This lesson examines the pressure put on a relationship because of bad money management and provides suggestions on how couples can better address financial issues using a Christian perspective.

1. In Love for Life
Building or Rebuilding a Great Marriage
Mike Mazzalongo
#6 – The Money Trap

2. Reasons for money disputes
• Different ideas and training

3. Reasons for money disputes
• Different ideas and training
• No discussion before marriage

4. Reasons for money disputes
• Different ideas and training
• No discussion before marriage
• Different economic backgrounds

5. Earning Power"
Lifestyle"
="
Conflict"

6. If our earning power cannot support
our lifestyle, we’re in danger of being
caught in the Money Trap.

7. How the Trap Works
1. External forces
• Early experiences
• Easy credit
• Abundance of merchandise

8. How the Trap Works
1. External forces
2. Internal forces
• Greed"
• Laziness"
• Jealousy" • Lack of self-control"
• Pride"
• Selfishness"
"
"
New "
You too!"
The Best"
Easy"
NOW!!!"
#1"

9. How the “Trap” is Sprung
1. Images of the ideal lifestyle

10. How the “Trap” is Sprung
1. Images of the ideal lifestyle
2. Accessibility

11. How the “Trap” is Sprung
1. Images of the ideal lifestyle
2. Accessibility
3. Easy credit
“Get it with credit”!

12. Our lifestyle should be based
on our earning power.

13. Symptoms of Financial Pressure
• Fatigue

14. Symptoms of Financial Pressure
• Fatigue
• Obsession

15. Symptoms of Financial Pressure
• Fatigue
• Obsession
• Arguments

16. Symptoms of Financial Pressure
• Fatigue
• Obsession
• Arguments
• Sexual disinterest

17. Symptoms of Financial Pressure
•
•
•
•
Fatigue
Obsession
Arguments
Sexual disinterest
• Financial ruin

18. Symptoms of Financial Pressure
•
•
•
•
•
Fatigue
Obsession
Arguments
Sexual disinterest
Financial ruin
• Spiritual discouragement

19. Bad Solutions
1."

20. Bad Solutions
2."

21. Bad Solutions
3."

22. Bad Solutions
4."

23. Bad Solutions
5."

24. Good Solutions
1. Establish your style of living based on
your current earning power.
“Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to
the lender.” !!
- Proverbs 22:7 !
"

25. Putting it into Practice Requires:
• Honesty

26. Putting it into Practice Requires:
• Honesty
• Self-control

27. Putting it into Practice Requires:
• Honesty
• Self-control
• Alertness

28. Putting it into Practice Requires:
• Honesty
• Self-control
• Alertness
• Contentment

29. Good Solutions
1. Establish your style of living based on
your current earning power
2. Making financial priorities
“9 Honor
the LORD from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.” "
- Proverbs 3:9-10!

30. Good Solutions
1. Establish your style of living based on your
current earning power
2. Making financial priorities
1. Give first portion to God

31. Good Solutions
1. Establish your style of living based on your
current earning power
2. Making financial priorities
1. Give first portion to God
2. Establish a reasonable budget

33. Summary
Spending + Earning = Debt = Pressure

34. Negative/Positive Strategy
• Negative – barnyard approach
• Priority/self-control/budget

35. Don’t get caught in the
Money Trap.