Poverty is a serious scourge in our world. Its origins are diverse, and the poverty stricken is costing governments millions. Every sane human being is in agreement that we should do our utmost to eradicate poverty. Besides the sociological and political factors, it's a known fact that poverty's causes are basically economical.

This section of EzineArticles is for entrepreneurs, so I will steer clear from politics and debate economics and self-discipline, to explore, TWO other causes, if NOT the main causes of poverty!

Lazy Poor Man

Some people go hungry, and remain poor due to utter laziness. For the lazy person, numerous factors are to blame, for his perilous state. Excuses such as the governments policies, parents, friends, the schooling system, are given. The list is endless. The lazy poor man also remains a victim of circumstances, and has inculcated his state of poverty into his psyche. Opportunities knock on his door several times, but he will find an excuse not to grasp it with both hands. To him, menial jobs are not considered little opportunities, but hindrances. This very same man loves to sleep late, will spend hours in the lotto queue hoping to strike it rich someday, for his little efforts in life. The lazy poor man also resorts to drugs and alcohol if he cannot cope with life's challenges.

"Stupid" Poor Man

Please note, the use of the term," Stupid", is not meant to be derogatory and insulting to poor people, but hopefully readers will appreciate my point after further reading. The majority of the world's people are decent, hard working people and wants to earn their keep. They want to earn enough to provide for their families, but with rising inflation and spiraling costs, this is becoming impossible.

The hardest working people on this planet are not wealthy. The laborers, factory workers, cleaners and domestic servants, perform demanding tasks physically. In their kind of jobs, they up early, and arrive home late. Even office workers are overworked and under paid. Why is this so? Because our parents and society worship hard work, and it is mistakenly assumed, that hard work, alone, will lead to prosperity.

Few people dare to think or reason their way to prosperity. That telephone technician, or mechanic, could have been far wealthier, had he thought of starting a business servicing many clients instead of working for one firm.

People rarely spend time creatively, exploring ideas and opportunities to legally enrich themselves.
The "comfort zone", of employment can become very dangerous. If a worker has never enhanced his skills in other areas, and is, laid off or retrenched, it can be disastrous for him, as an unemployed person.

Formal employment is becoming more risky. Look at it this way, a business with a two-year contract, has more security and certainty than a "permanent" employee has. There are no guarantees in formal employment you can be fired tomorrow!

To impress the boss, people work long hours in the office, without overtime in some cases, and cannot muster the courage, to use time spend on overtime, to work towards their own prosperity.
I am not suggesting that business is easy, it requires hard work, but also planning and discipline. (The thinking part) That is my point exactly! We all have hobbies, or something we love to do. We all dream, but fail to take action. Great dreams are subverted by doubt, fear and lack of self-confidence.

There are 24 hours in a day right? We sleep 8 hours and work on average 8 to 12 hours. Even with the overtime, some workers put in, there must be at least 4 to 6 "lost" hours in a day.
Where have you spent those hours? Yes, kids and friends take up time. How about cutting down on that sleep, you only need about 3 to 4 hours sleep a night. Watch less television. Notice how much time you can free up, to dedicate time on what really maters.

People are not utilizing what they already have, minds and talents, to give them what they want.