Combining Checking Accounts ( 2 Timothy 2:15)

“It’s only off by $1.02!”

“It’s still off. You have to account for it!”

“Why?”

The look of exasperation that flashed across my wife’s face said it all.

During our engagement, my wife and I were planning our wedding and creating a budget. As we progressed, it became clear that we should either combine or create a new checking account to facilitate purchases and payments. It was a logical step but there was certain uneasiness that I felt. All of my accounting would be laid bare for her to review. In the era before the internet, every month, I had to painstakingly review the printed bank statements with my checkbook. While most months balanced, there were occasions when I was off by a small amount, no more than a few dollars at most. With my usual cavalier attitude, I would dismiss it and assume I made a small error in my accounting but no worries, I had more than enough to cover a shortfall of a few dollars. My new fiancee did not share my careless approach to personal finance.

“We have to go through this again!” She pulled out the bank statements and, with a yellow highlighter, proceeded to review the numbers.

“Sweetheart,” I pleaded. “It’s 2 AM!”

I was exhausted but knew she was correct. We had to reconcile and properly balance my checkbook. At that point, inspiration struck. “I would like to make a decision as the future head of this family.” My pompous declaration belied my trepidation. “We clearly have different viewpoints of personal finances. I have been sloppy...lazy. You are absolutely correct that this checkbook needs to be properly balanced. You are clearly very good at this. May I make the suggestion that you handle the everyday household finances and checkbook balancing? I will handle the longer term financial investments.”

We agreed to this arrangement, one that has been maintained through nearly twenty years of marriage. I am thankful for my wife’s oversight and compulsive attention to detail for our household finances. I have learned from her and have slowly begun to change my behavior.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)

I have a cavalier attitude toward some aspects of my personal finances, justifying my actions by reasoning these are insignificant losses. This attitude is symptomatic of my laziness and lack of discipline. Sadly, this attitude creeps into my spiritual life. In the past, I did not take the time to ponder and meditate upon difficult passages of the Bible. I would simply gloss over names and places or have a superficial understanding of cultures and traditions of the day. This resulted in an incomplete and sometimes, erroneous understanding of the Bible. Through my Pastors, gifted teachers, and godly brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, I have changed my behavior and become more careful in studying God’s Word. Like my laziness in handling my personal finances, God is transforming me into His child, allowing me to see the importance of rightly handling His Word of Truth.

Thanks be to God’s mercy and kindness in my life!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.