In Larry Burkett’s book Using Your Money Wisely in the chapter “Unequally Yoked” in which he discusses business partnerships, he also comments on marriage:
The analogy of a yoke to a marriage is an accurate one. A marriage should be two people, pulling in common bond toward compatible goals and sharing the load equally.
Also, he says:
Just because we can have partnerships with other believers does not mean that we should. Paul said, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable.” (II Cor.6:12a). Stretching that principle a little, we can say, “Any two Christians can be partners, but not all should be.” There are different levels of maturity, commitment, and human compatibility. Choosing a business partner should be done with the same caution with which you would choose a spouse.
An application I would take from this is in advising young people concerning a marriage prospect:
- Make sure you truly know the character of the person you are considering, and are not being deceived by a favorable facade or by one’s own emotions. Just because two people believe the same things or are members of the same church, does not mean that they would make suitable marriage partners.
In the chapter “Keeping a Vow”, Larry Burkett says,
Once someone has given his word, it becomes a binding contract to be fulfilled. Thus, before agreeing to any terms, it is assumed that an individual has carefully considered the consequences.
Few scriptural principles are clearer than that of keeping our vows – literally keeping our word both to God and to others. “It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.’ (Ecclesiastes 5:5).
When a couple gets married, they exchange vows or promises to each other. They promise to love each other and forsake all others no matter what. That will hold true, even if the other partner becomes . . . disabled, ugly, or old.
An application would be:
- Be careful! Do not rush into marriage just to be married! You are making a vow which God requires you to keep, no matter what “outs” the civil magistrate may provide.
Another application, this time to the married, would be:
- Do not be discouraged. Keeping the vow is a good thing. Do not become weary in well-doing. (Galatians 6:9) Seek God’s grace to walk in love and purity.