the christian and money!. the gospel of prosperity
TRANSCRIPT
• Very popular today
• Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, Ken Copeland, Robert Tilton, Marilyn Hickey, Oral Roberts, Keneth Hagin, etc.
• Organizations
• Trinity Broadcasting Network
• Sherwood pictures (Fireproof Courageous, Flywheel, etc.)
Wikimedia, Public Domain
What is the Gospel of Prosperity?• A movement that teaches it is
God’s will that you materially prosper in this world.
• “Prosperity theology, “Health and wealth”, “Word of faith”
What is the Gospel of Prosperity?• Typically advocates are
wealthy and successful• “Name and claim it”; “God
wants you to prosper”; “Expect a miracle”; Rebuking “the spirit of poverty”, etc.
What is the Gospel of Prosperity?• “Word of faith” – many redefine
faith to say if you want something you have to believe you will receive it and ACT on that belief.“Word” means you must verbally declare your wants
What is the Gospel of Prosperity?• “Entitled”, “Empowerment”,
“Visualization”, “Positive thinking”, etc.
What is the Gospel of Prosperity?• Kenneth Copeland, 3 steps:
1) Seeing what you need 2) Stake your claim 3) Speak it into existence
Wikimedia, Public Domain
What is the Gospel of Prosperity?• Joel Osteen, “God wants us
to prosper financially, to have plenty of money, to fulfill the destiny He has laid out for us”
Wikimedia, Public Domain
What is the Gospel of Prosperity?• Why is it so successful?• Large audiences, statistical
probability• Materialistic appeal• Worldly principles that work
What is the Gospel of Prosperity?• A problem in Bible times• Job’s friends•John 9:2, “Who sinned?”• Pharisees often
demonstrated this mentality
Biblical Basis of This Doctrine• IN summary, NONE! •Gal. 3:13-14, “the blessings of
Abraham come upon the Gentiles.
• Proposed that God wants us to prosper materially like Abraham, etc.
Biblical Basis of This Doctrine•Deut. 28, promise of
blessings to Israel if they remained faithful, curse if they rejected God
Biblical Basis of This Doctrine•Mal. 3:10, Bring tithes and
see “If I will not open for you the windows and heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be enough room to receive it.”
Biblical Basis of This Doctrine•Answer: Under a different law
with different purpose.He wanted to show He could and would bless the righteous.
• Warnings about prosperity – Deut. 8:7-18, Prov. 30:8-9
Biblical Basis of This Doctrine•Answer: The wicked often
prospered as wellPsa. 2:1, 37:35, Psa. 73, Eccl. 7:15
• The righteous often suffered as well.
Biblical Basis of This Doctrine•Answer: Gal. 3:13-14,
NOTE the context. Promise is spiritual blessings – the blessing is actually mentioned!
• Also, under Old Law God promised material blessings, today He does NOT!