Enemies of Family Success (3) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Enemies of Family Success (3)

Hello Reader,

I am sure that you have been enjoying peace and God’s blessings, after letting go of every bitterness and anger as taught in last week’s edition of FAMILY LIFE.  Nothing will tie down your blessings again in the name of Jesus!

This week, I will be teaching on Covetousness as another enemy of family success.  Covetousness is a strong urge or desire to possess something, especially something that belongs to someone else.  You see something on someone and you immediately start scheming and planning to collect it.

Discontentment is what usually drives people into covetousness.  Many people are “possession possessed”.  They are never satisfied with what they have per time; nothing is ever enough.  They always want more.  Life means much more than the abundance of your possession.  Luke 12:15 warns: Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Covetousness is a sin that destroys and destabilizes many families and homes.  It is the devil’s trap, which always leads to dissatisfaction, anxiety and unholy comparison.  People who are covetous are always anxious.  Gehazi in 2 Kings 5:20 suffered the punishment of leprosy when he yielded to anxiety caused by his lack of contentment.

The cure for covetousness is contentment.  The Bible, in 1 Timothy 6:8, says: And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content and 1 Timothy 6:6-7 also says: …But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we will carry nothing out.  I have never seen a man buried with all his possessions – no matter the quality of possessions he has!  Lusting after material things so much that it takes the place of God in us is covetousness and it must be replaced with contentment.  Anything that takes the place of God is idolatry.  Be contented with what you have.  Anything you do not have now, you do not need.   My husband always says, “Life is phases and men are in sizes,” this is true.

You must learn to live your level per time.  As a family, eat, drink, sleep and wear your size per time.  Be assured of the fact that where you are today is the least place you will ever be.  Your path is destined to shine brighter and brighter every passing day, until you get to God’s ultimate for your life (Proverbs 4:18). Just accept the place you are now, with the knowledge that: Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit than the proud in spirit (Ecclesiastes 7:8).  Nobody climbs a ladder from the top; rather, a ladder is climbed rung by rung from the bottom to the top.  Your future is bright, do not despise it like Esau, and eat your tomorrow today.  Later, Esau sought for his inheritance with tears, but it was lost eternally (Hebrews 12:16-17). It was too late for him; may it not be too late for you!

Be excited about where you are now, your future is colourful and bright and you will get there.  You don’t have to steal or cheat to have more, just be contented and accept your present position.  Some singles base their choice of life partner on the abundance of things the man has.  They want a man with a big car, a high paying job, a house etc. Any marriage that is founded on material possession is on a shaky foundation and will soon fall apart.  Don’t be blinded by material things.  My husband and I had to start out at the first rung of the ladder in marriage and ministry, many times eating beans and garri for supper, so that we wouldn’t need breakfast the next day.  Some other times we didn’t know where and when the next meal would come from! But God has always been very faithful.  We are not at that point anymore.

Turn your heart and affection from being fixed on material things, as this will cause you to lose out on God’s placement for you.  A covetous person, who is never satisfied with what he or she has per time, will run into dubious people and engage in criminal acts. Material things come and go; you cannot afford to tie your life to them.

As a woman, do not compare your husband with your friend’s husband. Do not compare or nag your spouse for not possessing what your friend or your friend’s spouse has.  Don’t push your spouse to do evil just to please you!  When the punishment for that evil comes upon your spouse, you will suffer it too since you are married to him.  Covetousness, walk with idolatry and pride.  The ultimate end of this is destruction. (Proverbs 16:18).  God’s Word in Proverbs 28:16(b) says: …But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.  This means that covetousness can rob you of long life!

Let go of covetousness and embrace God’s Word in contentment; this is the cure for covetousness.  To embrace God, you need to confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.  If you would like to embrace God and be born a gain, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.  I am sinner.  I cannot help myself.  Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your blood.  Deliver me form sin and satan to serve the living God.  I believe You died for me and on the third day, You rose that I might be justified.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Make me a child of God today.  Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, pstfaithoyedepo@gmail.com; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).