There is a correlation between the level of religiosity of a country and its wealth.
Indeed a Gallup poll once showed that religious adherence was highest amongst the world's poorest nations. Now, some modern atheists look at this relationship and try to say that atheism causes increased wealth. They say: if you want to be rich, ditch God.
But the opposite is in fact the case: prosperity causes atheism.
This is because wealth and prosperity brings comfort and a kid of heaven here. Why would I long for a world to come when we have a form of heaven in this world now?
Perhaps this is the reason that Jesus proclaims that His message is 'good news to the poor';
for the poor are more likely to respond to and live for a message offering hope for a world to come.
