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Prosperity Gospel
May 10, 10:39 AM
“Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:1
In the traditional church and in most of the academic community, the concept of “prosperity gospel” is treated with utter disdain. Prosperity gospel is a label given to the mindset that God will bless people with big houses, fancy cars, and lots of money. This prosperity gospel can be seen of in certain ministries, many of whom occupy prominent places in the American scene, especially those on television. I submit to you that those who so vehemently oppose the idea of what they have labeled prosperity gospel betray their own cultural bias and ignorance of how much of the world is forced to live.
Those who oppose the idea of prosperity gospel oppose it primarily for three reasons: it creates the false impression that God’s sole purpose in this life is to load up the bank accounts of those who have faith; it neglects the obvious cost of discipleship, denying one’s self in order to follow Christ; the Bible verses which promise blessing are often taken out of context and used to justify a mentality of wealth. There is no doubt that these objections are altogether true. It is an anathema to the gospel to proclaim its blessings without its demands and cost. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)
However, the blessings of house and land and sufficient finances are not nearly as important to those who have them as to those who do not. Much of the American church is so used to having sufficient provision that the idea of need is foreign to them. The prayer, “give us this day our daily bread” holds little meaning. Those in affluence have the luxury of moving on to other things such as self-actualization and personal fulfillment. Those in cultures where shelter and food are themselves luxuries see life and faith in a totally different light. Those of us in the former category reveal our arrogance when we criticize those in the latter. It is disheartening and even maddening to see preachers get wealthy on the gospel. But remember that for every wealthy preacher you see, there are countless thousands out there who are faithfully committed to their calling. Many of them pray every day for God’s provision.
To say that God is not in the business of blessing His children is as utterly false as the polar opposite extreme which maintains that God’s blessing is all about personal wealth. There are countless examples in the Scriptures in which God promises blessing, prosperity, and provision. While God’s promise does not mean we will win the lottery and be set for life, neither does God’s blessing confine itself to things theoretical and intangible. God’s promises are certainly conditioned upon faithful obedience of the recipients. However, to the one without a job, the answer to prayer is worthy, productive work. For those without shelter, a house is a gift from heaven. For persons who have for generations been forced into subservience, the idea of self-determination is freedom indeed. Medical care is like manna from above to those who either have no access to it or who are forced to wait endlessly at the local emergency room. When an individual has never been treated with respect, he will dream and pray of one day being a king.
“You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Isaiah 58:11) Whether we are among the have’s or the have not’s let us remember that God is bringing us into a land flowing with milk and honey. To those who are faithful, God will give a name and a place better than sons and daughters. If we endure with Him, we will reign with Him. Prosperity? God is going to give us a kingdom!