The Prosperity Gospel
Proponents of the Prosperity Gospel teach that since believers are children of the King, they should live as royalty ought to live lives; it is our divinely given right to be healthy and wealthy, to tell God what we want, and then to fully expect it to become a reality. Of course, in this “name it and claim it” philosophy, it is never God's will for any of His children to be sick, unhealthy, or impoverished.
To support this philosophy, Bible passages are taken out of context and twisted to obtain the desired interpretation. God's people are promised that there is a "miracle remedy" for every need just waiting for them to claim.
For instance, in Deuteronomy 8:10–18 God forewarned Israel to not forget Him, and when He would do good to them not to "say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.' And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth." The usual interpretation is that God wants all of His children to be wealthy. Therefore, if you are not, it is because you don't have enough faith.
There is also 3 John 2, which says, Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. The claim is that all believers in Christ should be prosperous and healthy. However, this is John's prayer for an elder named Gaius. It is not a promise from God to Christians in general. Because John prayed this prayer does not necessarily mean that it was answered, even for Gaius. Much less for someone else for whom it was not prayed — such as believers living 2,000 years after the letter was written.
Those who preach the Prosperity Gospel are usually the ones who benefit financially. They use the ploy that the average Christian must demonstrate their faith by giving generously to the ministry represented by the one doing the preaching. The poor long to get out of their poverty, so when they hear that the portion they give to the church will be multiplied back to them many times over, they totally embrace this teaching. When they see that it doesn't work for them — no matter how much faith they have demonstrated through giving — they turn away, blaming God for letting them down. In reality it was false doctrine that failed.
Let's see now what the Bible really teaches about the subjects of health, wealth, and ease in the Christian's life.
God's Clear Declarations from the New Testament
“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.”
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
“For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully…But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.”
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you…Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”
Old Testament Examples
“Others were tortured…Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented — of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.”
“My brethren, take the prophets…as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure.”
The Example of the Apostle Paul
“We are hard pressed on every side…we are perplexed…persecuted…struck down…always carrying about in the body the dying of of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake…our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
“Are they ministers of Christ? — I speak as a fool — I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep…in perils of waters…of robbers…of my own countrymen…of the Gentiles, in perils in the city…in the wilderness…in the sea…among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”
“A thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me…Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities…Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Christ's Example
I refer you back to 1 Peter 2:19–21 where it is stated that Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow His steps. Pretty clear, isn't it? Then carefully and prayerfully read the entire 53rd chapter of Isaiah and see how He suffered for us. No one has ever been as godly as the Son of God, yet He did not even have a place to lay His head (Luke 9:58), and He suffered more than anyone ever has or ever will.
The Example of Christian Martyrs
Down through the centuries devoted men and women have gladly forsaken normal comforts, possessions and privileges to give their very lives for the sake of the gospel. Are we to suppose that they were lacking in faith or godliness because they suffered? Because they enjoyed so little of this world's goods?
Any doctrine that belittles believers who have little and/or who suffer much for the Lord's sake is an affront to God and an insult to all who live godly in Christ. Such teaching should be rejected and denounced for the harmful, unscriptural heresy that it is. It is not "good news" at all and does immeasurable harm to the true gospel message of God's free, unmerited grace.
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
