Financial Ethic #5 part 4: What Does Your Spouse Think of That Risky Investment?

If you’re a natural risk-taker, I understand how you feel more than I want to admit.  I know that in pursuing any risky endeavor, the most enticing thing can be the possibility of winning big, of beating the odds.  But the excitement and adrenaline this creates can blind you to the truth that ALL of your financial decisions affect your spouse.

Financial Ethic #5 states:  “We will avoid risky investments and get-rich-quick schemes.” ^[1]   

In the fourth and final post on this financial ethic, it’s time to be brutally honest about the fact that you’re risking more than money.  You’re risking creating a major rift with your spouse. And that rift can become a serious roadblock in your journey to freedom from financial friction.

Perhaps you’ve convinced yourself that you’re actually doing something good for your spouse.  That they’ll be grateful and pleasantly surprised when you come home and tell them that you’ve made a bunch of money and solved all your financial problems.  But if you read the last 3 posts, you now realize that the pursuit of quick wealth is unfruitful, unbiblical, and leads to destruction. 

The good news is that you can use the temptation you experience to pursue risky investments and get-rich-quick schemes as an opportunity to foster unity with your spouse and with God.  Here’s how to make it a stepping stone—instead of a roadblock– on the path to freedom from financial friction.

1. Acknowledge that you’re facing temptation in this decision.  “But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15)” Your spouse needs to hear from you in the weak moments that you’re facing temptation before the enticement drags you away.  These are opportunities for them to participate by listening and interceding in prayer.
2. Acknowledge your spouse’s perspective in this decision.  “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. (Proverbs 12:15)” One of the reasons God puts people who are “opposites” together, is so that they can compliment and complete each other.  It is by His design that one spouse is often strong in areas where the other spouse isn’t.  This is why it’s important to allow your spouse to have input in decisions that affect the marriage, instead of you trying to make decisions in a vacuum. Remember that ALL of your financial decisions affect your spouse. So do them the courtesy of letting them have a voice in the decision.
3. Acknowledge that God is present to help you with this decision. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1Corinthians 10:13)” The temptation to pursue quick wealth is common to man.  So there’s no reason to be ashamed to acknowledge it with God.  He knew that temptation was there, but He also knew a way of escape that’s tailor-made for you!   God is ever-present to help you make the right choice.

So let me repeat this again:  ALL of your financial decisions affect your spouse.  And the decision to choose risky investments and get-rich-quick schemes can cause a major rift, especially when it doesn’t turn out well.  But as you acknowledge your temptation, humbly accept your spouse’s input, and recognize that God is present to rescue you when you’re tempted, you can victoriously proclaim Ethic #5.  Then you and your spouse can move one step closer to freedom from financial friction – together!

 “Search My Heart, O God…”

• Ask God to give you the desire to join forces with your spouse when facing financial temptations ,  praying

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).