When the ring is the focus... - Divorce Minister
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
-I Timothy 6:10, NIV
When I proposed to my first wife, I had a dramatically different response than when I proposed to Mrs. DM.
My first wife grabbed the engagement ring and only–almost as an afterthought as I remember it–answered my question regarding whether she would marry me. In fact, my first wife even asked me at that point whether I was sure I wanted to marry her.
Mrs. DM was focused on me when I proposed. Of course, she took the ring and was interested in it. However, it was obvious to me that she was more excited about what the ring symbolized–a life together–than what the ring was–a costly piece of jewelry.
The contrast between those two proposal responses is night and day different.
Money was a problem in my first marriage. In my opinion, I believe it remains today the god of ex and ex-in-laws. My first wife’s response to my proposal was rather revealing as to her priorities. Money and wealth taking precedence over relationship. Obviously, I missed that red flag.
Money comes and goes. What we invest in people is eternal as souls are eternal.
I would encourage each of us to remember this priority. God did not make us to serve money or to be wealth’s slave. Such bondage is destructive for relationships, and that includes marriages.
The engagement ring ought not to be the focus.
It ought not to be the most exciting thing about the proposal.
