Pencils Under the Christmas Tree ~ By Angie Maldonado

One of the many things I really respect about my husband is his ability to manage our finances well.  Almost eleven years ago, he married a girl in debt (that was me!).  He paid off my debt and started us out fresh and has done a terrific job ever since.  Although, I'm sure some days he wants to pull his hair out...or at least hide my wallet.  See, I am still the spender and he is still the saver.  Perhaps you and your husband are the same mix.  Or maybe you are the one wanting to hide your husband's wallet!

As the holidays draw near, my spending is ever increasing.  I often try to justify the "too many" gifts I bring through the  door in extra large shopping bags.  My husband would be happy if our girls found something practical, like pencils and notebooks under the Christmas tree.  There has to be a balance somewhere, doesn't there?

If you've read Gary Chapman's love language book, it sheds a little light on the subject.  Some of us really do show our love to others through gift giving and some through other means.  Well, that helps understand why my desires don't meet my husband's about what should go under our Christmas tree.  However, we still need to compromise somehow.

I need to honor and respect my husband's management of our finances.  He needs to be conscientious of my demonstration of love through giving gifts.  One way we came to compromise this year was a brilliant idea of a friend. We give each of our children three gifts for Christmas, explaining that Jesus received three special gifts and we don't need any more than Jesus.  The gifts are chosen wisely and carefully, since there are only three - satisfying my desire for showing our love through the gifts.  There are only three gifts, satisfying my husband's authority over our finances.

Now, after December 25th comes and goes, I'm still the spender and he's still the saver.  My favorite stores at the mall continue to call my name.  This is an area I must turn over to the Lord on a regular basis.  I encourage you to seek the Word and find out what the Lord has to say about the finances in your home.  I think you'll find He wants a heart that is willing to give to others cheerfully.  He wants you to be wise with what He's given you, not hording of it, as it won't follow you into eternity.  I think you'll find He wants you to honor Him with your finances by your tithe.  I certainly don't claim to be an expert on the subject, and there are several good ones out there.  Seek the experts if this is an area of struggle in your marriage.  God's desire is for us to be honoring of our spouses and of Him in our finances, just as in other things.

~ Angie Maldonado is a home schooling mom of two girls (ages 4 and 6) and an Army wife.  She and her family currently reside in Fort Benning, Georgia.  Her greatest goal in life is to leave a remarkable spiritual legacy to her two girls and to see them mature with hearts to serve the Lord.  She enjoys crafting, decorating, reading and of course, writing.  Angie has experienced the renovating power of the Lord at work in her marriage, and considers it a great blessing to use what she has learned to help build other women in their faith.  She is working on her first book dedicated to encouraging women to let their lights shine for the Lord Jesus.