Why are muslims more successful than Christians?

Be Smart and Relentless!

Subscribe to receive updates on the latest faith-based success tips, cutting-edge entrepreneurial concepts, and exciting opportunities.

By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You can opt-out at any time.

Δ

In recent years, there has been a noticeable trend of influential individuals on social media converting to Islam, including prominent figures like Andrew Tate, Sneako, music producer Lil Jon, British millionaire entrepreneur Alfie Best Jr., and comedic legend Dave Chappelle.

This trend, coupled with the high-profile spending by UAE nations on major sporting events like football, Grand Prix racing, and boxing, contributes to the perception that Muslims are becoming increasingly prosperous and influential compared to Christians. On Twitter, a viral video has circulated in which a group of Muslim men explain how they have purchased around 500 churches, including historic cathedral buildings, and converted them into mosques in the United Kingdom. Before I continue, I would like to make clear that this article is not about fostering hate – Christians are commanded to love all people. Instead, it serves as a wake-up call for Christians to become more proactive in building influence and making a positive impact for the Kingdom.

This article examines the perception that Muslims are more dominant in society, culture, and prosperity compared to Christians and explores strategies for Christians to regain prominence, particularly in the economic sphere. Economic power plays a crucial role in shaping cultural and governmental influence. According to a 2015 report by Economicstates.com, Christians hold the largest share of global wealth, totalling $67.832 trillion, while Muslims hold 5% of global wealth, amounting to $11.335 trillion. However, this figure for Christians might be significantly smaller if we consider only Kingdom-minded believers. Many individuals who identify as Christians are nominal Christians—people who align with Christianity due to cultural or familial reasons rather than genuine belief. In reality, only a small fraction of Christians are deeply committed to advancing God’s kingdom and leveraging their wealth to spread the Gospel.

In light of these economic observations, it’s crucial to address why Muslims might be more prominent in various sectors despite these numbers.

This topic is significant because many religious scholars trace the Muslim lineage to Abraham’s son Ishmael, as mentioned in Genesis 16:15. Understanding this lineage provides insight into the historical factors that might contribute to the current prominence of Muslims in various sectors. While many influential Christians are active across different areas of society today, some may conceal their faith out of fear of backlash. Despite Christianity being the most widely practiced religion globally, Christians often remain a silent majority. This silence can hinder their ability to assert influence. My book, Successful Christians, aims to inspire believers to let their light shine and make a significant impact in their respective fields—whether in business, sports, entertainment, or politics. It highlights individuals who are successfully using their platforms to spread the Gospel.

Given this context, the question arises: why do Muslims seem to be making a more significant mark in society, particularly in the financial sphere, compared to Christians?

Below are reasons why many Muslims prosper.

1. Community Unity

A key reason for the greater prominence of Muslims in business and politics is their strong sense of community and cooperation. In Western societies, Muslims often work together effectively, recognizing the power of collective effort. This unity enables them to mobilize and make a significant impact across various sectors.

In contrast, many Christians, particularly pastors, frequently become entangled in doctrinal disputes and competition over church size and influence. This inward focus often diverts energy towards issues within church walls rather than engaging with broader societal matters. As Jesus said in Mark 3:25, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” This division is reflected in the staggering number of Christian denominations—around 45,000 worldwide, according to Livescience.com.

Muslims, by contrast, generally demonstrate greater unity. They are open to praying at any mosque, regardless of sect, which fosters a strong communal bond that extends beyond local boundaries. This sense of solidarity influences all areas of their lives, including business, politics, and media. In the Christian community, however, there is often a tendency to prioritize local church affiliations over a unified vision of the broader body of Christ. This localized focus can limit collective impact and influence.

2. Self-Reliance and Entrepreneurship

Muslims and Asians often increase their wealth by living within tight-knit communities, which encourages self-reliance and entrepreneurship. They work within their communities to build businesses, allowing wealth to circulate internally. In contrast, Christians tend to integrate more with secular society, with their money often flowing back to those in power who may not share their beliefs.

Years ago, I watched a documentary about individuals living in urban communities. The Muslims featured in the film explained how they developed a strong “do for self” mindset out of necessity, working long hours because they felt they lacked support from the broader system. On the other hand, in a church I used to attend, a common segment was devoted to members sharing their testimonies, often focusing on how they found jobs. This reflects a contrasting mindset: one of job dependency versus job creation.

3. Muslims are wiser when it comes to how the world works

Even though I am a committed Christian who firmly believes in the Gospel as the ultimate truth, I recognize the strengths other communities use to make their voices heard. Muslims demonstrate a deep understanding of societal systems, allowing them to strategically gain influence at both local and national levels. While Christians are endowed with spiritual power, they often lack the practical knowledge needed to apply this power effectively. Hosea 4:6 highlights this issue: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Applying godly principles alongside gaining worldly understanding is crucial for achieving significant results.

This observation is not meant to insult the church community but to serve as a wake-up call. Many within the faith focus solely on reading the Bible and neglect broader world affairs, which often leads to poverty and ignorance. Some pastors even discourage secular education, promoting reliance solely on miracles. For instance, I remember a preacher who advised Christians in business that they should not profit from their products, saying, “If you purchase a pen for £2, you should sell it for £2.” Such advice defies practical logic and underscores the disconnect between faith and practical knowledge.

In contrast, Muslims often excel in worldly affairs, as noted by Jesus in Luke 16:8: “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.”

4. Show Support by Providing Opportunities

When it comes to supporting new converts, there are notable differences in approach between Muslims and Christians. Muslims often follow a “teach a person how to fish” approach, offering practical support and opportunities for self-improvement, such as job placements. This method not only helps individuals grow but also fosters a strong sense of community and brotherhood, which can be particularly appealing. On the other hand, Christians tend to have a “give someone a fish” approach. Prominent U.S. preacher Bishop T.D. Jakes has spoken on this point on several occasions, noting that it is not enough for the church to simply feed and pray for new converts without also providing opportunities. In a seminar about ex-convicts new to the Christian faith, he discussed how individuals who entered the jail system for selling illegal substances should be offered opportunities within the church community by entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs can help them transition from their previous illegal activities into building a legitimate business to sustain themselves.

If more churches were to adopt this approach on a national scale, it would significantly increase our influence, and it is achievable. For instance, Pastor Sunday Adelaja used this principle to grow the largest church in Europe by the age of 33, in Ukraine. In the early 2000s, he was able to raise over 200 millionaires in less than three years, transforming the lives of poor Christians into prominent and influential business leaders by creating a successful network. All the lessons on how he accomplished this are featured in the Master of Money series. This success story demonstrates the profound impact that practical support can have, not just on individuals, but on entire communities.

Similarly, the story of Muhammad Ali illustrates how tangible assistance can lead to significant outcomes. Born Cassius Clay into a Christian family, Ali faced a major crisis in 1966 when he was stripped of his boxing titles and barred from earning a living due to his refusal to serve in the Vietnam War. Financially struggling and emotionally distressed, he received crucial support from the Nation of Islam, who reached out to him. They offered not only prayers but also financial assistance by covering his bills and providing job opportunities during his three-year boxing suspension. This practical help enabled Ali to overcome his difficulties and eventually led to his career being managed by Jabir Herbert Muhammad, the son of the Nation of Islam’s leader. This arrangement not only supported Ali but also allowed him to become a prominent spokesperson for the faith. This story is detailed in the book Muhammad Ali: The Glory Years by Felix Dennis.

5. Urgency

Christianity is the world’s largest religion, with about 2.365 billion followers, or 30.74% of the global population. Islam, with approximately 1.907 billion followers, makes up 24.9%, according to Pew Research. In Western countries, where Christians are the majority, some may adopt a more passive approach to sharing their faith. In contrast, many Muslims exhibit a strong sense of urgency to make their faith a dominant cultural force.

When a group or individual is in a leading position, it can be tempting to ease off the gas, which may explain why some Christian communities appear less assertive in their faith efforts. This contrast in urgency and approach highlights why Muslims might seem more proactive in advancing their culture, achieving prosperity, and gaining political influence. The differences in mindset and strategy underscore the need for Christians to reassess their approach and become more proactive in enhancing their influence and engagement in society.

5 Steps for Christians to Make Bigger Impact

1. Foster Community Unity
Strengthen collective efforts by overcoming doctrinal disputes and embracing a unified vision of faith. Let our shared belief in Jesus be the glue that binds us together.

2. Promote Self-Reliance and Entrepreneurship
Encourage the development of entrepreneurship within Christian communities to create wealth and use it to advance the Gospel.

3. Provide Tangible Support
Adopt a “teach a person to fish” approach by offering job placements and business opportunities to new converts and community members.

4. Share Testimonies

A great way to inspire believers in the marketplace and various sectors of society to let their light shine for Christ is by sharing testimonies of believers making an impact in the Kingdom. You can find many examples of positive influencers in the faith in the book Successful Christians.

5. Embrace Strategic Urgency
Approach faith and influence with a sense of urgency, recognizing the need to actively promote Christian values in society.

You have now reached the end of this article. I hope it has provided you with practical ideas to live as an impactful Christian, maximizing your potential and using it as a platform to propagate the Gospel.

The time is now.

God bless.