The Christian and money!

The Gospel of Prosperity

• 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!

•Continued next week

Where will you put your trust?