Why Many Christians are Poor & How to Fix it ASAP!

For many Christians, financial struggle seems almost like a norm. Despite their faith, they find themselves caught in a cycle of poverty or financial mediocrity. 

What’s going wrong? Is God withholding His blessings, or is there something we are missing in our approach to life and money?

The Bible provides us with a powerful answer. In Luke 19:12-27, Jesus tells a parable about multiplication, and the rewards of faithfulness. 

By examining this passage, we can discover why many Christians are struggling financially and how to break free from that struggle.

The Nobleman’s Journey: The Call to Stewards

Luke 19:12-14 sets the stage with a nobleman going on a long journey to receive a kingdom and return. He calls his ten servants and entrusts them with a specific amount of money (referred to as pounds). 

In this case, each servant receives a pound, which was roughly three months’ worth of wages in ancient times. For us today, if we imagine the average salary of $25,000 annually, the equivalent would be about $7,500.

The nobleman’s instruction is clear:

“Occupy till I come.” – Luke 19:13

This word “occupy” means to engage in business, trade, or work. 

This is the key principle that many miss: the parable is not just about spiritual concepts but also about practical, day-to-day work and business. 

God expects us to be stewards of what He’s entrusted to us—not just spiritually but also in the material world. Share on X

The Servants’ Actions: Faithfulness and Fear

As the story progresses, the nobleman returns after receiving his kingdom, and he calls his servants to account for how they managed their money.

Here’s where the parable breaks down into distinct actions of the servants.

1. The First Servant: This servant took his one pound and multiplied it tenfold. He turned his initial $7,500 into $200,000-$250,000. In Luke 19:16, he reports to the nobleman, “Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.”

2. The Second Servant: This servant also multiplied his pound, but not as much as the first. He turned his initial amount into five pounds, or about $100,000.

3. The Third Servant: This servant did nothing with his pound. Instead of using it, he hid it because he was afraid of the nobleman’s harshness. He made excuses, saying, “For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.” (Luke 19:21).

The two faithful servants were rewarded because they multiplied what was given to them. This reflects the Biblical principle of faithfulness and multiplication.

God is in the business of multiplication, and He rewards those who actively use what He has given them for His kingdom and purpose.

The third servant, on the other hand, represents those who fail to take action due to fear or laziness. The third servant’s reasoning shows a deep misunderstanding of the nobleman’s expectations. 

The nobleman was not harsh; he simply expected results based on the resources given. The parable highlights an important truth: faith without action is dead. 

Faith without using our talents, resources, and opportunities will not lead to growth or blessings. Share on X

The nobleman responds harshly to the third servant’s excuse.

“Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow.” – Luke 19:22

The key to understanding this reaction is the nobleman’s expectation that each servant was capable of using their pound wisely. 

The third servant’s failure to act wasn’t just laziness—it was a lack of faith in the nobleman’s trust.

The nobleman says something profound:

“Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?” – Luke 19:23

This illustrates a fundamental truth about stewardship—God expects returns. 

When we fail to multiply what God has given us, we not only miss out on rewards, but we also face the consequences of lost opportunity. Share on X

God’s System of Multiplication

God’s system of multiplication appears throughout the Bible.

From creation, where God commanded the animals and people to multiply (Genesis 1:28), to the parable of the talents, the principle is clear: God wants us to multiply and expand what He has entrusted to us.

This applies to our talents, skills, businesses, and even our finances. When we invest our resources and take wise action, we multiply, and God rewards us.

In Psalm 2, God reveals His sovereignty over all things and warns that the nations who oppose His will act foolishly. God’s plan will succeed, regardless of human opposition.

“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” – Psalm 2:12

This truth should comfort us as Christians—we align ourselves with the Creator of the universe, and when we work according to His principles, we will prosper, just like the servants who multiplied their pounds.

As the parable concludes, the nobleman rewards the faithful servants. He gives the first servant rule over ten cities and the second rule over five cities.

He takes the third servant’s pound away and gives it to the servant who had ten. The onlookers complain, but the nobleman declares,

“For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. – Luke 19:26

This final verse directly highlights the law of multiplication. Those who are faithful with little will receive much, while those who are unfaithful will lose even what they have.

God’s system works for or against you, depending on how you steward your resources.

Why Many Christians Struggle Financially

One of the core reasons many Christians struggle with financial prosperity is their misunderstanding of this principle of multiplication.

God’s system is designed to reward those who are faithful with their resources. Just like in the parable, those who multiply what they have will be entrusted with more.

But how do we multiply what we’ve been given?

• Start with what you have: Whether it’s a small skill, an idea, or a passion, begin with what God has already blessed you with. Don’t wait for the “perfect moment” or “perfect amount”—faithfulness with little leads to greater opportunities.
• Invest and grow: The first two servants in the parable didn’t sit idly. They actively worked to multiply their master’s money. As Christians, we must be willing to invest in our skills, knowledge, and business ventures to see growth.
• Take risks, but trust God: The third servant was afraid. Many Christians fear failure, which holds them back from stepping into the opportunities God places before them. Psalm 2 reminds us that God’s sovereignty reigns over all circumstances, so we can trust in His guidance even when the road seems uncertain.

If we are faithful with our resources, even when the task seems daunting, God will ensure that we continue to prosper. But if we bury our talents and fail to invest in what He’s given us, we risk losing it all.

Aligning with God’s System of Abundance

The parable of the nobleman in Luke 12 teaches us that God’s kingdom operates on the principle of multiplication. If we are faithful stewards, God will reward us with abundance.

Psalm 2 reminds us also that God’s will will always prevail, and we are called to align ourselves with His plan of prosperity and abundance.

If you’re struggling financially, the solution isn’t just praying for a miracle. It’s about recognizing the opportunity God has already placed before you and multiplying it through faith and action. 

God’s system works for those who actively engage in it. Share on X

To learn more about how to start applying these principles to your life, check out this article about the 7 business success secrets based on the last page of the Bible. Go Win, and God bless.

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