HOW TO SUSTAIN JOY IN YOUR HOME REGARDLESS OF THE ECONOMY

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi

1 Tim 6:6-7 TLB “Do you want to be truly rich? You already are if you are happy and good.”

         Most crises in our homes are money related and if not nipped in the bud, may result in very painful losses. This is what happens when money becomes our source of happiness (Rev.3:17-18) we have been wrongly trained to believe that the scripture in Eccl 10:19 which says “money answereth all things” (KJV) means 'money solves all problems.' The word ‘answereth’ is a Hebrew word ‘anah’ which means: to pay attention; respond; begin to speak; to sing, shout, testify. What that scripture is saying is; money is preferred above all things by men. Everybody desires financial freedom but money can’t buy true love, raise the dead from the grave, bring about world peace and make a sinner righteous.

                The object of all human endeavours is the achievement of happiness and peace and they are both states of the heart. If you are sad, chances are that you’ve been thinking about sad events. Likewise, happiness is the product of thinking on happy events. The choice to be happy is ours (Phil4:8). Four decades ago ,most nations had annual budgets that were a 1000 times lesser than their present annual budgets , families spent 1000 times lesser than most families  do presently and the divorce rate was lesser than 6% and it was much more easier to get married. The present turn of events is the aftermath of the doctrine that says money guarantees happiness consequently; more time and effort are spent on acquiring money than in building wholesome relationships. The scriptures say in Eccl 5:10-11 NLT “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers?”  Money is a means to an end; it is an amplifier of the intents of our hearts. Therefore, when a person has an evil intention against his or her neighbour, with money it’s easier to execute such intentions on a larger scale. That’s why we need to seek God’s righteousness before seeking for money (Matt6:33).   

               The word of God teaches that happiness can be attained without money.  A lot of communities have been found peacefully coexisting with little or no money. Jesus said in Matt 5:6 AMP “Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!”  
         Families that have made a tradition out of the sharing of the gospel  among themselves with prayers; singing of hymns, spiritual songs, are bound to experience great peace regardless of the state of their economy. During such interactions, families receive the wisdom and strength to weather all storms (Phil4:11-13), we are admonished to buy that which brings spiritual joy without money (Isaiah55:1-2). The queen of Sheba recognized this and traveled for over 10,000 miles by road to hear King Solomon teach God’s word and her verdict was so succinctly put in 2 Chron 9:7-8 NIV “..How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!” She had a large appetite for God’s word which can be attained through fasting (Zech8:19.) and she consolidated her position as a regular recipient of the word of wisdom from the servant of God through the gifts she gave him (2 Chronicles9:9, Galatians 6;6) . As you read this receive overflowing peace in your homes in Jesus name.

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 Email: michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com