Marriage Insurance

Anton asked me yesterday about renter's insurance. What amount should he get? How should he pay it? They are good questions for a young man about to rent his very first apartment. And it got me thinking. We have insurance for our cars, homes, apartments, health and even our earthly life. Some people have insurance for jewelry, boats and other high-end personal possessions. Some singers have insurance on their vocal chords. Dancers have insurance on their legs. Quarterbacks have insurance on their throwing arms. People protect what is of great value to them.

That being said ... what insurance do you have for your marriage? Now please don't ask, "Is there marriage insurance?" And for heavens sake, don't even mention a prenup. (For those who don't know, it's a prenuptial agreement between the bride and groom over possessions should the union end - it's a safety net in case of divorce.). So I'm not speaking actual marriage insurance. I'm talking about what lengths you are willing to go to protect this extraordinarily important union called marriage. How much is this marriage worth to you?

I am hoping you'll say this upcoming marriage is worth more than your house, car, apartment, boat or jewelry. It should rank right up at the top of your priority list.

A friend at church shared a story where her boss asked her to list the priorities in her life. She said, "God, husband, children, work." He told her to pack up her things, go home and reprioritize if she planned on working for him. She was devastated at the loss of her job, but stuck to her beliefs. Within days, the Lord opened an opportunity for her financially that has continued to this day and blessed her immeasurably. Her priorities were dead on. The boss on the other hand ... was fired by his boss within the year. His priorities were off.

Your God should be the most important thing in your life. Christ said in Matthew 22:37, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." So that comes first. Then your spouse should follow. Then your children. Then anything else. You know how important those things are. And they are worth protecting. So what is your insurance? You need to invest in those things. You need to invest time with God. You need to invest time in the Word. You need to invest time in prayer. You need to invest in time with your spouse and your future children. Notice that time is the connection there.

Work at your marriage. Love your spouse. Go on marriage retreats together and to conferences (like the one Rob and Ayla attended recently). Read books on marriage together. Do devotions together. Pray together. Go on dates. Have fun together. Your marriage is of great worth, so take special care of it. Invest in it.

The Bible is the best insurance for liability, collision and comprehension in your marriage. It's the best insurance for natural disasters, disease, road hazards and mishaps. That Word of God has got the best coverage ever. So dig into it. And when you sign that marriage license, know that you've got the best policy ever with the Father ... with zero deductible, because Christ already paid it.

Discussion: How are your current priorities? What are some other ways to make your marriage a priority? How can you tell what a priority is in your life?

Prayer: Father, we know when we make those vows before you, we are promising to make this marriage a priority. Help us Lord to care for one another and invest in each other. Help us to seek your Word for guidance and direction in our lives. And let it all be to your glory. In your Son's name, Amen.