The Finance Dance

It was once said, "The one unbreakable rule of couples dancing is that the partners must move interdependently, as a unit."

Undoubtedly, at one point or another in marriage, you will step on your partner's toes over financial issues. It has been cited for many years as one of the leading causes of conflict in marriage.

It is not a coincidence that there are over 800 scriptures in the Bible on the topic of money. Let's study various financial twirls, flips, and missteps that can occur between husband and wife that can cause a couple to get out of sync.

1) Financial Dips- With a swooping dip dance technique, the base partner is firmly supporting the "flyer" so that she will not ultimately fall to the ground. God designed the husband to lead the wife in the area of finances, and the wife must carefully follow his lead. I Corinthians 11:3 tells us, "But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." A wonderful truth to remember is when the husband feels that he is falling in the area of finances, he can trust God to support him. God is the ultimate provider and support when both husband and wife feel as if they are weak and slipping. God hears our prayers and wants us to be careful to listen to His instruction and step out in faith in however He leads us. The Lord is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, and is not surprised by financial dips and the recession.

2) Lead Feet- In dance, you must always be "footloose and fancy-free" or agile to be able to smoothly switch to the next sequence. Worldly mindsets can weigh us down from being able to flow with the Holy Spirit and with our partner in finance. Luke 8:14b says, "...but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches, and pleasures." One definition of choked means, "to slow down the movement, growth, or action." Worrying about money or becoming consumed by riches and pleasures can immobilize a marriage from continuing on the dance path.

3)Don't look down!- In dancing, if you look at your feet instead of into your partner's eyes, you will stumble. Too often, one partner can become grounded in their own financial agenda and personal habits. Many times, one spouse is categorized as more of a "spender" and the other as more of a "saver." Resentment can develop along with unnecessary space and distance if communication becomes disconnected. Learn to be sensitive and in tune with your spouse in the area of finances. Pinpoint areas in which you can improve upon, plan accordingly, and resist "impulse spending" that can lead to waste. Proverbs 14:29 says, "he who is impulsive exalts folly."

4) Dancers must don proper apparel-Dancers must where light, flowy garments. Clothes that are too heavy will interfere with the dance. In this respect, financial hoarding can create spiritual issues in marriage. Proverbs 3:27-28 says, "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it.' When you have it with you." Part of learning to dance in the area of finances involves being clothed in the Lord's righteousness, not in our selfishness. All riches and glory and honor ultimately belong to the King of Kings.

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