Art Rainer - The Marriage Challenge: A Finance Guide for Married Couples

Praise for The Marriage Challenge

The Marriage Challenge is an excellent book to help couples find oneness in their finances. The story format makes the book a fun read for both the husband and wife. God has designed your marriage to showcase the gospel. Dont let financial issues get in the way of a great marriage. Read The Marriage Challenge !

Daniel L. Akin , president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina

I have known and worked with Art Rainer for several years and have always been encouraged by his infectious, 360-degree vision for mission in every part of life. This fuels his works on careful thinking and management of moneyfrom personal devotion to marriage, from raising kids to leadership, the local church, education, and understanding the world. I am pleased to recommend this to you.

Keith and Kristyn Getty , modern hymn writers, authors of Sing!: How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church

Art Rainer is the new voice in personal finance for Christians. His writings and podcasts are awakening believers to grasp more completely Gods plan for the money He has entrusted to us. His latest book, The Marriage Challenge , is an incredible resource for all married couples from engaged couples to newlyweds to those married for many years. Get it and apply its principles immediately!

Thom S. Rainer , president of LifeWay Christian Resources

The Marriage Challenge is a must-read for married couples. The book is crafted in such a way that is entertaining, biblically sound, and practical. I wish that I had this book during my first few years of marriage. To be honest, Im glad I have it now!

Jimmy Scroggins , senior pastor of Family Church, West Palm Beach, Florida

Whether you are newly married or have been married for years, this book is for you! Art provides clear, practical steps toward financial health, and addresses underlying issues couples experience that present themselves in their finances. Both your marriage and your bank account will be stronger by applying the principles found in this book! Art Rainers writing style is like having your own personal marriage and financial counselor and advisor. His personal and often entertaining approach helps to break down barriers for couples creating the opportunity for greater unity and success in their approach to money. This book is guaranteed to positively impact the reader!

Selma Wilson , senior vice president of LifeWay Christian Resources

Love, money, and the pursuit of happiness. Unfortunately, for too many couples, money and happiness never go hand-in-hand. In fact, I find money as one of the single biggest reasons for emotional disconnection in marriage. Not only does Art provide an incredibly succinct, practical framework for married couples to plan financially, he also covers the relational dynamics necessary for becoming one in money and marriage! I will now recommend this book to every pre-marital couple I work with.

Josh Straub , author of Safe House and host of the In This Together podcast

I would have never thought Id be on the edge of my seat reading a book about finances and marriage. Arts ability to tell a story kept me turning the pages and his practical advice had me readily thinking about what steps my husband and I could apply to our marriage. This is a book for any couple who wants to honor God with their finances while growing closer together.

Julie Masson , columnist for Parenting Teens

Praise for The Money Challenge

Art has written an incredibly practical, readable, useful book on living openhandedly with our finances. The Money Challenge offers practical steps to live as God has designed us to: as channels of His great generosity, to advance His Kingdom. I highly recommend it!

Matt Carter , pastor of preaching and vision, The Austin Stone Community Church, Austin, Texas

I cant wait for you to read Arts book. It is so good. Art encourages and equips you in The Money Challenge . Not only will you learn a lot, but you will also enjoy his captivating writing style.

Derwin L. Gray , lead pastor, Transformation Church, Indian Land, South Carolina

Sometimes the hardest part of wise financial stewardship is knowing where to start. Thats where Arts book comes inhis relatable stories and practical steps break down a seemingly impossible goal to simple, faith-filled steps. Join him in this thirty-day challenge and watch as God uses this book to propel you into a lifestyle of generous giving. Around The Summit Church we always say, Live sufficiently, give extravagantly. This is how to start.

J.D. Greear , PhD, pastor of The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, and author, Gaining by Losing: Why the Future Belongs to Churches that Send

The Money Challenge is a hopeful, gospel-oriented primer on using finances for the sake of the Kingdom. Everyone can benefit from the biblical wisdom here, regardless of financial or social background.

Russell Moore , president, Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

Who knew generosity was such a driving force for how we handle our money in a God-honoring way? Art Rainer helps us understand why in this helpful book, The Money Challenge . If were honest, money is one of the hardest topics for us to face and tackle in our hearts and minds. That is one of many reasons we are served by Rainers work here. Practical, wise, and challenging, youll be glad you picked up this helpful book.

Trillia Newbell , author of Enjoy, Fear and Faith, and United

Copyright 2018 by Art Rainer

All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

978-1-5359-1238-9

Published by B&H Publishing Group

Nashville, Tennessee

Dewey Decimal Classification: 332.024

Subject Heading: PERSONAL FINANCE \ MONEY \ MARRIAGE

Cover design and illustration by Darren Welch. Additional illustration shutterstock/Serhiy Smirnov. Photo 123rf.com/rangizzz.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible, copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

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For Sarah

Acknowledgments

I am grateful for everyone who made this book possible. I feel truly blessed to have been given such a great opportunity with such great support.

Given that the topic of this book centers on money and marriage, it should not surprise anyone that I first want to thank my wife, Sarah. She is an amazingly godly, smart, and courageous wife and mom. Thank you for your love and inspiration.

I am grateful for the three boys God has given me. They bring a lot of fun, energy, and clogged toilets to our house. To Nathaniel, Joshua, and JamesI love you. I am proud of you. And I am glad that you are my sons.

The rest of my family needs mentioning as well. They have provided continued support and encouragement over the years. Dad and Mom, thank you for providing a godly home in which to grow up. Sam, Jess, and your crews, I love you all.

The team at B&H Publishing is incredible. I am so thankful for their partnership on this project. Thank you, Devin Maddox, Taylor Combs, Dave Schroeder, and Jenaye White.

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, is an incredible community of Great Commission-focused believers. I consider it an honor to serve alongside such a wonderful team. Specifically, I want to thank Amy Whitfield and Mandy Bramlett for their involvement with this book. Your input was invaluable.

Of course, I am most grateful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My hope is that this book makes his name more famous.