Prioritise a man’s financial stability over religious performance - Adeboye urges women
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, has outlined marital guidelines for young women, urging them to prioritise a suitor’s job and character over religious displays
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, has outlined marital guidelines for young women, urging them to prioritise a suitor’s job and character over religious displays and charm.
Speaking at the May 2026 Holy Ghost Service, Adeboye said spiritual fervour alone is not enough for marriage.
He advised women to question any suitor about his means of livelihood, regardless of how well he prays.
“No matter how religious the brother may be, or how well he prays in tongues, ask him: ‘Have you a job?'” Adeboye said.
Citing Genesis 2, he noted that God gave Adam work before giving him a wife. He stressed that the Bible describes a man who cannot provide for his home as worse than an infidel.
“Job first, wife later. If he has no job, how is he going to take care of the family? The Bible made it clear that any man who cannot provide for his own home is worse than an infidel.”
Adeboye warned against accepting vague claims of being a contractor without proof of executed contracts.
“If he says I am a contractor, ask him to give you evidence of the contract he had executed before. Otherwise, you will be the contract,” Adeboye added.
He also cautioned women about flattery, quoting Proverbs 29:5, and recalled his own past use of deceptive romantic lines before his conversion.
On holiness, the cleric told women to question potential husbands on the subject and to flee if a man struggles with the commandment against adultery or rejects holiness entirely.
“If he does not believe in holiness, run,” Adeboye said.
During the same service, Adeboye addressed young men, warning them not to marry based on physical beauty alone or on a lack of prayer.
He advised against choosing women who cannot cook, wear excessive makeup, or demand weddings that lead to debt.
