We understand  from scriptures that God is committed to flourishing the righteous. Psalm 92:12-15 (KJV) (12) “The righteous shall flourish like the cedar in Lebanon” (13) “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God” (14) “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age: they shall be fat and flourishing4;” (15) “To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

There are however forces that we must fight against, and overcome in other to live a righteous life. Ephesians 6:10-12 (KJV) (10) “Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might”. (11) “Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (12) “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Living godly is a warfare, not a fun-fare; it is in winning this war, and overcoming these forces that we live godly without stress.

Therefore, what are the forces we need to overcome?

1. The Spirit of Covetousness – Luke 12:15 (KJV) “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth”. God commands that we desist from covetousness. Exodus 20:17 (KJV) “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy thing that is thy neighbor’s.”

Righteousness should be the number one priority of everyone who desires riches; it is in living righteous that you gain access to riches. Matthew 6:33 (KJV) “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”.

Don’t make money your focus, until you despise money, it will never come to you. 2Kings 5:20-27.

Covetousness is what gives birth to stealing. Joshua 7:1, 20, 22, 26 (KJV) (1) “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel” (20) “And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:” (22) “So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it.” (26) “And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.”

What is the cure for Covetousness?

• Contentment and gratitude. 1Timothy 6:6 (KJV) “But godliness with contentment is great gain”. Maintain what you have until God changes your level. It is in maintaining what you have at hand, that provokes God to change your level.

2. The Spirit of Rebellion – Matthew 16:21-23 (KJV) (21) “From the time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day”. (22) “Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke them, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee”. (23) “But he turned, and said unto peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men”.

The spirit of rebellion is a destructive spirit; it is the spirit that fights order or rules . Luke 22:3 (KJV) “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve”, Acts 1:16-18 (KJV) (16) “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy