1 True Talks
1 True Talks
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!
Hi, I'm Renee Richel, the founder and president of 1 True Match. I'm here to help you find and cultivate the love of your life. For over a decade, I've dedicated my life to the importance, purpose and dynamic of human relationships. My team and I are disciplined by faith, love and integrity to help our clients find the quality relationship they've always dreamt of. Each week, I will be sharing the tools and tips I've learned that have rooted my success as a matchmaker with other leaders around the world. Hello, loves, welcome back. I hope you are having an incredible week.
Renee Richel:I cannot wait to dive into this next topic, talking about money talks, a kingdom approach to money and marriage. Today's topic is one that can stir up a lot of feelings, but it's also one of the most powerful areas where couples can experience unity, growth and God's grace. We're talking about money, more especially, how financial unity can actually strengthen your marriage, especially in those hard seasons where pressure is high and emotions run deep. We'll also touch on submissive servant leadership and trusting God through every season. So grab your coffee or tea, take a deep breath and let's dive in to some truth, real talk and hope. Let's be honest Money can be one of the biggest stressors in a marriage, it's not just about the dollars. It's about what money represents Safety, control, identity, security, dreams and even power. Control identity, security, dreams and even power. If you and your spouse have different money habits or come from different financial backgrounds, conflict is easy. One might want to save, the other might want to invest or spend. One might carry financial trauma from childhood, while the other sees money as a tool for joy. Here's the good news you don't have 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 talking honestly, praying together about finances and set shared goals, something powerful happens. Trust deepens and God's peace begins to flow.
Renee Richel:Financial peace isn't just about having an abundant savings account. It's about being good stewards of what God has given you together. Scripture reminds us in Luke 16: 10, " Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. So the question isn't do you have enough? It's are we being fruitful with what we have right now? Here are a few ways to build financial peace as a couple Budget together, budget together. Even if one person handles the bills, both should know where the money is going. Pray about big purchases. Invite God into the process. Surrender your worries to him, tithe and give together. It reminds you that God is your source, not your salary. Have regular check-ins, make money, talk part of your rhythm, not just when something's going wrong, when you treat your money as our money, not mine, not yours. You're building more than a budget. You're building trust, and that's a foundation money can't buy.
Renee Richel:Let's talk about two words that might make some people uncomfortable submission and servant leadership. In Ephesians 5, it talks about mutual submission "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Submission doesn't mean silence. It means choosing humility and unity over control, and servant leadership means leading with love, not domination. When it comes to money, servant leadership may look like a husband saying to his wife I want to make sure our financial plan honors our goals too. And submission may look like a wife saying to her husband honey, I trust your wisdom and I know we're in this together. I trust your wisdom and I know we're in this together, so it's not about who makes more. It's about how we honor God and each other in a way we manage what we've been given. Now let's be real.
Renee Richel:Sometimes no amount of planning can shield you from hard seasons. Life naturally brings curveballs unexpected bills, job loss, inflation, whatever it is. Financial struggle can cause marriage to feel heavy. But remember this truth God doesn't waste hard seasons. He uses them to draw us closer to him and to each other. Romans 5:3- 4 says "we glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, character and hope. When finances are tight, lean in, not away. Pray together If you feel led, fast together. Ask God to align your heart, not just your budget. Here's something beautiful about 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, healthy, christ-centered marriage. So, in conclusion, if you're walking through a hard season, whether financially or relationally, remember this unity isn't built in the easy times. It's built in the trenches, when you choose to stay connected, to serve, to trust and to talk it out, even when it's uncomfortable. Money talks, but what it says about your money depends on how you approach it. Invite God into your finances, talk to your spouse with grace and clarity and watch what happens when you seek unity over control.
Renee Richel:Thank you for joining me today on 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 every need. Until next time, keep loving, keep growing and keep God at the center of it all. Next week we are going to talk about in-laws, traditions and tension. Navigating family dynamics with love and grace. I hope you have a blessed and loving week. Lots of love. It's been another great talk on this episode of 1 True Talks by Renee Richel. I look forward to our next chat. Please write in your questions and comments so I can be sure to talk about whatever it is you want to discuss in our next upcoming episode. Lots of love, God Bless, XOXO.