Greetings, I am Dr. Charles Apoki, and today, I want to reflect on the spirit of Esau and how it mirrors the realities of Africa and poverty. Esau, the twin brother of Jacob, represents a dangerous mindset—a lack of value, foresight, and delayed gratification—that perpetuates poverty and underdevelopment. Let’s dissect this spirit and how it manifests in our personal lives and as a continent.
Esau’s Passivity and Africa’s Complacency
Esau was passive while Jacob was assertive, even from the womb. Africa, too, often displays this passivity. Our resources are exploited by foreign powers while we act as mere spectators. Our leaders attend international meetings unprepared, sign unfavourable deals, and squander opportunities. If you do not assert yourself, people will treat you like trash—and in life, being treated like trash means you will never get cash.
To overcome this, Africans must embrace resourcefulness and productivity. Value creation is key. If you are not indispensable, you will always be expendable.
Lack of Value
Esau sold his birth-right for a bowl of porridge—an act symbolic of many Africans who trade their future for temporary gains. We sell our votes for peanuts, only to complain about corrupt leaders later. We give up community projects for bribes, and some even sell family graves for money.
This lack of value extends to self-respect. Young people degrade themselves online for fleeting attention, while others engage in immoral acts for monetary gain. Our collective future is sold for quick, temporary pleasures.
Absence of Delayed Gratification
Esau lacked delayed gratification. He could not endure hunger long enough to prepare a proper meal. Similarly, Africa’s inability to save, invest, or plan for the future has left us vulnerable. We waste resources, fail to preserve wealth, and often leave nothing for the next generation.
Even at the national level, our foreign reserves are embarrassingly low, and we misuse funds on frivolities like luxury vehicles and outdated military equipment. This short-term mindset keeps us in perpetual poverty.
No Foresight
Esau did not think far. His clothes were left in his mother’s house even at age 40, a sign of irresponsibility. How different is this from African leaders who stash wealth in foreign banks while neglecting their own people?
We must think futuristically. Developed nations thrive because they invest in institutions, infrastructure, and innovation. Africa, however, remains stuck in the immediate, wasting opportunities to build lasting legacies.
The Burden of Big Mansions
Africans have a penchant for grandiosity—building mansions in the village that become liabilities over time. These homes are not accepted as collateral by banks because they hold no real value. They become burdens for our children, who neither live in them nor want to maintain them.
Contrast this with developed nations, where palaces and historic buildings are preserved and repurposed into revenue-generating institutions like museums and libraries. Africans must learn to institutionalize wealth, creating systems that can sustain themselves beyond our lifetimes.
Lessons from Jacob
Jacob, on the other hand, represents a productive, strategic, and resourceful spirit. The nation of Israel today embodies these qualities, preserving their history, aggressively pursuing their interests, and turning challenges into opportunities.
Africa must kill the spirit of Esau and adopt the mindset of Jacob—assertive, futuristic, and value-driven. We must invest in institutions, prioritize education, and build businesses that outlive us.
Moving Forward
As we enter the New Year, let us reflect on these lessons. Avoid immediate consumption and grandiose displays of wealth. Instead, focus on building legacies, preserving resources, and planning for the future. Remember, the homes and liabilities you accumulate today might become burdens for the next generation.
I invite you to join my webinar in January , Hitting the Ground Running Financially in 2025. Together, let’s learn how to plan, save, and invest in ways that secure our future. For inquiries, send us a message.
Let’s kill the spirit of Esau and build a future worthy of our heritage.
God bless you.
— Dr. Charles Apoki.
