We do very well financially, but my husband is growing prideful when it comes to our finances. Can you give me some talking points to share with him? Pride is very easy to spot in someone else and a challenge to identify in ourselves. How well I know that from blindness to my own pride! It is no easy task to help someone discover that they are prideful.
My suggestion is that you learn all that you can about what the Bible says about humility, put it into practice as you make financial decisions, and pray that it lovingly influences your husband’s perspective. Let’s look at some of the dangers of financial pride and what to do about it. Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (NIV).
Because pride always seeks what is best for our own interests, it blinds us to the wisdom we need. Pride wants to build or maintain appearances. It tempts us to buy houses, vehicles, clothes, vacations, or lifestyles we think will impress others even when we cannot afford them. Humility protects us from making foolish mistakes.
It gives us permission to say, “that's outside our budget.” That statement grants tremendous safety and financial freedom in releasing the need to impress people. The humble choose to live beneath their means. That may lead them to drive older vehicles, live in smaller houses, buy used things, carry lunch to work, and decline expensive invitations without feeling less than who God made them to be.
They know they are worth more than what society thinks they need to be. Even when they have the means, they choose not to put wealth on display.