By: David Jones
Just over one hundred years ago, the renowned pastor and statesman Charles H. Spurgeon spoke these words to the then-largest congregation in all Christendom:
I believe that it is anti-Christian and unholy for any Christian to live with the object of accumulating wealth. You will say, “Are we not to strive all we can to get all the money we can?” You may do so. I cannot doubt but what, in so doing, you may do service to the cause of God. But what I said was that to live with the object of accumulating wealth is anti-Christian.1
Over the years, however, the message being preached in some of the largest churches in the world has changed. Due, in part, to the rise of several ungodly philosophies and movements,2 a new gospel is being taught today. This gospel has been ascribed many names, such as the “name it and claim it” gospel, the “blab it and grab it” gospel, the “health and wealth” gospel, the “word of faith” movement, the “gospel of success,” the “prosperity gospel,” and “positive confession theology.”3
No matter what name is used, though, the teaching is the same. Simply put, this egocentric gospel teaches that God wants believers to be materially wealthy. Listen to the words of Robert Tilton, one of the prosperity gospel’s most well-known spokesmen: “I believe that it is the will of God for all to prosper because I see it in the Word [of God], not because it has worked mightily for someone else. I do not put my eyes on men, but on God who gives me the power to get wealth.”
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Pilgrim
thejunglemissionary
Bill
fourpointer
Manfred
abidingthroughgrace
Chris Hohnholz
A good follow-up to http://defendingcontending.com/2009/12/22/what-is-wrong-with-the-prosperity-gospel/
Let those who are led astray by these false doctrines see the Truth and fall down before the Lord of heaven in repentance.
We have had over 20 yrs. of the Word of fakes oops, faith Prosperity Teachers like now deceased Ken (called dad) Hagin Sr, Fred Price and Kenneth Copeland’s we are equal to God teachers, plus their off springs (spiritual children) now deceased Zachery Tims noted for his Kingdom Living teachings who behind closed doors had yr. long affair with a stripper resulting in his divorce and recent died under mysterious circumstances), Creflo, Mike Murdock Todd Coontz, Paul White, Juanita Bynum etc,. What has the body of Christ got to show for these termites who eroded the foundation of Jesus and the message of his cross? Many Christians have no concept of the depth and meaning of Grace (unmerited & unearned free Favor), or the significance of the words of Jesus from his cross just before he died “Paid in Full” as in “It is Finished” by Jesus on the Cross. Instead of Paid in full gullible sheep think they must pay in full with cash and now by credit cards are an option to obtain THE Blessing from God. However, the scriptures said: “Since God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all surely he will also with him (Christ) FREELY GIVE us all things- Romans 8:32.
Bible illiterates better read their bibles and stop being whipped into an emotional high and fake spiritual frenzy then pour out money to these Prosperity teachers. You are paying for what Jesus died to give you for free.
Jesus did not promise us a rose garden or overflowing money in these last days.
. In Matthew 24 Jesus said before he comes back again there would be wars and rumors of wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes in diverse places! He labeled it birth pang & the beginning of sorrows! He warned that many false prophets would arise and deceive many. Both Peter (in 2nd Peter chapter 2 verse 3) and the Apostle Paul ( in Acts 20 verse 29) warned of greedy men who would exploit the body of Christ for financial gain. Where are the genuine Theologians and Christians with the gift of discernment, where are the real spiritual Church fathers who demand true sound doctrine and who are exposing false teachers? why isn’t the majority of theologians and not just a pitiful few lone voices crying in the wilderness against the fraudulent teaching?
Misguide people think Mega churches with celebrity Pastors are a sign of God’s approval but notice Jesus said it was the broad way which leads to destruction and the narrow way to eternal life which few would find it. Jesus took 120 people in an upper room and turned the whole world right side up. I’m not trying to promote not attending church services just saying it is no indication of genuine conversions or even repentance into a new life in Christ. Packed out Prosperity Word of Faith churches might be indicative of tares in search of the modern day golden calf- the almighty dollar!
What heartache and disappointments lay ahead for misguided Christians who thought they paid cold cash to some Prosperity Pusher for The Blessing and lost a job or their homes instead? This teaching of sowing money seeds in faith for blessings and Prosperity is going to play out as most lies do. When the dust settles I think what will remain and be left standing will be the real wheat thirsting for God the Blesser and not just his blessings! .
The false teaching of the prosperity gospel is partly about greed. Therefore, if you expect the prosperity preacher to talk about “claiming” and “grabbing” and “seizing” you will not be disappointed. Whether it’s good health, popularity with the world, or just plain old filthy lucre, though, the prosperity preacher knows one thing: “You have to see it before you reach it!”
Speaking “words of faith” are all well and good. But if you’ve been speaking to your checkbook, your doctor’s appointment book, and your Facebook for a long time, and you still don’t have as many dollars, healings, or shallow friends as you would like – it just may be that you are not “visualizing” hard enough! I have heard visualizing techniques attributed to all sorts of Biblical characters – from Abraham to Jabez to David to Zacchaeus. To be fair, Zacchaeus did seem to be a little (no pun intended) bit of a visualizer.
“See there!” says the prosperity preacher, “The Bible does teach that we are supposed to see what we want, and then reach for it!”
Not so fast. Zacchaeus had a desire to see, alright – but a desire to see what… or should I say Who? “And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.” (Luke 19:3)
Despite what the prosperity teacher tells you, remember: Our help comes from seeing Jesus – not the personal comforts we can concoct in our own imaginations. “So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.” (John 6:19) “The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.” (John 12:21) “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9)