Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches that all believers who are justified by faith should wisely utilise their wealth, referred to as “mammon of unrighteousness.” He wants us to invest in other people’s lives and their children, transforming them through various means, such as sponsoring their education, buying and distributing tracts, or supporting missionaries. As a result, they come to know the Lord and are saved. When they precede us to heaven, they will“receive (us) into everlasting habitations.” This shows they are grateful for the role we played in their journey to heaven. It also expresses our faithfulness in the least, to the least, with transient riches.

Every believer must be faithful with transient (temporal) riches, and use them wisely, even in the smallest matters. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”

Adam was unfaithful. He failed to obey God’s command while Ahitophel, a trusted counsellor of David, betrayed his trust and counselled Absalom against his father. In contrast, Joseph remained faithful to God and his master,Potiphar, despite the temptation presented by Potiphar’s unfaithful wife. Ananias and Sapphira were unfaithful, deceptive and hypocritical. Those who die in unfaithfulness without making amends will face eternal doom. Such will be the failure of the lost caught up in the lust for tempting riches.

Many believers are consumed by their ambition for temporal, tempting wealth and often fall prey to “foolish and hurtful lusts” that ultimately lead to their downfall. Sadly, this can also affect their loved ones, as seen in the case of Achan, who stole and hid the wedge of gold and when judgment came, it did not just affect Achan; but his entire household suffered. As believers, we must speak up in the face of wrongdoing, even within our families. By doing so, we can help our loved ones find redemption and avoid eternal consequences. It will also show our faith and loyalty to the Lord as we seek true riches.

Every believer must prioritise faith and loyalty to God for true riches. Abraham exemplified this when he refused the King of Sodom’s offer of wealth. Like him, we must recognise that true riches come from God alone, and refuse the temptations of worldly wealth that would compromise our devotion. Husbands and wives must be faithful to each other, both in the secret and in the open. No matter the position we occupy, we must all be faithful to God in both small and significant matters. God desires faithfulness in all areas of our lives, so that, He canentrust greater blessingswithus and also lay a foundation for us as the family of the just.

“And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Family did not originate with modern societies or national identities; its foundation was laid when God created Adam and Eve. Therefore, our understanding of family should be rooted in its divine foundation. Even after Eve’s disobedience, Adam stood by her, showing their intended permanence. God’s design for marriage emphasises the lifelong union between one man and one woman, with no provision for divorce or remarriage. Whoever builds his family on this solid foundation will not suffer irreparable collapse when faced with life’s storms.

God condemns those who forsake their families, likesome men separate from their wives often due to superficial reasons like physical appearance. Such actions can lead to divorce, which God hates.
When husbands relocate for work, they should bring their wives along, rather than leaving them behind. A successful marriage requires more than financial provision; it demands companionship and joint parenting. Both spouses should train their children in a godly manner, rather than focus just on material success. God disapproves divorce, separation and abandonment of one’s family for whatever reason and demands our total commitment and fellowship in our family.

Commitment and fellowship are essential in our families, hence believers should recapture the love and affection they had for their spouses on their wedding day, becausethe Lord wants us to nurture a deep love for one another, making separation and divorce unthinkable.

• Further reading (King James Version): Luke 16:10. Luke 16:1,2. Luke 16:1-7; Joshua 7:11-13; Zechariah 5:3. Luke 16:8,15; 1 Corinthians 1:20,21; James 3:15. Psalm 119:1,9,11; 1 Peter 1:25.Luke 16:9.Luke 16:10.1 Timothy 6:9,10. Luke 16:11,Gen.14:17-23. Genesis 2:18,24; Ephesians 5:24,31. Malachi 2:14-16.