Evangelist Linley Mbeta who is overseer of Chigonjetso Ministry said this on Thursday when she distributed hoes to over 100 families in Traditional Authority Chikumbu in Mulanje district.

Citing Genesis 3 verse 17 to 19 which partly says “by the sweat of your brow you will eat your food,” Evangelist Mbeta stressed that there is no food for a lazy man.

“It is therefore absolutely wrong for some members of the clergy to preach about prosperity without instilling the spirit of hard work among their flocks,” she said.

Mbeta who is also Executive Director of Chigonjetso Community Development Organization (CCDO) in Blantyre said such sermons promote laziness among some Christians and she said laziness is a sin before God.

She further said the “three meals a day” philosophy which the Tonse Alliance government has been talking is for hard workers only and not lazy people.

Group village head Namputu thanked the evangelist for the hoes, saying simple as they look but some families struggle to buy hoes.

“With these hoes, my subjects will have no excuses of failing to go to their gardens in as far as lack of farming equipment is concerned,” said GVH Namputu.

65 year old Violet Bernard from Namatingwi village said the hoe she has received will help her in cultivating her garden where she grows different crops.

“To me I just thank you evangelist for the hoe as I have been failing to buy one,” said

During the event, Evangelist Mbeta also encouraged people to observe COVID-19 preventive measures like regular hand washing, social distancing, avoid overcrowding places and putting on masks.

“COVID-19 is real and let us continue observing all recommended preventive measures,” said Evangelist Mbeta.