Veteran Nollywood actor Chiwetalu Agu has stirred mixed reactions on social media following a bold statement about poverty.
In a video shared on X (Twitter), the actor dismissed the popular religious expression ‘poverty die by fire,’ asserting that without hard work, such declarations are meaningless.
The actor acknowledged the importance of prayer but emphasized that faith without works is ineffective.
According to him, prayer serves to connect people to divine opportunities, but it is human action that unlocks and sustains blessings.
Backing his message with scripture, he referenced James 2:17 and Genesis 3:19, which remind believers that hard work is part of human responsibility.
He concluded by reinforcing that success is not handed out on a platter and cannot be achieved through prayer alone.
“Poverty cannot die by fire. If you like, pray from now till tomorrow; if you don’t work hard, poverty will deal with you. God rewards diligence, not laziness. Divine blessings come, but only to those who are prepared to act on their faith. For anyone to prosper, they must be ready to work. You must labour for your food, not just pray,” He said.
The entertainer’s comment has sparked a debate online, while some agreed with his opinion, others argued that he downplays the role of spiritual warfare in overcoming poverty.
Watch the video below,
“Poverty cannot d!e by f!re. If you like, pray from now till tomorrow, if you don’t work hard, pøverty will deal with you.”
–Veteran actor, Chiwetalu Agu pic.twitter.com/FPY19Wvcna
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) October 15, 2025
