On seeing a recent story on how a third of Americans view financial infidelity worse than sexual infidelity, it concerned me. The news will fill financial planners with joy, yet it bothers me.
Financial infidelity is concerning and needs attention. What bothered me was that for such a large percent of the population, their pocket books are more important than their spouse’s fidelity.
When money matters more than fidelity, it speaks loudly about priorities. I’m not sure if it means that fidelity can be bought, yet that thought crossed my mind as well.
When ‘the prostitution mindset’ where money is more important than fidelity predominates, there are sure to be problems.
As with any survey, you can’t apply the findings to the population at large. Although reporters want to make global judgments from such surveys, the reality is the findings are only about the group in question.
If there are many people valuing money more than fidelity, it’s no surprise that adultery is running rampant in some areas. It tells me that there are some areas where relationship priorities are messed up.
Another possible explanation is that a third of the respondents don’t know how to love. Perhaps they’re some of those believing “If you throw enough money at a problem, it fixes it.”
While reviewing these findings a quote by a one-time client comes to mind. She had strained relations with her father. Eventually she confronted him “Dad, I need you to open your heart to me more than your wallet.”
Her statement conveys a simple truth. Some people open their wallets rather than their heart. Perhaps its because they can find their wallet easier than they can find their heart.
What’s clear is that some marriages are in trouble. There may be different reasons for it. Not everyone makes relational fidelity a major priority.
If your marriage has veered off course, or the priorities became scrambled along the way, there’s hope. In the “30 Days to a Better Marriage” Program, you can find ways of making your relationship a priority again along with improving the marriage you have.
Best Regards,
Jeff
