As a Born-again Christian, I firmly believe in prayer and the importance of congregating, after all, the Bible says, “where two or three are gathered in God’s name He is there in their midst.” However, what I still cannot come to terms with is the fact that Churches have been rising in the same proportion with unemployment and poverty.
I am not against Church growth, but have we not noticed that most of us have gotten so religious that we have forgotten the law guiding human productivity and growth: to work to earn a living. On a weekday, an energetic individual who should ordinarily be at work will be seen going to Church for deliverance. A lot of unsuspecting victims have and are still being brainwashed by some Pastors to believe that if they don’t attend Church regularly and pay the necessary dues, that that individual would either be harmed by their evil family member(s) or be stagnant in life.
Nigeria has a significant number of uneducated population, therefore, superstitious believe thrives. To an extent, the educated are not excepted from this believe. Some pastors use superstition and manipulation to “reap off” their congregants and they have been largely successful. Consequently, religion has been turned into a business. For example, most Pastors start a church in their bedroom, as they receive tithes, seeds and offerings, they use the funds to expand the building to accommodate more congregants and to better their lives. I agree that some Churches do support some of their members, and they even carry out some Corporate Social Responsibilities, but largely, what impact have these Churches made to improve the economy of the country?
In Lagos, most of the buildings in Oregun Industrial Area that use to house manufacturing companies and employ thousands of people had long been converted to Churches. This has a ripple effect on the economy: low production and productivity, high cost of goods and services, high rate of unemployment, high rate of crime and criminality and slow rate of growth and development.
With the continuous rise in population, Nigeria and Africa at large needs more manufacturing companies where people will be actively engaged to be productive not just for themselves but also for the growth of the economy. Creating jobs is not the primary responsibility of government, its core duty is to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Consequently, entities like churches owe the society it operates in the duty of care; they should come together and channel their resources into establishing manufacturing companies across Nigeria to create the needed employment for the teeming population. By purchasing equipment (Assets) and setting up a manufacturing firm (for e.g., the production of syringes, hand gloves, fabrics, toothpicks, handkerchief etc.) jobs will be created, people will be employed and paid for their services, there will be a high level of satisfaction, and crime will reduce. On the other hand, the employers will sell the goods and generate revenue, while also contributing to the growth and development of the economy. James 2:26 says “As the body without the spirit is dead, Faith without work is dead”. If more opportunities are not created for employment, no matter how much we pray, poverty will continue to ravage Nigeria and Africa at large.
Ideologies, a ruse?