Is it wrong for a husband and wife to have separate bank accounts?

For various reasons, couples want separate bank accounts. Money is the
number-one cause of problems in marriage, and because the issue of
finances is the most common source of arguments in marriage, engaged
couples would do well to take the time to decide how these things will
be settled prior to entering into marriage. The Bible speaks very
clearly about the joining of a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew
19:5; Ephesians 5:25-33), and those verses all show that the two shall
become one entity, with the man as the spiritual leader and the woman
in submission to him. This is the principle which should be brought to
bear upon the issue of finances in general and separate bank accounts
in particular.

A couple who are truly "one" will be one in all areas of their
marriage. Most importantly, they will be of one mind regarding
spiritual matters. Men are called to be "priests" of their homes (1
Corinthians 11:3), which means that they are to be the spiritual
leaders and to bring together the family to serve the Lord. Wives are
to submit to their husbands' leadership, helping to bring up children
in the "training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). In
parenting, as in all things within a marriage, unity and harmony are
essential.

This unity of spirit is to be present in temporal matters as well,
where husband and wife are again to be of one mind and one heart. This
means that money and possessions are seen as belonging to both
partners equally. Just as there is no "your child and my child," there
should be no distinction between "my money and your money." All is
shared equally in a true partnership, and no partnership is more equal
than two people united in Christ. Therefore, there is really no reason
to have separate bank accounts. Usually the situation of separate bank
accounts occurs when there is a severe issue with trust, and in such a
case there are greater problems in the marriage than just where the
money resides. Lack of trust is deadly to a marriage, and if it
exists, prayer is crucial to seek the wisdom of the Lord (James 1:5)
on how to resolve this. The Bible says that we are one with our
spouses, and so we should be resolved to show this unity to our
children, our friends, our church, and the watching world. Where
conflict over money exists, there is an opportunity to grow in love
and most importantly in trust to bring together the entire family for
God's purpose.