The Prosperity Theology or Prosperity Gospel

Rosinsky · Mar 24, 2009

The prosperity gospel teaches that God wants every believer to be successful in all aspect in life whether it be spiritual, health, material, academic, relationship, etc... It is the will of God for the believer to prosper.

Verses that support this view are, but not limited to, the following:

John 10:10 - The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

3 John 1:2 - Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.

Luke 6:38 - Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

Verses that disagree with this view are, but not limited to, the following:

1 John 2:15 - Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

Matthew 6:19-21 - “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Timothy 3:3-5 - Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.

So what is going on here? Does the bible contradict itself, or does it teach or does not teach the prosperity gospel?

What are your responses?

Sinnner · Mar 24, 2009

Proverbs 13,22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Its ok to have money but it is not ok to love money.

suaso · Mar 24, 2009

I think it is important that people not confuse weath and riches that are but material things to the only worthy treasure that is eternal life. I am often put off by the idea that some people think that God doesn't love them if they are poor, or that because they have nice things they are more favored by God. I would say things are only good insofar as they benefit our salvation in some way. Is it necessary to my belief in God that I have a flashy car and a mansion? Nope. If I have these things, that is fine, so long as I do not let them distract me from God. In a special way I think the beatitude "Blessed are the poor" is of significance, as in one respect, the poor having very little also have that much less to desire above God. It is easy to get caught up in our TVs, computers, stereos, iPods, video games, cars, and other gadgets that cost so much, devotinf more of our attention to these things than we do to worship. Some people say it is the undereducated and the poor who believe in God because they don't know better, or because they aren't well off enough to know better. What it is, is that the poor have a wisdom not limited by their status: doing without the things that are not necessary, they can come closer to God. This is the wealth that the poor already have and the rich often lack.

MahogonySnail · Mar 24, 2009

That is essentially correct I believe. To say otherwise is really to miss who God really is and who we are in Him. There is something wrong with the alternative which is "God wills you to fail spiritually", "God wills you to be sick", "God wills your marriage to breakup and end in divorce", "God wills you to be living on the street", "God wishes you to fail your studies".God's will and intention is always goodness towards us.

But on the other hand, this doesn't mean that we will always prosper, there are always ups and downs in life.

Baptistrw · Mar 25, 2009

It does NOT teach the prosperity gospel. How many of the 12 Apostles were prosperous? As I said in another thread, tell a Christian in a poor country God wants them to be rich and they'll laugh in your face. God can choose to allow some to have wealth to help His Kingdom, but it is not the norm. it is definitely not apart of the gospel. Being a disciple of Christ teaches the opposite of health and wealth, suffering and persecution.

BLC · Mar 25, 2009

Some that teach prosperity confuse being fruitful with prosperity. God has called and ordained us to bear fruit. If we are bearing fruit and God prospers us with land, houses etc., then that is to His glory and not ours. There are those that God prospers here on the earth and that is their portion. If we are to be followers of Christ, we are to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness first, and all these others things will be added unto us by grace in the plan of God.

It is unwise to teach people prosperity in relationship to having faith, being Spirit-filled or as an evidence of God's power in your life. You can be a carnal Christian that God has prospered, but that becomes your portion in this life but not in the next life to come. The judgment seat (bema) of Christ will reveal all this by fire and we will either be rewarded or suffer loss, but we will be saved.

I am sure that many that teach prosperity, love God, want others to be blessed and are convinced that God does not want any of His children to be in debt. I don't agree with many and how they teach it, but remember, God looks upon the heart and not on the outward appearance. Sometimes God has raised up certain ones to teach prosperity, that He has really blessed and prospered, just to rub others the wrong way, so that God can crucify their flesh experientially.

phil36 · Mar 25, 2009

I believe that the health and wealth gospel is not the gospel of the bible. and to save me rambling on check out this link it should put things in perspective.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTc_FoELt8s (John Piper)

as a side note, check out what these false gospel teachers preach, on other aspect of Gods word, the Fall for example! thats if you can find anything they believe in except.. 'Health and Wealth'.

Theres nothing wrong with money and nothing wrong with having a lot of it. The problem is how you view it and who you give it too!

Don't worry I am sure that these false Gospel teachers will ease your conscience for a gift of 100 dollars! instead of conscience i really should have said you have been con-ned of your sense.

I give apologies now if i have sounded harsh in my words, but health and wealth isnt the good news of our risen Lord and Saviour.

Baptistrw · Mar 25, 2009

phil36 said:

I believe that the health and wealth gospel is not the gospel of the bible. and to save me rambling on check out this link it should put things in perspective.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTc_FoELt8s (John Piper)

as a side note, check out what these false gospel teachers preach, on other aspect of Gods word, the Fall for example! thats if you can find anything they believe in except.. 'Health and Wealth'.

Theres nothing wrong with money and nothing wrong with having a lot of it. The problem is how you view it and who you give it too!

Don't worry I am sure that these false Gospel teachers will ease your conscience for a gift of 100 dollars! instead of conscience i really should have said you have been con-ned of your sense.

I give apologies now if i have sounded harsh in my words, but health and wealth isnt the good news of our risen Lord and Saviour.

Rightly spoken. If the gospel can't be preached anywhere in the world to any people group (nations) then it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ.

suaso · Mar 25, 2009

Very true. What use is good health and material treasures in the long run? These things will not matter when we are dead. We can't take our stuff with us to heaven...we won't need them. God provides for us all that we need: himself. Everythings esle is secondary. The nature of heaven is that we will be happy because we will be dwelling in the presence of the Lord, and material things will distract us from that on Earth and we certainly will not want, need, or have them in heaven.

roaringkitten · Mar 25, 2009

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” Galatians 1:6-9

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures"
1 Corinthians 15:1-4

We are the sinners, Jesus is the Savior! That is the gospel! All other gospels are bogus.....

Rosinsky · Mar 25, 2009

Baptistrw said:

Can you prove that it does not and also can you explain the various scriptures from the bible that clearly shows that it is the will of God for you to prosper? Do you deny them?

Baptistrw said:

Whether they did or not is irrelevant to whether or not the prosperity theology is true. Futhermore, we have no evidence that all of the apostles lived up to everything Jesus had said, does that make what Jesus had said any less true?

Baptistrw said:

Again, whether or not Christian in a poor country prosper is irrelevant. What's relevant is simply what the bible has to say. Please, let's approach this topic with what the bible says and not personal objections.

Rosinsky · Mar 25, 2009

roaringkitten said:

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” Galatians 1:6-9

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures"
1 Corinthians 15:1-4

We are the sinners, Jesus is the Savior! That is the gospel! All other gospels are bogus.....

I couldn't agree more. Having that said, can you now respond to the topic and prove biblically how the prosperity gospel (keep in mind that gospel means good news) is against the words of Christ as you insinuate?

Rosinsky · Mar 25, 2009

First, in light of seeking to know the truth we must accurately approach any doctrinal belief. This is not done with pre-conceived notions and personal vendettas, it is done through truly seeking the Word to find what does the Word of God have to say. So far, no one has provided scriptures to show how the prosperity theology is against the bible.

Second, it seems that all who have responded against the prosperity theology have simply been misinterpreting what the doctrine really is (they claim that prosperity gospel = money) for the purpose of... well I really do not know why.

Let me restate it just in case you did not read the first post. "The prosperity gospel teaches that God wants every believer to be successful in all aspect in life whether it be spiritual, health, material, academic, relationship, etc... It is the will of God for the believer to prosper."

Those of you who are against, simply let the scripture speak for itself.

roaringkitten · Mar 26, 2009

"The prosperity gospel teaches that God wants every believer to be successful in all aspect in life whether it be spiritual, health, material, academic, relationship, etc... It is the will of God for the believer to prosper."
Like I said in my previous post, the Word of God clearly shows one gospel......You readily admit that post to be in your agreement.....So when you go out and witness the gospel to a lost sinner what do you tell them?

I already proved my point....The prosperity gospel is not the same as the gospel 1 Corinthians 1:15:1-4 declares......We are the sinners and Jesus is the Savior! That doesnt sound even remotely similar to your official definition of the prosperity gospel in the above italics....

There are no preconceived notions here......Using the Word as a whole, people need to rightly divide the Word.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

I desire no glory or fame, I desire NOTHING but serving Christ and making the gospel known to man.....All glory goes to Him alone!

Rosinsky · Mar 26, 2009

roaringkitten said:

The name "the Prosperity Gospel" was given by those who disagree with the definition of the prosperity theology.

And no, you have not "proved your point." How have you proved your point the teaching that "God wants every believer to be successful in all aspect in life whether it be spiritual, health, material, academic, relationship, etc... It is the will of God for the believer to prosper" is against the bible as you claimed?

Do you really want to play on semantics here and refuse to discuss the topic biblically? If that's your choice, then that's fine.

roaringkitten · Mar 26, 2009

It is the will of God for the believer to prosper.

Let me remind you of a few verses:

Read Job first of all.

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." John 15:18-20

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matthew 5:10-12

"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." 1 Peter 4:16

Now read the account of Steven being stoned and Paul being beaten(baptistrw has already lay out Scripture to some of these)...These were Christians who faced persecution as believers....In fact many were horribly martyred as Christians.......

I dont look for prosperity myself....I ask God how I can help prosper someone else instead......We are told to look at the things UNSEEN(ie: the eternal things) not things that rust and get robbed(ie:your wealth, etc)...

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Our faith is dependant on trusting Jesus Christ...It is not dependant on our circumstances, health, prosperity, etc....

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Rosinsky · Mar 26, 2009

roaringkitten said:

Roarinkitten,

These scriptures state what will happen to some (not all) christians, not his will. These scriptures have nothing to do with the prosperity theology (just trying to be safe with you

)

Now this is what the word of God has to say in regards to prosperity:

Psalms 1:1-3

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Do you reject this biblical passage?

roaringkitten said:

What do these scriptures have to do with this topic and how they prove that the prosperity theology is false?

Baptistrw · Mar 26, 2009

Rosinsky said:

I think your ignorance may be what the prosperity gospel is, as it is obvious you do not know, it is the gospel that ALL Christians are meant to be healthy and wealthy. Emphasis on ALL. Not some.

The verses you quoted:

Verses that support this view are, but not limited to, the following:

John 10:10 - The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Rich and satisfying life does not mean materially.

3 John 1:2 - Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.

This is a bad example because of it's location... in the greeting of a letter sent to a specific person with a specific need, basing theology on the intro and closing of an epistle is horrible hermeneutics, I'm probably guessing you have no formal Bible training because that's a rookie mistake.

Luke 6:38 - Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

It is a fixed principle in life that we reap according to our sowing, that our actions react upon us, that the same measure we use to others is measured back to us. If we sow material things we reap spiritual treasures of inestimable value. It is also true that what we keep we lose, and what we give we have.

So as you can see none of those passages teach the prosperity gospel. Prosperity does not mean financially. If the apostles never preached a gospel of health and wealth and Jesus never taught it, it's false. And it is.

Baptistrw · Mar 26, 2009

Rosinsky said:

1 Timothy 6:7-10 - "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

Matthew 6:19-21, 24; Luke 16:13 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. . . . For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Luke 18:22-25 - ". . . it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

1 John 2:15 - "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

1 Timothy 6:3-5 - "If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain."

Matthew 19:21 - Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

1 Timothy 2:9 - "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

Proverbs 22:16 - He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

BLC · Mar 26, 2009

Baptistrw,

If you are going to be a good communicator of the whole counsel of God, you need to explain the following passage of scripture as it relates to this subject. Remember a false balance is an abomination unto the LORD (Prov 11:1, 20:23). In other words, God doesn't like it, but a just weight is to His delight.

Mark 10:26-30 'And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life'.
You can't deny that Jesus is talking about the gospel and discipleship in this passage, as He answers two questions. Please take notice of His answers. He also deals with two different times, 'now in this time' and 'in the world to come eternal life'. Be honest with what this is saying and from whose lips it is being spoken from. Read this, study it, compare it with other scriptures, talk with God about it and come to your own conclusions and convictions. Don't forget the part of this passage about 'recieving a hundredfold'. Again, I emphasize that Jesus Christ is speaking of the gospel and the discipleship of that gospel.

The Prosperity Theology or Prosperity Gospel

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