The Dangers of the Prosperity Gospel
The prosperity gospel is a popular but dangerous perspective that cherry-picks verses to support a message of material wealth and physical health. Learn why it's important to consider the broader biblical context and check out scriptures that warn against the love of money.
Brent Beshore
@PermanentEquity // @CapitalCamp // @MainStSummit // Author of "The Messy Marketplace" // Former atheist who now follows Jesus
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Had someone reach out who recently started to be concerned about his church's "prosperity gospel" perspective. He said it felt "off," but he didn't know why and asked my opinion.
— Brent Beshore (@BrentBeshore) June 25, 2023
Here's my response in case it's helpful to anyone else out there: -
1) The prosperity gospel cherry-picks verses that support a message of material wealth and physical health, without taking into account the broader biblical context.
— Brent Beshore (@BrentBeshore) June 25, 2023
I would check out scriptures that warn against the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10), highlight the value of… -
2) The Bible places more emphasis on heavenly treasures than earthly ones. Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-20). I'd argue that the prosperity gospel wrongly prioritizes temporary,…
— Brent Beshore (@BrentBeshore) June 25, 2023 -
3) The prosperity gospel treats faith like a transaction, where belief in God is a means to attain health and wealth.
— Brent Beshore (@BrentBeshore) June 25, 2023
This is in contrast to the biblical view, where faith is valued as an end in itself, a means to have a relationship with God and to be transformed into His… -
4) I'd critique the prosperity gospel for its avoidance of suffering and its implication that suffering is always a result of lack of faith.
— Brent Beshore (@BrentBeshore) June 25, 2023
The Bible presents suffering as a part of the Christian experience that can refine and deepen faith, not a sign of spiritual failure.… -
5) The prosperity gospel can lead to self-centeredness, as it often encourages people to focus on their own wealth and health rather than the needs of others and the glory of God. This is contrary to the biblical call to self-sacrifice and love of others.
— Brent Beshore (@BrentBeshore) June 25, 2023
“Humility is not…