An Intense Hatred for the Prosperity Gospel
Our love of money more than people is robbing our testimony before the world and our ability to care for the world the way Jesus does. When we believe that our money and the opportunities it affords us is more important than the opportunities that money affords the kingdom of God, we have made a tragic error.
In my twenty-two years as a Christian, I have seen preachers beg “Christians” to give to no avail. I will never do this because my begging can’t help anyone understand the gospel enough to understand why they are in sin. But instead, my heart is compelled to boldly proclaim that the non-giver of God’s money doesn’t love Jesus but instead loves “their” money.
Here’s what’s crazy… Preachers all across America know that “Christians” love to worship money more than Jesus but instead of telling them that they are in sin they have conjured up a “prosperity gospel” that’s not the gospel. And because they love money, we have entire movements of deceived people selling an empty promise. John Piper hits it right on the nail.
For the record, I hate the prosperity gospel because Jesus hates false teachers. In these lean economic times, trust the “gospel” and pursue satisfaction in Jesus, even if you have to suffer through this period of time. I’d love to hear your take on this “false gospel.” Please share.
Yeah I witnessed it first hand in other countries where people sell all they have and bring it to church just because someone told them that God will give them a bigger house and a new car. And once they realize that they have been ripped off, then try to tell them that this is not true Christianity… It will take a miracle for them to listen to anything or anyone who will try to witness.
What I’ve also noticed is that while many of us reject prosperity gospel we still sometimes “judge” people by how much God “has blessed them”. How many times have you heard that this man or woman is blessed because they run a successful business, or because they do so well in life God must be “on their side”. Then what about all the poor and suffering Christians around the world? Just something to think about.
I have always been uncomfortable with prosperity gospel. I just didn’t know the name for it. Sitting in a store-front church while in college, we were told to give our money and see what God will do for us. Give our monies sent by parents to pay for gas, rent, books or groceries and see what God will do by Monday. Then folks would stand up tell stories of finding money on the ground or someone sending a check in the mail just in time to pay the rent. The very rent that they didn’t pay to make a sacrificial offering the Sunday before.
I call that “abra-cadra” church. It felt like folks wanted God to perform tricks for them…like tempting God. Like when the devil tempted Jesus to jump off the cliff since God the father could send angels to catch him.
That’s what properity Godspel looks like to me. And I am so grateful to have heard Sunday’s message. BTW-I never went back to that church while in school.
Mercede Walker
I think the prosperity gospel causes all of us to have knots in our stomach every time we are exposed to it. You are so right Eugene. We do judge those who have been blessed, particularly those who are in ministry. Sometimes it’s envy disguised as “gospel concern” and our own narrow-mindedness. I think the prosperity gospel’s first criticism shouldn’t be based on someone’s possessions but on their theology demonstrated in what comes out of their mouths… PG proponents are wrong because what they hold as the “gospel” isn’t the gospel. It’s not based on their stronghold of materialism but on bad theology and a wicked heart.
Mercede, I had the same exposure… Back then it was all about what trick God could do for you and how much evidence you had in your life with the “favor” of God. Makes you want to throw up.