Don't pluck the leaves

There is an African proverb that says: “You do not cut the leaves of the weed if you want your field free; you must pull it out by the root.” This wisdom is also echoed in spiritual matters. When you deal only with what is visible, you may create a temporary relief, but the problem will always return. Poverty is one of those stubborn weeds. It may be trimmed on the surface, but unless the root is dug up, it will sprout again with even more vigor.

The Lord Jesus often taught in parables that compared life’s issues to agriculture. In Matthew 13:24–30, He told the parable of the wheat and the tares, explaining that the enemy sows weeds among good seed. These weeds cannot be removed by simply cutting their heads; their root systems must be destroyed, or else they keep coming back. Poverty, too, is not just a visible lack of money — it is a deeply rooted system.