Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki, whose company provides personal finance and business education to people, recently shared one key reason why he believes poor people often remain poor. Kiyosaki said that his “rich dad” told him that “people become their words” and advised him to never say no to anything.
The 78-year-old said that “if you want to improve your life, choose your words carefully”, adding that one should “choose the words of a rich and successful person” in order to become wealthy.
Kiyosaki shared his advice on X (formerly known as Twitter). “In Sunday School I learned: ‘And the word became flesh…and dwelt amongst us.’,” he recalled, before adding that his rich dad also believed in the power that the words hold.
The verse he referred to is from the Bible – the Gospel of John 1:14 (New Testament) and is one of the core beliefs in Christianity. It says that God took on human form in Jesus Christ to live among people and reveal divine truth and grace.
“Those are the words of a poor person. They say those words day after day…. becoming poorer and poorer,” Kiyosaki wrote, quoting his father, Ralph H Kiyosaki. He explained why his father always discouraged him from saying things like “I can’t afford it” or “I can’t do that”.
“Instead, he taught his son and me to say: How can I afford that? How can I do that?”
He ended his post titled “one reason poor people remain poor” with a powerful reminder that “the best news is: Words are free.”
ONE REASON poor people REMAIN POOR.
— Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) April 15, 2025
In Sunday School I learned:
“And the word became flesh…and dwelt amongst us.”
My rich dad agreed adding:
“We become our words.”
That is why rich dad demanded I never say:
“I can’t afford it.” Or
“I can’t do that.”
He said “Those are…
While many agreed with him, some disagreed, saying that his “Sunday school teacher failed him tremendously”.
“Absolutely true. The words we speak shape the thoughts we think—and the actions we take. I’ve experienced this firsthand. The moment I switched from ‘I can’t’ to ‘How can I?’… doors started opening. Mindset isn’t fluff. It’s the foundation. Choose your words, choose your future,” said one social media user.
Another added, “It’s all about your state of mind. I’m a firm believer that conscious thought can manifest in the physical world through unknown interactions. People with a positive attitude and outlook tend to fare much better than those with a negative personality!”
“Attract positive thoughts, even in failure, there are positives… what you can change or how to do it. Many people find it difficult, but the simplest solutions are the best,” wrote a third while thanking him.
One Internet user reiterated what Kiyosaki said: “We become what we think about!”
Some criticised him too for taking a verse from the Bible and using it in an altogether different context.
“If that was your takeaway from that verse, then your Sunday School teacher failed you tremendously,” wrote one X user.
Another joined, “Lmao that verse is talking about Jesus, but, sure haha.”
“The greatest mystery revealed to humanity is Jesus, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. This has profound implications. Much greater than what you are making it out to be. True wealth, true riches are found in Jesus. Those who believe are eternally rich. Find Jesus!” commented a third.