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Martin Luther once said, “There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.” Marriage is one of God’s great gifts—but like any meaningful relationship, it requires intentional care and wisdom.

That’s especially true in blended families. When two people come together later in life—often bringing children, financial histories, and past experiences of loss—the conversations surrounding money, inheritance, and responsibility can become complex.

To explore how couples can navigate these challenges faithfully and wisely, we were joined by Ron Deal and Greg Pettis, co-authors of The Smart Step Family Guide to Financial Planning. Their work offers practical guidance for couples seeking peace, clarity, and unity in second marriages.

One of the most helpful tools they recommend is something called a “Togetherness Agreement.”

When couples enter a second marriage, they aren’t simply merging households—they’re merging entire life stories.

Often, there are children from previous relationships, existing debts or investments, businesses, aging parents who need care, and deeply personal financial experiences shaped by the past. For many, divorce, death, or financial conflict in a previous marriage has left emotional scars that naturally create caution in the next one.

As Ron Deal explains, conversations about bank accounts or investments rarely stay purely financial.

They quickly become conversations about trust, security, and provision—especially when children or extended family members are involved. Questions arise, such as:

Without clear communication, assumptions can easily lead to misunderstanding or conflict later on.

To help couples navigate these conversations, Deal and Pettis developed the idea of a Togetherness Agreement.

This agreement is more than a financial document. It’s a framework for couples to intentionally discuss expectations, values, and responsibilities before problems arise.

Greg Pettis describes it this way: couples are essentially “writing the rules for their marriage with love and respect for both parties.”

The agreement helps address emotionally charged topics such as:

By putting these conversations in writing, couples gain clarity and reduce the risk of future confusion.

In many cases, Deal and Pettis recommend that couples make their Togetherness Agreement a formal legal document, often with the help of an attorney.

While marriage itself is a legal covenant, it doesn’t always address the specific financial realities of blended families. A written agreement can help

Joshua Becker reveals the secret to finding more freedom, time, money, and peace in your life – owning less! Hear the steps to unlocking more margin to be generous, pursue God, and build up your family by practicing minimalism. 

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Dennis and Barbara Rainey know marriage is hard, messy, and tested daily. On FamilyLife Today, they share marriage lessons from decades of insight—faith-based, practical, and no sugarcoating—to survive the everyday mess.

Show Notes and Resources

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Casual attitudes toward holy things … are actually dangerous. Today on BOLD STEPS, Mark Jobe launches a study on God’s presence with a sobering lesson from 2 Samuel 6.  Through the story of the Ark of the Covenant, we’ll see what happens when you touch what is holy—and why reverence matters more than we realize.  Don’t miss this important wake-up call ... listen to Bold Steps with Mark Jobe.

Bold Steps Gift: Keep the Faith-Dr. David Jeremiah

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Key Scripture that pro-abortionists point to and why life in the womb wins every time. 

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