By Nneka Okumazie

So, a church wants to build a new building, they ask for donations and starts the project. The project hires laborers, purchases some local materials, and the work goes on – for months, or years.

The project creates demand, capital is exchanged and various values are created.

This process, common across sub-Saharan Africa, is remotely similar to what became known as the multiplier effect, proposed by a major economist of the twentieth century.

He said to induce the economy, government can borrow money to build infrastructure, in a process that will get many hired, materials purchased, taxes paid, and a project of progress made.

In a church project, the laborers could pay taxes directly – or indirectly when they buy retail products. The businesses that supply building materials pay taxes or levies to government. Some of the consultants on the projects also get paid – even if they maybe church members, charging at a discount. The major churches are often into this cycle.
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Big churches rarely sit on cash for too long, they are often building, expanding, catering or maintaining. So, many businesses have been created in service of the needs of the church.

There are hundreds of products and services involved in maintenance of churches. The church is a major contributor to the gross domestic product, and to the gross national product – with online giving.

The economic benefits of the church to any nation outsizes whatever people complain about or criticize the church for. The church is not a business, but creates demand for businesses. The church does not stand in the way of any factory.
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If manufacturing stalls in a country because of policies, or other reasons, it is not the fault of the church. It is also a massive leader in local content, as well as in buy [made-in-a-country] project.

The church also makes it possible to also have architectures that are built to inspire. It is also the best psychological therapy that many know – in a world of difficulties.

There are people that became productive because the word of faith supercharged them for excellence in their careers, study or business.

The true church is also the truth teller, where members are told to avoid vices. Some people took heed, preventing trouble for them, others and society.
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It is easy for people to continue to look for what to say against the church, but the amount of businesses that the church has indirectly created and demands from – is a boost to the economy.

[Exodus 38:22-23, And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord commanded Moses. And with him [was] Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.]

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