Grace
- Favor, inclination of God toward people (Exodus 33:18-19)
- Ability from the nature, gifts, and provision of God to do the will of God (Ephesians 3:7, 4:7; II Corinthians 9:8)
Marriage
- Covenant before God to share strengths, identity, and destiny and face challenges in life together (Genesis 2:23-24)
- Established by vows to give oneself to the other upon an enduring foundation of sacrificial love (husband) and respect (wife) (Ephesians 5:33)
- Union of leadership as them to rule over a designated sphere of responsibility and influence; called to create (Genesis 1:26-28)
Business
- Exchange of goods and services (Psalm 102:23-32)
- Mindset of gain and to see opportunity and advantage (Matthew 25:16-17)
- Stewardship to increase (Matthew 25:14-30)
- Called to generate value: bless employees, customers, vendors, suppliers, community
Wholeness
- Created in God’s likeness (Genesis 1:26-27)
- Male: formed, leave, cleave, to name (Genesis 2:7, 19, 20, 24))
- Female: fashioned, named (Genesis 2:18, 21-22)
- Them, joined (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:24)
- Fellowship: toward one another; other-oriented (Genesis 2:8)
- Identity: rooted in source: God’s nature, God’s design, human formation, shared and complementary qualities
- Strength (bone) of my strength (Genesis 2:23)
- Person (flesh) of my person
- Oneness: innocent, nothing hidden, transparent, completely vulnerable, full knowledge, no confusion in communication, without shame (Genesis 2:25)
Importance
- Primary testimony in life and godliness centered in marriage
- Connection (degree of vulnerability; cleanse shame) is foundational
- To loyalty, longevity of relationship
- To discernment regarding business
- To emotional health
Importance
- Source for mutual wisdom concerning major decisions
- Shared mission strengthens impact of one or both in business (Acts 18:2-3, 18, 26)
- Overflow of marriage persona—message of marriage (Malachi 2:13-15)
- Focus upon mission critical lifestyle
Investment
- Invest in marriage emotionally and spiritually for gain and increase.
Chart by Pete Scazzero, Minister Out of Your Marriage, 2016.
