Dave Says: Saving Is Always Smart

Dear Dave,

My wife and I have gone from having almost nothing to making about $90,000 in the last few years. The problem is that I can’t get her interested in saving money. What’s worse, her father is the preacher at our church and he has convinced her that he knows the Lord is coming back in our lifetime. Thinking this, she says there’s no reason to save because it will all be gone anyway. 

What can I do? 

Brian

Dear Brian,

I’m all for people living their lives according to God’s word. But the Bible says that no man knows when the Lord will return. So, I get pretty leery when a guy – especially a preacher – tells me he knows when it’s going to happen.

The Bible also tells us very clearly that it is wise to save, and the Bible does not contradict itself. So basically, if you don’t save you’re being foolish. Still, it probably wouldn’t be a great idea for you to run and tell your wife that financially she’s behaving like a fool. 

This is a touchy situation in other areas, too. Right now her dad’s theology is ruling your marriage, and that’s not good. Husbands and wives should grow in their faith together. I think you guys should sit down with a good marriage counselor and, for the good of your family, come to an agreement on a new place of worship.

I mean, even if her dad is right about this – and if he turns out to be right, I’m pretty sure it’s not because he has inside information – there’s some stuff going on here where he’s interwoven his own ideas and spiritual authority in with your household authority.

And that kind of thing could cause more problems down the road!
—Dave

For more financial help, please visit daveramsey.com.

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