The Gospel of Prosperity A number of televangelists have grown rich and famous by preaching what has come to be known as the gospel of prosperity. According to these teachers, because God loves his children he will not allow them to suffer from poverty and deprivation in this life. They sift through the Bible to find a few verses that speak of Gods blessings and ignoring the rest, broadcast their message. Because of a gospel of prosperity appeals to mans lust for wealth and material possessions, multitudes eagerly flock to these preachers. It is the same kind of greed that makes some people vulnerable to get rich schemes and that attracts others to gambling. The one person who will almost certainly have prosperity is the preacher who artfully persuades his hearers to show their faith in Gods promises by sending him generous gifts for the Lords work. What they failed to perceive is that the banking account into which the funds are placed belongs to the prosperity preacher. Thus he gets rich whether or not they ever receive a dime. Those who research the matter find that the prosperity preachers are in reality con-artists who use religion to fleece the pockets of deluded followers. Some work the slums while others work the more prosperous side of town. These con artists cite verses from Gods Word such as the following: • Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over... (Luke 6:28). • God shall multiply your seed for sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness (II Cor. 9:10). • For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Gal. 6:7). • and God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy... (I Tim. 1:17). If this were all the information we had, one might draw their conclusion. However the Bible contains other verses that convey other thoughts: • For ye have the poor always with you... (Mark 14:7). Even Jesus was poor (Luke 9:58). • James writes of the poor man in the church (Jas. 2:2-3). He asks, did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom (Jas. 2:5). • Jesus said Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness sake...Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you...Rejoice...for great is your reward in heaven (Matt. 5:10-11). • The message of the Book of Job is that sometimes God allows his children to be tested with the loss of material things and even loved ones. They might be allowed to suffer from debilitating pain from injuries or illness. The truth of the matter lies in both sets of verses. In his sovereign will God sometimes blesses his children abundantly. At other times he may allow those things to be taken away and allow us to suffer destitution and suffering. When this occurs the faithful child of God will confess, Jehovah gave and Jehovah hath taken away, blessed be the name of Jehovah (Job 1:21). Faith means to trust God, no matter what our physical and financial state might be, nothing doubting. For he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed (Jas. 1:6). Normally, under most situations, the faithful servant of God is blessed not only spiritually but physically and materially as well. When we give he gives back to us abundantly (Luke 6:28). Observation also teaches us that we have a great deal to do with our health and prosperity. The man who abuses or neglects his health is not as likely to be healthy as he who is takes care of his body. The man who is reckless and careless is more likely to be injured than the careful person. The farmer who is diligent in tending his crop will normally prosper more than the neighbor who fails to do so (Prov. 10:4). The gospel of prosperity often attracts the person who is not inclined to work and earn his living, or who wastes what he has. Rather than amend his ways, he hopes the preachers system will bring him much wealth. The man who is determined to continue his destructive life-style hopes that he can persuade God to keep him well and safe. These misguided souls are only deceiving themselves. The surest way to prosperity is to train yourself for a well-paying job. Be a diligent worker (Prov. 10:4). Practice economy with what you receive. Give a generous portion to God (II Cor. 9:6). Be helpful to the poor (Gal. 2:10). Save a portion for future needs (Prov. 6:6-11). Remember to put your trust God , not in your riches (Prov. 11:28). Thank God for what he provides. Avoid like plague all get rich schemes.... even if a preacher is the one promoting them.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 08:30:23 +0000