What's Your Credit Score? (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

An interesting study published in 2015 proposed that the higher your credit score, the less likely you’ll split from your partner. As an example, if there is a 105-point uptick in a person’s credit score, there is a 32% drop in the likelihood of divorce. One reviewer of the study suggested that a frank sharing of credit scores should occur early in the relationship, to minimize the chances of a divorce. Others chimed in with, “What’s your credit score?” may not be the best opening pick up line!

If only it were that easy!

Good credit is certainly important for the health of any marital relationship. Indeed, other studies have identified that money and finances are the leading cause of stress in relationships. But it is the tip of a very large iceberg. For some marriages, it may be deeper issues of compulsive shopping or gambling, that depletes the bank account. In my marriage, finances become an issue when assumptions are made and one partner is not informed or communication is taken for granted.

Problems with a credit score underlie the real issue, we are sinners and live in an imperfect world. From the moment we are born, we are not living the life that God created us to have. Instead, we are afraid to trust, unwilling to disclose our dark secrets, and lack the desire to be transparent in our relationships. What hope is there?

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)

Will we resign ourselves to have a credit score predict our likelihood for marital success? God shows us a better way, by confessing and repenting of our sins, and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. When husband and wife are united as believers in Jesus, our spiritual score is all that matters. How will we know? When we understand the true meaning of love and seek to love our spouse as ourselves, we will begin to understand the magnificence of marriage. For any marriage to succeed, Jesus must be at the apex and center of the relationship. As both partners grow closer to Jesus, they will grow closer to each other.

Credit scores are important. But are both you and your spouse seeking to improve your spiritual score? Jesus Christ shows us the best way.

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