneness in marriage, take a look at how they handle their finances (p. 185).” Dennis Rainey (editor) in Preparing for Marriage
“I never did anything worth doing by accident.” Plato
“The issue is not how much a person makes. Big industry and big salaries are a fact of our times, and they are not necessarily evil. The evil is in being deceived into thinking a $100,000 salary must be accompanied by a $100,000 lifestyle. God has made us to be conduits of his grace. The danger is in thinking the conduits should be lined with gold. It shouldn’t. Copper will do (p. 172-173).” John Piper Desiring God