The Prosperity Gospel
"The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly." (John 10:10) The Prosperity Gospel is an evil I see within the Church that really bothers me. It gives some a false hope and leads others into believing and justifying their own carnal nature can be holy if only they ask in the name of "Jesus". The above scripture is a commonly used proof text for those who adhere to "Prosperity Gospel" doctrine.
Life more abundantly means a life full of joy as a result of the Holy Spirit indwelling. We look forward to the life to come, not at this present life. While we are in this present life we are going to be in a state of misery due the fallen nature of ourselves, this planet, and creation in general. We will always struggle with our sins (both out of our own fallen flesh and snares set by Satan and his demons) and the results of sin having influenced this world.
Prosperity gospel proponents have come to the conclusion that God wants you healthy, wealthy and well. And if you are not... then it is due to a lack of faith on your part. If one looks at the teachers of this doctrine, the extravagance they display or the riches they claim serves to bear witness to the truth of it.
If this were to be true, what of the believers in Africa who are in the midst of poverty and persecution? Is their faith just not strong enough? Is any person claiming to be a Christian living in squalid conditions in third world nations, enduring the Islamic sword for refusing to convert really lacking faith? Because I, myself, have used these people as examples of faith and have considered them true saints for being willing to become martyrs for the name of Jesus.
Have I been wrong...?
How does this system measure up to God's Holy Scripture...?
Jesus has told us, "not to store up treasures on the earth", (Matthew 6:19-21). Paul, likewise deprecates the coveting of riches, and calls men’s minds depraved and deprived of the truth who think godliness is a way to material gain (1 Timothy 6:5-10). Christ said if any would be His disciple you must "deny yourself and take up your cross, and follow me" and "what does it profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul", (Matthew 16:24-26).
One only need look at the example of the apostles. Who had greater faith than these who had not only the benefit of being imparted with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost? But also walked with the Lord while he graced this earth with His physical presence. Which of them actually prospered financially, health-wise, or in their personal relationships?
They were broke…, broke down…, and hated. By Jews and Gentiles alike.
(Funny, seems like some are willing to give all for Christ. While others are willing to get all for Christ.)
Yet the apostles maintained their joy.
Why...?
Because their joy was predicated on the promises to come in the next life. Not on any feeble, superficial or material thing of this earth. Happiness is a mere human emotion and is subject to whatever conditions exist at that moment. It can be lost at any second. Joy, on the other hand, is something we have due to the knowledge of our salvation and the work of the Holy Spirit. A Christian can lose their happiness, but not their joy. (Example, if I know I am going on a grand trip in six months, to a place I have always wanted to go, it brings me joy. When I learn I am going on this trip, the residual effect is my current emotional state being happy (happiness) along with joy. Now, lets say about an hour later, while I am still happy, I trip into a hole and break my arm. At this point I am no longer happy. But, I still have my joy.
Why...? Because I still have the knowledge that in six months I am going on this grand trip.)
Nevertheless...
My joy is not predicated on the things of this earth. It is entirely possibly that the Lord may call a person (you/me) to give up all that they have to fulfill a particular calling or need.
God is not my magic genie whom I can use to give me the desires of my evil, sin filled heart. He is the almighty Creator who is sovereign. We would be better off attempting to align our will with His, instead of trying to bend His to ours.
Dr. John MacArthur has an in depth series with regard to this issue. I highly recommend it. Click the link below.
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermon-series/219/charismatic-chaos
Life more abundantly means a life full of joy as a result of the Holy Spirit indwelling. We look forward to the life to come, not at this present life. While we are in this present life we are going to be in a state of misery due the fallen nature of ourselves, this planet, and creation in general. We will always struggle with our sins (both out of our own fallen flesh and snares set by Satan and his demons) and the results of sin having influenced this world.
Prosperity gospel proponents have come to the conclusion that God wants you healthy, wealthy and well. And if you are not... then it is due to a lack of faith on your part. If one looks at the teachers of this doctrine, the extravagance they display or the riches they claim serves to bear witness to the truth of it.
If this were to be true, what of the believers in Africa who are in the midst of poverty and persecution? Is their faith just not strong enough? Is any person claiming to be a Christian living in squalid conditions in third world nations, enduring the Islamic sword for refusing to convert really lacking faith? Because I, myself, have used these people as examples of faith and have considered them true saints for being willing to become martyrs for the name of Jesus.
Have I been wrong...?
How does this system measure up to God's Holy Scripture...?
Jesus has told us, "not to store up treasures on the earth", (Matthew 6:19-21). Paul, likewise deprecates the coveting of riches, and calls men’s minds depraved and deprived of the truth who think godliness is a way to material gain (1 Timothy 6:5-10). Christ said if any would be His disciple you must "deny yourself and take up your cross, and follow me" and "what does it profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul", (Matthew 16:24-26).
One only need look at the example of the apostles. Who had greater faith than these who had not only the benefit of being imparted with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost? But also walked with the Lord while he graced this earth with His physical presence. Which of them actually prospered financially, health-wise, or in their personal relationships?
They were broke…, broke down…, and hated. By Jews and Gentiles alike.
(Funny, seems like some are willing to give all for Christ. While others are willing to get all for Christ.)
Yet the apostles maintained their joy.
Why...?
Because their joy was predicated on the promises to come in the next life. Not on any feeble, superficial or material thing of this earth. Happiness is a mere human emotion and is subject to whatever conditions exist at that moment. It can be lost at any second. Joy, on the other hand, is something we have due to the knowledge of our salvation and the work of the Holy Spirit. A Christian can lose their happiness, but not their joy. (Example, if I know I am going on a grand trip in six months, to a place I have always wanted to go, it brings me joy. When I learn I am going on this trip, the residual effect is my current emotional state being happy (happiness) along with joy. Now, lets say about an hour later, while I am still happy, I trip into a hole and break my arm. At this point I am no longer happy. But, I still have my joy.
Why...? Because I still have the knowledge that in six months I am going on this grand trip.)
Nevertheless...
My joy is not predicated on the things of this earth. It is entirely possibly that the Lord may call a person (you/me) to give up all that they have to fulfill a particular calling or need.
God is not my magic genie whom I can use to give me the desires of my evil, sin filled heart. He is the almighty Creator who is sovereign. We would be better off attempting to align our will with His, instead of trying to bend His to ours.
Dr. John MacArthur has an in depth series with regard to this issue. I highly recommend it. Click the link below.
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermon-series/219/charismatic-chaos