It is not only important to be content with material things, we must also be content with relationships. It is of great value that we be at ease with our partners and our families. They are the people closest to us, they are important and being our support system we must be happy with them. We must have peace in intimacy and comfort in close relationships.

In the ancient world the life expectancy of an individual was very low. Because of the dangers during the childbearing years, women especially, died young. All the help available today wasn't available during those days. Their cultural situation also allowed men to have more than one wife and some men had many wives. It was thus normal during ancient times for a man to have more than one sexual partner during his lifetime or for a woman to have more than one husband in her lifetime.

In modern times marriages are mostly monogamic and may last for much longer than would have been typical in the old days. One would think this would be a happy state of affairs, this however is not so. Research shows that some men and some women are ill equipped to be married to one person for such a long time. Many men or women will therefore engage in extra-marital affairs around the age of 45 to 55. This is the time they would be chasing younger women/men and leaving their first wives/husbands. There are thousands of examples how this behaviour has created havoc with relationships, careers and assets. Without naming all these poor people, we can just think of a few in recent times who lost a lot in this way. Tiger Woods and Dominique Straus Kahn are the most recent examples that spring to my mind. You, the reader, would probably be able to think of some in your own family or circle of friends.

This type of behaviour is sadly not going to go away. Many men and women would at some stage in their life have to face the temptation of an affair! Unfortunately this notion of men and women who look for greener pastures is part and parcel of our modern sciety. These improper relationships create a lot of pain in otherwise happy associations. Many of these men or women who suffer from the wandering eye regret their actions sorely and deeply afterwards and actually miss their first wife/husband and the time they had together. Clearly this inevitable state of affairs for some is just a short-term thing. (However when anybody lands in a situation like this he/she deserves our prayers and support, may God have mercy on them!)

If you find it hard and the relationship with your wife is deteriorating, be vigilant and strong, stay away from your secretary! Steer clear of your friend's wife or your attractive female business partner. Leave the hotel maid alone and don't lust after the attractive girl in the office. You will put your life, career and most importantly your happy family-life in jeopardy. One very clever saint once said the following on this topic: "A man can hire a prostitute for the price of a loaf of bread, but adultery will cost him all he has." Proverbs 6 : 26 (Good News Translation). One commentary on this said the following: "It is one thing to resort to a harlot and pay her a small fee; it is quite another to set up as a mistress another man's wife who expects style and luxury as a reward." (W Mckane : Proverbs). The truth of this is, adultery could cost you your life's earnings and all the assets you accumulated in life, on the contrary you can get a prostitute for next to nothing.

To lust after somebody else's wife or girlfriend is stupid and should be avoided at all costs. The Bible is so clear about this that it is a no brainer, when somebody is in another relationship you must steer clear of that person and don't get involved emotionally. Financial ruin might not be the only thing you would have to cope with, there could be more trouble. The husband or boyfriend of the women you have an affair with or the wife or girlfriend of the man you have an affair with, will not show mercy or accept a bribe however high it is: His/her fury and jealousy can boil over, you could be killed: Proverbs 6 : 26 35. Adultery is just not worth it, spare yourself all the pain and the trouble!

In lifestyle22 we believe it is important to be happy with your own wife and family. To be faithful is the most desirable and perfect way to treat your partner. The right thing to do is described clearly by another wise person: "Drink water from your own cistern, you have your own wife, a loving doe, a graceful deer, may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love." Proverbs 5 : 15 19. Your partner stays the most important person in your life and you should treat him/her with respect and love.

 In Lifestyle22 we believe your partner belongs to you and you must be comfortable with that.