W.I.I.F.M. Mentality in Marriage (Eph. 5:25-28)

If you are into the “stockmarket game”, you can relate to the question, “W.I.I.F.M.”? (What’s In It For Me?). Stockbrokers determine how much they are willing to invest based on the percentage of their risk. After calculating their loss and/or gain, a decision is made to either sale or buy stocks. Sounds a little like gambling. They spend a lot of time reviewing past losses and gains to make an educated guess on their next investment.But when you make the mistake of applying a “stockmarket mentality” to your marriage relationship, that’s when your house of cards will come tumbling down.

Paul told the husbands in Ephesus “ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Paul did NOT say, “Love your wife if they______”(you can fill in the blank). See..this is why you better make sure that when you say, "I do" you really mean it. Loving your wife is not an option. The only stipulation is to love her just like Christ loved the church. How did Christ love the church? He gave His life for the church even while the church was not lovable!

In every relationship there will be risk. The risk of not feeling loved back. The risk of not being respected or accepted. The risk of sacrificing more than the other. You can’t put a percentage on how much to love your spouse. And you sho’ can’t determine how to love by asking, “What’s In It For Me?” Marriage is not a stockmarket game! It is a game of life. In marriage, two sinners are taking an oath before man and God to represent Christ and the church to create a holy matrimony. And when you operate under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your marriage, God can use two imperfect people to be examples of the relationship between Christ and the church.

Man of God….love your wife the way Christ loves His church. Don’t treat your marriage like a stockbroker by asking, “What’s in it for me.” Just love on her despite her flaws. Then watch how God will bless your household.

For His glory…

Written by Sandra Kelley (June 27, 2024).