Describe the perfect relationship!!

Ummmm.... But what about Jesus' tirade in the temple?

Please don't think I'm just arguing for the sake of argument. I'm actually enjoying this

Precisely! The original sin! And nothing puts an exclamation point on that like money! I think we're actually saying the same thing. So, back to the relationship issue.... Goals, responsibility, desires and such. It just occurred to me that this is a perfect example of how men and women think differently....

Ummmm.... But what about Jesus' tirade in the temple?

Please don't think I'm just arguing for the sake of argument. I'm actually enjoying this

As I hope I expressed in my posts, I don't believe that money by itself or even the love of money is that a root of ALL evil, since the Bible says the love of money is the root of many kinds of evil, but not all.

Other than that, I agree with some of your points, not all, but find what you have to say interesting.☺️

There's no sin in anger, no? I am pretty convinced (the more I think about it and the further I doubt my own wisdom) that any "sin" could be pretty easily defined as "transgression against God His person and God's law". All that follows - like things injurious to mates or others, infidelities either physical or spiritual, worshiping things before God like money or work or even family, or the myriad of other issues that beset hopeful marriages fall under the REQUIREMENT of consequence. That's right, I said "requirement" because transgressions lead to the "vengeance of God" or the natural consequence (tragedy) for humankind.

To me, this is why Christ came as the fulfillment of the law which (in a word) is Grace. Forgiveness. Mercy. Not that the law and the transgression of such is ignored, but that if it is forgotten or crossed or double crossed that there is a chance to heal from the consequence. This "spirit" of Grace is a kind of 'savior' of marriage. Do you see the miracle?? God is everywhere.....

So...Lol, if you just removed money from the equation.... what would men and women have left to argue about?

The perfect relationship is one where the guy feeds me egg rolls and brownies.

So...Lol, if you just removed money from the equation.... what would men and women have left to argue about?

"Without money, couples would be sitting at home staring at each other..."

I must disagree. Greed, or the love of money, is the root of all evil. Money is man's wisdom, not God's. We are all slaves of a system that we created for ourselves in the name of monitary prosperity. If we remove that slavery, then don't we focus more upon God's actual will and wisdom in our lives? Have you ever wondered what the millennial reign will be like? Do you believe there will still be money in God's kingdom? I believe that today we are so far removed from God's original intention that, even with His word, we can't see that far back anymore. The irony is that we were so severely judged.... and apparently, just as foolish then.

Regarding marital SACRIFICE... having been a military brat and career Marine myself...
Yes - Spousal responsibilities and expectations are different from personal sacrifices necessary for a healthy and enduring relationship...

Consider the quest of Champions - so many of their stories stem from their personal willingness and commitment to make sacrifices - what are they willing to give up in order to become the very best at what they do...
They typically are willing to give up such things as: drinking, sleeping-in, unhealthy foods, bad-habits, partying, hanging out with the guys, being a couch-potato, being a fanatic sports spectator...

Translate that to an earnest effort to be the best spouse possible: putting ones family and spouse first (and your desires/needs last). A husband might sacrifice sleep, guilty pleasures (NFL/College Football/Golf/Video Games) or his own health in order to meet the needs of his wife's inner most desire for his emotional availability. Especially when she needs him most and he may not even be cognizantly aware, because he is too pre-occupied not making those necessary personal sacrifices for the good of the relationship ...

Consider marital sacrifices as being those things that 'exceed expectations' or those little things that go un-said to surprise her and make her feel special...

"It's better to be married than to be right"... ie sacrifice fighting over having to be right over the little things...

GtrPkr, I hope I don't sound like I'm trying to pry, but I'm going to take a little stab in the dark here...

After reading some of your posts, I'm guessing that you've suffered a lot of hurt due to the issues of money and greed? Is there anything you'd like to share, or that we might be able to assist you with/pray for you?

I'm not meaning to get into your personal business at all (feel free to say, "Mind your own business, Seoul!" if you don't want to say anything about it,) but I'm noticing a common theme behind several of your posts and am wondering what the back story is.

What can we do to help, even if it's just to listen?

Many of you have repeated the word "sacrifice". Why? If you have enough in common and you're both equal partners working to achieve the same goals then.... What's there to sacrifice?

Speaking of feelings, intimacy, romance.... There has been a lot of talk about what one can do to make the other "feel" loved. Now, I'm obviously jaded lol, so take this with a grain of salt... but I'm convinced that "feelings" are primarily a woman's domain. In so much that a woman's feelings will dominate and guide her desires away from good God given common sense. You'll just have to believe me when I say that I know full well what it is to cater to an irrational woman's feelings! The problem is, that seems to be expected of a man... the same way that working to provide is. Women can use the way they feel moment by moment as an excuse to justify ANYTHING! But, of course, the man is always expected to be the dutiful, level headed, responsible one.... EVEN IF IT MAKES HIM THE BAD GUY!!! Women are always accusing men of being emotionally distant and unattainable.... BULLCRAP!!! A man's ability to shut down emotionally is the only self defense he has against what a woman's feelings demand! Just throwing that out there....