Pursuing Wealth Over the Soul Is Foolishness, Says Adeboye, RCCG General Overseer

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has issued a stern warning to Christians against prioritizing material wealth at the expense of their spiritual well-being, calling such a lifestyle “an act of stupidity.”

Speaking during the church’s ongoing 73rd Annual Convention, themed “The Overcomers,” Pastor Adeboye underscored the necessity for believers to cultivate spiritual discipline and resist the allure of worldly pleasures if they are to live victoriously in Christ.

“God does not hate enjoyment,” the revered cleric stated. “But the body you pamper, shine, and make up will perish one day. Take care of the spirit, for that is what will go to heaven. The body does not want you to be an overcomer.”

Adeboye, who leads one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the world, emphasized that while God permits prosperity, the obsessive chase for riches — especially through immoral means — is a betrayal of the Christian calling. “If you are pursuing wealth at the expense of your soul, that would be stupidity,” he said. “What happens when you die? How many of those things can you take with you?”

According to him, the life of an overcomer is not about outward success but about inward transformation. He described it as a path that requires discipline, sacrifice, and spiritual focus. “To become a champion requires discipline. Remaining a champion requires even more — because every challenger wants your crown,” he told the thousands gathered at the Redemption Camp.

Adeboye further likened life to warfare, with Christians constantly engaged in spiritual battles. “Life is war made up of battles,” he said. “But rejoice — you are not alone. The Holy Spirit, the Almighty dwelling in you, is greater than your enemies.”

He also addressed the inner conflict within every believer, explaining the duality of human nature. “You are a dangerous composition — both earth and Spirit. The dust pulls us down, while the Spirit of God lifts us up. The overcomer’s life lies in choosing the Spirit,” he declared.

The annual convention, which draws millions of worshippers from around the world, continues this week with teachings, prayers, and worship sessions centered on equipping believers to overcome spiritual, emotional, and societal challenges.

As the convention’s message echoes through the RCCG global community, Pastor Adeboye’s call remains clear: true victory lies not in what one gains in the world, but in what one surrenders to God.