What's wrong with Prosperity?

Absolutely nothing. Until it becomes your gospel. Then we start running into some issues. There is an unfortunate trend taking place in America, and it’s nothing new. It’s called the Prosperity Gospel, and it’s probably in a bookstore near you. This perversion of the gospel is insidious because not only has it shifted our focus from God and the sacrifice of His Son, but also because it reinforces the “me first” ideal that has become so commonplace in today’s main stream culture. Now I don’t mean for this post to move into bashing territory, so readers please don’t see it this way, he just happens to be the biggest and easiest example currently. Joel Osteen is one of the biggest purveyors of the Prosperity Gospel in our country, with a slew of books under his belt preaching his message. What’s so wrong with it, you may ask, what’s the big deal? Well, let us tackle the problem together.



The main point of the Prosperity Gospel (PG from here on out) can be summed up in this statement: “What can God do for me?” In the mind of a PG follower, if they pray hard enough, are faithful enough, tithe enough, God will fulfill all their hopes and dreams. I have so many problems with that outlook, but let’s just stick with two of the more obvious problems for right now. Firstly, who are we to think that God owes us anything, that by believing, tithing, being faithful we should automatically be given everything. We are to submit ourselves to God in everything. We are to be His faithful servants, ready to do His will, ready to follow it no matter where it may take us. My band director, a former Marine, has this great poster outside his office. It has a picture of a recruit being yelled at by a DI (Drill Instructor) with these simple words printed in white on a black background: “We didn’t promise you a Rose Garden.” Jesus did not promise his disciples a life of ease and luxury if they would follow him. Far from it! Matthew 5:10 says “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” James wrote that we should “count it pure joy whenever we face trials” (James 1:2). Let’s face it. Life in general is not usually easy. The true Christian life, one that is lived in subservience to God’s will, is less easy still. However, when we are truly following God’s will, no matter what circumstance we may be in, we will find comfort and peace. This brings me to my second point.

The PG builds no foundation of faith for its believers for those inevitable storms that enter our lives. When that storm blows through, much like the foolish man who built his house on the sand. More so than that, though, what kind of message does it send to people who are already in the midst of a storm? Still haven’t been healed from that sickness? Huh, must not be praying enough. Still can’t get a new job? Guess you aren’t having enough faith. Do you see the problem here? The idea that these people are still suffering simply because they are not “faithful” enough is reprehensible. The true nature of the storm they are passing through could be quite the opposite. Very often we will find ourselves in difficult circumstances that God has allowed to enter into our lives. The reason for this is so that His Glory may be seen in our lives by others as His Grace sustains us. In all circumstances, both good and bad, we should praise and give glory to God.

In the end it all comes down to this; nothing in life is free. God is not a genie in some magic lamp. If He was, there would be a world full of happy children right now. Think back on your childhood. I’m betting that at some point as a kid you prayed something very similar to this: “God, please give me/bring me (insert desired object here), and I will be a good boy/girl for my parents.” I think I prayed for a baseball glove. Point is, the desired object did not magically appear. Why should it be any different when we are adults? “God, I’ve been faithful to you, I’ve tithed like I should, and I’ve been going to church every Sunday. Please, I could really use a new car.” I’ll say it one more time, God is not a genie in a magic lamp, do not approach your relationship with Him in that way. Submit yourself to God and submit yourself to the plan He has crafted for your life. It may take you to places you never thought you would go, but I can promise you one thing; when you are following God’s plan for your life you will be able to find peace and comfort even in the strangest of circumstances. Well, that’s about it for tonight, so I think all that is left is to close this post out. I leave you with Peter’s closing thoughts and benediction from 2 Peter 3:15-18:

“Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation,

just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that

God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters,

speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things

that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort,

as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this,

be on your guard so that you may not be carried away

by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To him be glory both now and forever!

Amen."