Solution to Africa’s poverty

Tomorrow we celebrate Africa Day. Personally, I am very proud to be an African because God, who never makes mistakes, has designed it be so. Africa, though low economically developed, was created by God to fulfil certain purposes in the divine scheme of things. Early in Bible history, Jesus the Son of God and Saviour of the world, fled from Asia and came to find refuge in Egypt, a nation on the continent of Africa. It is no wonder then that Africa is prescribed as the destination for those in the West who suffer from weather-related complications. And those in the East find in Africa investment opportunities not available elsewhere.
 Most raw materials used in the world are extracted from Africa. When we talk of brain drain we mean that Africa is supplying most nations of the world with human capital. But almost every African living and working on other continents thinks that Africa is the home to live in. Only the desire to earn better pay force Africans to work elsewhere.
If we are forced to work elsewhere for money then it means our only challenge is poverty. Everything else is an attendant problem. Corruption, diseases, political instability, wars, social injustice and so on are but the offspring of mother poverty. If poverty is eradicated Africa will keep its own sons and daughters inside. But how can our poverty be eradicated? Those who have turned Africa Day into a national day of prayer in Zimbabwe and elsewhere have part of the solution.
Prayer acknowledges that God rules the universe. It shows that the Creator of the whole earth and owner of the world has a keen interest in, and a crucial role to play in the affairs of each nation. And has He not promised every nation in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn fro their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land?” The priestly role of the church is to pray for the affairs of the nation in which it exists. Apostle Paul exhorts us to pray for all men in general, and specifically for kings and all that are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Thus prayer invites God to intervene and empower the nation to prosper. However, prayer alone cannot eradicate our poverty. More is required.
Everyone must be involved in the fight against poverty. But for everyone to participate in the fight there needs to be unity. In every nation the citizens are divided into two main classes: the sacred and the secular. This division must be removed or at least narrowed. The idea that Aaron the priest who prays for the nation is the only one who is serving God is false. Bezaleel, who is skilled in the art of building the tabernacle, must be recognised as a servant of God too. Labour must be glorified and every true worker must be fairly rewarded.
The king at the top is to be viewed as serving God. The servant at the floor is also to be regarded as serving God. Once everyone begins to view themselves as called and inspired by God to serve their nation in whatever field of their calling, then we are a step nearer to unity and to prosperity. If everyone works heartily as serving God, and not men, then we have one common denominator.
But prayer and serving God are an incomplete strategy to end poverty, the doctrine of stewardship must be inculcated into our minds. Poverty grips not only the physical conditions of our nation but our minds as well. The poverty-mentality is harder to eradicate than the poverty itself. Stewardship means that we learn to acknowledge God as the owner of all things and we as mere managers. Once we distance ourselves from ownership of our rich natural resources, our skills and knowledge, and our bodies and assets, we begin to see God in everything and we will give value to all things. Poverty’s attendant problems of social injustice, corruption, greed, tax evasion, and prostitution will be marked out as culpable sins.
To the above points of prayer, serving God and stewardship, add healthy and united families and honest businesses.
Poverty thrives on broken families and dishonest businesses. Once unity, respect and honesty are restored in the family and business units, poverty will have no option but to leave Africa.
Yes, the solution sounds too simple and impractical but if patience and much thought are put into it, you will find it most relevant and effective. Once you are sufficiently enlightened, begin to play your part as serving God and not men.
– Mairos Mubvumbi is the founding pastor of Hope In Christ Ministries. You can send your prayer request to him on 0772889766 or mairos78@yahoo.co.uk