The pursuit of wealth is a universal human endeavor, but the path one takes to acquire it reveals one’s true character. For those who trust in God’s provision, as taught in Matthew 6:25-34, wealth is not the ultimate goal but a potential byproduct of a life focused on higher purposes. Yet, even from a secular standpoint, the means of acquiring wealth demand scrutiny. A fortune can be built on a foundation of service and integrity, or it can be erected through the corrosive forces of corruption. These are the two divergent paths, and the choice between them determines not only individual character but the fate of entire nations.
Zimbabwe’s struggle with poverty, rooted in a complex colonial history, has long fueled a desire for economic empowerment. Policies like indigenization and land reform were conceived with the noble intention of redressing historical imbalances. However, when the pursuit of wealth becomes an end in itself, divorced from a mindset of creating value, it can become a destructive illusion. This has created an environment where the line between honest gain and corruption has blurred, turning the latter into a pervasive force the government seems unable to contain.
When law enforcement officers are so underpaid that they actively seek bribes, and a High Court judge can be tempted by a lucrative offer, the system is fatally compromised. In such a climate, justice is for sale; the severity of a crime matters little if one knows how to “grease the wheels.” The result is a nation where vast wealth sits uneasily beside pervasive poverty. While many of Zimbabwe’s richest claim their fortunes were earned honestly, a deeper question lingers: who truly benefited? What tangible value or service was provided to generate such wealth, and for whom?
This question provides a stark contrast. Consider Bill Gates, whose creation of Microsoft Windows revolutionized the world. His fortune is undeniably linked to a product that empowered countless businesses and improved billions of lives. The value provided to ordinary people is self-evident. In Zimbabwe, some wealthy individuals struggle to demonstrate a similar widespread contribution.
Meanwhile, poverty deepens, and an education system, once a source of pride, offers diminishing hope. Millions are trapped in extreme poverty, while a small elite compete on the global rich lists, and many young people are subtly pushed toward corruption as the most viable route to prosperity. An education that fails to translate into a better standard of living becomes a hollow promise.
The symptoms of a failing economy are unmistakable. It is a nation in crisis when teachers earn less than security guards and feel ashamed to admit their profession; when the government punishes doctors for voicing legitimate concerns about a crumbling healthcare system; and when politicians are placed on a pedestal above the very professionals who educate and heal the populace. Expecting highly qualified medical professionals to work for meager wages while prioritizing political connections defies logic.
A country cannot thrive when it devalues its doctors and teachers. As long as the pursuit of wealth is driven by greed and the need to impress, the nation will continue its downward spiral. It is easy to despise the corrupt police officer, but it is crucial to understand the root of their behavior. A country whose economy is sustained by corruption is truly cursed. Human beings are inherently good, but that inherent goodness can be overwhelmed when faced with the extreme challenge of survival. This is not a matter of race or inherent moral failing, but of circumstance.
Just as a person who would never consider cannibalism might be tempted when facing starvation, many fundamentally good people in Zimbabwe have been driven to corruption by harsh economic realities. This is not an excuse for the current state of affairs that has brought shame to the nation, but an explanation of its roots. The core issue is poor governance, which fails to address the root causes of corruption, leaving the power to change the system entirely in the hands of those who benefit from its dysfunction.
The long-term solution lies in a radical redefinition of education. If a nation truly invested in education as a tool for liberation, it could make real strides in reducing corruption. But first, education itself must be clearly defined. Much of what passes for education can be the opposite, creating liabilities instead of assets. True education transforms individuals, starting with the teachers.
The best teachers see their profession as a calling, driven by a passion to raise standards and spark real change. They take pride in producing students who can grow the economy. Yet, in struggling nations, creating quality teachers becomes nearly impossible when many enter the profession through corrupt means. When unemployed youth take any job available, even one that doesn’t align with their purpose, it can be seen as a form of corruption—a misuse of potential. This desperation masks the deeper issues that perpetuate the cycle.
A corrupt mindset often takes root in childhood, fostered by a system that rewards mediocrity and connections over merit. What is needed are genuine educators in schools, not just people filling positions. This need for authenticity is lost on a system where corrupt politicians can celebrate election victories despite being manifestly unfit for office, shielded by an uninformed public. The system is designed to allow this, as those in power benefit from an oppressed and impoverished populace.
These same politicians, who helped corrupt individuals become civil servants, now flaunt their ill-gotten wealth, driving luxury cars down cratered roads, mistaking their cunning for intelligence. This is not a uniquely Zimbabwean phenomenon. On his mission in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul faced a deadly riot. The silversmith Demetrius, whose lucrative trade in idols was threatened by Paul’s teachings, stirred up the poor against him.
The crowd, manipulated by a man protecting his profits, rioted against Paul, even though their own well-being was not at stake (Acts 19:24-41). Demetrius’s actions perfectly illustrate how the pursuit of wealth through corruption can lead to the oppression and manipulation of others. Wealth becomes problematic when it is chased through corruption rather than earned by contributing value. Even those who start with good intentions can be tempted to cut corners in the race to join the richest.
The irony is that the richer one becomes, the more vulnerable they can be to the corrupting influence of that wealth. True, positive wealth is a byproduct of focusing on adding genuine value to humanity. It is driven by a desire to improve lives. In Zimbabwe, Strive Masiyiwa is respected for a reason. Through his company, Econet, he transformed communication for millions of ordinary people. His fortune is rooted in a tangible contribution that people appreciate and value.
While he may share the common human habit of accumulating more than he needs, the source of his wealth is transparent and clearly tied to the benefit of others. Wealth is within reach for anyone who solves a basic human problem. It could be as simple as a grinding mill in an underserved community or a shop that provides essential goods. The key is serving the community. When one focuses on solving others’ problems, their own challenges become more manageable.
A nation thrives when it cultivates innovative businesspeople with this service-oriented mindset. The foundation for this is a proper, objective education that teaches young people to see their own value in terms of the value they can provide to their community. Such an education would produce better politicians, leaders who could bring hope to a struggling nation. We must acknowledge the dedicated teachers who remain, despite the challenges. They need encouragement, not discouragement.
Their devotion may one day produce politicians with the wisdom to craft just laws, leaders who could become the kind of state presidents a nation deserves. A person’s true value lies in the answer to the question: “Does my existence help improve the lives of others?” Imagine a teacher so inspiring that their students remain grateful for a lifetime. The same could be said of a businessperson whose goal is service, a doctor devoted to their community’s health, or a nurse who provides compassionate care. These are the people who build a society that works for everyone.
Now, contrast this with those whose primary question is, “Am I really enjoying my time on this planet?” The more a society focuses on this self-centered query, the more poverty tightens its grip. This mindset, which admires figures of questionable character, harms us all. It is the mindset of those who want the status quo to remain, who thrive when the majority struggles. They echo the oppressive behaviors of the past, finding comfort in others’ hardship. A nation is in peril when such individuals exist in large numbers. There is no such thing as a perfect person, no clear-cut division of good and evil.
People are generally considered “good” when their actions help more than they harm, and “bad” when they cause more damage than benefit. Corruption, while universally frowned upon, can provide personal comfort to those inclined toward self-gratification. These are the people who exploit others’ suffering for their own gain. They may believe they are clever, and tragically, some living in poverty admire them, hoping to climb the same flawed ladder. Fixing this deeply ingrained behavior is a Herculean task.
Meanwhile, working hard to serve others can draw criticism and be labeled as naive. But this is the path modeled by Jesus Christ, the ultimate example of selfless giving. A person’s value is revealed more in their giving than in their receiving. The desperate fight for survival can lead people to follow the crowd, imitating those who seem to enjoy life, no matter the cost. This is often exploited by corrupt Christian ministers who encourage their impoverished congregants to give generously, promising prosperity while enriching themselves. As long as a person’s focus is solely on personal pleasure, they remain vulnerable to corruption and deception.
However, true fulfillment is found when a person considers the value of bringing gladness to others during their time on earth. Many of humanity’s deepest problems stem from a failure to see the profound value in serving one another. Instead, the pursuit of self-interest strains the national fabric and degrades the economy. Those who choose this path may appear to be enjoying themselves, but they are on a downward trajectory with a predictably gloomy end. They are the ones most in need of our prayers.
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.
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