Across many African societies, particularly deeply religious ones, phrases such as “Put your trust in God” or “God will make a way” are spoken with sincerity and hope. For generations, these words have offered comfort in hardship and reassurance in times of uncertainty.
Yet a growing number of life and financial coaches argue that the persistent misuse and misinterpretation of such beliefs have contributed to a culture of economic stagnation, where poverty is endured rather than confronted.
This argument is uncomfortable but necessary. It does not attack faith itself. Instead, it questions how certain religious teachings, when stripped of balance, can shape mindsets that discourage initiative, planning and accountability. At the heart of the debate is the distinction between faith as empowerment and faith as passivity.
In many communities in the country, trust in God has subtly evolved into a substitute for action. People are encouraged to pray for employment but not to acquire skills. They are urged to wait on divine timing rather than build financial plans. Over time, hardship becomes spiritualised, and poverty is explained away as destiny, divine will or a test of faith.
The Bible, however, does not support such passivity. Scripture is explicit that faith and effort must operate together. “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17). This verse directly challenges the notion that belief alone is sufficient to change one’s circumstances. Faith that does not produce discipline, planning or labour is incomplete.
Yet in some religious spaces, poverty is subtly framed as virtue. Wealth is treated with suspicion, ambition is equated with greed, and struggle is portrayed as a sign of humility. This narrative can unconsciously train people to reject opportunities for growth, fearing they may be “unspiritual” for desiring more.
Ironically, the Bible repeatedly affirms the value of diligence, foresight and stewardship. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5). Abundance here is not condemned; it is presented as the natural outcome of planning and discipline.
Another factor highlighted by financial coaches is the externalisation of responsibility. When success or failure is attributed solely to God’s will, individuals may lose their sense of agency. This creates a mindset where people wait for miracles instead of building systems, saving consistently or investing wisely.
The Bible again offers correction. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). This scripture places responsibility squarely on human effort. Divine trust does not cancel human responsibility; it reinforces it.
Perhaps the most damaging consequence of misinterpreted faith is its exploitation by false leaders. Some religious figures promise miraculous wealth while discouraging education, hard work or financial literacy. Followers are urged to sow seeds instead of building skills, to expect sudden breakthroughs instead of gradual progress. In such environments, leaders prosper while congregants remain trapped in cycles of poverty.
Christ Himself warned against this. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15). He further stated, “By their fruit you will recognise them” (Matthew 7:16). If a teaching consistently produces dependency, ignorance and poverty, its fruit deserves scrutiny.
Importantly, the Bible never glorifies poverty as an ideal state. While it warns against the dangers of loving money, it also condemns laziness and neglect. “Anyone who is unwilling to work shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). This is not a harsh dismissal of the vulnerable, but a moral principle emphasising responsibility and contribution.
Even Jesus’ parable of the talents underscores this truth. The servant who buried his talent out of fear was rebuked, while those who invested and multiplied theirs were rewarded (Matthew 25:14–30). The message is clear: what is given must be developed. Preservation without growth is failure.
It is therefore misleading to suggest that societies remain poor simply because they believe in God. Poverty is shaped by complex factors such as governance failures, corruption, weak institutions, limited access to capital and poor education systems.
However, belief systems influence how people respond to these realities. When faith discourages initiative, it becomes an invisible barrier to progress.
True biblical faith does the opposite. It fuels courage, resilience and responsibility. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3). Notably, the verse speaks of plans, not wishful thinking.
The healthier message is not “trust God instead of acting” but “trust God while acting wisely.” Faith should inspire people to learn, save, invest, innovate and demand accountability. It should empower them to rise, not resign.
In the end, the question is not whether belief causes poverty, but whether belief is being taught truthfully. When faith is divorced from work, discipline and wisdom, it becomes a comfort that numbs ambition. But when taught in its fullness, faith becomes a force that transforms lives and economies.
As Scripture reminds us, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32). And freedom, whether spiritual or economic, has never come without responsibility.
By Adelina Fosua Adutwumwaa