Ryan writes and asks, this, Pastor John is a tight budget, a sufficient reason in and

of itself to delay a young dating couple from getting married and prolonging their engagement

for a significant amount of time.

This question assumes all of the factors are a go, both love Christ, the local church

approves of the match, parents approve of the relationship, and emotional and sexual

purity has been honored.

Pastor John, what would you say to this couple?

Well, in general, I would say I'm in favor of trusting God for his willingness and ability

to help a young couple make it in such circumstances.

You know, I'm probably going to lean toward go ahead, take the risk, get married.

But here's some questions I would ask.

Does the guy have the ability to support himself and his wife?

Now I think he should want to do that and he should try to do that.

I think Pastor's calling his head and provider and his male, masculine role.

But there may be good reasons why he can't.

For example, there may be a disability.

He might be a veteran, say, who was wounded, comes home, and the job he used to do

made a good living, can't do it anymore, and he's got to find another way.

Now that may be temporary and a young wife might step up and bring them through a season

with her own employment, or it may be permanent.

And she marries him, knowing for whatever reason, good reason, he will not be able to do

all that he would love to do in supporting the family.

...