By Chinelo Okeke
The Priest-in-Charge of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Nnewi, Ven. Chiadikaobi Emmanuel, has urged Christians to prioritise their relationship with God above material possessions, stressing that seeking the Giver is more important than seeking His gifts. Ven. Emmanuel gave the charge on August 2 while delivering his sermon during a church service at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Nnewi.
Preaching on the theme, “Openness in Marriage,” the cleric encouraged married couples to build their homes on love, mutual respect and genuine commitment. He advised women to seek their husbands’ hearts rather than focusing on their financial status, noting that a healthy marriage is sustained by love and respect.
According to him, wives should strive to earn their husbands’ respect and continually demonstrate love, adding that although husbands and wives have different responsibilities, they are united in Christ.
The priest also reminded the congregation of the biblical injunction to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” assuring them that every other need would be provided by God.
He urged believers to remain steadfast in their faith and “work out their salvation with fear and trembling,” emphasising the importance of pursuing God’s presence above worldly possessions. “Value God’s presence more than His presents. In His presence there is fullness of joy,” he said.
Ven. Emmanuel further noted that physical beauty is temporary, while a life rooted in God’s presence brings lasting fulfilment and divine blessings. He stressed that God is more concerned with the condition of the human heart than material offerings, adding that anyone who finds God, the Giver, will also experience solutions to life’s challenges.
The cleric concluded by encouraging Christians to cultivate a deeper intimacy with God, love their neighbours, and build marriages founded on love, respect and thanksgiving, assuring them that God’s blessings naturally follow those who seek Him first.
Chinelo Okeke is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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