Ask Your Preacher - Archives
“For Richer Or Poorer?”
Categories: MARRIAGE, RELATIONSHIPSIs not having enough money a "good" reason to postpone marriage? I (we) are poor college students but are emotionally and spiritually ready for marriage… just not financially. Bad reasoning?Sincerely,
Ready, But No Money
Dear Ready, But No Money,
There is no clear answer on something like this because each circumstance is different, but there are two Bible principles you want to keep in mind when deciding when to marry.
The first principle is that God tells us to plan ahead in all that we do. In Lk 14:28-32, Jesus explains that a man who doesn’t plan before building a tower or a king who doesn’t plan before going to war is a fool. As you know, marriage is a huge commitment, and there are a lot of important things to be prepared for when considering marriage. Finances are only one part of the picture, but they are something to factor in. So, thinking about the financial aspects of marriage makes you wise.
The second principle is found in 1 Cor 7:9. That verse explains that it is possible for a couple to wait too long before marriage, and it can lead to all sorts of problems… not the least of which is sinful pre-marital conduct. A couple that burns for one another isn’t weak; 1 Cor 7:9 explains that it is a natural and normal aspect of how God made men and women, but it is also something to consider when postponing marriage for too long. Some couples, in the desire to wait for the “perfect time” to get married – simply wait too long. Better to be poor and married than financially stable with regrets and unhappiness.
As we said, the answer isn’t simple. Finances should be considered, but waiting for riches isn’t right either. You have to use wisdom to balance these two principles and decide as a couple whether or not the time is right.
