#6 – The Money Trap

In Love for Life

Building or Rebuilding a Great Marriage

Mike Mazzalongo

Reasons for money disputes

• Different ideas and training

Reasons for money disputes

• Different ideas and training

• No discussion before marriage

Reasons for money disputes

• Different ideas and training• No discussion before marriage

• Different economic backgrounds

Earning Power

Lifestyle= Conflict

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

Money Trap.

How the Trap Works

1. External forces• Early experiences• Easy credit• Abundance of merchandise

How the Trap Works

1. External forces

2. Internal forces

• Greed• Jealousy• Pride

• Laziness• Lack of self-control• Selfishness

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How the “Trap” is Sprung

1. Images of the ideal lifestyle

How the “Trap” is Sprung

1. Images of the ideal lifestyle

2. Accessibility

How the “Trap” is Sprung

1. Images of the ideal lifestyle

2. Accessibility

3. Easy credit

“Get it with credit”

Our lifestyle should be based on our earning

power.

Symptoms of Financial Pressure

• Fatigue

Symptoms of Financial Pressure

• Fatigue

• Obsession

Symptoms of Financial Pressure

• Fatigue • Obsession

• Arguments

Symptoms of Financial Pressure

• Fatigue • Obsession • Arguments

• Sexual disinterest

Symptoms of Financial Pressure

• Fatigue • Obsession • Arguments • Sexual disinterest

• Financial ruin

Symptoms of Financial Pressure

• Fatigue • Obsession • Arguments • Sexual disinterest • Financial ruin

• Spiritual discouragement

Bad Solutions

1.

Bad Solutions

2.

Bad Solutions

3.

Bad Solutions

4.

Bad Solutions

5.

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

Putting it into Practice Requires:

• Honesty

Putting it into Practice Requires:

• Honesty

• Self-control

Putting it into Practice Requires:

• Honesty

• Self-control

• Alertness

Putting it into Practice Requires:

• Honesty

• Self-control

• Alertness

• Contentment

6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.1 Timothy 6:9-10

Good Solutions

1. Establish your style of living based on your current earning power

2. Making financial priorities

Good Solutions

1. Establish your style of living based on your current earning power

2. Making financial priorities

A. Give first portion to God

Good Solutions

 “9 Honor the Lord from your wealthAnd from the first of all your produce;10 So your barns will be filled with plentyAnd your vats will overflow with new wine.” - Proverbs 3:9-10

Good Solutions

1. Establish your style of living based on your current earning power

2. Making financial priorities

A. Give first portion to God

B. Establish a reasonable budget

Summary

Spending + Earning = Debt = Pressure

Negative/Positive Strategy

•Negative – barnyard approach

•Priority/self-control/budget

Don’t get caught in the Money Trap.