“It is Not God's Will for Us to Be Poor!” – Religion Matters for Poverty Alleviation (SDG 1 and 2)

This chapter explores the role of religion in SDG 1 (“No Poverty”) and SDG 2 (“Zero Hunger”). While significant progress in poverty alleviation had been achieved in the past two decades, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine are driving more people into poverty. The example of Pentecostal churches and the so-called Prosperity Gospel are used to discuss the impact of faith actors on poverty alleviation. A case study on Pentecostal poverty alleviation from South Africa by Peter White supplements the discussion.