The founder of Perez Dome, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, has advised Christians, particularly members of his church, not to invest in extravagant weddings or marriage ceremonies.
Delivering a sermon on Sunday, August 26, 2024, on the theme ‘’Marital Vows: For Better or Worse’’, the respected man of God said the current economic conditions are discouraging several individuals from marrying.
The Archbishop encouraged his people not to put themselves under financial pressure, emphasising the importance of making a complete commitment to the marriage.
He explained that making a total commitment does not mean you have to put yourself under financial pressure.
He said not putting yourself under financial pressure means you should not do what you cannot do with regards to the marriage.
He expressed worry that there are people who have to steal in their office or place of work, while there are others who have to cheat because they are under financial pressure because their spouses are putting pressure on them.
The man of God advised married individuals not to borrow to ensure their partners’ happiness.
‘’Don’t borrow to make your spouse happy. Don’t borrow to have a wedding. Don’t ever borrow to make your spouse happy. That means don’t live above your means.’’
He recounted a sermon he delivered last year where he admonished members not to borrow to organise their weddings and to find multiple sources of income, saying, ‘’you can’t live on only one source of income. You must have multiple sources of income, and I showed you various ways and things to do to have multiple sources of income so you don’t live beyond your means’’.
The speaker noted that this was the first year in the church in August, and there were few marriages.
‘’I know it is the economy. I am not being political. I am being factual looking at the statistics. So don’t interpret politics into it. However, you can marry without going into the extent of spending so much. Don’t let money stop you from getting married. Once you have a job, and you are the marriageable age, get married. You don’t need a fantastic wedding.’’
Using himself as an example, he stated that when he was ready to marry, he did not have everything and had to settle for a brass ring because that was all he could buy.
“These days, thank God, they even have white gold. So if yours is brass and it fades and becomes silver, you can call it white gold, or people will think it’s white gold. You don’t need a wedding that would have a reception, and as a young man, people will just come and eat and go. Normally, it is the woman’s parents who provide for the reception, but the way things are, if your spouse’s parents cannot help with the reception, you don’t need a ‘huhucious’ (extravagant) reception’’.
The speaker explains that when his children married, the family didn’t spend a lot on the wedding reception to set an example for the church, not because he couldn’t afford it but to prevent young men from following his example and living above their means.
He emphasized that the only requirement was the dowry, which can be negotiated if the parents provide it.
‘’So I want to encourage you young men and women, if you are at a marital age, and you are working, marry.’’
Archbishop Agyinasare also recounted a marriage ceremony he officiated, which he loved so much, involving Bishop Ohene Aboagye’s wedding, where he (Bishop Aboagye) wore a political suit, came to the wedding in a taxi just as the wife, and they have been married for almost 40 years, adding that there are those who spent so much on their marriage ceremonies, and after two years, they are divorced, ”so it is not how you start, it is how you carry the journey.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
