The Three Commitments of Marriage

Genesis 2:24 says “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” From this verse we learn that marriage is the combination of three things: 
1. Leaving (Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother). Leaving is all about not being a mama’s boy or a daddy’s girl. The responsibility to love and care for your parents don’t go away. They just now come second to the responsibility to love and care for your spouse. The new marriage has created a new family that is now a higher priority than your previous family. Leaving is a commitment to prioritize your spouse above all other relationships.

2. Cleaving (and shall cleave unto his wife). "Stuck Like Glue" is a Sugarland single released to radio July 26, 2010. Part of the chorus goes “And I know I'm never letting this go. I'm stuck on you. Whoa-oh, whoa-oh, stuck like glue. You and me baby, we're stuck like glue. Whoa-oh, whoa-oh, stuck like glue. You and me baby, we're stuck like glue.” Though Sugarland is not a Christian band, they do a great job of describing the biblical definition of cleaving. To cleave means to be glued to your spouse. When I perform a wedding ceremony the couple commits to stick together “for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death us do part”. These popular vows find their roots in the biblical definition of cleaving. At its core, cleaving is a commitment to stick together.

3. Going all the way (and they shall be one flesh). Having committed to prioritize the marriage relationship above all other relationships (leaving) and having committed to stick together through thick or thin (cleaving), a married couple now consummates the marriage through their sexual union (going all the way). This is the start of two people becoming one. When I perform wedding ceremonies each person vows to “remain only unto you, for so long as we both shall live.” When they say this, they’re committing to exclusively share sexual intimacy with their spouse. 

So we see the three commitments of marriage...

1. The commitment to prioritize your spouse above all other relationships (leaving).
2. The commitment to stick together through thick and thin (cleaving).
3. The commitment to exclusively share sexual intimacy with one’s spouse (going all the way).

Five Shocking Statistics on Debt

Here's some debt stats that were shared in week two of our Financial Fitness teaching series.

• The average American is now spending $1.36 for every dollar they make. That means Americans are living on 136% of their income. 

• For those carrying a balance on their credit card(s), the average is $14,517. 

• The average 21 year old owes $12,000. By 28 they owe $78,000. 

• 55% of American households are living paycheck to paycheck. 

• In 1970 only 15% of Americans had credit cards. As of 2013 77% now have credit cards. 

If you find yourself steeped in debt, New Day can help. To start, visit our www.newdaychurch.cc/financialfitness and listen to our message on DEBT. 

Ten Thought Provoking Questions on Debt

As Andrew spoke on debt today it reminded me of ten thought provoking questions from Randy Alcorn's book Money, Possession and Eternity.

1) Is debt our means of short-circuiting the God-created means of acquisition - including work, saving, planning, self-discipline, patience, and waiting for divine provision?

2) Is not having enough resources to pay cash for what I want God's way of telling me it isn't his willfor me to buy it?

3) Debt often results in financial pressures strong enough to break up marriages. Would borrowing create financial pressure of any kind in my life?

4) I believe the government should limit spending to available revenues. Is it right to hold myself to a different standard?

5) Romans 13:8 says "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another..." (NASB) Does this verse prohibit debt?

6) Nehemiah 5:3-5 describes being in debt as NOT a good thing. In a time of famine, the ultimate act of despair was to mortgage fields, vineyards and homes. Should such things take place under normal circumstances? According to the Bible, is debt reserved for desperate situations or everyday use?

7) Is the money I will be obligated to repay, and the bondage it will create, worth the value I'll receive by getting the money or possessions now?

8) Is debt a vicious cycle? Once I pay off the debt, what new needs and wants will I have?

9) Is debt a way of getting around depending on God? Would NOT borrowing create a greater dependence on God and allow God to show his faithfulness in my life?

10) Does debt tempt us and allow us to pursue what God hasn't provided and doesn't intend for us?

To hear Andrew's message on debt visit www.newdaychurch.cc/financialfitness 

7 Laws of Financial Fitness, Part 2

Today we kicked off a new teaching series at New Day called FINANCIAL FITNESS by studying Matthew 25:13-30, The Parable of the Talents. In this story we find a wealthy business owner entrusting his wealth to three of his servants. He then goes away for a long time. When he finally returns he calls his servants together and says "Ok. What'd you do with my money while I was gone?" Two of the servants give a good report while one gave a bad report. Jesus then draws some spiritual truths from the story for us to apply to our lives. It's from this story we learn the seven laws of financial fitness. In this post I'll share laws 4-7. To read laws 1-3 click here.

4. The law of Utilization says: I must wisely use God's money (vv.26-27). The master clearly gave his servants the money to use, not to do nothing with. The money was a means to an end. The end was getting a return. In the same way God gives us money as a tool to be used for a purpose. We're not to do nothing with it. The money God entrusts to us is a means to an end. God's desire is that people come to know his Son Jesus (2 Peter 3:9). As people give of their tithes and offerings to their local church, the work of God is funded. In these verses the master calls the servant who did nothing with what he had "wicked and lazy". Most of us, when we think of wicked people think of murderers, rapists, pedofiles, those who participate in sex trafficking or forced slavery, not those who mismanage their money. But God is using strong language to make a point. It's a serious thing to do nothing for God's kindgom with what God has blessed you with. God says it's wicked to mismanage  misuse or abuse that which he's entrusted to you care.

5. The law of Motivation says: I must move against my fears (v.25). Why did the servant who was given only one talent do nothing with what he was given? Verse 25 tells us because he was afraid. And that's the same reason some people today don't give today. They are afraid that if they give some of what they have to God's work they won't have enough left for themselves. But it's not just fear, it's actually a lack of faith. God has told us in Malachi 3:8-11 that 90% blessed is more than 100% cursed. Yet we're afraid God won't make good on that promise, so we don't give. But if we're to become good stewards we have to make an intentional decision to move against our fears. We have to trust God by stepping out in faith.

6. The law of Application says: If I don't use it I lose it (vv.28-29). The servant who did nothing with what he was given had the little he was given taken away. Who got it? The one who did a good job with what he was given. The Bible teaches that those who do well with what they are given will be given even more. But to those who do nothing with what they have, even the little they have will be taken away. If we don't use what God has give us for God's purposes...If we mistakenly think all we've been given is for our selfish consumption...then God has the right to take away anything that we don't use to invest for him. Why? Because of law one - it all belongs to God!

7. The law of Compensation says: God will reward me for good money management (vv.21,23). If I don't use it, I lose it. But if I do use it and use it for the right purpose, God will reward me by giving me even more. There are three rewards described in these verses. First is the reward of affirmation (well done good and faithful servant). Second is the reward of promotion (you have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things). Third is the reward of celebration (come and share your master’s happiness).

If you want the good rewards, the good roles and the good responsibilities in God's kingdom, it begins with learning and applying the seven laws of financial fitness.

1. The law of Possession: Everything I have belongs to God 
2. The law of Allocation: God has loaned me money 
3. The law of Accountability: One day God will audit me 
4. The law of Utilization: I must wisely use God’s money 
5. The law of Motivation: I must move against my fears 
6. The law of Application: If I don’t use it, I lose it
7. The law of Compensation: God will reward me for good money management