I am asking this question not for myself but as a general question as this has come up with a friend of mine and thought it would be a good discussion.
Suppose you met a guy who was average to above average looking whatever that means...lol... and he was very godly, was clearly sold out for Jesus and knew his scriptures well, very grounded, a spiritual leader. Let's say he is in good physical shape and took care of himself. He also has a great sense of humor and a very good communicator. So in other words so far he has the inner qualities that you would be seeking.
But suppose he did not make a great income. Suppose he was able to pay his bills and have a little left over and did not have a lot of debt. His career was not a prestigious one. Would you consider him for a potential mate? Do you have some kind of standard of income that you are seeking in a mate? Why and why not?
It is interesting to notice the different tones in the replies to what is obviously a hypothetical question, though I feel that I could be that guy.
I am glad that God gives His gifts in abundance to each person to fully equip them for their different roles in life.
Maybe with less money available priorities can be better focused?????
God will always develop His people for the ministries He has for them no matter what the income in the household budget, and sometimes the deficit is our "thorn in the side" to keep us humble and give Him the glory.
As a music teacher I have found that it is less than five percent of pupils that have any real talent and who may go on to have musical careers. Some of the people I work with have had no formal training but God (to my annoyance) uses their musical talent in a mighty way and even puts well trained musicians under their guidence.
It was not my straightened teeth that my wife found attractive.
We renewed almost everything in our first house, windows, facias and sofetts, bathroom and kitchen, extended into the roof space, put in drainage and completely re-landscaped the garden, and renewed the roof over the kitchen.
My own experience is that when I need the money the work was avilable to provide it, but when my circumstances changed then so did the earning potential. The lean periods have been spent in creating a vast bank of material that will be of use when all time will be spent teaching and there is little time for preparation. I have even been known to give extra free lessons for people who struggle financially, and still my needs are met.
On a salary that is about a quarter of what most people with a degree are able to earn, I completely own my newly built house in a better part of town, own outright and run a small car, am able to entertain at home, eat in nice restaurants and go to cinema, concerts or theatre from time to time. What God also throws in free of charge is the incredible beauty of the scenery in the Glens of Antrim, literally right on my doorstep, good friends who have supported me throughout a lengthy crisis (as my late wife fought her cancer) and a great place to serve God with His people. I still have the good clothes and jewelery that my wife loved to wear when we went out. I take out of the system what I need and when I was married, even though our combined wages amounted to little more than a normal workers salary, we could not believe how much money was left after our bills were paid. I have never used a credit card, do not owe any money to anyone and am always able to be generous in giving above my tythe. This year I have been able to have breaks in both Sweden and the USA. This current global financial crisis has left me relatively unaffected and even though some of my small invetments have shrunk I do not have any anxiety about the future. Maybe I don't own a boat or caravan nor a second home in the country and a holiday home in Spain, but I would not change my circumstances apart from the opportunity to share my blessings with another person who can appreciate them.
Non of the above would have been achieved without the special qualities, planning and organisation of my late wife, but equally she was unable to do it until we joined forces.
I understand the question to be relative to our station in society, so maybe if it were phrased "would you lower your social status in order to be with a man whom God is using" that may take a lot more consideration.
I have found God to be true to his word, and like Elijah when he was with the widow in Zarephath, I have found the oil and grain jars always to be full. God is my provider and I am grateful for everthing I have.
I am sorry this is so long, but I hope that this will encourage a deep trust in God and His abundant provision.
