Adaklu kodzobi: Reverend Dr. Abraham Dovigah Akoto, Men's Desk Officer of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), on Sunday advised Christians not to measure success by material possessions. He emphasized that the prevailing notion of success, often gauged by worldly assets, leads to feelings of inadequacy among those who have not achieved such standards.
According to Ghana News Agency, Rev. Dr. Akoto delivered this message during a sermon at the Edem Congregation of the Church in Adaklu Kodzobi, located in the Adaklu District of the Volta region. The sermon, themed 'Set Your Hearts on Things Above,' drew from Ecclesiastes 2:18-23, Colossians 3:1-11, and Luke 12:13-21. He highlighted the tendency, even within the church, to admire those who appear prosperous without considering their spiritual alignment with God.
Rev. Dr. Akoto expressed concern over the rising instances of hypertension, stress, and depression, attributing these issues to societal pressures to succeed materially. He cautioned against the pursuit of wealth through fraudulent and immoral means to garner social validation.
In his sermon, Rev. Dr. Akoto likened the lifestyle of many affluent individuals to the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21, warning that wealth cannot guarantee life. He stressed the importance of maintaining focus on God while acknowledging the utility of hard work and money.
He reminded the congregation that amassing wealth might secure societal recognition but could result in spiritual failure. He noted that some individuals leave behind substantial inheritances that become sources of family conflict and spiritual neglect.
Rev. Dr. Akoto urged Christians to prioritize integrity over corruption in their professional lives and to practice forgiveness rather than revenge in personal relationships. He called on them to emulate Jesus Christ by being generous, compassionate, and loving towards those in need.
The sermon concluded with a call for believers to seek and prioritize divine values, live in alignment with God's will, and embody the teachings of their faith in both thought and action.
