Thread: What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?
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What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?
Posted : 23 Sep, 2011 02:05 PM
Question: "What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?"
Answer: In the prosperity gospel, also known as the �Word of Faith,� the believer is told to use God, whereas the truth of biblical Christianity is just the opposite�God uses the believer. Word of Faith or prosperity theology sees the Holy Spirit as a power to be put to use for whatever the believer wills. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is a Person who enables the believer to do God's will. The prosperity gospel movement closely resembles some of the destructive greed sects that infiltrated the early church. Paul and the other apostles were not accommodating to or conciliatory with the false teachers who propagated such heresy. They identified them as dangerous false teachers and urged Christians to avoid them.
Paul warned Timothy about such men in 1 Timothy 6:5, 9-11. These men of �corrupt mind� supposed godliness was a means of gain and their desire for riches was a trap that brought them �into ruin and destruction� (v. 9). The pursuit of wealth is a dangerous path for Christians and one which God warns about: �For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs� (v. 10). If riches were a reasonable goal for the godly, Jesus would have pursued it. But He did not, preferring instead to have no place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20) and teaching His disciples to do the same. It should also be remembered that the only disciple concerned with wealth was Judas.
Paul said covetousness is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5) and instructed the Ephesians to avoid anyone who brought a message of immorality or covetousness (Ephesians 5:6-7). Prosperity teaching prohibits God from working on His own, meaning that God is not Lord of all because He cannot work until we release Him to do so. Faith, according to the Word of Faith doctrine, is not submissive trust in God; faith is a formula by which we manipulate the spiritual laws that prosperity teachers believe govern the universe. As the name �Word of Faith� implies, this movement teaches that faith is a matter of what we say more than whom we trust or what truths we embrace and affirm in our hearts.
A favorite term in the Word of Faith movement is �positive confession.� This refers to the teaching that words themselves have creative power. What you say, Word of Faith teachers claim, determines everything that happens to you. Your confessions, especially the favors you demand of God, must all be stated positively and without wavering. Then God is required to answer (as though man could require anything of God!). Thus, God's ability to bless us supposedly hangs on our faith. James 4:13-16 clearly contradicts this teaching: �Now listen, you who say, �Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.� Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.� Far from speaking things into existence in the future, we do not even know what tomorrow will bring or even whether we will be alive.
Instead of stressing the importance of wealth, the Bible warns against pursuing it. Believers, especially leaders in the church (1 Timothy 3:3), are to be free from the love of money (Hebrews 13:5). The love of money leads to all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Jesus warned, �Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions� (Luke 12:15). In sharp contrast to the Word of Faith emphasis on gaining money and possessions in this life, Jesus said, �Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal� (Matthew 6:19). The irreconcilable contradictions between prosperity teaching and the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is best summed up in the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:24, �You cannot serve both God and money.�
Recommended Resource: Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century by Hank Hanegraaff.
What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?
Posted : 23 Sep, 2011 02:21 PM
Jude there is a lot of half truth's in this post, but not of one that is walking in the light of the word of God
First of all prosperity, or You could say Jesus covers every area of life upon the earth.
Financial prosperity is the lowest form of prosperity and is primarily of this world and to say it is not fore the children of God leaves one conclusion Jesus gave all his wealth to Satan. Which is exactly what happens to christians not walking in the light of prosperity, is satan ends up being glorified with that lie he loves to abound concerning prosperity
Spiritual prosperity starts with the new birth, do we even need to say how much that is opposed on this site.
What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?
Posted : 23 Sep, 2011 02:30 PM
Heavenly Treasures and Heavenly Rewards:
John 18:36: Jesus says, "My KINGDOM is *NOT* of this world.... But now MY Kingdom is from another place!"
I John 2:15: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world:devil: the love of the Father is not in him."
Luke 4:5,6: The Devil:devil: led Jesus up to a very high place and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for *IT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME*, and I can give it to anyone I want to."
The Prosperity Gospel:devil: of Osteen, PJ & ET teaches us to love the world and the things in the world and the god of this world who is Satan
Matthew 25:31-34: Jesus says, "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in Heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him. and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on the right and the goats on His left. Then the King {Jesus} will say to those on His right, "Come, you who have been blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the *KINGDOM* prepared for you since the creation of the world!":applause:
2 Peter 7,10,13: �The present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the Day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men... But the DAY OF THE LORD {See I Cor 1:7,8} will come like a thief.{To unbelievers-I Thess 5:4,5} The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up... But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH, the Home of righteousness.�:applause:
Rev 21 1:1-3: Then I saw a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. {THEN} I saw the NEW JERUSALEM, coming down out of heaven from God...,And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, �Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them! They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying of pain, for the old order of things has passed away!!"
You will note that the New Jerusalem will come only *AFTER the present heaven and earth have passed away on the DAY OF THE LORD! Read Hebrews 11:10, 14-16 & John 14:1-3.
Hebrews 11:1: "Now *FAITH* is being sure of what we hope for and *CERTAIN OF WHAT WE DO NOT SEE!!"
2 Corinthians 4:18: �So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is *UNSEEN*. For what is seen is temporary, but what is *UNSEEN is eternal.
James 4:3: �When you ask you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures!"
I John 5:14: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything **ACCORDING TO HIS WILL**, He hears us!"
The Prosperity Gospel of Osteen, PJ and ET teaches us to love the worldand the things in the world and the god of this world who is Satan not Jesus.
In the old covenant God's commandments were only preached to Jews but in the New Covenant Jesus commands us to preach to every nation in the world teaching them to obey *EVERYTHING* He commanded and everything would also include all of the approximately 400 NT commandments also taught in Acts to Revelation {See 2 Timothy 3-16 to 4:2.}
Jesus also eliminated the earthly rewards for faithful service and commanded us to sell our possessions and give to the poor and get *TREASURES IN HEAVEN* and **THEN** come follow Him.
Luke 12:33,34: Jesus says, �Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted....For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.�
Matthew 20:20-24: �All these {Commandments} I have kept, the young man said. �What do I still lack?� Jesus answered, �If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. **THEN** come, follow Me.� When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus says, �It is hard for a rich man to enter the *KINGDOM OF HEAVEN*. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the *KINGDOM OF GOD*.�
This inspired passage shows that the *KINGDOM OF HEAVEN* and the *KINGDOM OF GOD* are one and the same!!
Luke 6:20: Jesus says �Blessed are you who are *POOR*, for *YOURS* is the *KINGDOM OF GOD*.�
Matthew 19:27-30: Peter said to Jesus, �We have left **EVERYTHING** to follow you! What then will there be for us?� Jesus says, �I tell you the Truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me {Including Paul}will also sit on 12 thrones...And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for My sake will receive 100 times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first {like Osteen & his followers} will be last, and many who are last {In this life} will be first.� And there will be plenty of room for 100 houses and 100 fields in the New Jerusalem since it will be over 1377 miles long and wide and high.
I John 2:3-5: �We know that we have come to know Him if we *OBEY HIS COMMANDS*. The man who says, �I know him,� but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His Word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him.�:angel:
2 Corinthians 6:4-10: As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in troubles, hardships and distresses, in beatings, imprisonments; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love, in truthful speech and in the power of God; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; dying, and yet we live on; beaten and yet not killed; *POOR*, yet making many rich; *HAVING NOTHING*; and yet possessing everything.�
I Timothy 6:5-10: There are men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain....If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money:devil: is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.�
I Timothy 2:9,10: �I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.�
The early saints followed these commands of Jesus and the NT Covenant:
Acts 2:44,45: "*ALL* the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." Acts 4:32: "*ALL* the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.":angel:
Revelation 22:12: Jesus says, "Behold, I am coming soon! My *REWARD* is *WITH ME*, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done!" {When He comes, not now}
2 Corinthians 5:9,10: "So we make it our goal to please Him..For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him {Not NOW} for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad!"
Matthew 16:27: Jesus says, For the Son of Man is going to come in His **FATHER'S GLORY WITH HIS ANGELS**{See Matt 24:30-31;25:31-40}, and **THEN** {Not with earthly rewards now} He will *REWARD* each person:rolleyes: according to what he has done."
I Peter 1:13: �Therefore, prepare your minds for *ACTION*, and set your hope *FULLY* on the {UNSEEN}grace to be given *YOU* when Jesus Christ is *REVEALED*.:applause::angel::peace:
What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?
Posted : 23 Sep, 2011 03:15 PM
Good word PJ... and as 3 John covers all three areas in a believers life as it pertains to prosperity in verse 2: I wish above all things that you may PROSPER (meaning be successful and have well being in all things); (2) and be in GOOD HEALTH (covering being prosperous in have good having good health without sicknesses or diseases; even as your SOUL PROSPEROUS (meaning the spritual prosperity of our sols in knowing all there is to know about Jesus Christ unto salvation regenerated)... these are the three life changing elements in our life and the greatest of these is our salvation...
Sad, there is a lack of understand and ignorance in knowing God's word for what it is and covers.
I like what God speaks in these passages, Maybe Richard or someone can explain these passages as to what God is speaking about, or is God only speaking one deminisional.... spiritual prospererity ONLY?
Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. (ESV)
Psalem 1: The man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked �is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (ESV)
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)
Even Paul instructs the saints about giving their money to help the poor churches:
I Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper(according to your income), that there be no collections when I come.
If a person does not have a prosperous income he/she is unable to give to the works of the Lord.
Maybe it would help if people were not ignorant of the definition of the word prosperity, prosperous prosper...
Definition of Prosperity
Posted on July 31, 2010 by Prosperity
To find a definition of prosperity we will first look at what the standard dictionary definition say. Then we will begin the journey to each having our own personal definition.
These are some of the basic dictionary phrases used to define prosperity:
1) Financial well-being
2) Affluence
3) The condition of being successful
4) Good fortune
5) Prosperous circumstances
6) Having wealth
7) The condition of being prosperous
The dictionary phrases for prosperous are:
1) Having financial success
2) Flourishing
3) To be fortunate
4) Thriving
5) Advancing in the pursuit of anything desirable
6) Conducive to success
The first thing most people think of when considering the concept of prosperity is money. A lot of money with which to fulfill their dreams and passions.
Prosperity is considered to be having enough money to live a good life without scarcity. The word prosperity is often used by economists to describe a period of time of a rapidly growing economy with low unemployment. That doesn�t sound too much like today but you can still learn to create personal prosperity.
Many people believe that prosperity also has a health component. In fact it is very difficult to separate the concept of good health from personal prosperity.
A third prosperity gauge is having peace of mind. Low stress and a happy life is usually the goal that people have in mind when they are thinking about having wealth.
I personally believe that the true definition of prosperity includes money, health and state of mind.
All around well-being. If you possess good health and peace of mind, you don�t usually worry so much about money.
Having money can help with peace of mind. When all the bills are paid and you have extra funds for fun and savings, there is less stress.
Less stress helps lead to a long and happy life.
Side Bar: Jesus teaches us NOT to worry abut THINGS because it causes stress and is not good for our help. Matthew chapter 5 & 6...
What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?
Posted : 23 Sep, 2011 04:56 PM
HEAVENLY TREASURES AND REWARDS
Ephesians 4:28: "Work so that you may have something to share with those in need!":angel:
James 4:3: �When you ask you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures!"
In the old covenant God's commandments were only preached to Jews but in the New Covenant Jesus commands us to preach to every nation in the world teaching them to obey *EVERYTHING* He commanded and everything would also include all of the approximately 400 NT commandments also taught in Acts to Revelation {See 2 Timothy 3-16 to 4:2.}
Jesus also eliminated the earthly rewards for faithful service and commanded us to sell our possessions and give to the poor and get *TREASURES IN HEAVEN* and **THEN** come follow Him.
Luke 12:33,34: Jesus says, �Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted....For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.�:applause:
Matthew 20:20-24: �All these {Commandments} I have kept, the young man said. �What do I still lack?� Jesus answered, �If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. **THEN** come, follow Me.� When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus says, �It is hard for a rich man to enter the *KINGDOM OF HEAVEN*. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the *KINGDOM OF GOD*.�
Luke 6:20: Jesus says �Blessed are you who are *POOR*, for *YOURS* is the *KINGDOM OF GOD*.�:applause:
2 Corinthians 6:4-10: As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in troubles, hardships and distresses, in beatings, imprisonments; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love, in truthful speech and in the power of God; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; dying, and yet we live on; beaten and yet not killed; *POOR*, yet making many rich; *HAVING NOTHING*; and yet possessing everything.�:angel:
I Timothy 6:5-10: There are men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain....If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.�
The early saints followed the commands of Jesus and the NT Covenant:
Acts 2:44,45: "*ALL* the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." Acts 4:32: "*ALL* the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.":angel:
