Many studies have documented the benefits of marriage. But who would have thought that marriage actually promotes wealth? And who would have thought that divorce brings on poverty?

"Marrying for money, it turns out, works. A study by an Ohio State University researcher shows that a person who marries—and stays married—accumulates nearly twice as much personal wealth as a person who is single or divorced. And for those who divorce, it's a bit more expensive than giving up half of everything they own. They lose, on average, three-fourths of their personal net worth" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Jan. 18).

In spite of criticism of marriage as an outmoded institution, and people's growing willingness to divorce (or never marry in the first place), the facts speak for themselves. Perhaps society should take an unbiased look at the Bible. It tells us that God encourages marriage, and for a number of good reasons: procreation, sharing, service, sacrifice and building our children's future, to name a few.

Now we discover that marriage also pays off financially. No wonder Proverbs 18:22 tells us, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord." To learn more about the blessings marriage brings, request our free booklet Marriage and Family: The Missing Dimension. (Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer.)