MC Asks: I Want To Give, But My Spouse Doesn't... What Do I Do?

MC Asks: I want to give, but my spouse or partner doesn't... What do I do?This is a really great question because of how relevant it is. There are people worldwide who practice Christianity and follow Jesus, but the other person in the relationship doesn't. That can work out for a while, but when it comes to financial generosity, it can become a conflict because our incomes and expenses are often shared in these relationships.Talking about the giving aspect of our faith involves the other person in ways we're not necessarily used to including them. The other person may not want to donate for several reasons. They may not have any religion or different beliefs than you. You might attend church together but interpret biblical financial stewardship differently.Sometimes, your spouse or partner might have grown up in and around the church and experienced abuse and/or neglect. Reasonably, it will be tough for them to tolerate giving money to the local church.When conversing about giving, the conversation mustn't turn this person off to faith more than they already are. We want the conversation to encourage faith interest. God wants us to do acts of generosity, especially regarding our finances, but not at the cost of our significant others finding Jesus.I wouldn't want you to hurt their faith when generosity and practicing giving should be very life-giving. It is gratifying, not just for you, but for the people you're blessing with your generosity. The goal of our faith isn't to get people to the point of giving money but rather to help people find Jesus. In following Jesus, we know that generosity is an aspect of that.Our response as followers of Jesus is to show love back to God through our acts of generosity. God's love for us is why he gave (John 3:16). I don't want it to sound trite because we always say it, but it's true: God loves us. His love doesn't change based on whether or not you give. Whether your spouse or partner has faith, God still loves them. This is a foundational belief when proceeding with the topic at hand.Step 1: Make An AskStep 2: Get Some FeedbackStep 3: Share The StoriesRecappingQ: I want to give, by my spouse/partner doesn't... what do I do?A: Begin with a conversation about your faith and how finances are a part of that. Make an ask about giving, and clarify expectations as you go. Keep good communication going by regularly seeking feedback. Share the stories of how your giving is being put to work. Generosity is something that should help them on their spiritual journey, not hurt it.Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing to Madison Church on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback means the world to us, so please take a moment to leave a review and share the podcast with your friends and family.For inquiries, suggestions, or collaboration opportunities, please reach out to us at [email protected] the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramYouTubeNew episodes are released every Monday, so mark your calendars and join us weekly!If you'd like to support the show, you can make a donation here. Your generosity helps us continue to bring you meaningful content.This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The views expressed by the hosts or guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Madison Church. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. For detailed information regarding our terms of use and privacy policy, please visit our website.Thank you for being part of the Madison Church community! We appreciate your support.