The Dangers of the Prosperity Gospel: A Biblical Critique

 In a world obsessed with success and material wealth, the prosperity gospel offers a tantalizing promise: faith in God can make you rich, healthy, and happy. Preachers like Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, and TD Jakes have built massive followings by promoting this message. But is this really what the Bible teaches? Or is it a dangerous distortion of the gospel? In this post, we’ll examine the prosperity gospel through the lens of scripture and explore why it might be leading believers astray.

What Is the Prosperity Gospel?

The prosperity gospel, often called the “health and wealth” gospel, teaches that God wants all believers to enjoy prosperity, good health, and success. It claims that through faith, positive confession, and generous giving—especially to ministries—believers can unlock these blessings. This teaching emerged from the Word of Faith movement and gained traction through televangelism in the 1980s. Today, it’s championed by high-profile figures like Joel Osteen, whose Lakewood Church in Houston attracts 38,000 members and whose net worth is estimated at over $50 million.



At its core, the prosperity gospel ties spiritual devotion to tangible rewards, suggesting that faithfulness to God guarantees a life free of hardship and full of abundance. But does this align with the teachings of scripture?

A Biblical Critique of the Prosperity Gospel

When we examine the Bible, a different picture emerges—one that challenges the prosperity gospel’s promises of wealth and ease. Scripture warns against materialism, embraces suffering as part of the Christian life, and points believers toward contentment and eternal hope. Let’s explore this critique through three key themes, supported by specific passages.

Theme 1: Wealth and Materialism

The prosperity gospel often equates wealth with God’s favor, but the Bible offers a starkly different view:

  • Luke 12:15: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Jesus emphasizes that true life isn’t measured by material possessions, directly contradicting the idea that wealth reflects spiritual success.
  • 1 Timothy 6:17: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God.” Paul instructs wealthy believers to rely on God, not their riches, undermining the prosperity gospel’s focus on material blessings as a divine entitlement.

Theme 2: Suffering and Persecution

Rather than promising a life free of hardship, scripture presents suffering as a normal, even blessed, part of following Christ:

  • Matthew 5:10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus teaches that enduring persecution for faith is a sign of God’s favor, not a failure of faith as the prosperity gospel might suggest.
  • Philippians 1:29: “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Paul frames suffering as a privilege tied to faith, not something to be avoided through positive confession or giving.

Theme 3: Contentment and Eternal Perspective

The Bible calls believers to find peace in all circumstances and to prioritize eternal rewards over earthly gains:

  • Philippians 4:11–13: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.” Paul’s ability to thrive in both plenty and want stands in sharp contrast to the prosperity gospel’s expectation of constant abundance.
  • Hebrews 11:39–40: “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” Many faithful heroes of the Bible never saw their rewards in this life, pointing to a hope beyond the temporal.

These scriptures reveal a consistent biblical message: faith doesn’t guarantee earthly prosperity, and the pursuit of wealth can distract from God’s true purposes.

The Practical Implications of the Prosperity Gospel

The prosperity gospel’s promises don’t just conflict with scripture—they can also harm believers in practical ways. Imagine a young couple inspired by these teachings. They give generously to their church, expecting financial blessings in return. But when medical bills pile up and a job loss hits, they’re left confused and disillusioned. Did they not have enough faith? Were their confessions not positive enough?

This scenario highlights several dangers:

  • Disillusionment: When the promised blessings don’t materialize, believers may question their faith or abandon it altogether, feeling betrayed by unmet expectations.
  • Misplaced Priorities: A focus on wealth and health can shift attention away from spiritual growth, service to others, and devotion to God.
  • A Distorted View of God: The prosperity gospel risks reducing God to a cosmic vending machine—insert faith, receive blessings—rather than a sovereign, holy being worthy of worship regardless of circumstances.

These consequences underscore the real-world stakes of embracing this teaching.

A Call to Discernment

For Christians who hold scripture as their authority, discernment is essential. As 2 Timothy 3:16–17 states, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” When tested against the Bible, the prosperity gospel falls short. It clashes with the biblical call to humility, endurance in suffering, and hope in an eternal inheritance.

Instead of chasing promises of earthly riches, believers are urged to focus on the true gospel: salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, with an eye toward eternity. This requires studying scripture personally, not just relying on popular preachers, and weighing every teaching against God’s word.

Conclusion

The prosperity gospel may captivate with its promise of a prosperous, pain-free life, but it doesn’t hold up under biblical scrutiny. Scripture teaches that faith is a call to follow Christ—through plenty or want, joy or suffering—with our hope fixed on eternal rewards, not temporary gains. As believers, we must guard against teachings that prioritize earthly wealth and instead embrace the true gospel of grace and perseverance.

Have you examined the teachings you follow against the truth of scripture? Let this be a call to discernment and a return to the authentic message of Christ.



DMMC 7-14-25


Location: Peru, IN 46970, USA

Comments

Debbie said…
Awesome presentation. Blessed to have a brother with such vision and knowledge
July 20, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Dialysis Day with Dave

Image
Just wanted to run you through an average dialysis day for me and so many others. ----------------------------------------- The alarm shrieks, cutting through the dawn quiet at 7:30 AM, sharp and insistent. Dave groans, rolling over to silence it. His body feels heavy, like it’s still tethered to the bed, but he knows he can’t linger. Dialysis days start early, and the clinic waits for no one. He swings his legs over the side of the bed, pausing to catch his breath. The familiar ache in his lower back is there, a dull throb---a reminder of the fluid his kidneys can’t clear anymore. He shuffles to the bathroom, splashes cold water on his face, and stares at his reflection. His eyes are a little puffy today, but he forces a half-smile. “You got this,” he mutters, a mantra he’s leaned into since his diagnosis. He knows that it's only the strength from God that is getting him through each day. Breakfast is light—oatmeal with a few blueberries, no salt, no bananas. He’s memorized the re...
Read more

Meta is a Menace. The Tyranny of AI

Image
 The use of AI in content moderation on Meta’s platforms—Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads—has sparked intense debate about its impact on free expression, fairness, and platform governance. The term “tyranny of AI” suggests an overreach of automated systems that could suppress voices or misjudge content, often with little recourse for users. Below, I’ll break down the key issues, benefits, and concerns surrounding Meta’s AI-driven moderation, drawing on recent trends and critiques while examining the broader implications. The Role of AI in Meta’s Content Moderation Meta has increasingly leaned on AI to handle the massive volume of content across its platforms, with automated systems now responsible for a significant portion of content removals. For instance, in early 2025, Meta reported that 97.4% of content removed for hate speech on Instagram was handled by AI, though this dropped slightly for bullying and harassment on Facebook. The company has also moved toward automat...
Read more

Borrowing Back the Past: A Reflection on Loss, Faith, and Memory

Image
Today was another rough day, but I’m still here, still fighting, still trusting in God’s plan. For those who may not know, I’ve been on dialysis for nearly three years—September will mark that milestone. Navigating the endless hoops of medical appointments, tests, and treatments often leaves me drained, with little energy to tackle everything I need to do. Yet, I’m blessed beyond measure to have employers who understand my limitations. Their compassion and flexibility are gifts I can never fully repay, and I thank God for their kindness every day. Three weeks ago, I underwent tests to determine if my bladder has the capacity and elasticity to support a kidney transplant, should that day ever come. Then, last week, I traveled to Lafayette for a biopsy due to concerns about a nodule or shadow on my thyroid. Both tests were supposed to yield results within a week, but I’ve heard nothing—diddly squat, as I like to say. The transplant team is likely weighing what’s best for me, and I trust ...
Read more