Most families operate with one spouse taking the lead on the finances and sometimes leaving their spouse completely in the dark. As comedian Nate Bargatze jokes, most marriages have a spouse who loves spending money while the other spouse hates fun.
Like most jokes, the humor is found in just how closely the majority operate with the joke actually being their reality. And so, in many homes having a conversation around giving to the Greater Things Project is going to seem awkward. How do you even start?! I’m glad you asked because here is a simple and practical plan to have a conversation with your spouse around the capital campaign.
- Don’t do finances inside of a silo
You can still have one spouse who “manages” your family’s finances, but they don’t have to do it in the dark. Both spouses should speak into your finances instead of one spouse just talking to themselves. Keep each other updated on everything from savings and debt to vacations and your weekly grocery budget.
- Join each other in prayer
This may be a good practice to have around your finances going forward, but it definitely needs to happen around the Greater Things Project. Simply pray and ask God for three things:
- Put a number on your hearts that is clear
- Bring unity on that number between you and your spouse
- Give you the courage to be obedient to the number even if it doesn’t quite make sense
- Have the practical conversation
Notice that the practical conversation comes AFTER you have prayed and heard from God. This isn’t about giving “what you can afford” or “out of your excess”. This is about giving what God places on your heart and trusting him to do the miracle. And then once you have that number, start to look at your finances and budgets closely. What areas can you sacrifice as you step out in obedience? Are there areas where you can scale back on? Or is God putting it on your heart to take a major leap of faith and cash out some investments or downsize your home?And remember, this isn’t about giving out of guilt or comparing your gift to anyone else. It’s not about equal gifts, but equal sacrifice. What is a major sacrifice for one person may not impact another family at all. That’s why it is important that this is a step of obedience that can only come from prayer and hearing from God.