The well-known saying about a camel passing through the eye of a needle illustrates just how difficult it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God, and it deserves a closer look. Through Jesus, we catch a glimpse of genuine human freedom—the very reason He sacrificed Himself, to demonstrate the value of every person. While many pursue financial freedom for material comfort, they often overlook how temporary wealth really is, along with its hidden costs.
Few acts of corruption are as damaging as bribing a freedom fighter to support white supremacist looters. How can an authentic freedom fighter fail to see the deception in such a bribe? Many newly wealthy black business magnates like to present themselves as generous philanthropists, yet refuse to acknowledge the exploitation of workers that sustain their empires.
For African people, the call has long been to break free from servitude and embrace entrepreneurship. Too often, this desire is fueled by envy of so-called tycoons, despite their history of blatant looting across the continent. Success is still frequently measured by wealth, even when that wealth is extracted from the humble and struggling.
Society tends to celebrate the wealthy while neglecting the poor, forgetting that no business thrives without committed workers. The Zvigananda model shows how some leaders pursue wealth as a status symbol, exposing the tight link between politics and profit. The drive to accumulate riches rarely aligns with true altruism, no matter how carefully staged acts of philanthropy are used to project virtue.
Some who were once committed to the fight for freedom have since shifted their allegiance to supporting white supremacists, betraying the oppressed black majority. Entrepreneurship often appears driven by a desire to control others, and in Zimbabwe, Kuda Tagwirei’s story—frequently misunderstood—echoes the mindset of Africa’s historical looters. A web of cartels controls major corporations and routinely dominates those with fewer privileges—a troubling reality that still powers the global economy.
Exploiting others was never part of God’s plan, and it highlights the flaws embedded in human nature. Much of human misery can be traced directly to the pursuit of wealth without creating real value. Sadly, Christianity is sometimes twisted to suggest that God approves of exploiting the vulnerable, as modern distortions bend Jesus’ message for personal gain. People may try to use Satan as a scapegoat, yet greed is impossible to disguise. Some professing Christians blame Satan for humanity’s troubles, but Jesus made it clear that God’s true rival is money.
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:22-24, NIV)
Because Jesus presents money as God’s rival, it becomes essential to understand God’s nature. Many people have constructed their own ideas of who God is, but you cannot truly talk about God without considering humanity. God’s most defining trait is being a giver rather than a receiver. Even the most hardened capitalist cannot deny that the resources they profit from—including the very air they breathe—are given by God. The apostle John emphasized this in one of his letters:
“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” (1 John 4:19-21, NIV)
The real problem with humanity lies in a lack of understanding of godliness, where God is often viewed as imaginary and distant. People forget that human beings, created in God’s image, are the truest reflection of Him—often the very people they look down on. Ironically, those who exploit others are frequently admired, while the poor tend to look up to those flaunting luxury cars and expensive clothes, respecting them solely for their display of wealth. The Book of James speaks directly to this:
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4, NIV)
James points out the common habit of idolizing the wealthy. Money seems to be the ticket to being heard, especially in politics, where some openly use wealth to secure positions of power. The drive to accumulate money often serves to exploit ordinary people, yet many cannot tell whether it is the fancy car or the person behind the wheel that deserves respect. The illusion that comes from owning wealth keeps this cycle going, with the uninformed admiring the rich for their possessions rather than their intrinsic dignity.
In modern Christianity, the line between worldliness and godliness is often blurred, leading to confusion. Some hide behind impressive religious titles to gain respect while masking exploitative intentions. A simple way to spot pseudo-Christianity is to notice the weight placed on such titles. For those who sincerely want the truth, the remedy is as straightforward as taking the teachings of Jesus to heart.
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (Matthew 20:25-28, NIV)
In capitalist environments, managers often look up to and imitate authoritarian figures, a style some church governance also portrays as acceptable. Church leaders can frame authoritarianism as divinely approved, even though Jesus clearly rejected it (Matthew 23:8-12), and He also spoke against greed in Matthew 6:22-24.
Ironically, it is often the poorer majority of regular members who defend such leaders, even when those leaders use wealth and influence to maintain power. This reflects a mindset where, if given the chance to rise to such a position, some of these same poor individuals might behave even worse. Jesus criticized the flaunting of good deeds, urging people to give secretly without seeking public recognition, a practice that deflates all forms of ego (Matthew 6:1-4).
At the heart of the issue is the tendency to idolize people while forgetting that everyone is equal and made in God’s image. A janitor is no less valuable than those running the organization, yet today, janitors are treated as servants while executives enjoy comfort. Many assume executives deserve extra respect, even if it means demeaning janitors. But when speaking to His followers, Jesus said:
“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28, NIV)
The Gentiles were not part of the Jewish faith, and their behavior often followed the impulses of human nature—impulses that put others down to elevate the self. This mindset is rooted in devaluing people while boosting personal pride. Jesus called out this age-old mistake, showing that you cannot truly claim to follow Him while dismissing others who are also made in God’s image. Doing so goes directly against what the apostle John wrote.
“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” (1 John 4:19-21, NIV)
Simply put, chasing wealth is a worldly goal. The disciples were called to be fishers of men, and just as a fish cannot survive long out of water, those who accept the gospel must let go of their old ways. They trade their familiar surroundings for a new life, giving up worldly pursuits to live for God (Romans 6:6-9). Missing this truth can leave a person still trapped, even if they imagine they are free from sin.
Jesus taught the importance of treating others as we would like to be treated, and John emphasized that loving God is inseparable from loving those made in His image. For those who grasp this, the idea of despising others simply cannot exist. From that viewpoint, the accumulation of great wealth often appears tied to some form of exploitation.
Many still look up to figures like Wicknell Chivhayo, especially when compared to others who are less generous. On a personal level, his philanthropy is well-regarded, even without clear proof of the origins of his monetary success in Zimbabwe. Still, Jesus set the ultimate example, highlighting the value of giving quietly and without recognition.
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1-4, NIV)
Not everyone can be like famous philanthropists, just as they cannot be exactly like us. Even when referencing those with ethically remarkable achievements like Strive Masiyiwa, it is possible that anyone, given similar circumstances and background, could reach that level. Some children are born into poverty, others into wealth; some grow up in well-educated families, others in less educated ones. Often, the difference comes down to circumstances rather than inherent privilege.
Romans 8:28 reminds us that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose—it is really about how we respond to life’s challenges. Jesus illustrated this in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31), a story that was as unpopular with the Pharisees then as it is now (Luke 16:14-15).
There is little mystery left, except when comparing His words to other teachings. Strive Masiyiwa is often viewed as an example of ethical business. Rising from a country with deep poverty, his success is celebrated by many Africans, for whom achievement often means building wealth and standing alongside the world’s richest capitalists. Yet the popular idea of success frequently falls short of the true standard set by Jesus. Strive Masiyiwa might seem better than someone like Kuda Tagwirei, but the achievements of both those characters are still as limited as anything in this world.
The wealthy Pharisees who mocked Jesus are long forgotten, while Jesus remains deeply loved to this day. He is not among the forgotten; though unpopular in His time, He is still worshipped for standing for the truth that all people are made in God’s image. Yes, He was the Messiah, worthy of honor, yet He shared our humanity. In that sense, the transformed humanity must be grouped with Him—aware of the significance of being created in God’s image and deserving of the same honor.
The rich often miss this truth, clinging to the belief that survival depends on accumulating wealth. People should not be judged by their circumstances—some may appear dignified, others misguided, like Kuda Tagwirei, in their pursuit of riches—but all, without exception, were created in God’s image and deserve equal honor. Sometimes the best way to confront ignorance is by telling the truth, even if it means facing dislike or danger—just as Jesus did.
Living by the truth gives life deep meaning. It is simple: no one should be judged or divided by race, gender, or any other circumstance. No one is truly privileged if others remain in the dark. Though Jesus had greater privilege than anyone, He humbled Himself to endure the humiliation of the cross. While a wealthy person might give up riches to help the poor, Jesus gave up every privilege, enduring the cross not just for His own but for all humanity. This is not widely acknowledged, but without it, there is no hope.
This truth captures the heart of Jesus’s ministry more than much of what is taught in mainstream Christianity. Few understood Him then, and few understand Him now. While the hope is that many will choose God’s truth over lies, history shows His word has never been popular. Our greatest weakness is our lack of hope and faith in Jesus, with money standing as God’s strongest rival in this broken world.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
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