The prosperity gospel is preached and taught in many religious worship places. Still, the shocking part about this is that about seventy percent of the members are not doing well financially, so I asked, ‘Is the prosperity gospel biblical?’
Most people who attend these prosperous religious worship places are not doing well financially and are living paycheck to paycheck. They are tired of living that way, never having enough money to pay bills or advance.
Some members of these prosperous religious worship places borrow money they cannot repay; they play the lottery but do not win, and they try to get ahead but are unable to do so. They immediately seize the opportunity when someone comes along and tells them that God will make them rich.
And these prosperity religious leaders use verses such as Luke 6:38 NIV Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
The above verses are used to encourage these people to give their money to that particular ministry. Most prosperity religious members don’t understand that the same verse applies anywhere: you can give to a poor, homeless family, and you will receive. No law says you have to give your money to that ministry; you can give it to anyone in need.
When I watched these prosperity gospel programs on TV, I noticed that the preachers would tell the people that to receive a financial blessing from God, they must plant a financial seed in that ministry. It is the same with all prosperity gospel services; they make it seem like God will only bless you financially if you give your money to their gospel ministries.
When these unfortunate people see other members at these prosperity gospel services with expensive new cars and big luxury homes, they assume God gave them these things because they planted a financial seed in that ministry. They don’t realize that some members are struggling to afford these luxury items.
I feel sorrow for these unfortunate people who are just trying to get ahead but are being taken advantage of by these prosperity preachers who call themselves Christians. Some of these prosperity gospel preachers have four or five luxury cars, two or three luxury homes, and some even have jets. Meanwhile, about seventy percent of their members are struggling financially.
In the meantime, these unfortunate people will have to make do with what little they have. It would be nice if someone came along and told these sad people that these prosperity gospel preachers are lying, but some would not believe it anyway.
The old saying goes, “The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.” I do not know if these unfortunate people are aware of God’s investment system, which is referred to as offerings. If you are a member of a religious organization (church), you should pay your tithes, about ten percent of your take-home earnings, to that organization.
The amount you give in your offerings should be decided by you and your spouse. So, you will not be talked into giving more than you had already planned. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Keep in mind that this is God’s investment system; you can invest in it in anyone, anywhere who needs it.
I have heard some prosperity preachers tell people how much to give in offerings, and whom to give it to, which is against God’s instructions on the amount of offering to give. Some people give more than they can afford, thinking God will make up for the amount they overspent on offerings, but they will find out that God does not work that way.
by: Staff
Christian Briefs 